1st. time pretty damn good.Always lay down a thread wrap on the hook shank and hit it w/hard as nails, cut your bucktail and hold it by the tips too clear out the short hairs and always trim the cut end flush so the ends are even from the get go when you tie them down.Leave about a 1/4" gap from the hook eye so you can build a head later on,don't try and pull too tight on the thread it will cause the BT to spin on the hook a couple loose wraps to hold it then tie it down I don't whip finish I double half hitch and HAN.It takes practice don't rush it you have all winter.