Jump to content
Fly Tying
Guest TroutBum

What Vise do you use?

What is your primary vise?  

3,238 members have voted

You do not have permission to vote in this poll, or see the poll results. Please sign in or register to vote in this poll.

Recommended Posts

I to first started with a thopson when I was 7 years old. It lasted a few years before I striped out the adjustment screws on it. I was young and diden't have any money so I stuck with cheap vices and broke another thopson. Then I got a super cheap Sunrise vise It was the same class as the thopsons but the jaws dident taper. You know the kind you get in the kits well that lasted almost 18 years including three of which I did production tieing on as a teenager. That finaly broke tieing 7/0 saltwater buck tails on but that is probably because I was jamming the oversied hooks in the jaws. now I am tieing on a ANVIL-APEX vise which is full rotory, adj. pitch, and the jaws are groved to a 7/0 or 8/0 but are pointed down to a 28. This vise was only $100.00 and has a full lifetime waranty. I am very satisfied.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

danvise with base here, own two of them, have tied little tiny (i need my glasses to see this thing ) to 10/0 jock scott hooks in it, have a couple others with the locking jaws i think were called thompson. didn't suit my needs, Bud

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I've been terribly impressed with the Danvise by Danica. Many people are put off by the composite delrin plastic components...but come on the stealth bomber is made of this stuff AND it makes for a very light and portable vise. It also is true rotary with a very smooth ball bearing action. Has a 10:1 can lock ratio that absolutely immobilizes any size hook. Even has a handy rest that does double duty as a bobbin rest and parachute gallows. My only (very slight) complaint is that its a bit toght to get access to the back of the hook when tying 18's and below. But considering they can be had for <$60, I'd say its a great choice.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I tye 90% on my regal that i have had atleast since 88 , I also tye with an old Thompson "B" that I have had for 30 or so years

 

I use the Tommie for big Irons and the Regal for anythng less than a large ironed #2

 

Why? they hold they hook for me ,thats all I require, and sometimes not.

 

I do admire the "modern" vices and all the nice machine work. And for some flies the rotary functions.I recommend all the better ones--most are listed above

 

Davy

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hey guys,

I'm new to fly tying and currently use a Cabelas AA clamp vise. Since I'm pretty fussy about how my tools work, this vise does nothing but cause frustration. I've made the decision to buy a "true rotary" vise and have four in mind, but I can't make up my mind. After reading your varied opinions on this forum, I'm just as confused as before. I'm willing to pay more for good quality if need be, but I'm new to tying and really don't know how many flies that I'll tie per year. I was trying to keep my purchase price just above $100 and now that I've made some design comparisons, I'm willing to go as far as $200 or slightly above. Most of my fishing is for smallmouth bass but I'll be tying trout flies for freinds so my hook sizes will vary a lot. I don't want to pay more for extra jaws if I can get away with it. Here's the vises I'm looking at and why...

 

Peak Vise: $129 - Lowest cost of my choices and seems like decent quality for the money. I don't like the plastic screws.

 

Renzetti Cam Traveler: $159 - Seems very popular but it's more than Peak and I'm not sure whether I like the o-ring.

 

Griffin Montana Mongoose - $169 - Comes with a lot of extras (big plus) but it has the o-ring and an additional jaw adjustment screw. Seems like too much fussing around with the extra screw ? This vise was recommended over the Peak vise by one dealer who sells both. His main reason was value.

 

Dyna-King Barracuda Junior Trekker - $219 - Most expensive of the group. I've never seen this vise other than pictures. It doesn't seem to have an o-ring or the extra jaw adjustment screw. Is it definitely worth the extra money ?

 

Can anyone help me decide ?

Thanks in advance,

Mike

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Guest

Mike,

It seems that you have boiled it down to these four and I'm going to give you my unbiased opinion. I don't own any of the vises you list, I use a Nor-Vise as my primary and an HMH for travel. So here is my 2 cents worth.

 

All of the vises you list are good, but in terms of quality I would go with the Dyna-King. I have either tied on the vises you list or have looked them over and IMHO D-K beats the rest in every respect. If you can afford it, buy it. You won't be disappointed. And, if you find out that tying isn't for you the D-K resale value will be higher.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

agree w/ troutbum regarding the quality of d-k vises.

 

I have the peak and love it, the plastic screws aren't really an issue as they rarely come into play (I don't use the bobbin cradle, nor do I often find it necessary to lock the rotary function). the jaws operate smooth as butter. top notch for the price.

