Published Jun 13. 2014 - 10 years ago
Updated or edited Sep 15. 2019

Fly Tying Thread Table

A large sortable table comparing more than 100 fly-tying threads.

In this table I try to summarize all available data on all current (and some discontinued) fly-tying threads. It accompanies the in-depth article on the subject of tying threads, aught, Denier and much more.
Much of the information presented here has been compiled from whatever data was available from the different manufacturers and their distributors and dealers as well as some independent sources. Care has been taken to double check everything, and whenever there were different specs on a thread, I have taken the one that gave the most benefit to it - not that this is necessarily right, but to be fair and let the doubt benefit the manufacturer. Many manufacturers don't specify the physical properties of their threads - like thickness, Denier, breaking strength, material or production method. Some are very secretive and some simply don't have the information commonly available. The various columns are explained below the table.

Tying thread table

Click the headers to sort. 121 tying threads listed. See column explanations below.

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Brand Product Material Aught Denier Dia
mm
Test Denier
per mm
Abs.
strength
Rel.
dia.
Rel.
strength
Flat-
ability
Split-
ability
Smooth-
ness
Benecchi Fine 8/0 Polyester 8/0 150 0.056 822 2679 Strong
Average      
Benecchi Ghost Thread Mono   60 0.076 312 789 Weak
Weak none none very smooth
Benecchi Strong Medium Polyester 6/0          
       
Benecchi Super/Ultra Strong GSP 10/0 50 0.033 1077 1515 Strong
Strong high good smooth
Benecchi Superfine 10/0 Polyester 10/0 120 0.051 680 2353 Average
Average      
Benecchi Ultrafine 12/0 Polyester 12/0 70 0.048 450 1458 Average
Below average      
Cascade crest 210 Flat Waxed Thread Nylon 3/0 210        
       
Cascade crest 6/0 Combo Polyester 6/0          
    good  
Cascade Crest 6/0 Thread Polyester 6/0 70        
       
Cascade Crest Euro Thread Polyester 3/0          
       
Cascade Crest Euro Thread Polyester 6/0          
       
Cascade Crest Euro Thread Polyester 8/0          
       
Cascade Crest Euro Thread Polyester 12/0          
       
Cascade Crest Kevlar Kevlar       3600   Extremely strong
       
Cascade Crest Spider Web 8/0 Nylon 8/0          
  none none very smooth
Danville Flat Waxed Nylon Nylon   210 0.051 1304 4118 Very strong
Strong      
Danville Flymaster 6/0 Nylon 6/0 70 0.038 312 1842 Weak
Below average      
Danville Flymaster Plus 140 Nylon   140 0.046 907 3043 Strong
Above average      
Danville Flymaster Plus 210 Nylon   210 0.071 1360 2958 Very strong
Above average      
Danville Monocord Nylon 3/0 116 0.066 737 1758 Strong
Average medium possible neutral
Danville Monofilament Fine Mono     0.150      
  none none very smooth
Danville Monofilament Ultra Fine Mono     0.100      
  none none very smooth
Danville Spiderweb Mono 16/0 30 0.051 142 588 Very weak
Very weak none none very smooth
Gordon Griffiths Cobweb Polyester 6/0 134 0.104 1900 1288 Very strong
Above average      
Gordon Griffiths Sheer Polyester 14/0 72 0.046 450 1565 Average
Below average      
Gordon Griffiths Wisp Polyester 8/0 108 0.056 425 1929 Average
Below average      
Gudebrod 10/0 Polyester 10/0 45 0.025 255 1800 Weak
Below average medium possible neutral
Gudebrod 10/0 Mono Mono 10/0 50 0.102 1219 490 Very strong
Average none none very smooth
Gudebrod 3/0 Polyester 3/0 176 0.102 1077 1725 Strong
Average      
Gudebrod 6/0 Polyester 6/0 143 0.058 920 2466 Strong
Average      
Gudebrod 6/0 Mono Mono 6/0 131 0.152   862  
  none none very smooth
Gudebrod 8/0 Polyester 8/0 67 0.046 450 1457 Average
Below average medium possible neutral
Gudebrod G Mono   210 0.178 1559 1180 Very strong
Below average none none very smooth
Gudebrod G Polyester   330 0.089 1673 3708 Very strong
Above average      
Gudebrod GX1 GSP   70 0.025 2523 2800 Extremely strong
Extremely strong high good smooth
Gudebrod GX2 GSP   130 0.042   3095  
  high good smooth
Gudebrod Kevlar Kevlar 3/0 115 0.089   1292  
  medium difficult coarse
Lagartun X Strong Polyester   150 0.048 907 3125 Strong
Above average      
Lagartun X Strong Polyester   74 0.030 454 2467 Average
Average      
Lagartun X Strong Polyester   95 0.036 482 2639 Average
Average      
Lagartun XX Strong GSP   50        
  high good smooth
Lagartun XX Strong GSP   75        
  high good smooth
Lagartun XX Strong GSP   100        
  high good smooth
Lagartun XX Strong GSP   130        
  high good smooth
Montana Fly Co   Nylon   350 0.081 1927 4321 Very strong
Strong      
Montana Fly Co 3/0 Nylon 3/0 135 0.056 709 2411 Strong
Average      
Montana Fly Co 6/0 Nylon 6/0 110 0.051 652 2157 Average
Average      
Montana Fly Co 8/0 Nylon 8/0 72 0.036 397 2000 Weak
Average      
Orvis 12/0 Polyester 12/0   0.050      
  medium difficult neutral
Orvis 6/0 Polyester 6/0   0.060      
  medium difficult neutral
Orvis 8/0 Polyester 8/0   0.055      
  medium difficult neutral
Pearsall Gossamer Silk Silk   140   225   Weak
       
