How to Whip Finish by Hand (Learn in 2 minutes)
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- Опубліковано 6 сер 2024
- Why learn to whip finish by hand? If you can do this, you'll understand the principles and know exactly what the whip finish tools are doing as well. Plus, it's simply a great skill for any fly tier to know.
Savage Flies is a project with the mission of encouraging and teaching fly tying to as many people as possible. The channel is named after one of my western Maryland homewaters, the Savage River. I've been uploading at least three new videos a week (usually Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday).
Thanks for stopping by. Please let me know in the comments if you have any tying tips you would like to share or if you have any patterns you would like to see tied here. - Спорт
I know I say "learn in 2 minutes" and it's a four minute video. It's because I ramble on for a couple minutes at the beginning. You really can learn in two minutes, then practice for 5-10 minutes, and you'll have it down forever. Thanks for watching!
I've never whip finished with a tool, I've always used my hand. You never forget once you've done it. Easy enough.
My Gawd.. thank you for making this video. I've watched 4 before this one, and each left me more confused by camera angles than the last one had. You the man!!!
Don't know how I missed this video, but this is the only video on how to do this that is actually useful. Usually, they are going way too fast or film it with their fingers in the way. Well played.
Well thank you Ryan; I appreciate the compliment my friend!
My son bought me a starter vise kit and it had no whip finisher. Thanks to this video, I can finish tying my first fly!
That's excellent Glenn, and welcome to the community my friend!
Hats off to you, That is the best and most clear description on how to do it. You should be granted the Knight status for this. I’ve always wanted to do it by hand but bumble enough with the tool on small flies!
Ha! That's funny Gary. I did watch about 4-5 videos on this and noticed that some of them were pretty darn confusing. Hopefully this will help some new tiers out there. :-)
Best video I have seen on this. Whip finishing by hand is a serious flex 💪 😂
Hahaha! It's almost a lost art with today's tiers. :-)
My favorite video teaching this so far! Thanks!
Thank you J! I appreciate the kind words and encouraging comment. :-)
Good morning and thanks Matt
Thanks, absolutely the best video on this technique on UA-cam.
This will help me with sewing, too. Thanks, Matt.
Thanks Debora! I'm actually watching your zentangle birdies right now. I think you made the right call with the blue background. Otherwise it's just b&w with a hint of yellow. :-)
Thanks for not making a 10 minute video on hand whip finishing. Very easy to understand!
Nice! Best whip finish by hand video on youtube!
Without doubt the best tutorial i have ever seen on the Whip finish by hand matt,i have just got out of hospital after 18 months was hit by a drunk driver i was lucky i plan to go fishing this week i can't wait to fly-fish again i love it been so long i don't think i will want to go home i found your channel only yesterday have to say Matt love the channel fantastic fly tying by you really awesome you make it look so easy when we all know it's not,You also have a wonderful teaching technique that's a gift in my opinion Matt,one thing is for sure you have my subscription Matt,I'm now doing my own whip finish by hand thanks to you Matt i really appreciate all your videos best channel on UA-cam great work Matt,Thank you very much,
Wow, thank you for such a kind comment! I'm sorry to hear about your accident but I'm glad you're finally home. Good luck on getting back out on the water and let me know if you ever have any requests for patterns to tie!
Thank you for the lesson. Now I have to practice.
Thanks so much, watched three other videos and couldn’t get it. Yours clicked after about three views and I’ve got it. For practice doing 6 to 8 wraps! Thanks for taking the time.
Hey, Matt, great instruction video. Best 4 minute two minute instruction!
Ha! Thanks Ed. :-)
Great explanation/demonstration, Matt.
Thanks Jim! I still don't whip finish by hand very often, but I've always got it in my back pocket if needed. :-)
Thanks for this video! I’m a beginner in fly tying, and the tool was not very intuitive for me, so wanted to see how to do it by hand. Slowed it down and watched a couple of times. Thanks again 👍
I made it to your video on the whip finish. Thanks for your help.
Sweet video as always!!! Thanks!!! Old school rules!!
Thanks Dan; I hope it was helpful my friend!
@@SavageFlies It sure was!!!
Well done, now I know how to do a hand whip finish. Cheers from Newfoundland
ALSOME, IM GONNA PRACTICE THAT!! THANKS FOR SHARING THAT WITH US.
STAY SAFE!!..
You bet Mike; always appreciate you watching my friend!
WOW, You make it look simple
Thanks Mike; appreciate it my friend!
