BR Posted November 16, 2003 Report Share Posted November 16, 2003 What makes ceramic bobbins better than brass bobbins? They seem to be more expensive but are they really better? Bart Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gr8flyz Posted November 16, 2003 Report Share Posted November 16, 2003 BR, It's just a matter of wear & longevity. Ceramic is a much harder material than brass or stainless, and smoother too when glazed. Thread will wear grooves in brass or stainless that will cause some threads to fray or break. Ceramic will last much longer, and won't wear like brass or stainless tube bobbins. It works the same as guides on a rod, those with ceramic inserts last longer than the plain metal guides. Of course it will depend on how much you use it. I've been tying commercially for the past 14 years & have a few bobbins with brass or stainless barrels that I've worn out, but I've yet to wear out a ceramic bobbin, and some I have are at least 10 years old. When I'm asked, I always recommend ceramic bobbins to beginning tyers. Even though they cost more initially they'll easily out last the regular bobbins. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Celticav Posted November 26, 2003 Report Share Posted November 26, 2003 I use the Griffin Saltwater Ceramic and am well pleased, JIM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deadlystreamer Posted November 27, 2003 Report Share Posted November 27, 2003 Bobbin? Hmmm Guess I'm an old fashioned fly tier. When I need to stop tying or get something else in my big clumsy hands I slap a half hitch and go for it. My scissors never leave my hand and a bobbin never gets in my hand. But, if I were to ever use a bobbin I'd probably use the ceramic because it sounds like it'd last longer. It's hard to teach an old dog new tricks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gr8flyz Posted November 27, 2003 Report Share Posted November 27, 2003 Jim, I also use Griffin ceramic bobbins, I have several that I use including some that Griffin calls a rod wrapping bobbin. They hold the large 3/4 oz spools perfectly. George, I didn't use a bobbin either when I first started tying, and tied that way for the first 3-4 years, but now use the bobbins. I dropped my share of thread spools & ended up having to re-wind thread, which is never much fun! I also keep my scissors in my hand when tying, which is a great tip & probably the way most pros tie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Celticav Posted November 27, 2003 Report Share Posted November 27, 2003 You should try the saltwater if you haven't yet, It has a longer tube which is great for going around the wire on spinnerbaits, JIM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gr8flyz Posted November 29, 2003 Report Share Posted November 29, 2003 Jim, I already use the saltwater bobbins, I have 4 of them. You make a good point about the uses, not just for tying flies! I also use them for tying large jigs & spinnerbaits dressed with bucktail! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
