Reviewed by Martin Joergensen

However useful the dubbing twister might ever be, it's still not a part of any fly tyers' toolkit. A lot of tyers can do with the usual dubbing methods and rely on wax and fingers. This old and proven method is fine, but for some applications, you want a twister.

Chzech turbo tool
I first bounced into this tool at the IFTS in 96 where Chzech Jan Siman had them on his tying table. Jan makes different tying materials and tool, and this twister was one of his products. This is not Jan's idea, but his version is the first commercially available tool of its kind as far as I know.

It's a simple construction: a brass shaft of about 10 centimeters or 4 inches carries a bearing on which a hollow bass disc is mounted. This disc has two small, angled steel hooks as we know it from traditional twisters. You grab the brass handle, catch your dubbing loop with the hooks, and set the tool twisting by snapping it with your thumb. It spins any material tightly and rapidly. There is a certain danger of overspinning - as with the traditional tool - but you soon learn to control the spin.

The advantage over the traditional tool is the complete control with the tool while it's spinning. Usually the twister will dangle and sway and you have to catch it again before it overspins. This tool lies steadily in you hand and your thumb cad act as a break and stop the process at any point.

At a price of US$20.- this tool might seem a bit overpriced, but it's worth every penny.

Availability
This tool has already been included in many International catalogues and should be widely available. More information on dealers and distributors can be obtained on