The long-awaited Damascus Collector’s Series and a Limited Edition El Dorado Series of fly tying scissors and fly fishing clamps highlight an avalanche of new and improved Dr. Slick products for 2023.
“The Collectors’ Series of Damascus steel tools – ten years in development and requiring 70+ hours to manufacturer – consists of a 3-1/2” Arrow scissor, 4” All Purpose scissor, 4-1/2” Hair scissor, 5” Standard clamp, and 5” Scissor clamp”, said Steve Fournier, Dr. Slick president and CEO. Each unit requires 70+ hours to manufacture.
Fournier explained, “Damascus steel is primarily used in the making of knives and other blades, but we developed a process allowing poured cast forging of scissors and clamps. Forging of this Damascus steel is the same as knife-making – alternating strips and varieties of stainless steel welded together, then folded and pounded to produce a patterned billet.
“The process is repeated hundreds of times until the desired Damascus pattern is achieved. In the final step, Tungsten Carbide blades/jaws are added as structural support for cutting and gripping. The Tungsten Carbide carries a Rockwell hardness of 55,” he concluded.
Sold as a set, only 50 units of each tool will be made in the Collectors’ Series and sold in engraved and numbered sets consisting of three scissors and two clamps in a custom velvet bag with a signed certificate of authenticity from Dr. Slick.
The Limited Edition El Dorado Series of tools consists of the 3-1/2” Arrow Scissor, 4” All Purpose Scissor, and 4½” Hair scissor plus the 5” Standard and 5” Scissor clamps electroplated with 24 karat gold. Each tool is plated two times and then hand-polished and waxed to a high luster. All El Dorado tools come in a Limited Edition bag.
Dr. Slick’s SlickRelease clamps have been re-issued with upgrades from the original models. Available in two sizes: a 5-inch with 5mm release tube best for flies sized #16 to 22; and 6-inch with 8mm release tube for fly sizes #8 to 18. Models include Standard Clamp, Scissor Clamp and Mitten Scissor Clamp. Available in Gold Loops or all black oxidized finish.
To use the hands-free SlickRelease clamp, slide the Release Tube down the tippet until the fly is inside the 5mm or 8mm tube. A quick pop or jiggle removes the fly from the fish. Should the fly be twisted or stuck inside the fish’s mouth, use the clamp in the traditional way.
All Release Clamps come with a curved jaw and half smooth and half striated jaw structure (Standard Clamps) or half smooth and half cross-hatch (Scissor Clamps and Mitten Scissor Clamps).
Other new Dr. Slick tools are Split Shot Clamps and Knot Tying nippers.
The 5-inch split shot clamp is engineered to open and close all sizes and materials of split shot. One jaw is shaped like a triangle/wedge while the other jaw has two recesses to hold the shot. Place the shot in the recess and close the clamp. The triangular wedge jaw will open the shot in one motion. Available in Gold Loop or oxidized black finish. If necessary, a built-in straight edge screwdriver helps open damaged split shot.
“The Dr. Slick Knot-Tying Tool with attached nippers makes tying a nail knot child’s play”, said Fournier. Additionally, the innovative offset or slanted blade face is designed to work tight to flies while snipping off tag ends of tippet without cutting hackles or material.
The 4.5×6-inch Slick Sack is a velvet drawstring knick-knack bag perfect for extra reel spools, tippet spools, small fly boxes, sunscreen or whatever you want to stow. Two bags in a pack.
Also look at:
https://flyfishing-blog.com/flyfishing-blog.com/2021/09/08/prism-finish-pliers-hair-stackers-added-to-dr-slick-lineup-for-2022/
https://flyfishing-blog.com/flyfishing-blog.com/2020/09/27/fly-boxes-dubbing-loop-tweezers-and-crossfire-clamps-added-to-dr-slick-lineup/
https://flyfishing-blog.com/flyfishing-blog.com/2017/10/03/dr-slick-introduces-new-duel-glass-insert-bobbins/