Trimming spun deer hair

[WEEZER]

Hey, I was wondering how you guys trim the deer hair that is spun on your flies. I have noticed that mine turn out differently than the fly shops around the state. Do you pull some hair up and trim with razor or scissors??
Just a little curious,
~Rick

[Steve]

I've always trimmed with some sharp surgical type scissors and never had too much trouble. Exactly what kind of trouble are you having?

[nucks]

I trim with my regular fly tying scissors. I've made dahlberg divers and other bugs and they actually dive! They do not look as pretty as the store bought ones though. I think it's just a matter of practice. You're basically sculpting hair so a bit of an artistic flair would be valuable. If I cut my own hair it would not look like a professional job either!

I use scissors too (NOT the good, finepoint 'tweaking' scissors) but really like using old fashioned double edged razor blades. You can break them in half (therefore eliminating 50% of the cuts you'll eventually get!) and bend them to shape. I've tried the single edge blades which are sold at paint and hardware stores but haven't found any really sharp enough to do the job neatly without sawing away at the hair. Those double edged blades cut hair like a warm knife through butter.

Jack C.

[bpssucks]

Ditto what Jack said, use a double edged razor blade. Definately be sure to break it in half, otherwise you'll end up with red flies! As soon as the blade starts pulling the hair and not cutting it like butter change it. Always keep a VERY sharp blade. One other note...watch your thread wraps at the head, it's easy to cut them !!

[Steve]

Thanks for the tips guys, I'll have to try that one myself.

[WEEZER]

I guess the thing that I'm getting hung up on is the shape of a certain fly(ZOO cougar).If you see one of those flies tied by the originator (Kelly Galloup) You'll notice the Perfect half moon shape! I seriously doubt he did that with a pair of scissors. There must be a trick or something that he does to get that shape.
Anyway I guess I'm just nit pickin' about the way my flies look! They work just the same
~Rick
If anyone heads up that way and runs into Kelly or his employees ask him how he does it and then let me know!!!!!Thanks

Hey Weezer, did you get a chance to try those double edged blades?
I've been tying some bugger-type flies in tan micro-chenille with deer hair heads and tan marabou tails and these things are 'getters' on both warm and cold water species.

[WEEZER]

No actually I haven't tried the double edges yet, However zi plan on it really soon.
My best success for flies lately have mostly been on a yellow marabou fly that is super easy to tie.
Recipe:

Hook: 10-4 streamer
Body: Pearl flashbou
overwing: 2 bunches of yelow marabou tied in near the eye of the hook.
eye: lead barbell (Painted white and black)
Thread: 6/0 yellow

It's really easy to tie and very effective!