Lets start by getting things right, there is some misunderstanding as to what a bobbin is! 

A bobbin or spool is a spindle or cylinder, with or without flanges, on which, thread, yarn, wire or floss is wound. A bobbin holder, is the tool used to dispense whatever is on the bobbin, with a degree of precession. 

There are so many bobbin holders and makes thereof in the market place that a full survey cannot be contemplated in an article such as this. Many bobbin holders come from the Indian sub-continent and are considerably less expensive than the top of the range bobbin holders. However, in general you get what you pay for in terms of quality and durability. That being said, several manufactures, produce bobbin holders that are simply excellent and great value for money.

Bobbin holders like most tools, range in price from a few dollars, to $ 100 +. But when purchasing a ‘top of the range’ bobbin holder, please also examine the alternatives. Bobbin holder design is very personal, one tyer may love the bobbin holder they use and another hate it! 

The bobbin holder is one of the most essential tools that all fly tyers should own at least one, but preferably several! A good quality bobbin holder should hold and dispense your tying thread evenly with a uniform tension. It should be comfortable to hold and use, and easily be adjusted to accept most standard fly tying bobbin sizes. A poor quality bobbin holder can be infuriating, making tying difficult, constantly breaking your tying thread.  It’s really worth investing in a good quality bobbin holder, which are far superior to other less expensive models. 

Some personal thoughts…

After many years at the tying bench, I have grown to love the tools that I use daily, they have almost become an extension of my hands, and anything else, well, just doesn’t feel right. It’s rather like putting on a pair of shoes that are not yours, that don’t fit properly! That being said, I do know my way around a bobbin holder, no matter the design or material that it’s made from, so here are a few of my personal thoughts regarding bobbin holders.

Tubes and linings.

Bobbins with ceramic tubes are more durable than even the highest quality surgical steel, which eventually becomes worn with continual use, especially when using modern GSP threads, and can develop burs and grooves that start to fray and break your tying thread. Eventually rendering them useless.

Thread control.

I also find the classic wishbone bobbin holder design better for thread control, as these are balanced when spun to correct your tying thread. Where as, a single leg bobbin holder  is un-balanced when spun, and will jump all over the place.

Wire on Bobbin holders.

Some tyers also use bobbin holders for wire of various types. This I avoid, as every wrap of wire around the hook shank when used on a bobbin holder will twist the wire on the spool. This can not be corrected with wire as you can with tying thread. This will result in kinked ugly wire work and weak points in the wire.

Bobbin holder size.

There are small bobbin holders, regular bobbin holders and XXL bobbin holders. Bobbin holders with short spigots and bobbin holders with extra long spigots, this I have never understood! The size of your bobbin holder doesn’t change the size of your thread!

If you tie on a regular basis with lots of different threads, colours and sizes, it’s useful to have several bobbin holders that are permanently loaded with the threads that you use most.  But avoid mixing bobbin holder styles for tying, try and only use the bobbin that you find works best for you. Introducing different bobbin styles mid-tying can give the worng feeling and throw you off your tying. Choose one bobbin holder and stick with it!

Tension.

There are several different bobbin designs for adjusting the thread tension, again here I personally prefer the classic wishbone design, be it wire or flat leg design.

You have the disc drag.

Disc drag bobbin holders are an excellent choice for setting precise thread tension. But they do take time to remove and change a spool, many having small loose parts that have to be dismantled and re-assembled each time that you change a spool.

The sliding sleeve.

This is an easy bobbin holder design adjusting tension, as it can be adjusted just by sliding the thumb of the hand holding the bobbin holder, up or down, while tying. Quick and effective. Take note that some sliding sleeve designs can be a little stiff and may need a little lubrication.

The barrel adjustment.

Similar to the disc drag and excellent for setting precise thread tension, with the advantage of being a balanced wishbone design, that enables easier thread control. But again, they do take time to remove and change a spool, many having small loose parts that have to be dismantled and re-assembled each time that you change a spool.

Traditional wishbone design.

The wire legs of the traditional wishbone shaped bobbin holder need to be adjusted to accommodate the particular size of spool being used and to set the desired tension. The tension should be light enough for you to easily draw off thread, while still being tight enough to hang under its own weight without unwinding. 

For less tension, pull the two wire legs outwards from each other, and to increase tension, the opposite. Beginners should experiment with their bobbin holder and learn to fine-tune the tension. 

