Using Pliers for Fly Tying

Video Transcript

"ALVIN DEDEUX: Another tool that is probably an essential is a good pair of pliers. And there's a couple of different pliers. This is actually a hackle pliers. This is something that I'm going to use to grab the tip of a little hackle feather when I'm wrapping it on my hook. The other type of pliers are something a little bit heavier. These are good for mashing down the barbs on the hooks, and they also have a wire cutter built in here at the base of the jaw. So if you want to cut some wire or some heavy monofilament, you're not messing up the tips of your nice fine scissors with them. Just make sure you get something, especially in the heavier pliers, something that's really strong. These jaws--I mean, these--the handles are rubber coated so they don't slip. Some of the--especially when you're trying to mash the barbs down. On some of the bigger hooks, you really need to get a good grip and put quite a bit of pressure to really mash the barb down to get it nice and flat. And I've had this pliers for years and I've mashed down the barbs on thousands of hooks and they're still going strong. The little cutting jaw still cut the wire just fine. So if you get a good pair to start with, they'll last you a long time."