Thank you, I wanted to try tying a fly completely by hand. No tools and no vice. I also wanted to fish it on a hand made rod, hook and line. I think it would be exciting catching a fish the way people had to thousands of years ago.
The hand whip finish is easy to do once you "get it," but hard to explain to someone else. But your video does a really good job of showing it!
I learned it from Polly Damon at the long-gone House of Tall Tales fly shop in Oqquossoc Maine many moons ago. I remember her and the shop whenever I talk about the knot.
Thanks!
Thanks Pete, and that's a cool bit of history. I'm glad I could take you down memory lane for a few minutes. :-)
Been doing this for years.Tying up a bunch of flies, don't have to pick whip finish tool and lay it back down.Ever fly tier should learn how to do this.Great job Matt, Cheers
Thanks Kenneth! And yep, I agree that when you get good at it, it will save you some time!
Brilliant demonstration! I like the way you took the mystery out of this knot and simplified it. I am new to fly tying and haven't tried using the whip finishing tool yet, now I don't see any reason to rush out and learn it. Thank you for posting this.
You're most welcome Damien! I appreciate the note my friend. :-)
When I was a kid back in the 70’s Bill Kiene taught me this technique. I never had a whip finish tool until just a couple of years ago. I use a bodkin to keep tension on my thread when tightening the finish.
That's pretty interesting. I've heard of people doing it with a half-hitch tool too but have never tried that myself. Thanks for watching and commenting my friend!
And some people close their scissors, insert the point into the loop to create tension, then tighten down. The scissors slip right out.
@@jasonrea8740
I do that with often when placing a half hitch. Never had much luck when doing a whip finish.
This is just a really well done video ! Cord & dowel make it easy to follow !! THANK YOU !
You're welcome John; thanks for the note my friend!
I love how you make everything look simple. Your teaching technique is wonderful. I am looking for a rope and a stick to practice. Thanks for your time.
Thanks Sam! I really appreciate the kind and encouraging words. Cheers. -Matt
Matt, it never hurts to go back to basics. Your video was easy too understand. Thanks!!!
Thank you Roman! And I agree, a lot of folks have never learned this (and honestly you don't necessarily need to), but it can never hurt to have this in our bag of tricks. :-)
Best example and explanation of a hand whip finish I have seen. Thanks Matt
Jason- I really appreciate that my friend! I hope it helps some others out there as well. Cheers. -Matt
I keep seeing people doin this. So I learned. Cool 👍
This is Adams homework today thanks matt
Ha! Ten minutes, tops, and he'll have it down. :-)
Howdy Matt I just found your channel you are very helpful I’ve been making all kinds of jigs and crank baits for years! Now I’m trying to start tying my jigs. I took your advice and bought a dr. Fish vise will be delivered Sunday this is very exciting and I’ve subscribed to your channel trying to learn how to whip finish by hand!! Keep up the great work !!!
Well thank you James! I appreciate the kind words my friend. I actually don't whip finish by hand very often but after learning, you only have to do it every month or so to not forget how. :-)
Excellent demo!
Thank you Jason! Appreciate you watching my friend. :-)
Great information Matt
Thanks for the video
Thanks Dave! Appreciate you watching my friend. 😁
Brilliant explanation. I like this method because I’d rather spend the money on materials than a tool…and learning this will make my large paper clips feel safe at night. (I often use them to make small tools.)
Thank you Michael! I appreciate the note and the kind words my friend. :-)
Great visual. Just what I needed.
Thanks Lloyd! I appreciate you watching my friend.
Hi Matt - best explanation, I've seen on this. Period. Thank you.
Wow Luiz, thanks for such a positive comment! I really appreciate it my friend. :-)
My buddy wants me to tie him some tandem hook streamers. I’ve never done it before, but it looks almost impossible to whip finish the trailing hook with the tool. So I was lucky enough to see you posted this demonstration. Thanks Matt
Thanks Michael! I've never tied a two-hook streamer but I would think you could tie the back part first and completely finish it before tying it onto the main hook. Hmmm... I'll have to see how the pros do it. Thanks for the note!
You do tie the second hook first , but you have to tie the whip finish around the cable or mono that’s going to first hook. I think it’s possible with a larger tool, but doing it by hand saved me some money.
Great job Matt, I was always wondering if I did it right as some guys use thumb and some don’t. Thanks for the great lesson. Very ez to understand.
Thanks Stan, I appreciate the kind words. Have a great weekend my friend!
Looks like you could get it done in the same time it takes to reach for the tool. Good video
After a little practice you can do it. It took me longer too use the tool. Thanks Matt. Be safe I see you are getting the storm already. Were not going too get it until around noon time or so. Thanks again Matt.
