Charlie’s Whipper – An Old Whip Finishing Tool

This week’s Throw Back Thursday post is Charlie’s Whipper – An Old Whip Finishing Tool.

You might recall the Herter’s Whip Finisher and Herter’s No. 4 Fly Tying Vise I highlighted a few weeks ago. I’d never heard of a Charlies Whipper. This is a tool my friend Jim Fisher showed me when he pulled out the vise and several older fly patterns. As I recall, he purchased this in the 1960’s.

He still had the detailed directions, in case you need a little refresher course.

Most older fly tyers used their fingers to whip finish and still do. Walk around any fly tyer fair or expo and you’ll see them using their fingers.

I believe Charlie’s Whipper was developed before the Matarelli whip finisher.

The original Frank Matarelli whip finisher had Franks initials on each side of the bottom.

You can see the “M” on this side.

I learned to tie flies using a whip finish tool. I’m guessing I’ve had my Matarelli since the 1980’s and I love it. I’ve tied thousands of flies with it. You can see the difference between the Herter vs. Matarelliu versions.

Which one did you start tying flies with?

Enjoy…stay safe!