Ive always used a razor blades to cut my tag ends...But weve all slipped and shaved,or frayed a thread wrap,right? haha!
Ive been hearing alot of guys using the fly scissors with great success and super clean cuts...Just curious how many have tried them and like them..

Thanks guys

W

Try them to see if you like them I use a blade myself.

Bill - willierods.com

I've used scissors but can't ever seem to get as close as with a blade or even a pair of fingernail clippers. I actually use clippers mostly and find that I shave fewer wraps this way.

Terry

It depends on how much coffee I've had, prior to wrapping. When my hands are really steady, I like to use a shiny, new razor. I think it cuts the closest. I have some really nice fly-tying scissors that I'll use after downing a pot of "joe". They cut really close, and are more foregiving, but it takes more work to get the cut tag hidden under the wrap.

I do some fly-tying and have used the scissors on rod wraps. I agree that you can't get as close a shave :) as with a razor, but I use the scissors anyway. I have found that if I pull the thread I am cutting taut, after the cut the thread often recedes under the wraps. My focus is on performance rather than aesthetics, which is why I am not likely to post any photos for comparison with the beautiful work I see displayed on this forum.

Rick

Thanks for all the great info....I might pick up a pair of fly scissors and keep them handy...I bet I can find a use for them.

I picked up a set, but the blade works the best for me!

Kyle Robinson

I'll put in my pull tie with about ten wraps to go; this way, when I'm ready to tie off I can snug the tag end up to where it's ready to pass under the wraps and I can use the sissors to cut it short enough that it doesn't go all the ways through to that tenth wrap. If I'm getting fancy with inlays and can't get ten wraps over the pull tie then I'll use the razor; pull enough of the tag through to grip it and pull it against the wraps to form a small gap. Gently set the razor edge against the thread in the gap and pull the tag end against the razor rather than pulling the razor across the thread. You should be able to hide the remaining tag end when you pack the gap closed.

I use "pliers" that jewelry makers use for cutting fine wire. Just pull the tag taunt, lay the pliers on the wrap and cut. No tags, no fuzz, no cut wraps!

My favorite tool for cutting tag ends is a high quality cuticle clipper. I bought a Cobalt Steel half jaw model. The super sharp edges have not shown the slightest bit of wear after months of use. They can be sharpened when needed. I got tired of changing scalpel blades.

When I used a scalpel I found that a long handle (9 inches) was the most comfortable and stable. But nothing comes close to the precision and accuracy of the cuticle nippers for me.

But it is still possible to damage the wrong threads with the nippers. Care is always required when clipping tag ends. Where possible I like to bury them and avoid the problem.

Not sure how to describe it but I use one of those ultrathin double sided razor blades that I see my dad using in his razor when I was a kid many decades ago. I've found nothing thinner or sharper.

Mo

Walker,
Go with a HIGH quality, very thin tipped, very sharp fly tying scissor and you will never go back.
When you trim your tag ends, put a good deal of pressure on the tag end, and snip.

When you make the cut, there will be almost nothing on top of the wrap and a quick pass with the burnishing tool, completely works any residual tag end back under the wrap.

Never, never nick a wrap again.

---
After several years of use with no sharpening of the current scissors, I finally sharpened them next week for several more years of trouble free use.

Don't buy the inexpensive, thick dull scissors on the market or you will not see the benefits of the use of a great pair of scissors.

Take care
Roger

Best thing that I ever used. Bill Stevens showed them to me 4 or 5 years ago at the Expo. About $15 at Walgreens and have lifetime free sharpening. I have 2 pair and rotate sending them in. Just slide all the way down the thread and nip!! No nubs
[www.rodbuilding.org]

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!!

There is never any need to pull one all the way through and out, as shown in most insructional videos, unless it's for a very narrow trim band. James has the best idea of all and I think it was covered in a recent issue of RodMaker. Put the pull loop in early, 10, 15, 20 wraps or so, just real early - cut the tag close to the wrap with scissors just before pulling it under the last wind, hold the last wind with your thumb/fingernail and pull the loop under and out. The end will drop out of the loop completely concealed underneath the wrap with nothing to trim. I've never been able to get what I wanted with a razor blade and only use it on those very narrow trim bands like a nail knot or anything less than ten winds.

I have been using a double edged razor blade, but I think I am going to run to Walgreens and get a pair of the cutters that Mike posted about. I build in the house on the kitchen table and am always wary that I will accidentally leave a razor blade out for my 1 or 4 year old to find.

All of my expensive fly tying scissors ended up being used by my wife and kids for craft stuff because they were the sharpest ones in the house, now they are the dullest. I gave up on the fancy German and Japanese ones years ago and took a tip from A.K. Best (Orvis), bought a pair of Wiss thread nippers from Cooper Tools. Best of all, they have thick replaceable stainless razorblades with either blunt or sharp points and cheap at your nearest craft store; order a box of replacement blades for after cutting wire etc. Maybe they’ll work for you; they saved my marriage, that year at least.
[www.cooperhandtools.com]