Speaking of "ouch", I must correct my Dutch friend. Polyester and nylon fly-tying threads, are twisted, how many twists per foot varies greatly. I invite you to check a spool of Gudebrod polyester, and you'll find it's twisted. For those who are wondering what twist we are speaking of, it's not individual filaments twisted together like a miniature rope, it's the entire thread twisted. To demonstrate this, take a foot-long piece of thread from the spool, hold it by one end and look at it. Does it appear perfectly flat, or can you see "flats" and "edges" showing that it's twisted? Now attach that piece of thread to a hook, being careful not to add twist. Now split the thread. Run the bodkin point down the thread. Does the thread resist in spots or the free end turn? Once again this demos twist.
UNI-Thread (not the nylon or numerous other thread products) is lightly bonded (at the thread manufacturer) to help the filaments stay together (think industrial sewing machines). It looks to me as if the Gudebrod is as well but I can't be certain. The bonding is easily broken by running the "shank" of the bodkin along the thread. Any difference in splitability (good word eh!) is almost certainly the waxing process. Almost all UNI-Thread sold is waxed (W on the label). This wax (it's NOT sticky for dubbing) is intended to further resist fraying but also to add gripability (2 for 2 eh!!). However, it's certainly not difficult to split. UNI-Thread also comes in an unwaxed version (u-w on the label). Yes, easier to split, but, IMO, it doesn't grip materials as well. UNI Nylon is not bonded, nor waxed. It looks like miniature floss. It too has a gentle twist that be seen as previously described. Splitting is simple because the filaments separate in front of your eyes with the slightest stretch. I'm not a fan because I don't like thread that spreads too easily (I'm not a big lover of floss either!). cheers Paul Henk wrote: Those are the recent Gudebrod tying threads, and they are great. Not twisted like UNI, and not over-waxed, like some earlier Gudebrod offerings (anyone remember those, came on Guetermann-style sewing machine spools..., with their own plastic bobbin holders?). As far as quality is concerned, IMNSHO they are on a par with UNI. Since their make-up is different, both threads have slightly different uses; I use Gudebrod mainly when I need to split the thread at some stage in the tying process. -- Paul Marriner Outdoor Writing & Photography. Owner: Gale's End Press. Member: OWAA & OWC. Author of: A Compendium of Canadian Fly Patterns (co-author), Stillwater Fly Fishing: Tools & Tactics, How to Choose & Use Fly-tying Thread, Modern Atlantic Salmon Flies, Miramichi River Journal, Ausable River Journal, and Atlantic Salmon.