Thanks Butch! We got about 3 inches of snow today, maybe a few more tonight. Not too bad though.
Hi Matt! I have hard time with whip finish tool so learning to whip finish by hand helps! Thank you Matt!
Matt I’ve been meaning to thank you for this video for quite some time. I watched this video about 6 months ago but didn’t attempt to hand whip finish. One day I forgot to place my whip finish tool on the bench and was relegated to doing it by hand. To my surprise,I found that whip finishing by hand to be easier for me then using the tool. Since that day I have not even touched the matarelli. Once again thank you for your tutelage in the once mysterious world of fly tying. Im still new to tying ( less than 1 year) but enjoy it throughly. I have learned a lot from your videos and look forward to continued learning from them. Have a great day Matt, and thanks again for the time you invest into your channel !
Wow Mike, this is such a great comment to get! I really appreciate it. It really is comments like these that make having a channel so rewarding. So thank you for these kind words. Have a great week my friend. :-)
Great video I can see how this might speed up your tying . I guess I give it a try
Yep, thanks Tony. I think it could shave a few seconds off each fly. Just not having to grab another tool. :-)
Great tutorial!
Appreciate it John. Thanks for watching!!
great instruction.I personally struggled with a whip finish . this makes it easier to understand the motions. Thanks
Thank you sir! I appreciate the kind feedback. :-)
Great video! Nice job with the stick and cord - made it really clear.
Thanks Jeff! I appreciate you watching and the nice comment. :-)
Thanks Matt. I wanted to learn because it looks cool to do!
Thanks Larry; I appreciate the note. Aside from just looking cool, it can be convenient to do at times. :-)
Thanks for something I acually didn't know how to do. Congrats on 2K subs as well. Great accomplishment and you have done it quickly. Good luck as it keep growing!
Thanks Mike! I've been fortunate to be able to post about four times a week which, as you know, helps you grow a lot faster. :-) Having a much shorter (or no) commute this past year has given me a bit more free time.
@@SavageFlies No doubt about it. The regular posting is huge. I would like to do more, but I am comfortable at one every 5-6 days. The extra times has been nice for sure. I have about another month of time at home to keep doing videos for fishing and tying before we head back to school. Then I might need to scale back again until summer. So hopefully the weather cooperates in mid to late February to hit the streams a bit. Keep em coming and tight lines!
Cool! Every tricky related to tying is awesome to show off our skills to friends. 😁💡
I agree Felipe! Thanks for watching my friend. :-)
Thanks Matt, very good instructions and looks simple to do. Sometimes its good to use a whip finish in the middle of a fly, and it can be difficult with the tool.
Absolutely right Donald! Several other folks have mentioned that too. I wish I had thought of it when making the video. :-)
I have finally learned the correct way to hand whip finish! I’ve tried so many times but could never get it. Love your videos, you make it much more simple to tie. Thanks so much
Thank you Joseph! I really appreciate the kind words and positive feedback. Cheers. -Matt
Thanks, Matt.
My reason to learn this is that I love to learn. You can never know too much. (In most cases. Lol) And you never know when you'll need to use it.
As always, I appreciate your videos and look forward to the next one.
Peace.
Thank you Kyle; I appreciate the kind words my friend. :-)
Thank you Sir Matt, I've been wanting to learn how to whip finish by hand. I tried a couple of time couldn't get it maybe I can this time. I appreciate you.
The reason I want to know how to do it by hand is I believe it's a must know technique every fly tyer should know, you'll never know when you need to use this skill.
Agree 100% Edward! You never know when it will come in handy. Thanks for watching my friend!
You are awesome, just found your page, love the instructions, you rock!!!
Thanks Ernest! I appreciate the kind words my friend. 😁
Absolutely excellent! 👍🏻
Thanks James! I appreciate the note my friend. :-)
Great job
Thanks very much for sharing this skill.
You’re welcome Trevor- appreciate you watching my friend. 😁
I use my whip finish tool most of the time. When I started tying it was all by hand, mostly half hitches for me. Thanks Matt for sharing.
Thanks Layton! That's kind of the same thing I did. My first kit came with a Thompson and I gave up on using it and just finished my flies with 2-3 half hitches. Then I got a Matarelli, and twenty years later, learned to do it by hand. :-)
I just found this video and it was very helpful. I've been wanting to learn how to whip finish by hand. As always another great video Matt.
