Ekich Automatic Tying Bobbin

[rstaight]

For Christmas my darling wife gave me an Ekich Automatic Bobbin. It is their new S Model and list for $70 on their website. Yes some are saying WTF, $70 dollars for a gizmo to hold thread! Well my thoughts so far;

When I took it out if the box though the frame is plastic it has a quality feel about it. It fits my hand like a glove. The tube is polished stainless though ceramic inserts are available as an option on the high end bobbins.

It has a working length for thread of about 2 feet. This is easily reset just by pulling the spool of just a little allowing the precision spring to relax.

That last statement brings me to what makes this bobbin I feel is worth the price. It uses any standard tying thread spool. There are other automatic bobbins out there that require you to wind your thread onto their proprietary spools. That is extra work and you loose the consistent tension that you have with the factory spool.

I will update this thread when I had used it. Can't wait.

[rstaight]

Just set down and tied 2 Dark Hendrickson Nymphs. I used a 70 denier thread which I always seamed to break at least once per fly. I tend to be a little heavy handed.

On the first one I forgot to add materials and had to back track a few times. The automatic return was great. Just unwrapped the thread, removed the materials and placed the bobbin where I wanted it. I did break my thread 3 times but it was not the bobbins fault, like I said, I tend to be a little heavy handed.

I got to looking at the bobbin to make sure there wasn't any nicks or anything on the tube. Suspicion confirmed, it was all the operator, duh. Then I remembered the claims on the website and a YouTube video. The bobbin is pre-tensioned to allow the tier to use 17 ott thread, pretty dang small stuff.

I tied a second fly and did not apply any more tension then what the bobbin supplied. It is amazing how little force is required to hold materials on the hook. I completed the second and did not break the thread once.

The only other thing I need to get used to is to release the spring tension before I cut the thread after my whip finish until I can come up with something to hang the bobbin on when finished. If you cut the thread the bobbin will reset itself and you have to re-thread.

Overall, I am very pleased with it at this time. Only time will tell if this is just because it's new to me or if it really is worth the price of admission.

[rstaight]

Thought I would give an update. I have been using the Ekich bobbin for 6 months and I am really pleased. I performs as advertised. There are still some situations where I need a bit more time with it but all is good.

It really shines when taking advantage of the rotory function of your vise. Even if you don't use the rotary function or have a true rotary vise the thread control is phenomenal.

There are things to get use to like resetting the spring before cutting your thread after you finish your fly. But it's simple to due. Just pull off the spool, let the spring relax, slide the the spool back on. You can do this with one hand.

I know $70 for a bobbin makes people say WHAT. I say it's their cheap one. The others start at $110. But it is money well spent. Quality tools make any task more enjoyable and easier to perform.

At this time I am trying how to tell the wife that I "need" a few more.