Tying at eye-level with scissors

[Fred]

I was watching a Jack Dennis fly tying video Friday night (because I have no life) and he, obviously, makes many suggestions. One, is to tie at eye-level to avoid looking down too much and getting neck and back aches. This I already do. Another thing he says to do is hold the scissors in your hand while you tie. I have seen this done and try to do it at times, but I'm worried I might poke myself one day.

So, my question is, do any of you do this and, if so, do you still have both eyes.

Thanks for any suggestions.

[mcgx2]

I always have sissors in my hand when I tie. When I first started it was very hard to get used to. Now I can't tie without them in my hand. I never had any problems with poking myself (seriously at least) just lucky I guess.

My vice is most comfortable for me somewhat below eye level. I do look down but haven't had any back or neck problems. I tie about an hour a day every day when I'm tying so I am not at the vice for many hours at a time. I think this saves on the back aches etc.

mcg

[Ouzel]

Since my eye :-) is no longer 20-20 I use a magnifying lens light and just kind of wound up looking through it at a downward angle. But a slight downward angle is normal to most of us as that is how we always read or studied a book so the position becomes normal as our neck and back muscles have grow used to that position. That does not preclude some strain and getting up for coffee, etc. may be more of a reaction to relieve the strain then actual thirst.
I always have the sissors in my hand and as a note to FF, I use Dr. Slicks as they have a cutting area in the rear of the blade close to the falcrum designed for heavy cutting.
A 45 degree elbow bend and a slight downward cast of the eyes is most effective for long term (?) tying, production assembly work, student and office work endeavors etc.
It is also a situation of letting your own body tell you what is comfortable and going with that.

[Jeff Brooks]

Fred,

Ditto for me to what Ouzel said except that I do not keep scissors in my hands while tying... tried it, don't like it!

[shazerblaze]

I try to keep the scissors in hand as much as possible, because I don't have a desk specifically for tying yet. As soon as I put it down, it disappears. As for poking my eyes out, no problems. I do however poke my hand here and there.

[Salmo]

I always keep my sissors in my hand while tying. Just use one loop with your second or third finger and palm the thumb side until the sissors are needed. Offset sissors are especially conveniant to keep in your hand at all times.
After you get use to using sissors like this it will feel ackward and slow to put your sissors down.
I do not know of any professional tiers that dont hold thier sissors while tying.