I was wondering if anyone had an opinion on SLF and how it compares (or not) to seals fur. I need to replenish my seals fur stocks and am considering purchasing one of these handy selection cubes for ?20 which contain 30 shades of SLF.
Compared to seal fur I don't like it. It is too course and seems to soak up water more. It also doesn't have the translucency of real hair. I haven't come across a synthetic substitute for fur that is all that great, even fur substitute for seal fur has to be cut smaller, at least the last stuff I bought does :) Squirrel body hair gives a tighter body than seal fur and is easier to tie with for an alternative.
i found there to be a lot of colours that i would never use in those cubes.i think a lot of the shades are aimed at river dry flies.i also agree with fishtales about the translucency.also the fact that it is man made nylon fibres makes the price seem a bit of a rip off to me.
Garry
I'm a fan of SLF, but not as a substitute for seals fur. As far as I'm concerned there is no substitute.
QuoteSynthetic Living Fibre
Now who thought that one up, An add mans dream is that statement.
Never been a fan, from day one when I tried it I found it basically useless as a dubbing, no useless is a bit strong, did not like it. Many do use it & seem satisfied with the results but there are many better furs out there.
For larger patterns I can see no further that Seal's Fur. It has a natural translucency that can not be found with synthetics. One thing I will concede though is the fact that is is not really suitable for smaller patterns as it is a bit coarse & spiky but for 10s & above it has no equal. One fur I have found to be useful as a general dubbing is Awesome Possum, a nice easily used material, one might want to try that. Maybe the traditionalist in me coming out but I generally prefer natural materials rather than synthetic, not that synthetics are bad, they have their uses. I must be honest & have not tried that many just sticking to what I know best. For small flies I think the best dubbing is Mole & the American Musk Rat. Very fine & take dye well.
Tight lines
OK so where do i start when loking for quality SF. Many brochers offer a baby seals fur, others orrfer genuine SF. Is there a manufacturer who just offers quality in what i want. Wild trout wild places.
I dont really mind about the price cos at end of day your probably looking at a 'pint', well prob less.
I haven't ordered from any of these so I don't know the quality but they will give you an idea of what is available.
http://www.fly-dressing.co.uk/
http://www.flytackledirect.co.uk/Home/vmchk/Dubbings/Genuine-Soft-Seal-s-Fur/Detailed-product-flyer.html
Quote from: johnny boy on April 20, 2008, 11:11:49 PM
Many brochers offer a baby seals fur, others orrfer genuine SF. Is there a manufacturer who just offers quality in what i want.
Baby seal is best (if a little politically incorrect :lol:) Adult seal is course and difficult to dub unless blended with a softer fur.
Lots of retailers have it. One of the best (IMHO) is Cookshill http://www.cookshill-flytying.co.uk/p1welcome.htm
Quote from: johnny boy on April 20, 2008, 01:53:27 PM
I was wondering if anyone had an opinion on SLF and how it compares (or not) to seals fur. I need to replenish my seals fur stocks and am considering purchasing one of these handy selection cubes for ?20 which contain 30 shades of SLF.
I don't use seal fur at all, so don't really "have a dog in this fight" as some might say.
If the cube you are talking about is the SLF "finesse" stuff, as I think it may well be it is quite different from the standard SLF. Very much finer, with a very short staple. And very dissimilar to any sort of animal fur. It's OK stuff, but because of the short staple pretty limited in application for me.
I prefer to use natural/ synthetic dubbing mixes in the main. Usually rabbit, hare or squirrel and a synthetic with a bit of sparkle. But that's not really relevant.
Cheers,
.D.
PS - I do quite like the more recent SLF Prism dubbing: fine, sparkly and very much like Ice Dub. Not much like seal fur either though.
I would agree with Uncleboo.
Artifly's Electric seals fur dubbing is a great buy. Excellent colours and nice and soft too.
B
Ordered the seal fur from my first link. Arrived today, they are big 4x3 inch zip lock polly bags and full, and the fur feels good quality, they will last me for years :)
The link again http://www.fly-dressing.co.uk/
Quote from: fishtales on April 22, 2008, 06:55:44 PM
Ordered the seal fur from my first link. Arrived today, they are big 4x3 inch zip lock polly bags and full, and the fur feels good quality, they will last me for years :)
The link again http://www.fly-dressing.co.uk/
Decided to give him a go. Huge bag of soft seals fur 8)
Also got a superb Shannon Golden Olive saddle, first time I've used a Shannon cape but it won't be the last!
Also got a huge patch of Olive dyed opossum and a Silver Fox mask and a ..... Well you've got to make it worthwhile. :lol: