Questions on Vices

[FISHINWEAZ]

I'm looking into learning the great art of tying. I have spoken w/ some and recieved info on vices. Also checked past threads on vices.
I would still like to recieve more of an all around opinion on what others think or have experienced in the past.
Essentially what I'm after is the better all around vice (including rotary) whether it be $80 or more. (money no object)
Any info. would be greatly appreciated. Thanx Weasel

[Danny]

(money no object)

Man, I wish I had that problem!

Chek out the Danvise. You can spend more, but I don't think you'll find a better vise in that price range.

[Utah DaveII]

Low priced ($80): Danvise
Medium Priced 129: Regal and Dynaking Kingfisher.
Higher: Renzetti Traveler $169.00
High: Dynaking A couple of expensive models.

[LIV2FSH]

Renzetti Traveler... with the cam lock jaws of course!

Enjoy!

Bruce

[Fred]

If you are sure you will tie, and tie for a long time, I would invest in a good quality vise like the Dynaking Barracuda.

[JayMorr]

All great vises! Maybe at the next UoTF flytying club outting you could ask the guys at the shop if they will let you tie on some of the different vises. Then you can find one that it comfortable for you and one that you really like.

I own a Renzetti Traveler, Regal, and Thompson. I like all of them and each one has it's own place and purpose.

[Trout4x]

.......
........ whether it be $80 or more. (money no object)
.........


Buy two and I will try one out for you and you can keep your choice.

Trout4x

[FlySmyth]

I suggest starting out cheaper. Something in the $40 to $50 dollar range. May or may not be rotory. Then when you have enough tying experience you will know what you need and more importantly don't need. Then you will be buying from an informed position. The cool part is you will have an extra vise in case something happens or you just want to make one of them a traveling vise.

Good luck with this decision there are tons to choose from.

FlySmyth.

[Curtis Fry]

I suggest starting out cheaper. .

While I used to be a big fan of starting cheap, I think I'm changing my mind now. It just depends on the level of interest and how much you'll get into it.

No doubt you can tie flies with the el-cheapo Wal-Mart $15 jobbie (or a pair of needle nose pliers for that matter) -- so the less expensive ones will surely work. However, if you're going to tie a lot of flies, invest in something that will last a long time and have the features you want.

Most (not all) people I think that start out with the cheaper model, usually upgrade to something "meatier" down the road. So if you're going to dive right in and stick with it, why not start good now...

Also, look very closely at the rotary feature. I tied for years on a Dyna King squire. Just this Christmas I got the Barracuda and I love it! I can't believe I went so long without a rotary vise...

Anyway, each person would have a different opinion on this as with anything, so just go to some shops and try out different vises. If the cheaper models works for you -- go for it. If you have an extra $200 sitting around, go for the super-supreme vises.

[THeBLender]

I have never been tying and though "man, I sure wish this was a rotary vise." I doubt I would be willing to pay more just to get a rotary vise vs. the same quality/model that doesn't rotate. Even if money wasn't the issue, I would spend the extra $$$ on a sweeeet midge saddle. Or 2. Or 3. Then again, my tying sux and I don't tie hard core like many of those that have already commented.

Just my .02 pre-tax cents...

[r adams]

As others have mentioned, if you are not sure how serious you will be tying go with a cheaper model. Some of the less expensive models listed above are great vises.

I personally have a Renzetti Traveler purchased over 12 years ago. This vise has met all my tying needs from midges to streamers. I would recommend a vise with the rotary function. Dubbing the body of a leech is a lot easier when you can rotate the fly to make sure the dubbing is placed evenly on the back and bottom sides.

[huck_the_meat]

The Regal rotary vices are fantastic. I like the regal style because they hold the hook well, and you can switch sizes very quickly.
HTM

[MWSpearo]

Why would my responce be deleted?

I was simple saying the the style of vice does not affect the flies you tie as much as the image you project.

Whats up?

[Curtis Fry]

Not to hijack the thread, but I was wondering what people look for in a vise. That may help FISHNWEAZ decide what to get. While spearo brings up the ever-popular notion of just wanting to impress people, what are the actual reasons someone would buy a more expensive vise over a cheaper model?

Is it just perceived value or are there real features and aspects on the higher end models that are worth more money? I think so. I personally don't give a rat's !@%$ what other people think about MY vise and why I like it. It's my $$ and I'll do with it what I want. I guess that's also why a lot of us drive nicer cars and live in nicer houses, when we could all live in a trailer and drive a Yugo... (no offense to people who drive a Yugo and/or live in a trailer).