Palm of your hand.

In addition to all the above most tyers, no matter what bobbin holder that they use, also apply and release tension by squeezing the palm of their hand around the bobbin while tying. Once learned and used this comes naturally.

Bobbin holder anatomy

Exit lining

Some steel spigots have an exit lining of a small insert of, ceramic,  glass, tungsten and teflon. This enables the thread a smooth passage and exit out of the spigot, and reduces the possibility of thread fraying and breaking.

Spigot

The spigot is the tube through which the tying thread is piloted and dispensed. This allows you to precisely position each wrap of tying thread onto the hook. Spigots come in various materials, steel and ceramic tubes are the most common. They also come with varying  tube lengths, I have never really found any advantage of having a bobbin with an extra long or extra short tube.  I find a standard tube length will do all the jobs needed just fine.

Grip 

The grip is the the central component of the bobbin holder that houses all the other elements of the bobbin construction, and as the name suggests, it doubles as a grip for handling the bobbin. These come in various designs and materials, most commonly constructed of brass, steel, wood or plastic.

Legs

These are most commonly found on the wishbone style bobbin holder, and are made from round steel wire or flat steel plate legs. They accommodate the hubs which hold the bobbin on the bobbin holder. On most models these can be easily adjusted to set thread tension, for varying sizes of thread bobbins.

Entry lining

As with the exit lining, they have an entry lining of a small insert of, ceramic,  glass, tungsten and teflon. This enables the thread a smooth passage from the bobbin into the spigot, and reduces the possibility of thread fraying and breakage. Notably some of the more expensive quality bobbin holders have a sponge entry lining.  This retains the tying thread and stops it from accidentally slipping out from the spigot.

Hubs

These are the conical cylinders that are positioned into the bore on each side of the thread bobbin. These not only hold the bobbin securely in position, but also allows a smooth and free rotation of the bobbin when used.  They are commonly made from brass, plastic and steel. 

Spool

To date there is no standard size in bobbins for fly tying thread, they come a many sizes from small to large. But most serious fly tying thread manufactures have bobbins that are similar in size or vary within a couple of mm.  

Threading bobbins

There are several bobbin holder threaders available on the market, most of which are a very similar design. My personal choice is GUM dental floss threaders, that available from the drugstore in packs of 25 or more foe just a few dollars. 

As an Amazon Associate and Avantlink, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Bobbins List Reviewed and Rated

Bobbins	Rating	Price
C&F Standard Bobbin Holder / Long	★★★★★	$40.58
Petitjean TT Bobbin Holder	★★★★★	$68.95
Ekich Ultimate Bobbin Holder S-Series	★★★★★	$150
SMHAEN Bobbin Holder Classic Regular	★★★★★	$49.95
Stonfo Bobbin	★★★★★	$10.99
C&F Midge Bobbin Regular	★★★★★	$45.40
Kopter Flies Revolution Bobbin Holder	★★★★☆	$81
SMHAEN Bobbin Holder Pro – Midge	★★★★☆	$69.70
Stonfo Steel Tech Bobbin	★★★★☆	$62.50
Nor-Vise Automatic bobbin	★★★★☆	$70
Dr. Slick Ceramic Bobbin	★★★☆☆	$16
Veniard Ceramic Insert Bobbin	★★★☆☆	$7
Stonfo Elite Bobbin	★★★☆☆	$25.90
Veniard Ceramic Spigot Bobbin	★★☆☆☆	$16.95
Veniard Flared Disc Bobbin	★★☆☆☆	$6
Veniard Bullet Bobbin	★★☆☆☆	$5
Cottarelli Bobbin	★★☆☆☆	$53
Stonfo Bobtec 1	★☆☆☆☆	$29.95

C&F Standard Bobbin Holder / Long

C & F Design product link

Rating: ★★★★★

• Description: A flat leg Teflon-coated wishbone bobbin holder with a brushed stainless steel spigot, approximately 10mm (0.4 inches) longer than the regular size. It features a high-quality ceramic tube and a foam entry lining that prevents the thread from falling out when not in use. Comes with a dedicated threader.
• Additional Features: If more tension is needed, the C&F gravity system can be installed (sold separately).
• Price: $40.58
• Buy on AMAZON

