Once in a while I find websites or videos of people tying Banshū Kebari, that I think are mostly used for Ayu fishing.
Most are much fancier than Tenkara kebari, although a few are quite similar to typical Tenkara kebari. Such as the two in the middle
I have often wondered what the tool they use to hold the hook while tying them is called.
But I have not yet found a name for these tools. Even when doing a search with this phrase - 播州毛鉤・巻き道具用 Tools for wrapping Banshū Kebari. They appear to be a staff about 1m in length, with a set of jaws to hold the hook. Does anyone know what this tool is called?
But he only calls it a - stick type tool that is equivalent to a vice in FF. A traditional craft item. Apparently seen or purchased from the 「播州毛鉤」さんのブース ` Banshū Kebari’ booth at the 2013 Yokohama Fishing Show.
鮎毛鉤タイイング道具名は何ですか？
What is the name of the ayu kebari tying tool?
The tightlines website is a lot of fun. 大きな楽しみです
I have looked at it many times.
Unfortunately, many of the links on the tighlines website are becoming broken.
But, many of them are 17 years old. So not surprising some links no longer work.
No success thus far finding a commonly used modern name for these Banshū type hand vise on a stick tools.
But I am kind of intrigued by how they would work, what it would be like to tie flies using a similar tool.
With a little searching I have found some pin vises or mini drill chuck that might work to make my own. I liked the two pin vises with sliding collar, but I am concerned they may not hold the hook tight enough. I wanted to find similar design that had a threaded collar. The mini drill chuck has two jaws and has a threaded collar. Prices were $3, $4, $5. Even with added shipping cost I won’t be out much if they don’t work as hoped.
It is about that length since it is used as it is sandwiched and used[quote=“dwalker, post:9, topic:147”]
Did you make your own spear vise?[あなたは一本槍のバイスを作ったのですか？]
[/quote]
All they wrote about them was:
ひとり目を引き取ったのが、この棒状の道具。
これは、FFではバイスに相当する道具で、。。。
This stick-shaped tool took over the eye. (? caught my attention ?)
This is a tool equivalent to a vice in FF,. . .
So they called it a 棒状 ( Bōjō) Bar like or Stick Like -Tool.
I think they called it 棒状 because they also did not know the name used by the Banshu Kebari tiers.
Anyway, Thank you for the reply. In a few days I should have the tools I ordered. I will try to make one. And see how it works for tying kebari. Something new to try.
Katsuoka Kebari Works - another traditional craft fades from 3,000 `banshū kebari’ tiers to 20.
「播州毛鉤」の最盛期には、毛鉤職人が3000人近くいたそうですが、現在は20人弱と激減しています。
In the heyday of “Banshū Kebari” It seems that there were close to 3000 craftsmen, but now it is shrinking to less than 20 people.
Ah, sorry. It’s been on my to-do list to follow up on this topic. But I haven’t had much of an urge to tie kebari lately. Spending more time on sorting out some of my backpacking gear, which along with getting some issues sorted out with my motorcycles, has been at the top my priorities. I’ve been holding off replying until I’ve tied a few more kebari with the pin vice on a stick to get the technique sorted out, and take a picture of the stick vice and a couple of kebari tied using it.
I’ve only tied maybe four kebari with it thus far. As when tying kebari in hand alone, or when using a set of forceps it requires finding what technique works best. Seems to be rather similar to using forceps, except with the advantage of when using the round shape of the dowel, it’s a little like using a rotating vice. Easy to slowly turn the vice while wrapping on thread, yarn or feather. It also seems it might be easier to just cut a length of thread and skip using a bobbin. That opinion might change with more attempts.
Better success thus far tying something fairly simple. It seems to help if I throw in half hitches at transition points when switching between materials. This helps keep the thread tight. Much the same way you can see Takekabu-san do in the Tenkara Masters 1 video.
Below is a link to the point in the video (at about the 17 minutes mark) where he ties a kebari stream side, holding the hook in forceps. Note the number of half hitches he throws in, even putting a half hitch over the feather stem before wrapping on the hackle. He clamps the hook at the eye end. Thus far I’ve found it best to clamp the hook at the hook bend. I would still like to find a pin vice that I could tighten with a threaded collar. With the sliding collar, and fingers that aren’t as strong as they used to be, it takes extra effort to get it tight enough so the hook doesn’t slip. But I’m getting better at getting it tight enough on the first setting.
The photos of the stick vice in the previous links appeared to be 3 or more feet long. However, after finding another website with pictures in which the stick vice appeared to be only 18 ~ 24 inches long. I decided to cut my dowel off so that the overall length is about 20 in / 51cm, using a 3/4 in / 2cm diameter dowel. This is short enough to place the butt end of the stick in my lap, yet long enough to hold it under my arm. Which ever position seems to be the most comfortable for what I am trying to do. That length also makes it short enough to fit inside the draw string bag with my tenkara rods. Not yet sure if I am going to stick with that set up or change it. So I haven’t yet glued the pin vice. It’s just friction fitted into the drilled hole in the dowel.
Whether I find it a tool to keep using or not. I have found it to be an interesting experiment. Maybe sometime this coming week I will find the time to tie a few more kebari using this tool, and post pictures of them, and the stick vice as currently assembled.
I don’t like the above kebari very much. The hackle I used is to long, and it doesn’t sweep back enough. It will likely get the knife and a second try on the hook.
Thus far it is an interesting experiment. In many ways I like it better than tying using forceps.
The handle is long enough to hold under my arm, or hold pinched between my knees, or just hold it in hand and rotate the hook while winding on materials. Currently the Stick Vise is 20.5 inches long. Which is ok, but it might balance a little better if I make it a bit longer so it will balance in the middle. Mostly I have found it better to not use a bobbin, just cut a length of thread and wrap it on. The weight of the bobbin dangling around has been a nuisance more than a help. The only tools used are the stick vise, scissors, and hackle pliers. But still playing around to find what tying technique works best for me. Something different to try.
Yes it is.
I would prefer to find one with a threaded collar it would be easier to clamp the hook tighter. One pin vise I ordered had a threaded collar, but it was too small. Other threaded ones I have seen online look like the jaws wouldn’t work to hold the hook.
However, with practice I can clamp the hook adequately by pushing and twisting the collar. Mostly it’s an issue that my hands just aren’t as strong as they used to be. With the sliding collar working OK - I’ve not spent a lot of effort to find a threaded collar vise. The sliding collar is working well enough for testing the idea. If I decide I like the stick vice then I might renew a search for a threaded collar.