Great tutorial Matt I had to learn to do this for tying sawyers killer bug as he finished at the back of the hook he used copper wire for that one too
That's a great point Tom. I wish I had remembered to mention that this is a good reason to learn this technique.
Good job!
Great video! Best one I’ve seen on the hand whip finish. I picked it up immediately, thanks to your instructions. Thanks Matt!
Thank you! It is a great skill to know, even if we don't use it all that often. I appreciate you watching my friend. :-)
Thanks Matt.i use my whip tool.
Oh yeah, I do too Mike. But in an emergency, it's a good skill to have in our back pocket. :-)
I learned how to hand whip finish long time ago wonder why i dont ues it .lol good video matt .👍
Thanks Hugh! I didn't actually learn to do it by hand until a few years ago. (Always with the Matarelli for me!)
I use this for adding a locking wrap before placing the bobbin in the cradle especially when there are other materials on the hook that would make it difficult to reach around with the tool. your fingers are much more nimble when space is tight under hackle on a post as well. I learned this technique with a bare hook to practice on and a razor blade to clean it back off. Matt Cheers, Lee.
Oh yeah, I was using a razor blade earlier today too! I basically do the same thing before putting my bobbin in the cradle to spin my hook... I just use two half-hitches instead of a whip finish. It seems to work well enough. Thanks for the note Lee!
I Wanted to be able to whip finish foam flies with legs. And whip finish more towards the middle of the fly and behind legs. Nice video
Thanks Richard! I appreciate the note.
This was such a great explanation. Thanks! I'm getting started in fly tying - you just saved me some money from buying the whip finisher!
I'm glad I could help Devon! While it's great to know how to do it by hand, honestly, pick up a Matarelli tool eventually and you'll be glad you did. :-) Good luck in your tying my friend and let me know if you ever have any questions!
Matt that was a very good tutorial on hand whip finishing with your fingers. May I suggest watching Bob Jacklin muddler minnow UA-cam vide on hand whip finishing. He uses a hand over hand technique that is also very useful. This is the same technique my mentors taught me. This technique is also very good for when you cannot reach and area with a whip finishing tool. If memory serves me correctly it is also the same technique that Lefty Kreh used to finish his flies. Unfortunately that video is no longer on UA-cam. Keep on teaching and have a great day!!
Steve- thanks! I'll definitely check out Bob's video on it. And interesting to hear that Lefty Kreh may have done it this was as well. Do you know if he has any tying books? I'll have to check. I've got at least one of his fishing books, but that would be interesting to see how he finished his flies.
@@SavageFlies Matt unfortunately the UA-cam video with Bob Clouser and Lefty Kreh is no longer available. It has been deleted . I checked to see if I could forward the link. The owner has removed it. ☹
@@stevetrybalski3082 That is a bummer- but I'm watching Bob Jacklin's muddler minnow now. Aside- this is some pretty high quality video for 2016.
@@SavageFlies Bob ties some really good looking flies. I learned a great deal from him watching his videos.
Mmm very interesting. Looks simple, I will practice for now finishing my ice cream with some whip cream!! 😀
Whip finish, whip cream... it's all the same! Now you're making me hungry. :-)
@@SavageFlies hahaha!
thanks Matt
Appreciate it Mike; thanks for watching my friend!
sweet u make it look easy .. I want to learn for makeing extended body damsel flys and i only have a small whip finisher and need the reatch.
That's actually a great point; that you may be able to do it by hand when the tool won't reach as far back as you need it to. Thanks for the note!
Interesting...the tool is really just like your hand
Absolutely right Nolan. If you think of your fingers as the tool, it makes it seem simple. :-)
Thank you
Awesome Thanks
Appreciate it Richard!
Been tying for over 30 years have always used a tool to whip finish , my wife told me you can’t teach an old dog new tricks. Guess what you can :-) thanks
Ha! Thanks Mike. I appreciate the note my friend. :-)
THANK'S MATT....
Always Joe. Hope you're safe up there. We had about 2-3 inches of snow, with a bit more coming tonight...
@@SavageFlies HAD ABOUT THE SAME UP HERE...
Well it looks easy
Nice video 📹 I'm new to your channel and new fly tying too love watching your videos any steelhead flys...??? I'm from Michigan
Thanks! I've only done one fly that was specifically for steelhead. Some of the others will certainly work when tied a bit bigger... but I plan to add a few to the channel this year, and some flies for warm water species as well. Meanwhile, you might like this one, the Orleans Barber: ua-cam.com/video/2k3oRCkedxA/v-deo.html
Lol! Good for small flies👍
And you know Jim, when researching this one, I read that the Thompson tool was better than the Matarelli for small flies. I don't see the reasoning behind that, but I can see how doing it by hand might give you just a bit more control on the smaller flies.