Petitjean TT Bobbin Holder

Petitjean TT Bobbin product link

Rating: ★★★★★

• Description: A stainless steel double wire wishbone bobbin holder with an open spigot for easy threading and adjustable tension via a central sliding sleeve. Accommodates different spool sizes and includes a wire hook for making dubbing loops.
• Additional Features: Effortless thread spool replacement, perfectly balanced spinning.
• Price: $68.95
• Buy on AMAZON

Ekich Ultimate Bobbin Holder S-Series

Ekich Ultimate Bobbin Holder S-Series product link

Rating: ★★★★★

• Description: The one-piece, one and a half leg nylon frame is comfortably ergonomic and works well for both right and left-handed tyers. It features a polished stainless steel spigot and uses a CFS (constant force spring) to maintain set tension throughout tying. Automatically rewinds the thread onto the spool and takes most standard spool sizes, which are easy and quick to change.
• Price: $150
• Buy Ekich Ultimate Bobbin

SMHAEN Bobbin Holder Classic Regular

SMHAEN Bobbin Holder Classic Regular product link

Rating: ★★★★★

• Description: This Danish flat leg wishbone bobbin holder is available in two sizes: Regular (red) and Midge (blue). Both sizes have a funneled ceramic tube for easy threading and are well balanced. They accommodate slightly different spool sizes with a little adjustment of the wishbone legs. Features an ergonomic anodized frame.
• Price: $49.95
• Buy on AMAZON
• Buy on Trident Fly Fishing

Stonfo Bobbin

Stonfo Bobbin product link

Rating: ★★★★★

• Description: A stainless steel wishbone design with slightly offset legs, brass hubs, and brass disc grip. The ceramic spigot has funneled entry and exit points covered with a rubber sleeve grip. Comfortable and ergonomic, it’s easily adjustable and fits most spool sizes. Excellent value under $11.00.
• Price: $10.99
• Buy on AMAZON
• Buy on Trident fly fishing

C&F Midge Bobbin Regular

C&F Midge Bobbin product link

Rating: ★★★★★

• Description: Flat-legged Teflon-coated wishbone design with a brushed stainless steel spigot, high-quality ceramic tube, and foam entry lining to stop the thread from falling out. Comes with a dedicated threader.
• Price: $45.40
• Buy on AMAZON

Kopter Flies Revolution Bobbin Holder

Kopter Flies Revolution Bobbin product link

Rating: ★★★★

• Description: This Italian bobbin is made from aeronautical grade materials and features ceramic inserts in the steel spigot and adjustable tension through the wishbone legs. Unique design allows legs and hubs to spin for thread control or making dubbing brushes. Comes with a dedicated threader.
• Price: $81
• Buy Kopter Revolution Bobbin

SMHAEN Bobbin Holder Pro – Midge

SMHAEN Bobbin Holder Pro product link

Rating: ★★★★

• Description: Available in two sizes (Midge in blue and Regular in red). Features a central adjustable tension barrel that can be precisely adjusted with your thumb while tying. Includes a ceramic tube, ergonomic anodized wishbone frame, and is well balanced. Somewhat susceptible to accidental loosening of the tension barrel.
• Price: $69.70
• Buy on AMAZON
• Buy on Trident fly fishing

Stonfo Steel Tech Bobbin

Stonfo Steel Tech Bobbin product link

Rating: ★★★★

• Description: Double wire legged wishbone design made entirely of stainless steel. Features a precise barrel tension adjustment that accommodates most spool sizes. The stainless steel spigot and hardened steel bush exit point ensure a smooth transition from spool to hook. Weighs 35 grams, making it suitable for larger deer hair work.
• Price: $62.50

Nor-Vise Automatic bobbin

Nor-Vise Automatic bobbin product link

Rating: ★★★★

• Description: Classic stainless steel wire wishbone design with funnelled ceramic spigot for easy threading and brass grip. This bobbin holder has no hubs, but short extensions of the legs that fit snugly into the designated Nor-Vise spool. You may think, from the photo that I have threaded this bobbin holder incorrectly, but no, the thread has to go from the spool and then, once or twice around the leg before it enters the ceramic spigot. This is so the bobbin holder will hang correctly when in use. Everything about this bobbin holder is in the spool. It has a spring / clutch mechanism, which is balanced with the weight of the bobbin holder along with a loaded spool. When the bobbin is lifted the spool will automatically rewind the tying thread to the perfect tying point. Works especially well with the Nor-Vise. You have to load your own spools with thread.
• Price: $70.00
• Buy on AMAZON

