I�ve developed a new style packer that I think is better than any that I know of. I would like opinions from those of you who tie hair bugs. I�ll be glad to answer any questions you might have. I can post more photos if that would be helpful. This is still a work in progress but I�m committed to make the best packer possible for a reasonable price.

Thanks

It is not clear in the picture as to how it works, step by step pictures would be helpful.

I can see how it works just fine and will say I would buy one if it came on market at a reasonable price. I would add that I'd like to see a flatter face on the front to aid in packing the hair, I like to give some small back and forth twists to really pack the hair in. Just my opinion but I think your design is better than what's currently out there.

I�ll post more pictures later.

The front face is flat to a diameter of 5/32� then a 15 degrees to3/8� then 45 degrees. The thinking behind this is, to pack the hair tightly your packing the thread that is holding the hair and not the hair itself.

Thanks for your critique and keep them coming.

The material comes in 2 colors, black and white. What color would anybody prefer?

The Fugly Packer is the benchmark, how would you compare the two?

All comments are encouraged.

Thanks

I'm by no means a hair packing Picasso like Pat Cohen, but I do tie them quite a bit and have both Cohen's Fugly Packer and the DeadFly packer.

I admire your gumption in trying to find the perfect tool, but as mentioned above the great thing about Cohen's Fugly Packer is that the large flat surfaces at the head of the tool really let me push gigantic clumps of hair back. My hair packing really changed when I stopped thinking about pencil sized clumps of hair and started working with markers and highlighters as my frame of reference. Smaller diameter packers just don't help at those sizes and the problem becomes exponentially greater as you approach the hook eye and have all the previous hair pushing back.

On the flip side, the DF packer has both a small diameter end and a larger flat end. The smaller end also serves as an excellent half-hitch tool that I always reach for to finish off my flies. Plus since it's made out of solid wood and is well finished, it looks really nice I don't mind keeping it on my desk at all times.

Additionally, Pat Cohen can stand by his product with his own work and as you said it's become the industry standard. This is harsh criticism, but I don't see your product replacing the two I'm currently using and that's the only way I'll plunk down more money for a third packing tool.

I rarely see a trimmed hair fly that is more than 1/2� in diameter. The thread that is holding the hair is probably not even at 1/4� and certainly not greater than 3/8� diameter. If you dont believe me slowly trim one down. We call these �hair packers� but what we are really packing is the thread that is holding the hair! There is no reason to have a packer face any larger than that.

If you take a packer of mine in each hand and hold it just like you would for packing you can do pushups all day long and not damage it. More force than would ever be necessary to pack tight. Try that with the Fugly and it might bend and it would certainly feel spongy as most of it is a spring. The only spring in mine is to hold it open until ready for use. There is no spring along the axis of force. Every movement you feel is exactly how much movement is transmitted to the fly.

I welcome all critiques and the opportunity to answer any questions.

Thanks
Greg

My apologies, I in my mind read " stacker" instead of "packer". Thanks for posting the additional pictures, I don't generally tie hair bugs but that took looks very useful.