Hackle

[Drake]

I am curious if after time (years) that cape/saddle hackle's dry out and not quite as strong/flexible. Has anybody had problems like that, say after 5 years of using a single cape?

[icthys]

I've got a cape that I got about 12 yrs ago. Still in pretty good shape. The colors are a little dull, and the smaller sizes are getting quite brittle. But after 12 yrs. I don't that's too bad.

[Drake]

Thanks icthys. I am looking to buy a couple saddles, and I will probably have them for that long, considering as mush as I tie. Just thought I would ask, thinking I might be smarter to buy half or quarter saddles to get my money worth if they do go bad after time. I guess they don't.

[icthys]

I buy 1/2's and 1/4's, you can always get more if you need them.

[jdubya]

and that is why i don't buy metz necks anymore. my whiting feathers have stayed supple over the years but i have a couple of metz necks that are like saltines. i guess you get what you pay for...

[Ouzel]

what you pay for but when you have it you have to take care of it. I ran into the same problem years ago and was told; wet them, pick them apart by size, rub them with vegtable oil and put them in marked baggies. I sprayed them with PAM insted and the hackles are still fine.

You might contact a couple feather merchants and ask their advice.

[flyty]

Pam??

If tying is that much of a hassle--forget it. I'd bet they last longer if you only pluck them as you need them, and unless you're a production tyer, I can't imagine why anybody would pluck and sort them. Buy small quantities and you won't have to worry about things drying out, and the quality improves with every generation of chickens.

[Drake]

I like the PAM idea. Might be an attractor. =)

[Ouzel]

You keep your hooks sorted by size don't you; and also thread and other material. Its just that capes and saddles come with different size feathers on one skin (of course).

You idea of buy in smaller quantities is a good one and sometimes several tyers can get together and buy in quantity and splitt the material up.

Drake was asking what to do now that he already has a problem to solve not how to avoid it in the future.

[flyty]

"You keep your hooks sorted by size don't you."

Only because they come sorted.

"Drake was asking what to do now that he already has a problem..."

...ohh contraire:

Drake: "I am looking to buy a couple saddles..."

(P.S. Have you been to Gibson's yet?)

[Ouzel]

I breezed Drake's second post, I thought he was concerned about a current problem and not a possible future one.

I am unfamilar with Gibson's except as a sprited drink.

[flyty]

Gibson's Steakhouse on Rush Street. They serve spirited drinks, too. Give it a try sometime.

[Ouzel]

One of my old haunts, spent many a night bouncing and trolling from bar to bar.

Gibson's - always have room for a good steak and a nice bottle of wine.

Thank you, I'll keep it in mind.