Dr. Slick Ceramic Bobbin

Dr. Slick Ceramic Bobbin product link

Rating: ★★★

• Description: Classic wire wishbone design with funneled ceramic entry and exit inserts for easy threading. Features Delrin polymer hubs and a stainless steel spigot. Available in three sizes, offering good value for the price.
• Price: $16
• Buy on AMAZON
• Buy on Trident fly fishing

Veniard Ceramic Insert Bobbin

Veniard Ceramic Insert Bobbin product link

Rating: ★★★

• Description: Lower-priced wire leg classic wishbone bobbin holder from Veniard. Features both entry and exit points with funneled ceramic inserts for easy threading, brass hubs, and brass bullet style grip.
• Price: $7
• Buy on AMAZON

Stonfo Elite Bobbin

Stonfo Elite Bobbin product link

Rating: ★★★

• Description: Single legged bobbin holder constructed of stainless steel with disc drag tension adjustment. Available in three sizes, it features a stainless steel spigot with a hardened steel bush exit point. The disc drag tension system is precise and allows relatively quick spool changes, though somewhat unbalanced when spun.
• Price: $25.90
• Buy on AMAZON
• Buy on Trident fly fishing

Veniard Ceramic Spigot Bobbin

Veniard Ceramic Spigot Bobbin product link

Rating: ★★

• Description: Lower-priced wire leg classic wishbone bobbin holder from Veniard. Features a single funneled ceramic spigot for easy threading, brass hubs, and brass bullet style grip.
• Price: $16.95
• Buy on AMAZON

Veniard Flared Disc Bobbin

Veniard Flared Disc Bobbin product link

Rating: ★★

• Description: Lower-priced wire leg classic wishbone bobbin holder from Veniard with a single stainless steel spigot and flared exit. Brass hubs and brass disc grip. Common in beginner kits but lacks long-term quality.
• Price: $6

Veniard Bullet Bobbin

Veniard Bullet Bobbin product link

Rating: ★★

• Description: Lowest price range wire leg classic wishbone bobbin holder from Veniard. Features a simple steel spigot with both entry and exit ends flared for easy threading, brass hubs, and brass bullet style grip.
• Price: $5
• Buy on AMAZON

Cottarelli Bobbin

Cottarelli Bobbin product link

Rating: ★★

• Description: Black steel wishbone design with brass sliding sleeve tension adjustment. Features a short open-sided aluminum spigot with a ceramic insert. While functional, it can be awkward to hold due to minimal grip and unconventional threading method.
• Price: $53
• Buy on 54 Dean Street 

Stonfo Bobtec 1

Stonfo Bobtec 1 product link

Rating: ★

• Description: Stainless steel wishbone bobbin holder with a sliding sleeve tension adjustment. Hardened steel bush exit on the steel spigot and stainless steel hubs. Difficult tension adjustment and spool mounting issues make it less user-friendly.
• Price: $29.95
• Buy on AMAZON
• Buy on Trident fly fishing

FAQ

1. What is the main difference between a ceramic tube and a steel spigot in bobbin holders?

Ceramic tubes in bobbin holders are designed to minimize friction and prevent thread breakage, making them ideal for fine or delicate threads. Steel spigots, on the other hand, are more durable and robust, suitable for heavier threads and more rugged use. The choice between ceramic and steel often comes down to the type of tying you plan to do and your personal preference for thread management.

2. How do I adjust the tension on my bobbin holder?

Adjusting the tension on a bobbin holder varies by model. For instance, the Petitjean TT Bobbin Holder allows for tension adjustment via a central sliding sleeve, while the SMHAEN Bobbin Holder Pro features a tension barrel that can be adjusted with your thumb. Some bobbins, like the Ekich Ultimate, use a constant force spring to maintain tension automatically. It’s essential to refer to the specific instructions for your bobbin holder to adjust the tension correctly.

3. Why should I invest in a quality bobbin holder when cheaper options are available?

Investing in a quality bobbin holder can enhance your fly tying experience significantly. Quality bobbin holders often provide better ergonomics, smoother thread flow, and more precise tension control, which can lead to fewer thread breakages and more consistent tying results. While cheaper options are suitable for beginners or casual tyers, those who tie flies regularly may find the improved performance and durability of quality bobbin holders worth the investment.