Petitjean Split Second Thread   8/0   0.025      
    good  
Roman Moser Carbon Fiber Tying Thread Carbon (?) 3/0          
       
Roman Moser Power Silk 1/0 (strong) Dyneema Thread GSP 1/0     1814   Very strong
  high good smooth
Roman Moser Power Silk 10/0 (fine) Dyneema Thread GSP 8/0 55 0.033 1077 1667 Strong
Strong high good smooth
Roman Moser Power Silk 5/0 (medium) Dyneema Thread GSP 6/0 115 0.033 2041 3485 Very strong
Extremely strong high good smooth
Roman Moser RM - Pre waxed Tying Thread Midge Polyester 10/0          
       
Roman Moser RM - Pre Waxed Tying Thread Standard Polyester 6/0          
       
RST Dynacord (Dynema) GSP   150 0.135 3430 1111 Extremely strong
Strong high good smooth
Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread Polyester 8/0     754   Strong
  Good Good Medium
Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread Polyester 6/0     938   Strong
  Good Good Medium
Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread Polyester 12/0     489   Average
  Good Good Medium
Semperfli Fluoro Brite Polyester   120 0.120   1000  
  medium difficult rough
Semperfli Nano Silk 50D 12/0 GSP 12/0 50 0.038 1900 1316 Very strong
Very strong high good smooth
Semperfli Nano Silk Big Game 200D 3/0 GSP 3/0 200 0.062 7600 3226 Extremely strong
Extremely strong high good smooth
Semperfli Nano Silk Predator 100D 6/0 GSP 6/0 100 0.041 3800 2439 Extremely strong
Extremely strong high good smooth
Semperfli Nano Silk Ultra Fine 30D 18/0 GSP 18/0 30 0.025 1140 1200 Strong
Very strong high good smooth
Semperfli Spyder Thread Polyester 18/0 30 0.051   588  
  medium difficult medium
Semperfli Tying Thread 6/0 Polyester 6/0   0.067      
  high difficult medium
Semperfli Tying Thread 8/0 Polyester 8/0          
       
