Whip finishers are for the birds

[Jigg'n Fool]

Just started tying jigs this week. Been doing two half hitches to sinch off the end. Thought I would try a whip finish. I got a thompson style. After 2 hours watching videos and reading I still have no idea how to make this thing work. I think It may end up in the scrap pile before the night is up. Any suggestions. Several people have told me a half hitch is just as good but I just was trying to learn this tool.

[shipahoy41]

I have whip finished by hand for over forty years. Several half hitch knots and some hard as nails is all you really need.

[PBUG2009]

lol told you dusty....!!!!

[Jigging15]

Ship will a drop or two of head cement hold the half hitch knots well enough? I have been just putting two of what I would call a double half hitch knots in when finishing then just putting a couple drops of head cement on with a bobkin I believe it is called and then rub it in on top of knots. I just got a coulple bottles of the hard as nails this week and will try it and see how it works also.

[ezgo]

Just started tying jigs this week. Been doing two half hitches to sinch off the end. Thought I would try a whip finish. I got a thompson style. After 2 hours watching videos and reading I still have no idea how to make this thing work. I think It may end up in the scrap pile before the night is up. Any suggestions. Several people have told me a half hitch is just as good but I just was trying to learn this tool.

I just started tying earlier this year and I started with half hitch knots usually with three and some glue and I havenot had one lure come unwrapped yet. I whip finish with a tool now and once you get the hang of it, I think you would like it. I have been useing loons head cement and been haveing good luck with it.

[Redman]

Yes yes I have to agree with Ship!!! I hand whip all my jigs it takes about 2 seconds. Yes some where in some dusty box lays two or three of those whip finish tools. A old walleye jig maker taught me how to do it by hand and have been doing it that way for 30 years. Its faster and better IMHO. And yes I use Sally Hanson's hard as nails as a head cement. I have tried them all from commercial head cement to polyuritaine varnish. Sally's seems to work the best for me. If it aint broke don't fix it. Do if it is working for you and are happy with it keep on. If not than find something that you are. And remember simple most of the time is better.

Redman

[PBUG2009]

x 2 redman....differnet things work for different folks....

[skiptomylu]

First your using a whip finish tool that is not really for jig and more for flies with only a hook eye to go around. You need a Maratelli style to make it easier and not to say it's the only way as many use a half hitch, but there are reasons that the whip finish is better.

That is what happens when people buy kits and the Thompson come in most kits and they are hard to get use to using them. They don't fit well in jig tying IMHO! I will not use a half hitch my self.

Skip

[macon123]

I have a large button with some 6 lb test line tied on......at the end I have a loop. I lay the loop against the wrapped thread when nearly finished and make ten wraps from the back end of the thread wrap forward. I then clip the thread leaving two inches or so and then thread the thread end through the line loup and while holding tension on the thread, pull the button back making the thread tuck under the ten wraps on the way out. Clip off the tag end and you are done. Takes longer to read than to do.

[Jigg'n Fool]

I seen the tool for a dollar so I thought I would try it. I did notice in the videos they were using the thompson on flies and straight hooks like you said. That was the problem for me I kept catching the eye and pulling it off the tool. Do you not need cement when you whip finish?