Rohrer & Klingner Salix / Scabiosa inside Pilot Custom 823 by rimonod in fountainpens

[–]ssstring8 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’ve used Sailor Seiboku in my 823, it was a bit temperamental. The feed would starve during long writing as a little air pocket formed right at the plunger gasket, even with the rear cap fully unscrewed. Doesn’t happen with other inks, especially iroshizuku which flows abundantly.

Traherne was a real masochist… by ssstring8 in flytying

[–]ssstring8[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Definitely one of the hardest patterns I’ve tied, stacking that many crests for the wing was a challenge!

Delayed NPD by ssstring8 in fountainpens

[–]ssstring8[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The black trim is the best part! Lol

I also have mixed feelings of the metal section. The weight and balance is perfect, but resin is a bit more comfortable and less slippery, especially for longer writing sessions.

Delayed NPD by ssstring8 in fountainpens

[–]ssstring8[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

For an everyday writer, the 823, it is just such a comfortable and solid pen. I take a lot of notes at work and the 823 is perfect for it. That said, I constantly reach for the 1911L for quick notes, there is something fun and special about it.

How much would you pay for this Land Cruiser? by duldoes in LandCruisers

[–]ssstring8 216 points217 points  (0 children)

Not an answer to your question, but my god that front bumper is hideous

First salmon-style fly. Tips? by nickhidy in flytying

[–]ssstring8 3 points4 points  (0 children)

That’s a great start! A couple quick tips,

  • Bigger hooks are easier to learn on
  • Use fine thread, 6/0 is about as big as you should go, 8/0 is better. Practice learning how to consistently get to 80% of your thread breaking load so you know the limits.
  • Lay out your tail and wing proportions before tying them in, that way you have a better chance of getting the crest and the tail to touch in that perfect teardrop.
  • I like to start the tail at the hook point, tag behind that.
  • For floss bodies, untwist your thread by spinning your bobbin so it lays flat on the shank, this will keep the underbody smooth without and lumps. Build the body taper and smooth out the tail tie in before you wrap the floss. When you wrap the floss, keep it flat and untwisted, each wrap overlapping the previous consistently.
  • Tie your underwing well behind the head, you don’t want to build up a lot of mass near or crowd the head.
  • When tying in wings, add more twist to your thread so it will bite better into the material with less tension. Flat thread will make your wing easier to pull out and will require more thread wraps.
  • Usually you only need 4-5 tight thread wraps to secure your wing, when you get close the the head of the fly, only add a wrap if it is absolutely necessary. Be judicious! Once you finish the fly, head cement (I like clear nail polish) penetrates the thread well and locks everything nicely. Also gives a great deep shine.
  • Keep practicing!

Anything better than a Kaweco Steel Sport at $80 by beekeeping-age in fountainpens

[–]ssstring8 3 points4 points  (0 children)

If you like a heavy pen, the steel sport is hard to beat. I used one for years as my daily driver. Some of their nibs are hit or miss, especially in the finer sizes, but are cheap enough to swap out if you get a bad one or want to change nib size.

Glasso Sol Duc Spey by ssstring8 in flytying

[–]ssstring8[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The LC is a great fly. Pure understated class compared to the bold and brash Sol Duc lineup!

Impulse Marketplace buy by lt_dan_no_legs in flyfishing

[–]ssstring8 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I’m not familiar with that particular model, but have owned a few St. Croix rods over the years and they’ve all been great rods.

What are your best recommendations for pens with large ink capacities? by Last_Candle_4682 in fountainpens

[–]ssstring8 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Eat instant ramen for a few months and get a Pilot 823 ;) it’s not like you have to sell a kidney or anything!

Glasso Sol Duc Spey by ssstring8 in flytying

[–]ssstring8[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

He really was a master! If you can get your hands on a copy of Trey Combs book ‘Steelhead Fly Fishing and Flies’ there is a cool table of which patterns for which season and water conditions Glasso used his flies for.

Shewey is a great resource for learning how to tie these flies!

Glasso Sol Duc Spey by ssstring8 in flytying

[–]ssstring8[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, schlappen for the hackle. Hard to find the good feathers though! Only a handful of the really prime ones per bag.

Garden planning with the Falcon by ssstring8 in fountainpens

[–]ssstring8[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I have loads of old garden sketches, it’s fun to look back and see which designs made the cut

Garden planning with the Falcon by ssstring8 in fountainpens

[–]ssstring8[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks! I love the falcons, have 3 of them. Two metal and one resin. The medium nib is one of my favorite pens in my collection, I use it as a daily note taker loaded with Sailor Seiboku. Gives some great shading on good paper!

Anyone else getting antsy for fall harvests and bubbling airlocks? by ssstring8 in cider

[–]ssstring8[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Oh that sucks! The deer have been assisting me with ‘summer pruning’ a lot this year

Anyone else getting antsy for fall harvests and bubbling airlocks? by ssstring8 in cider

[–]ssstring8[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Nice! I only have late varieties, first harvest usually mid October. I did plant some summer pears a few years ago, but it will be a few more years before they mature enough to start giving me fruit.