Sparton Fluorescent Polyester   162   907   Strong
       
Sparton Macro Polyester   225   1360   Very strong
       
Sparton Micro Polyester 8/0 72   566   Average
       
Sparton Professional Polyester 4/0 135   992   Strong
       
Tiemco TMC 16/0 Thread+ Pre-waxed Polyester 16/0          
       
UNI BigFly Polyester   400 0.142 2830 2817 Extremely strong
Above average low difficult neutral
UNI Caenis Nylon   20 0.043 85 465 Very weak
Very weak      
UNI Kevlar Kevlar 3/0 200   3798   Extremely strong
  high difficult coarse
UNI Trico Nylon 17/0 40 0.051 142 784 Very weak
Very weak      
UNI UNI-Cord GSP 7/0 100 0.036 3622 2778 Extremely strong
Extremely strong high good smooth
UNI UNI-Cord GSP 8/0 75 0.036 1928 2083 Very strong
Very strong high good smooth
UNI UNI-Cord GSP 12/0 50 0.023 1811 2174 Very strong
Extremely strong high good smooth
UNI UNI-Mono Fine Mono 3/0   0.102 623   Average
Below average none none very smooth
UNI UNI-Mono Medium Mono     0.178 1670   Very strong
Below average none none very smooth
UNI UNI-Nylon 210 Nylon   210 0.051 1500 4118 Very strong
Strong high good smooth
UNI UNI-Nylon 70 Nylon   70 0.074 822 946 Strong
Average high good smooth
UNI UNI-Thread 1/0 Neon Fluorescent Polyester 1/0 234   992   Strong
       
UNI UNI-Thread 3/0 Polyester 3/0 220   907   Strong
  medium difficult neutral
UNI UNI-Thread 6/0 Polyester 6/0 135 0.075 930 1800 Strong
Average medium difficult neutral
UNI UNI-Thread 8/0 Polyester 8/0 72 0.051 450 1412 Average
Below average medium difficult neutral
UNI UNI-Thread A+ Polyester   315   1360   Very strong
       
UNI Waxed Midge Polyester 8/0 72   450   Average
       
Veevus 10/0 Polyester 10/0 110 0.055 800 2000 Strong
Average high good neutral
Veevus 12/0 Polyester 12/0 70 0.047 530 1489 Average
Average high good neutral
Veevus 14/0 Polyester 14/0 70 0.049 520 1429 Average
Average high good neutral
Veevus 16/0 Polyester 16/0 50 0.038 430 1316 Average
Average high good neutral
Veevus 6/0 Polyester 6/0 110 0.065 1000 1692 Strong
Average high good neutral
Veevus 8/0 Polyester 8/0 110 0.059 1000 1864 Strong
Average high good neutral
Veevus G20 100D GSP   100 0.033 2800 3030 Extremely strong
Extremely strong high good smooth
Veevus G20 150D GSP   150 0.042 3742 3571 Extremely strong
Extremely strong high good smooth
Veevus G20 200D GSP   200 0.050 5600 4000 Extremely strong
Extremely strong high good smooth
Veevus G20 30D GSP 18/0 30 0.019 652 1579 Average
Strong high good smooth
Veevus Monofil Thread Mono     0.100      
  none none very smooth
Veevus Monofil Thread Mono     0.200      
  none none very smooth
Veevus Power thread Polyester   240        
  good   neutral
Veevus Power thread Polyester   140        
  good   neutral
Virtual Nymph Dyneema GSP 12/0     2722   Extremely strong
  high good smooth
Wapsi GSP 100 GSP   100 0.030 3630 3333 Extremely strong
Extremely strong high good smooth
Wapsi GSP 130 GSP   130 0.051 2950 2549 Extremely strong
Very strong high good smooth
Wapsi GSP 200 GSP   200   7250   Extremely strong
  high good smooth
Wapsi GSP 50 GSP   50 0.020 1815 2500 Very strong
Extremely strong high good smooth
Wapsi GSP 75 GSP   75   2720   Extremely strong
  high good smooth
Wapsi UTC 140 Nylon   140 0.041 900 3415 Strong
Above average high good smooth
Wapsi UTC 210 Nylon   210 0.081 1350 2593 Very strong
Average high good smooth
Wapsi UTC 280 Nylon   280 0.069 1800 4058 Very strong
Strong high good smooth
Wapsi UTC 70 Nylon   70 0.028 450 2500 Average
Average high good smooth
Wapsi UTC Mono Fine Mono     0.010      
  none none very smooth
Wapsi UTC Mono Medium Mono     0.015      
  none none very smooth
Wapsi UTC Mono Thick Mono     0.020      
  none none very smooth
Wapsi UTC Ultra Thread Kevlar Kevlar   200        
  medium difficult coarse