A very handy skill especially if you are as disorganized as me. I keep losing my whip finishing tool in the mess on my fly tying desk.
I know what you mean Jim! I dropped my dubbing comb a couple months ago and haven't been able to find it since. I have totes and boxes and bags of stuff *under* my bench and it's down there somewhere. I might be better off buying a new one before trying to clean that mess. :-)
Great video. Ant advice on a good pair of Scissors?
i want learn because i keep misplacing my tool lmao ... thanks Matt !!!
That's as good a reason as any! Thanks for watching James. :-)
I learned only how to whip finish by hand because I learned to start tying from Poul Jorgensen VHS tapes. When I first saw the tool it was a mystery and still harder for me lol
Lol. Doesn’t matter how much time it takes. Just take ones’ time and get it down pat.
I want to learn it so I can keep my other hand a bit more available for deer hair flies. I just have a difficult time pulling back the hair and feathers on sparse head area ties then whipping. Figure without the tool I may have more success. 😜
That's actually a great reason to learn Clyde. I wish I had thought of that when recording, I would have definitely mentioned that this could be a benefit. Thanks!
I hand whip finish because it's faster and I don't need to find the tool on my messy desk. The toughest part for me is tightening it at the end. I sometimes don't get my finger out without creating slack which causes a loop to be tied at the end of the knot. The downside to it is that it is a two handed knot and sometimes you want to hold materials away from the head when whip finishing .
I hear you Scott. I would definitely need to practice a lot more before I got faster with my hands than a tool. But I like your thinking. Thanks for the note!
I never learned how to use the tool. My dad didn't have one when I learned 25 years ago. I thought I was missing out so got one. It sucks. I'll stick to doing it by hand.
Thanks for the note JG! There aren't too many old school hand whip finish tiers out there. But I tell you, if the only tool I had was the Thompson, I'd probably end up doing it by hand too. :-)
👍
It's the sweater vest Bob. Gotta be the vest. :-)
for some reason i cant do the tool so learning by hand will be good
Mike- if you're trying with the Thompson, that thing is notoriously difficult. If you've never tried the Matarelli, give that one a shot. It's much easier. A hand whip finish might be about two seconds faster, but not a big difference in the end.
So I been whip finishing like 40 yrs , so I never had to use a tool , I bought a newer model tool that spins and did get it to work but it just seems to complicate things it’s easier by hand then last week I bought a fly tying kit in a wooden box that had all the tools in it it must of been antique because it has the non rotation whip finisher in it that has kinda a double hook at the top and capture bend is different from the new tools , was really wanting to see you use the old fashion tool to see how you use it . 🤔 : signed confused
Dave- you must be talking about a Thompson style whip finisher. I am terrible at using that thing. I use a Matarelli most of the time. I would probably do it by hand before using a Thompson style. But if you search on UA-cam for it by name, I'm sure there are a few videos showing you how to use it. But even after you learn, I don't think it's the best tool.
@@SavageFlies , I tried to use it and got more confused than a cow on Astro turf , I couldn’t get it to stay locked into position and manually turn the handle without it jumping out , 😤
@@davescheer5038 Ha!! That's a funny visual. Just pick up a Matarelli style when you get a chance. It is WAY easier to use. :-)
The Jorgensen way it easier you go in from under the thread with the backs of your fingers instead of two fingers down on top of the thread
Go Butch!
Thanks man... I don't think he even noticed the sign. :-)
I've seen People Whip finish with their Fingers at Fly tying Seminars such as Orvis Cabelas and Bass Pro I always wondered how they Learn to Whip Finish with their Fingers now I no how to Whip Finish with my Fingers with a Little Practice I will be able to Whip Finish with my Fingers I tye Flies with Derby City Fly Fishers in Louisville KY we The Flies once a Month at Orvis Cabelas and Bass Pro Shop
Tricks are for kids, but i like them to.😅
I came because I won't spend money on a tool when it's just completely unnecessary. It's more satisfying to me to be a minimalist.
Yep, there's definitely something to be said for minimalism. Thanks for the comment!
I do it this way, could never master the tool... One note worth mentioning, if you go too fast or pull too hard the thread will cut your skin (like a paper cut), done this a few times over my 50+ years of tying...
Good tip Marty! One problem I sometimes have when doing it by hand is if I have a rough spot or callous on my fingers, it'll sometimes fray my thread.