Better then Fireline and Spiderwire? (Picture)

[Boxie]

Everyone needs to try this one out because it has all the characteristics needed for sewing and tying knots.  As one tightens a knot with this braided line one can hear the "clicks"  as it cinches down!  My son is trying to become a pro bass fisherman and I asked him about getting the best line and his answer was Stren Braided.  So I tried it and it is very nice stuff!  I have used the others and they don't compare.

Boxie

[Wildside]

I have been a big fireline user, but maybe I can give it a try.

[George Roof]

Boxie, I'm not bad mouthing Sten, but I've used it and Fireline and it doesn't hold a candle.  Fireline neutral has no stretch and doesn't rot or weaken with age.  The Stren on my bait caster gave out on me and the Fireline I put on my spinning reel is still going strong.

As for knots, I've never had a problem with them.  I use a surgeons knot and then pull the tag end away from the seam and up through the hide, leaving a 12 inch piece until the hide paste cures.  For knots, I never knot the Fireline to start my sewing.  Instead I pull the line through the hide and then make a cinch knot around the sewing end with the tag end.  I make a simple figure 8 knot at the end of the tag and it never slips off.  If I'm using a double thread, I also use the figure 8 over both ends and then loop the thread for the first stitch.

I also like the diameter of the Fireline over the Stren.  I can use single strand 14 pound test that is in 8 pound diameter.  This will allow a seam to be hidden much easier than using the thicker string.

[Boxie]

George,

Are you sure you it was the Stren Super Braid that you tried?  The Stren Super Braid seems to be more limp and easier to work with.  Like you, I have used Fireline and Spiderwire and when I got my hands on the this Stren Super Braid I really thought I found something good.  Thanks for your input one can't argue with experience.

Boxie

[whitetail94(Michael L)]

The manufacturing process of Fire line and the Stren line is very similar. They are owned by the same parent company, Pure Fishing. I spoke to the sales rep for this company yesterday and they have changed the Stren Superbraid up a little for '09, I believe that it will be a little more round than it is now.
Michael

[George Roof]

No, it was the braid.  I simply hate the limpness especially.  I use as small semicircular needle with a sail point end.  I heat them and straighten the back shank to make it easier to push.  The Fireline is stiff enough for these old eyes (with the help of cheaters) to bend in a tight loop and push through those small needle eyes to make a quilters loop in the eye.  I expecially like the stiffness of Fireline as I'm also MUCH less prone to getting the excess thread caught on a holding pin , and antler or an ear while I'm sewing.  JUST MY OPNION, however.

[Hudson]

From a fishing stand point I am not a large fan of fireline, it does age and weaken, and when it does it is useless. I don`t think this relates to taxidermy though, I wonder how this line does not cut through the hide as you pull it. If you pull it across your fingers it cuts you, if you get the line tangled in your hand when landing a big fish it cuts you. How does it not cut the hide ?

[George Roof]

Hudson, it will cut through hide but you have to really pull on it.  I'm supposing the difference is dead/tanned tissue versus living flesh.  One thing I've found that helps me from getting cut on a casual basis is to wear those rubber gloves.  The line seems less prone to slipping through your fingers with it this way.

[Boxie]

George,

You said, "I simply hate the limpness especially."  Are you sure you are not thinking of something else?  Sorry but I could not pass that one up. (jk)

Boxie

[Matt]

I use the spider wire braid, and one thing I do prior to sewing up is to tape the middle of the index, middle, and ring finger. I do it loosely so I can still bend my fingers. No more cuts on the back of your fingers that way.

[George Roof]

Boxie, at my age, TRUST ME.  Fireline was what I was referring to.

[michael p.]

George,
You said, "I simply hate the limpness especially."  Are you sure you are not thinking of something else?  Sorry but I could not pass that one up. (jk)
Boxie

He said "rubber" also
 

rubber