A tool for the braid line era – but has several other uses.
Instantly cuts and cauterizes all types of fishing line. Prevents line from fraying and knots from slipping. Replaceable tungsten tip heats instantly to 1200degsC and retracts when not in use. Comes with replacement tip, requires 2 AAA batteries and comes with lanyard.
At a discount around £14, from many suppliers
Reviewer says –
This was one of those impulsive purchases made a couple of weeks ago – it just seemed such a sound idea, especially when I look at my frayed braid knot ends.
The idea’s simple. The tool just heats a tungsten filament for you to cut line with, and of course it works as you’d expect. It beats using a lighter hands down because it cannot actually set fire to nylon and plastics but still has the effect of melting the braid filaments together and avoiding fraying. The same can’t be said for braid scissors.
The Hotwire takes two AA batteries in its soft-grip handle. To use it, you simply slide the button forward which not only projects the hot wire and heats it up but switches on an LED light so you can use it in darkness. The wire heats within a second or so and does its job perfectly. Because the tip is tiny, you can cut really tight to knots. The resulting ‘blob’ end is far less likely to slip through the knot in use.
Because the tip is sheathed in its plastic shroud when not in use, it’s protected from damage, although a spare tip is supplied and neatly stored in the battery compartment. The LED is powered by a button cell in the same compartment.
It cuts line, but it’s also handy for some other tasks. For example, it can be used to weld plastics for emergency repairs. It can also be used to etch your initials or postcode in plastics and even burn your identifying mark into the cork handles of rods (used with care).
Finally, it’s a Godsend for smokers, doubling up as an emergency lighter which will work even in a gale! £14 well spent, in my opinion.
