zelon, antron, darlon

[Drake]

I wasn't sure where to put this.

Are zelon, antron, and darlon basically the same thing, or completely different? When a recipe calls for one of these, do many of you substitute it for one of the others if that's all you have?

[Ouzel]

I too have wondered if there was any real difference. Is one more flexible so it gives a more lifelike action? Which one accepts coloring pens better?

[nightfish]

I haven't used zelon, and darlon only a little...mainly antron. From what I can tell, darlon is slightly more limp, and has straighter fibers than antron. If you subscribe to the theory presented by Lafontaine, Antron is Trilobal (3 sided) and refracts light more, and also has a tendency to gather air bubbles on it's surface.

Darlon is packaged differently than antron, and some like that due to fewer kinks in the strand from being wrapped around a card.

[nhancock]

From what I understand they are pretty much the same material. I could be wrong though. I use antron because it seems to be more readily available. Most fly shops carry it and it just seems to be more easily attainable.