Hareline Bonefish/Permit Crab Foam Body Cutter

What it is

This is a foam crab body cutter for stamping out consistent crab shapes at the bench. It’s built with double-edge steel blades set into a hardwood base, and it comes with a rubber cutting pad so you can press cleanly without wrecking the edge. The whole point is precision and durability: you get repeatable bodies with crisp edges.

What to tie with it

Use it to cut foam crab bodies, then lash them to the hook shank and build the rest of the fly around that profile. It’s made for clean cuts in foam, including furry foam, so you can stack layers, trim details, and keep every body the same size when you’re tying a batch for a trip.

Flies and the fish they're for

This cutter shows up in flies like the Furry Foam Mandaclawrian Crab, a crab pattern commonly tied for permit on tropical flats where the fish are picky about shape and proportions. The same style of foam crab is also a go-to for bonefish on sandy or mixed-bottom flats, and it crosses over well to redfish in shallow marshes and potholes. If you’re building boxes with different “guide crab” options for a destination, this is a simple way to keep your foam bodies consistent from fly to fly.