whatfly 0 Report post Posted July 13, 2012 While you can tie the smaller hooks on the standard jaws, certainly down to #20, the one feature I do not like about the Dyna-King jaws is if you are not careful, you can crush a hook if you don't get the adjustment right. Hence why I prefer the Renzetti for smaller flies, but they are both fine vises, and I think this is pretty close to an apples vs. oranges sort of decision. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Runarsson 0 Report post Posted July 13, 2012 While you can tie the smaller hooks on the standard jaws, certainly down to #20, the one feature I do not like about the Dyna-King jaws is if you are not careful, you can crush a hook if you don't get the adjustment right. Hence why I prefer the Renzetti for smaller flies, but they are both fine vises, and I think this is pretty close to an apples vs. oranges sort of decision. Same here. 'Fine' or 'fine'... but 'this' or 'that'. I have no doubt that they both make top notch vises. Though which of them will be the "best vise" always lies in the eyes of the individual... what he wants and doesn't want from his vise. I have not tried a Renzetti and the only Renzetti cons I have are based on text and pictures (so I'm not 100% that I've gotten everything right). Renzetti cons (vs. Dyna-King): * The jaws height adjustment (3-step and with a tool)... * Expensive jaws and also different for the vise models (I've had three different Barracuda models but only bought midge jaws once)... * The rotary handle that doesn't allow for a 90 degree handle (after gotten used to having one I wouldn't want to be without it)... A little con on the Dyna-King rotary vise is that its width sometimes can make it feel a little bit large on the bench. I don't really know the width of the Renzetti pedestal base, but compared to its right end, the jaws on the Renzettis don't look like they reach out very far from the vise stem. It does look a little "neater" in size (and if I'm right about it, it would be a Renzetti pro to me). But it's the only Barracuda "con" I can think of... and since it's not a major one either, a Renzetti would still be a step down on my bench. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Phish 0 Report post Posted July 13, 2012 Best thing to do is try out each vise, take some tying stuff and sit down and tie on one at a fly shop or if know a person who has one. Thats the best way to go. DK is truly built like a tank tho. I use mine when I build bass and muskie stuff since its a big vise and it is solid. Both also been good for customer services except once with DK where I didnt get get an answer but wasnt their fault so. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Runarsson 0 Report post Posted July 13, 2012 Best thing to do is try out each vise, take some tying stuff and sit down and tie on one at a fly shop or if know a person who has one. Thats the best way to go. DK is truly built like a tank tho. I use mine when I build bass and muskie stuff since its a big vise and it is solid. Both also been good for customer services except once with DK where I didnt get get an answer but wasnt their fault so. Amen to that! 'Try and buy'... in that order. I have a bad experience from doing it the other way around... buying before trying. I was going to upgrade from my Danvise and was going between a Barracuda Junior Trekker and a Griffin Montana Mongoose. I had never seen any of them in real life and the word 'Junior' in the name scared me a little. I didn't want a small vise, so finally I ordered the Mongoose. It was the best vise I'd had so far, so in the beginning I thought it was great. But soon I started to dislike it more and more in every way... ergonomics... quality... design. Though I still tied on it for a year, since it had costed me $280 (in Sweden) and I couldn't really justify buying another expensive vise too soon. The actual width of my mistake was revealed to me when I was invited to Sowbug Roundup 2006 and got to see a Barracuda Junior in real life. Only a quick look made it clear to me which of them actually was the TRUE 'junior'... and after trying it, it also became clear which was the vise FOR ME. So when I got home my Mongoose was soon replaced and the vises I've had since then have been Barracuda models. But that Mongoose in my drawer will always be a bad memory of wasted money and almost a year of irritation. 'Try and buy'... in that order. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