Anyway, my list of features:

--Better Hook holding power
--More sturdy/durablably built frame.
--More durable jaws
--Rotary (IMHO)
--Adjustability. Some people like to adjust the vise for different tying situations.
--Warranty
--Replaceable parts

What else?

[THeBLender]

...

Anyway, my list of features:

--Better Hook holding power
--More sturdy/durablably built frame.
--More durable jaws
--Rotary (IMHO)
--Adjustability. Some people like to adjust the vise for different tying situations.
--Warranty
--Replaceable parts

What else?

Are changeable jaws a big deal? Most of my stuff is pretty tame (#6-20) but I'm not totally happy on either end of that that scale - particularly when the large hooks wiggle...

[MWSpearo]

Thank you, most things life are about perception and what other people are going to think but...

In the case of vises there are some things that make some model better suited to aspects of tying than others.

For example:

I have a Danvise that is a great all around tool. I like it for tying buggers and other patterns that I may need to use the spring to hold material out of the way. The rotary works well.

I use a Renetti Traveler to tie dry flies. I am ADHD and the simple form of the vice has clean lines that do not distract. The jaws also hold very small flies with no problem.

Moving between these two designs is interesting because the "feel" is completely different. I would agree with the suggestion to try a few and see what feels best to you.

[cheech]

take your medicine Mitch...


I have a traveler... I like it

[FISHINWEAZ]

Wow, that's actually more info. than what I had expected.
I have talked w/ many others & seen all your comments. What this has lead me to believe is that it basically comes down to personal preference. Maybe alot of it has to do with what a person ties or maybe if they tie alot of one particular size. This would actually lead me to another question....
Would one vice be sufficient for say some wooly buggers and some #24-#26 nymphs? Or would it be better to have two different vices to work both ends of the spectrum?
In any case I really appreciate all of your imputs and will definately keep them in mind. Thanx, Weasel

[Trout4x]

You higher end vices should be able to tie smaller then what you want, you may have to buy a midge jaw but this will still allow you to tie the big hooks as well.

Take a ride to your local store and have them demo the models. This will allow you to see how they feel, and compare all the bells and whistles.


Your next question will be clamp or pedestal.

[FISHINWEAZ]

No, not really. I'm thinking of the pedestal. I've invested too much money in my furniture to be clamping on to it. ;-)

[Curtis Fry]

Are changeable jaws a big deal?

In my opinion they are not a big deal. I tie #2/O down to #30 on my vise with no need to change the jaws. You may, however, need to replace the jaws because of wear and tear eventually.

I had a Dyna King squire that I only had to flip the jaws after 9 years. The other side was still going strong and had I not gotten a new vise at Christmas, would still be more than sufficient today.

Also, no matter what anyone says about him (jk) MWSpearo makes an excellent point: Some tying styles work better on different vises. So you may want to look at what types of flies you'll be tying more of and find a vise to suit those needs. Now that is a dang good argument/rationalization for me to buy another vise sometime....

[Jason]

No, not really. I'm thinking of the pedestal. I've invested too much money in my furniture to be clamping on to it. ;-)
Weaz, what do you mean? Did you spend $500 bucks on a fly tying desk or table? If that's the case, then yes, go with an unstable pedestal covered with 3 layers of felt. If not, got with the c-clamp. It's much more stable, the actual vice is closer to your body/edge of the table, and you have more height adjustment options with the long shaft.

As for advice, I think most of the opinions and thoughts expressed above are pretty good. You just have to do a little testing at your local shop and see how it "feels", etc, before you buy it. I tested out my Dyna King vice with one fly and loved it immediately. I've had it for 5 years and it's doing great. Do your research and read the "gear reviews" and talk to as many people as you can. You'll eventually know the pros and cons of all those vices. Good luck.

[Pilotfly]

Okay, time to jump in and ask a question about jaw types/ hook sizes. I have two different vises - a Regal and a DanVise.

I just finished sending my Regal vise in for repair after chipping the jaws when a #20 hook took off like a rocket. (BTW - Regal Engineering folks were great to deal with). While the Regal was back East getting it's tune up, I used my DanVise. I had no trouble tying size 20/22/24 hooks with the DanVise, but for ease of hook placement I actually like my Regal slightly better......which brings up the question I originally wanted to ask.....is it worth it to buy a set of midge jaws for the Regal? The DanVise works great for the smaller flies whereas I am a bit leery of using the Regal for any size smaller than 18's now. Anyone out there have the midge jaws for the Regal vise? If so how are they for holding the smaller hooks? Cost wise would it be simpler to just change vises when tying the smaller flies rather than having two sets of jaws for the Regal?

Okay, enough questions for now. Any thoughts?

Jim