I'm new to fly tying and this makes me feel like a real tier. I haven't broken any thread yet (and I've tied ~30 flies). It's an ingenious little tool that gets the job done, holding the spools tightly, not sliding down when I leave it dangling from a hook, very nice. I debated buying the least expensive one offered, but I don't think it's missing anything the others (2x the price) have. I bought 4 on the advise of Dave Hughes "Essential Trout Flies". It's a keeper.