Norlander Automatic Bobbin Reviewed

Pros

• After tying a half-hitch, the bobbin automatically retracts the extra thread.
• The  bobbin is always a handy distance from the hook.
• A good design for big hands - feels good in my palm.
• There is an extra heft to the bobbin - not too much - just enough to feel good.
• Heavy thread (6/0 or heavier) and floss works very well.

Cons

• Thread must be re-spooled prior to use.  There is a tool provided to make this easier.
• When cutting the thread, you must take care that the thread doesn't retract too far, requiring rethreading.
• The provided spools lack a notch to anchor thread when not in use.
• Once the thread is transferred from its original spool, the make, size and color of thread is a mystery.

Standard bobbins make it easier to identify thread type.

Summary

After making a dubbing loop or a half-hitch, I don't like to "rewind" the thread on my standard bobbins.  The Norlander tool is very slick and can really speed fly tying.  There is an adapter supplied with the kit that can be inserted into either a drill or sewing machine to make the re-spooling faster.  Using my DeWalt, I transfered a new spool of thread in about a minute.  I was able to fill 3 spools in 5 minutes, with little effort... heck, I didn't even read the instructions.  Switching the spools onto the bobbin is a breeze.

Transferring thread.

I will need to come up with a system of labeling the Norlander spools so that I can know what thread I am picking up.  The color is less of an issue, but it can take a moment to tell the difference between, say 8/0 and 6/0 thread.  I also will need to get some small rubber bands to secure the tag end of the thread on spools, since they lack a tag-notch.  Also, if you are in the habit of whip finishing, then pulling the bobbin down, and trimming - like I am - the thread will shoot back  to the spool requiring you to rethread the bobbin.  Care must be taken and new habits formed to ensure there isn't tension prior to trimming.  None of these issues is a deal-breaker because the handiness of an automatically retracting bobbin still saves more time than it wastes needing to transfer thread, label and secure.

Adapter provided with kit.

This bobbin takes some time to get used to, and I imagine that I am still learning how to best utilize it. I still prefer other bobbins for thread finer than 6/0, but that too might be a matter of practice.  For the $50 price tag, it seems worth the money.  I wont be re-tooling completely, but the time it takes to tie saltwater flies down to medium sized trout flies has gone down because of this bobbin.  What remains to be seen is the longevity of the clutch mechanism and whether or not I can successfully use lighter thread.  It should also be noted that the bobbin is just one component of the Nor-Vise system, and would probably be even more effective in combination with the other tools.  You can check out the Norlander line at www.nor-vise.com

Bottom Line

This is the right bobbin for saving time at the tying table.  I am not going to switch out my current bobbins, but I am glad that I bought it, just the same.  It rocks for 6/0 and heavier thread.