When I first started wrapping, my instrucer used a razor blade to trim the thread wraps. That worked fine and I continued to use it. However, after many rods, I did notice that every now and then, I might nick a previously wrapped thread which would require me to rewrap a guide.

I then encountered another wrapper who was using a pair of fine tipped fly tying scissors to trim his wraps.

After obtaining a pair of such scissors and using them for many many guides over the previous few years - I have never nicked a previous thread wrap. The scissors also allow the thread to be cut very close to the previous wraps.

Roger

I also used to use fly tying scissors until I purchased a pair a cuticle cutters and have never looked back since.

Jeff

Best thing ever founf! [www.rodbuilding.org] Lifetime guarentee and free sharpening. I have two and alternate sending them in for sharpening every year or two, Less than $20 at Walgreen's Bill Stevens showed them to me at the big show a few years ago. I consider them indispensible

Mike (Southgate, MI)
If I don't want to, I don't have to and nobody can make me (except my wife) cuz I'm RETIRED!!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/01/2010 08:39PM by Mike Barkley.

I'm with you, Jeff - cuticle nippers all the way. They're about the best $15 you can ever spend on a rodbuilding tool. I used to worry about screwing up wraps all the time, and with the cuticle nippers, they come out perfect every time. You can buy them at any drugstore, and I can't recommend them highly enough.

how do you know which ones are sharp enough? ive got like 10 of them here cause my mom uses them and they arent sharp enough to cut the thread easily

The good ones will cut the thread easier than a razor and perfectly flush with no nubs/stickups. Go to Walfgeens and ask for the Tweezerman cuticle clippers like in the pic I posted

Mike (Southgate, MI)
If I don't want to, I don't have to and nobody can make me (except my wife) cuz I'm RETIRED!!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/27/2007 01:22AM by Mike Barkley.

Are you guys actually trimming the thread on guide wraps 'after' you use the pull the tag end through?

Is there a functional reason for this?

I've always cut my thread short enough so that once you pull the loop through all the tag end is trapped UNDER the wraps. This way I NEVER have to try to trim 'close' to a wrap with any kind of tool.

I was under the impression that everyone did it this way.

Thanks,

Buddy

Cuticle nippers all the way. I often leave tag ends after pull-thru until I'm ready to coat all wraps. I like being able to use them to snug the wrap up one last time after final packing and any adjusting I have to do. Trimming before pulling them thru doesn't give me that option.

Same way I do it, Buddy. Works great for me.

Putter
Williston, ND

Thanks Putter,

I thought I was missing something here.

Buddy

Once in a while, the metallic sheath around a thread pulls through on me (it's spiralled around the Gudebrod thread and slightly elongates when pulled through, especially with lots of wrapping pressure). When that happens, maybe that tweezer gizmo would help me out. If I'm ever in a city big enough, remember, and have time, I may pick one up. At about 6 cuts a year, it should last me the rest of my life without having to re-sharpen it?

Putter
Williston, ND