I bought a Stonfo Elite bobbin a few months ago, and I hate it. It seems like every 4 or 5 turns, I need to tighten the drag. maybe I'm holding it wrong? I know a lot of people use the Rite Bobbin, would I have the same problem? What are you all using?
I have somewhere around 2 or 3 dozen bobbins acquired over my 50 some years of tying flies. All are somewhat different in style and function but they all share one common characteristic. They were cheap. For hundreds of years some of the most beautiful and intricate flies ever created were tied with no bobbin. It's not the bobbin that controls the thread it is the craftsman who holds it.
I have one bobbin I really like but I don't know who made it or how to get another one. It has a cut out near the tip of the tube that makes switching threads really easy.
I have somewhere around 2 or 3 dozen bobbins acquired over my 50 some years of tying flies. All are somewhat different in style and function but they all share one common characteristic. They were cheap. For hundreds of years some of the most beautiful and intricate flies ever created were tied with no bobbin. It's not the bobbin that controls the thread it is the craftsman who holds it.
True...the tension is controlled by palming the spool...but a truly loose bobbin that can't support its own hanging weight and that of the spool is aggravating.
Yes...structures were once built with wooden pegs, mortise joints, and square forged nails, but there's nothing wrong with utilizing modern fabrication technology.
I've 60 year old Herter's bobbins that work just fine, but since I switched to Norvise about 20 years ago I really prefer automatic retracting bobbins.
And while the Norvise retracting bobbins are OK, I much prefer Ekich automatic bobbins because there's no necessity to rewind thread onto the special Norvise bobbins....you just insert the manufacturers' spools right on the bobbin axle.
My old bobbins mostly handle ribbing wire and floss.
I have over thought this for years, and have tried and spent a lot of $$. I have settled on the simple TMC bobbin holders. Very light, fit in the palm of my hand while working with materials, and seem to hold tension very well.
I really love my Stonfos & have never experienced loosening unless I'm holding it wrong. Outside of those, I have a few like what Norm posted above and those work very well as well.
Now I know why my fly tying SUCKS. I don't have the right bobbin; I guess that means I have the wrong bobbins. But I do have a Matarelli whip finishing tool.
![IMG_E7461[1].JPG](/forum/data/xfmg/thumbnail/44/44789-e1b6346e908c62801dcf7a01d362d41c.jpg?1721389346)
