I would consider the role of a tie maker to be really important.

Not only are they highly specialised in a niche market, I am of course talking about the sophisticated tie maker and not a set up that would not qualify as a sophisticated tie maker.

There are many of these smaller set ups around and please don’t think that I am being condescending because I am not but the fact is that unless the tie maker in question has some form of sophistication, expertise and understanding of how to make a tie and over lock a scarf(which dependant on fabric can also be quite a tricky thing to do but certainly does not rank in the realm of expertise as that of making a tie, they simply do not compare in the expertise required to make a really good or should we say acceptable tie.

The differences between a well made tie and a not so well made tie are quite vast and a good tie maker would very quickly be able to tell you the differences such as the tie should not twist when held vertically by the narrow end of the tie just above the floor. Another one is that the tie should be properly stretched so it achieves its full length and does not bunch.

Another point is the lining used to make a tie buy a good tie maker is normally of a good quality and has substance whereas a tie made by a more average tie maker would quite often have no lining or perhaps a little towards the bottom of the tie(wide end) to bulk it up.

More often than not, although it is not an absolute requirement, is for the more professional tie maker to have what is called a Liebe machine. This is a machine used by tie makers world wide to stitch the tie at the back, it is quicker and far more precise than doing it by hand.

However, these machines are extremely expensive and it probably would not make economic sense to buy one for south African use only as we simply don’t make enough ties to warrant spending so much money on such a machine.

The other aspects differentiating good and average tie makers are the shape of the V at the top and the bottom of the tie- do they mirror each other, is the logo if the ties are corporate ties, straight and in the right position, does the tie hang well and doesn’t twist.

Ties made by a good tie maker will always have balance when worn, they should also last longer than when made by an average tie maker.

If one looks at the back of the tie, be it corporate ties, custom ties or branded ties or even school ties, they should be properly sewn so that they do not fall apart, a good tie maker will always make sure that this is the case.