Vise help

[Preach 0]

I recently came across an old box of fly tying stuff and this vise was included. Can anyone tell me what this is and what it's worth?

 

Thanks!

 

[niveker 0]

12 minutes ago, Preach said:

Can anyone tell me what this is and what it's worth?

Unable to view the photo on my end.  

[SalarMan 0]

No photo here either.

[flytire 0]

i have no idea who made that vise

[Gene L 0]

It's vaguely related to the Universal (No 1) vise.  I would think it's in the same family.  Have you tied a fly with it?  Looks like the tensioning apparatus isn't there. 

[Gene L 0]

[Gene L 0]

I remember reading some time ago that some fly shop did a copy of the No 1. Not in high numbers.  I think this vise may be it.  The stem of the vise looks to be 3/8" where the original was 5/8". If the knurled screw near the tip could be in addition to tightening the hook but could also be the push-through that released the hook.

Heck, I don't know, but I'm interested.

[niveker 0]

Still can't see the op's pic, but from @Gene L's post. Angler's Roost Enterprises did a copy of the Universal #1 in the early 2000s. I've never seen one in real life, only pictures. 

[Gene L 0]

Angler's Roost is the name I couldn't remember.  If you've seen one, how does it compare to the OP?

[niveker 0]

Here's a site with a PDF link on the two vises. 

https://www.mtfa-springfield.org/resources/library/pdf-downloads/universal-rotary-fly-tying-vises/

 

There's also a nice little history of Herter's and DH Thompson's vises. 

[Gene L 0]

Thanks.  It appears that Angler's Roost copied the No 1 in detail..  ARE is cast on the wheel.  Also added was a horizontal handle for rotating the vise. I would love to have  a No 3, but I doubt I ever will.  I got my vise as part of a high-grade kit that had components that had never been opened.  I think I paid $35 off ebay.

[Mars Rover 0]

I think the OP’s vise is a one-off made by a machinist. The Universal No. 1 has a few parts that are obviously castings, but those same parts on the vise in question appear to be machined from bar stock. The biggest tell is that the jaw assembly lacks the little transverse hole for the loosely mounted rivet that functions as a button to help release the cam. Homemade vises don’t have much value, but this one is especially nice, made by a talented machinist, so perhaps $50 to $100?

The full article, linked below, shows good pictures of both the A.R.E. vise- and the Universal, so it’s easy to compare the two and notice several slight differences. Also, I think the stem is 7/16” diameter (not 5/8”). Just barely too big to accept common accessories made for 3/8” stems.

https://mtfa-springfield.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Universal-Rotary-Fly-Tying-Vises.pdf

I have two Universal No.1 vises. Both are missing the original bobbin cradle, which I would like to find. One is in mint condition. Both were cheap. I bought the one in rougher condition recently with the intention of adding a crank handle, like the A.R.E. has, just for fun. I’ll get around to it.

The Universal No.3 Elite vise is very rare, and nice ones go for big money. I remember reading that fewer than 200 were made. I’ve seen only one in person-and two come up on eBay.

[Jaydub 0]

Invisible vise company?

[Gene L 0]

Thanks to all who posted info on Universal fly tying vises.  My No 1 does have a bobbin cradle and my No 2 doesn't.  I made one out of a coat hanger.  

They were not expensive, except for  the No 3, which apparently about like a LAW vise in value. I've never seen a 3 and I search ebay daily. 

My two vises are in great condition.  Probably mint on the 1 and very good in the 2. The No 2 seems to be more numerous.  I'm surprised that there is so little collector interest in the No 1 (especially.) But it's a category that seems to be on the rise.

I agree the OP vise is a one-off and think whoever machined it had to be influenced by a No 1.  As Mars pointed out, it lacks the  "transverse hole for the loosely mounted rivet" to release the lever that traps the hook.  I like that description and couldn't come close to that phrasing. If one wanted, it would seem like an easy prospect to drill the hole and install the rivet.

If I go on too much about vises, it's because I can't go fishing and vises and fly tying are my only connections to the sport. 

 

[Mars Rover 0]

OP's image is a big one that barely fits. May be the problem. Does this help?