As it happens, I needed to replace some eyes on a couple of LL Bean Deluxe Oversize Black Ducks as I read this post. I have a few thoughts - and a question for you to "on wire" guys.
Here is what I believe are the originals - amber set deep in socket with no visible filler:
The heads on the Deluxe Oversize are different from the standard Coastals. But, I have always thought they were a bit undersized for the nice big bodies. In any event, a couple of the birds had mismatched eyes (kinda like me nowadays.....) - the original amber on one side and a replacement - much larger, black, and on a "tack" (much stiffer than a wire). I could not discover how the original amber eye had been secured.
I have replaced both with 10mm Dark Brown eyes. As Vince suggested, I like solid Black eyes for many puddlers, Geese and Brant - but I had none on hand. I use 10mm instead of 9mm simply because these decoys are oversize. I use 9mm on my own life-size decoys and on the Wildfowlers I have been restoring.
I set the eyes in Elmer's wood filler (Interior-Exterior). I have used it for many years and I like its water solubility - for both inserting the eye (as a lubricant) and for fairing with a wet brush. I seal the cured filler with varnish or oil primer before topcoating.
So - my question: What benefit do you find with wires? I am not arguing against them. I used them early on - but they just got in my way. I seat the eyes encased within the filler - and have yet to have an escapee. Do you press the wire into the wood - or form a loop to be embedded in filler?
Never too old to learn - I welcome your sage perspectives.
Steve, i use mostly tens, but nines on teal buffies and other smalls. I have always been a prpponent of the looped ire in wood putty pproach. I use the acetone based type, and hit the edge with a hot tool once a group are inserted.
I use 9mm glass eyes on wire on all my decoys except swans, they get larger eyes. I poke a pilot hole in the eye socket for the wire, add glue to wire and eye base and install. By the way, I have plenty of surplus eyes , should you be wanting some.