Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum

Fishing in British Columbia => Fly Fishing Cafe => Topic started by: slurpie on September 30, 2010, 11:33:07 PM

Title: zonker vs crosscut rabbit
Post by: slurpie on September 30, 2010, 11:33:07 PM

I recently acquired some rabbit and need to cut it up.  Not quite sure how and which way to cut it up for some zonker strips.  Anyone have experience with this?

Title: Re: zonker vs crosscut rabbit
Post by: Sterling C on October 01, 2010, 12:10:33 AM

Cut parallel to the grain for zonker strips. Cut perpendicular to the grain for cross cut strips.

Title: Re: zonker vs crosscut rabbit
Post by: HOOK on October 01, 2010, 01:10:29 AM

and make sure when cutting cross cut strips that you cut through the hide carefully because cutting through to much slices all the hairs off on the other side giving you useless strips. Zonkers are the easiest to cut because you cut with the hair  ;D

Title: Re: zonker vs crosscut rabbit
Post by: marmot on October 01, 2010, 11:23:52 AM

do both.  they both come in handy.

Title: Re: zonker vs crosscut rabbit
Post by: slurpie on October 01, 2010, 10:30:26 PM

Ok...I looked at the pieces and there is definitely a perpendicular and a "with the grain" direction. 
What would be the best method of cutting these strips?  I was thinking of pinning the hide on a cutting board and use a sharp exacto on a straight edge.  I was wondering what your experience is with this.  Is keep a consistant thickness important when tying?
Compared to the commercial product, has anyone wished the strips were wider or thinner when tying your favorite fly?

Title: Re: zonker vs crosscut rabbit
Post by: HOOK on October 01, 2010, 10:58:05 PM

I try my very best to cut mine about an 1/8th or 3/16 of an inch widths. It's harder than it looks to do the cross cut ones, sinkers are pretty easy. I do exactly what you thought of with pinning it down. If you can use a metal ruler inside the hair side to cut it makes it easier but also a pain in the a** at the same time lol

Title: Re: zonker vs crosscut rabbit
Post by: marmot on October 02, 2010, 10:37:07 AM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxWSpL22RuA

do it like this guy does it but be careful only to cut through the hide.  You can also use a fabric cutting disc if you don't want to build a cutter. DONT use scissors.

Title: Re: zonker vs crosscut rabbit
Post by: Fish Assassin on October 02, 2010, 11:42:13 AM

Speaking of a double edged sword. :D

Title: Re: zonker vs crosscut rabbit
Post by: HOOK on October 02, 2010, 11:47:05 AM

i just use a metal ruler and a VERY sharp razor knife to cut mine. I also do it with the hide facing up which is what makes cross cut so tricky because if you cut through the hide you slice hair tips off  >:( my trick is to cut mostly through the hide then just peel it free.

Title: Re: zonker vs crosscut rabbit
Post by: slurpie on October 03, 2010, 07:14:53 PM

Thanks for the input  I may have to try the youtube method.