Note

The data are frequently updated as new sources or products appear - or old sources reveal new information.
Update Jan 2018: My own measurements in the table are all in millimeters, but for some reason the system was set up to do a calculation on the diameter in inches where available, which was the first information I got from a variety of sources before I started measuring the threads myself.
This led to some errors, like the UNI-thread 6/0 being thinner than the 8/0 - which it isn't.
The table now lists the actual measured diameters in millimeters wherever that has been made by me, then selects the specified diameter in millimeters if available and finally falls back to a calculation based on the specified diameter in inches when only that is available.

Material

Mono is monofilament nylon. Silk is natural silk. The rest are synthetic multifilament threads produced using different methods. Two threads made from the same material can be very diferent.

Aught

The most common way to indicate thickness. Not a physical standard. Larger number means thinner thread, so 8/0 is thinner than 6/0.

Denier

The weight in grams of 9000 meters of thread. A physical standard used in the textile industry, but not an indication of thickness or strength.

Dia.

Diameter in millimeters (mm). As specified by the manufaturer or measured by me or others.

Test

The breaking strength or test of the thread in grams (g). The number is the highest found if values from different sources differ.

Denier/mm

A simple calculation of what the Denier would be if the thread was 1 millimeter thick, and a way to compare the Deniers for the different threads. Ideally this number should be the same for threads made from the same material, but the numbers clearly indicate that the Denier number does not help us much in comparing even almost identical threads. Denier and thickness are NOT correlated.

Denier and thickness are NOT correlated.

Absolute strength*

The absolute breaking strength of the thread compared to all other threads and not taking diameter or material into consideration..

Relative dia

A visual indication of the relative thickness of the thread compared to others. Not to measure in any way! Just a visualization.

Relative strength*

An indication of the relative strength of the thread compared to its diameter and the other threads. Not an absolute measurement! Thin threads can be as relatively strong as thick ones. The numbers indicate breaking strength in relation to diameter.

Flatability **

The thread's ability to flatten when tied in. Sometimes requires the thread to be untwisted.

Splitability **

The thread's ability to split when used for the split thread dubbing technique.

Smoothness **

How slippery or smooth the thread is against the hook shank or materials. Its ability to "grip" materials.

*

The textual strength indications are based on calculations and data comparisons and the groups are defined by the me. They are objective, based on numbers, but you may disagree with my scale.

**

These properties are assessed by me based on threads that I have tied with. I have only added data for unseen mono threads, which are basically all very smooth, round and can't be split.

See the main article for more on tying threads.

Articles in this series

Work in progress

This article on tying threads and all the data that is part of it is work in progress and will be updated as soon as I get more or better information on the various threads.
If you have things to add, comments or corrections, feel free to contact me on martin@globalflyfisher.com. You can also leave a comment to the article, and I will see it and respond if required.
I welcome contact from tying thread manufacturers with information, specifications, remarks or corrections - even criticism. The more the better!

Sections: 

Comments

Threads...

Thank you very much, sharing your extra ordinary results of your tests.
I like to see that others the same named attributes of the producers of thread are willing to test.
It is a long way, but some guys are the better "detectives"

Bets regards
Eberhard

UTC...

Good info. Got it booked marked. When will you be adding UTC threads?

Martin Joergensen's picture

UTC is there...

Brian,

UTC threads are from Wapsi, and they are there. I haven't had them all in hand, but all the information I have been able to gather is in the table.

Martin

Thanks so much......

Thanks so much...

fly tying thread using denier...

In the glossary, denier is listed as a category of fly tying thread. Your text states the following..."It is not an indication of thickness or strength?
My question is this. Why is denier even considered a category to be considered regarding fly tying thread if it is not an indication of thickness or strength?

Orvis Fly Tying Threads...

Do you know who makes Orvis' tying thread?

Martin Joergensen's picture

I don't know...

Lee,

unfortunately I have no idea. Most of those who deliver tying thread are for some reason very keen on keeping these facts to themselves. The few manufacturers who make thread are equally silent - probably under contract.

So no, I don't know...

