How to Use a Whip Finisher??

[Barrika]

Being new to fly tying, I've read a lot, and was recommended to buy a whip-finishing tool to finish off most flies.  However, the nice tool I bought has no instuctions, and the many refs I've been through do NOT say how to use it.  Any websites or text avail. on how to do it, please???   Thanks! :?:

[flatlander]

I started tying with a book called Fly Tying Made Clear and Simple by Skip Morris and learned to finish my flies with 3 half hitches for the most part. Simple to do and no need for a tool at all. I have a whip finisher that I bought at the recommendation of someone else, but it hasn't ever been used. I know that there are guys who swear by them, but tying off takes such little time, I just haven't bothered using mine.  Also, Jack Dennis' book Western Trout Fly Tying Manual has pretty good instructions on whip finishers along with pictures to get you up to speed.  
Also try these. Hope they help.

www.tie1on.net/whipf.htm
www.flyfishtools.com/using_a_materelli_style_whip_fin.htm

[Toobroke]

I taught myself to tie the whip finish by hand when I first started tying flies, about 1977 I guess. About a year ago, I upgraded some of my tools (among them was a PEAK rotary vise; best thing I ever bought) and got a whip finisher. The beginning of my Orvis pattern book has some really clear instructions/pictures on how to use it. After a half hour or so, I gave up completely and went back to tying them by hand. Old dog/new tricks, I guess.

[Ross]

Half hour was not near enough for me, but I was locked in to a dead time spot and suddenly got it.  I still half hitch (with a ball-pen body) often, but when I do a bunch, I like the finished heads from the whip finisher better.
There are several old timers in the club that do a great whip finish in their fingers, but I haven't gotten that far.
Cheers from Gray's (for now) California,
Ross

[Bob/FLA]

Flatlander has the link for you.  There are a few whip finishers out there, but the matorelli is the fastest and easiest IMHO.  I used to tie professionally and didn't have time to dork around with the flimsy wire thing.  Never could figure that thing out anyway.  The Matorelli is sturdy and fast.  

God luck!

[bearhuntr]

I'm with the rest of the "hand/fingers" whip crowd. I've done it that way for so long that any other way isn't considered. One thing that I percieved many years ago is that if time to gain proper porportion on the fly is practiced, whipping by any means is made easier and makes for a much more pleasing and strong fly. I only tie down to #14 or 16 drys, but still find it easy to do the job. This doesn't answer the original poster's question, but I would encourage him to try finishing by hand if he/she doesn't.
best,
bhtr

[Old Cane]

http://www.flyfishtools.com/using_a_materelli_style_whip_fin.htm