3D Eye Applicator Tool

[Sniper]

Probably a silly question, but I'll ask anyway.  What type of tool are ya'll using to grab 3D eyes off the sheet and apply to your lures?  I tried tweezers but they didn't work that well.  Now, I'm using a small X-Acto blade.  Looking for other options.

[dlaery]

sounds like you have the right tools, all you need now is practice.

for the most part we use an exacto knife with a pointed end

[Anglinarcher]

I have seen a pair of tweezers that have a bottom lip that stick out more, super thin, just for this purpose, but I don't have one.  I use the Exacto knife or even a pocket knife as well.

[Sniper]

Thanks guys, guess I'm on the right track but definitely need more practice.  It's a slow process.  Only other tool I could think of would be a long needle like the ones used for stitching and embroidery.  But was wondering if you could see the hole marks left behind.

[JBarlow]

I use an exacto knife just like dlaery suggested.  Tried lots of things but none seem to work as well.

JB

[ravenlures]

I use a Exacto knife also but if you take a set of tweezers and grind the edge to your liking I think that will work for you. Don't think to much just do it.

Wayne

[canuck 2]

I use a bodkin from my fly fishing equipment. Basically a long needle with a wooden dowel type handle. Try to slide the tip in under the eye to pull it away from the backing rather than stabbing into the eye. It can be a bit finicky at times but as you drop the eye down in to place  there is less surface area for adhesives like crazy glue to grab on to the round needle surface, yet it provides just enough surface area to hold the sticky backside of the eye while moving it from paper to lure. I then use the rounded handle end to press fit the eye down into the crazy glue to set it in place. I have had a few drop off while moving from backing to lure but nothing is perfect . Hope this helps.

[Hillbilly voodoo]

Bodkin, 5/0 treble, or my fingers

whatever works or is close by 

[Sniper]

On 6/22/2021 at 8:04 AM, canuck 2 said:

I use a bodkin from my fly fishing equipment. Basically a long needle with a wooden dowel type handle. Try to slide the tip in under the eye to pull it away from the backing rather than stabbing into the eye. It can be a bit finicky at times but as you drop the eye down in to place  there is less surface area for adhesives like crazy glue to grab on to the round needle surface, yet it provides just enough surface area to hold the sticky backside of the eye while moving it from paper to lure. I then use the rounded handle end to press fit the eye down into the crazy glue to set it in place. I have had a few drop off while moving from backing to lure but nothing is perfect . Hope this helps.

This is exactly the issues I was running into.  The tools I was using had too much surface area and the glue was sticking to the tool.  I started using a small kitchen SS skewer that I imagine works similar to your bodkin.  So far this works better than the exacto knife or tweezers.