FLYMPH FORUM

Hi all,

I am looking for a decent pair of hackle pliers. Any advice anyone could give me regarding your preferred hackle pliers would be much appreciated.

Thanks,
Otto

Morning, Otto, and Happy Thanksgiving. Okay, hackle pliers. I've got maybe a dozen different styles and sizes at my tying bench. The ones I always reach for are the C&F Designs pliers. In fact, I have two, just in case I lose one. They can be found cheaper, but not by much than this link. https://www.flyfishfood.com/products/c- ... kle-pliers

My wife prefers these, but I've always had to take the emery paper to the sharp edges. https://www.amazon.com/Tyflyz-Toolz-Hac ... 79&sr=8-18

Otto, Howdy;

Have you tried looking at the maker of your Vise?
He's got one that I've used and just a wee bit on
the hefty side, but workable. I tried the "Third Hand"
version. Here, the link does a better job then I can.
http://www.frankenfly.com/new-tools-from-jvice/
HAPPY Thanksgiving.

hank

Hank, thanks for the suggestion and I do have a pair of those hackle pliers that work great for bigger flies but a bit heavy for small soft hackles. Ron, I like those and will most likely get a pair and someone else suggested them to me as well. Thank you both for your suggestions.

You can tame the jaws of some hackle pliers with heat shrink tubing or plastic tool dip.

For Hackle, I prefer small arterial clamps, about 2" long:



They have serrated teeth and grip very well. For CDC, I use wire test clips.




bb

ForumGhillie wrote: ↑Thu Nov 25, 2021 4:52 pm [
BB, I have never those seen before. Where the heck did you find those?

That's because you've not yet visited me in Chicago--land of FIBs, and other miscreants!

You can find them on eBay--Debakey Bulldog clamps, you want the 2" version--sometimes they are available, sometimes not. Here's something close (2.25"):

https://www.ebay.com/itm/111029082553?h ... SwMalgb-cA

Make sure you are getting Operating Room quality instruments--there's a lot of junk out there. Some fly shops have been selling knockoffs that are useless--don't use the proper stainless steel, and have poor holding power. Good ones will cost $20 or so and up. Worth it--they are light, and I especially like the control I get with the curved jaw version.

bb

One pair of Hackle pliers will never do the job... I use at least four different types depending on the feathers, size, and fly being tied..... Everyone's hands, steadiness, and tying style has a lot to do with which works best for you. Lots of good ones out there. I've found that the lightest, and best fit for my hands work best for tying hackles on smaller flies and the fragile feathers we use.

Newriverspey.. pm me your address and I'll send you a pair of wire test clips...very useful for small feathers...

REE sent a link to two of my fav's too.

Ronr,

will Pm you and thanks for the offer.

Otto