 

the renzetti traveler is also a-one solid. I have the o ring/srew shut jaws and niether are an issue w/ me. it remains my first string vise.

 

while I've heard many good things about the mongoose, I don't particularily care for it. the design is a little busy for my taste.

 

if you can afford it get the d-k, though you can't really go wrong w/ any of the four you've narrowed it down to.

 

mgj

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Bigbender, I feel your pain huh.gif I am tying on an old Thopmson I got from Ebay for $11 and want to up grade. I have not been able to justify anything more than $200 since I am just a novice hobby tyer. I am down to the Peak or the Renzetti, but the Mongoose also looks great. The more I read, the tougher the decision is to make. dunno.gif

 

Clueless in Fort Worth, James

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thanks for the input. It seems unanimous for the Dyna-King and I found a Junior for $189 (no shipping). I think I'm ready to pull the trigger, but wanted to confirm with you guys that we're all talking about the "Junior Trekker" not the Barracuda...

 

Because it's the smaller version, I have two concerns:

 

1: This vise only weighs 1/2 pound without the base - will it hold up ?

2: The hook limit is a size 8 and I'm tying for bass fishing.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My vise is home made. The vise is a small set of vise grips welded to a rod that is adjustable verticly in the home made table clamp. I made it to repair my old gill poppers. It is kind of cumbersome and not rotateable but the price was right.

 

Years ago I started with a Herter's Thompson style vise but it would not hold with the pressure I used on the thread, especially for spinning deer hair. I have been reading this line with interest since I am looking to buy a new vise. I see lots of initials used for vise names. What is HMH????

 

Ditz

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I do not tye and have not tyed on one but I have heard many many glowing reports about the Peak vice or vices.

 

"If" I was looking to buy a new vice I would buy the Peak.Just based on what I have heard and "quality" of those I have heard it from.Only an opinion offered here.ALL the above vices mentioned are fine vices. Just the Peak for a "value" price seems to fit the ticket.

 

Davy

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Renzetti Traveler. I bought this as a portable vise 10 years ago. Has been the #1 vise I use for 9.75 years. I couldn't imagine having to tie without the rotary feature. First rate vise that I would recomend to anyone.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

BigBender,

 

It is great that you are putting this kind of effort into this decision. It is very good that you are willing to spend the right amount of money to get something that you can use now and will last and/or hold it's value. You have obviously researched this as you have narrowed things down to four good choices.

 

Now, I could tell you my opinion. But the thing you need to invest here is some time with each of these vises to make your own opinion. I am a huge fan of try before you buy. I recommend you go to the dealer and tie at least one fly with each vise on your list. I would put your list in order. I would save the one you are most likely to buy for last. I would do the same fly, a pattern you are comfortable with, on each vise. You will get a chance to form your own opinion as to what you like and what you don't like. Before you spend the money, spend some time.

 

I lead a monthly fly tying session at the local fly shop. One guy swears by his peak vise. One guy is thinking of buying a dynaking to upgrade from his Thompson. Two of us have Travelers (including me) and love them dearly. Everyone has an opinion. You need to form your own.

 

And I'll add that I don't understand what the problem with the O-ring is? It has been no problem for me. I've been tying with this vise for a year now. I have the screw type jaws, not the cam jaws. I have no problems or complaints.

 

Best of luck. It will be interesting to hear how this works out for you. Not so much which one you decide on. I would enjoy hearing an update a month after you get whichever vise you pick.

 

Ken S

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I've been using my Dyna King for quite a few years; have two sets of jaws, large and small. I love the way it holds a hook, can be adjusted in various ways for easier tying, but letting go of the hook has been a problem. When I lift the cam lever at the rear the collet sticks to the jaws (yes I've tried oil) and I have to strike the vise with heavy pliers to let the fly loose. A real pain, but I guess I've become used to it, keep the pliers next to the vise, but the vise shaft looks very nicked and banged up. I just found out that this is not uncommon with DK vises and I can send it in for a tune up and new collet. A few days ago I ordered a new Dan Vise which should allow my tying addiction to be satisfied while the DK is being serviced. I’m actually looking forward to tying with two vises on my desk, one for making legs and letting flexament and/or paint dry while being able to tye other stuff. I wish I’d sent in the DK years ago.

 

 

The pic below shows my dinged up vise.

 

Graham

 

user posted image

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...

×
×
  • Create New...