Martin

Veevus sizing...

With regard to Veevus.....how can they have different aught sizes (ex. 6/0, 8/0, 10/0) which are distinctly different sized threads, out of a material of the same denier? The math doesn't work here. Am I missing something?

Martin Joergensen's picture

No, that's part of my whole grudge...

SoCalAngler,

No, you aren't missing anything, but just found an example of the inconsistency of tying thread sizing... the whole motivation for me doing this article and table in the first place. The threads are clearly not the same - different physical thicknesses - and still you will see them listed as the same Denier.

In my eyes the only proper way to categorize thread would be physical thickness, breaking strength, material (nylon, poly, GSP) and fiber layout (spun, braided, parallel, fused etc.). That would avoid such confusing cases.

Trust the physical thickness in the table. I have personally measured almost all threads. And trust your experience when it comes to breaking strength (it's difficult to measure consistently). The Veevus threads are generally pretty strong.

Martin

UTC Ultra Thread 210 & 280 Denier...

How confident are you with the diameters listed for the UTC 210 and 280 denier threads? By definition, the 280 is a "heavier" thread but the diameter is listed at 0.069 while the diameter of the 210 is larger at 0.081. That seems odd because they are both made with the same nylon construction.

Martin Joergensen's picture

Pretty confident...

Darrel,

All the threads that have actual measures in millimetres have been measured by me. That gives me a pretty good confidence in the results, but of course with all the factors mentioned in this section regarding measuring the thickness of tying thread. It can - rightfully - be debated if these measures are the actual diameters of the threads, but the fact is that they are what I found using a consistent method and measuring all threads in several places - and from several spools if possible.

The whole point of this table and the article is to point out that almost any label on any thread has no direct connection with the actual thickness of the threads. Deniers, aughts and other designations simply don't compare to the physical thickness - oftentimes not even within the same brand. So it was no surprise to me finding two UTC threads, one "heavier" than the other, and the heavier one measuring as thinner than the light one.

Martin

Peter Jackson's picture

Thread Comparison Chart is So Helpful!...

Thank you Martin, This is really helpful! Compiling it and updating it must take a lot of work, Thank you so much.
I recently entered a fly tying competition run by a print and digital magazine I subscripe to. The first fly is tied on a size 12 hook, the second on a size 10 hook. What I find confusing in the materials list is 'Fine Silver Wire'. I checked my stock from 3 different manufacturers, Measured by vernier calliper my discovery is as follows:
Veniards:Fine: 0.125mm (No. 27) ( actual 0.12mm), Medium: 0.155mm (No. 26), Large/Wide: 0.185mm (No. 25).
Uni-Soft: Small 0.15mm (No. 33) Between medium and large?, UTC Wire:X-Small: 0.1mm, Small: 0.16mm, Brassie: 0.22mm
Medium: 0.32mm.
Fly-Box: Micro/Small 0.10mm, Medium 0.20mm.
Again not much consistency across the sizes, so I guess we need to purchase from different suppliers so we can match diameters to the fly we are tying. This doesn't help us elderly folk dependant on our retirement pension!
Across my stock Small varies from 0.15mm, 0.16mm, 0.10mm.
Meduim varies from 0.155mm, 0.32mm, 0.20mm.
Thank you Martin for excellent work as always.
Best regards
Peter Jackson

Martin Joergensen's picture

So right!...

Peter,

Your findings match my own experiences with almost any spooled material: tinsel, wire, monofilament ... you name it. We can't use terms like small, medium, large, wide, narrow, thin, thick for anything! We need absolute measurements in fractions of an inch or millimeter (preferably both), so that there can be no doubt and things can be compared.

And don't get me started on hooks where the problem is the same. I have worked on an article on hook sizes, which is just as confusing with numbered sizes that vary wildly from company to company and are totally crazy even from the same manufacturer.

It's 2024 and you'd think that the industry would be as interested as us consumers in updating these measures and units, of which most were invented up towards two centuries ago.

But that doesn't seem to be the case. We're stuck with 1/0, 5 weight, medium and all kinds of odd and almost useless units.

My thread table is a feeble try to get a little order into that part of our world. I'm glad it's helpful.

Martin

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