Finishing jigs without a whip finish?

I'm new to tying and a guy showed me how to finish by making a not with my fingers. It seems to work fine as I have caught several fish on one jig without anything moving around. So I guess my question is what it the biggest reason not to finish by hand? Do you have to use a whip?

Thanks

I finish my jigs by tying the knot with my hand.. NO whip finish here

I've been tying a couple of years and just a couple of weeks back learned to do a half hitch and not use a finishing tool. I think that so long as the tag end isn't flapping around, and it's coated to bind it in place, you should be fine. The tool is a bit quicker for me.

I use a whip finish for several reasons and first is it's best. also makes a much better knot. I can whip finish as fast as most I see that use their hands of course some fly tiers whip finish by hand. I just don't like other way personally. Started out using a whip finish and tried other ways, bot don't think it's any faster really and I know not as good.

Skip

I was shown how to whip finish by hand, but still find it easier and faster to use the matarelli whip finish tool.Best of luck on your decision.Post some pics of your jigs, welcome to the addiction...

I used to tie lots of flies for my Rocky Mountain trips but not so much anymore. I've tied a few jigs but these old stiff arthritic hands make it a chore. When I learned fly tying back about 45 years ago I was taught to use a whip finishing tool. Soon thereafter I was taught by a real craftsman to whip finish by hand. I think I still have my old whip finishing tool but haven't used it in recent history. Once learned it was easier and quicker for me to do it by hand. I believe a whip finish knot is superior to anything else and you can learn it easily nowadays. Google is your friend.

Floyd

A whip finish by tool and a whip finish by hand ties the same knot. Learn to do one or the other. Much better than a half hitch IMO.

I use a whip and do some flies by hand. Both come out nice but I think a little head cement on the knot is more important than how you finish.

I whip finish all mine, then touch them with finish cement!! clean finish look...just my .02

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Originally Posted by STUMP HUNTER

I use a whip and do some flies by hand. Both come out nice but I think a little head cement on the knot is more important than how you finish.

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