HMH Vises???

[Roofish 0]

I have a Peak Pedestal Rotary vise that I really like, the price point $149 won out over the HMH.

 

But I'm originally from Maine, so I have considered getting the HMH too.....

 

What do you like or dislike about your HMH?

 

Appreciate all answer's

[Rocco 0]

I lke mine a lot on most counts. My prime and petty aggravation is that, tin the rotary function -- which is not a 'true rotary but usefull anyway, the jaws need to be in a parallel position which in turn requires locking it in place with a hex tool and then relocking it at the customary tying angle -- 30-45 degrees -- for normal tying. A lever on the locking screw -- by all means not a knurled screw head! as they never work long --- would make the changes quicker and less fussy.

 

Rocco

[clarkii 0]

hmh = simple, solid, functional!

if i could only have one vise- hmh would be it (and is)

clarkii.

[scott.bearden 0]

Personally I use my norvise for all rotary tying, but when it comes to midges or other small flies I revert back to my HMH. There isn't any advantage to rotary tying something that small. Actually I have two HMH vises and I use them for teaching as well. A lot of the people I teach are never going to spend more than $30 on a vise, so the HMH at least resembles and functions like a cheap import thompson knockoff they are likely to buy. But I want them to try both a great vise and a cheapie so that they see what exactly they get for their money.

[SkinnyPole 0]

hmh = simple, solid, functional!

if i could only have one vise- hmh would be it (and is)

clarkii.

 

Yep!

 

Go to their website and check out the videos. If you set the vise up correctly you won't have issues.

 

Skinny

[Machocheese 0]

I have one, but have never been able to get entirely comfortable with it. It's mostly me and I don't deny that it's a well engineered and built piece of equipment. The midge jaws are second to none.

 

In the end though, I think if a non rotary vise is on your agenda, you can't beat the Regal stainless. The simplicity can't be beat and it's an equally beautiful vise. Granted, it's not from Maine, but it is made in New England.

 

Of course your Peak isn't too shabby either. It has the second best midge jaws I've used. I love mine for when I want a true rotary vise (woolly buggers), but mostly I use the Regal.

 

Man, I need to stop acquiring vises.

[EzGoing 0]

The HMH is simple and solid but the problem I had as well as others I've talked to at fly tying shows is it slips easily at the cam especially when tightening threads. I sold mine.

[hook549 0]

Why not be like most of us and just buy it ,The only way you are going to know is to try for yourself,besides who only wants one vise LOL

[Lightline 0]

I love mine because it still works as good today (perfect) as it did the day I bought it 30 years ago. Two jaws, pedestal, and c-clamp. Its been all over the continent, and the only vise I've ever owned after my original Thompson A. I guess you could say I'm "used to it" now! I wouldn't trade it for any I've tried/demo'd though.

[JSzymczyk 0]

I have an HMH Spartan. It is a very nice vise. I don't use it nearly as much as my Peak, but it is a top quality vise.

[92Esquire 0]

My Spartan is my travel vise, but I tie on it quite a bit at home, too. The HMH Midge jaws are the best I've found. It holds stable, and I've been able to tie from saltwater 1/0 hooks down to size 28 midges with the two sets of jaws. The only thing I have trouble with is the distance from the upright to the jaws. My bobbin is continually knocking into the upright. The Standard would be better, but it's also a bunch more money, and takes up more space in my tying kit.

 

For what it's worth, I've owned a Peak as well. The Peak is a nice vise, too.

[robow7 0]

My Spartan seemed well made but I had trouble with larger bass hooks slipping at times. Sold it after a year or two, bought a Regal for my non-rotary and never looked back.

[TheCream 0]

My Spartan seemed well made but I had trouble with larger bass hooks slipping at times. Sold it after a year or two, bought a Regal for my non-rotary and never looked back.

 

I don't plan on ever buying another vise. The HMH Spartan will be my vise of choice for the forseeable future. I have been tying on it for 3 years or so and have loved it every second. I tie mostly warmwater flies and keep the jaws horizontal when I do so. I don't need so much rotary-type functions as I do simply access to the bottom of the hook. I had a more traditional rotary vise prior to the Spartan and always had trouble when rotating the vise to access the underside of the hook and the jaws being in my way working on that side. With the Spartan and the jaws set horizontal, no worries. I also picked up the midge jaws and have tied down to a #28 on them. With the standard jaws, I have tied on much larger hooks than they are rated for with no issues. I have literally tied from 12" musky flies with two articulating 6/0 Gama SL12's down to #28 midges on the Spartan. I will usually swap for the midge jaws when I go smaller than size 14 hooks, which is a quick and easy swap. With bigger hooks, I slide them deep into the jaws and have no slippage issues. I love my Spartan!

[Guest]

My Spartan seemed well made but I had trouble with larger bass hooks slipping at times. Sold it after a year or two, bought a Regal for my non-rotary and never looked back.

 

I don't plan on ever buying another vise. The HMH Spartan will be my vise of choice for the forseeable future. I have been tying on it for 3 years or so and have loved it every second. I tie mostly warmwater flies and keep the jaws horizontal when I do so. I don't need so much rotary-type functions as I do simply access to the bottom of the hook. I had a more traditional rotary vise prior to the Spartan and always had trouble when rotating the vise to access the underside of the hook and the jaws being in my way working on that side. With the Spartan and the jaws set horizontal, no worries. I also picked up the midge jaws and have tied down to a #28 on them. With the standard jaws, I have tied on much larger hooks than they are rated for with no issues. I have literally tied from 12" musky flies with two articulating 6/0 Gama SL12's down to #28 midges on the Spartan. I will usually swap for the midge jaws when I go smaller than size 14 hooks, which is a quick and easy swap. With bigger hooks, I slide them deep into the jaws and have no slippage issues. I love my Spartan!

Do you tie 14's and 16's with the midge jaws? I note they say the midge jaws are for 18 and smaller and to not go larger so I'm curious if you have any problems going with the bigger hooks. I really like the clearance with the midge jaws and would like to use them on 14's and 16's but have been a little skeptical to try it.

 

Dave

[JimE 0]

Maybe someone can help me? I have an HMH Spartan that won't hold a hook. I can't seem to tighten the adjustment knob far enough back to tightly engage the cam lever. The adjustment knob is backed out all the way to where it is barely sitting on the threads, when I engagethe cam lever it sometimes pops the adjustment knob off the threads and seizes.

 

Not really sure what is going on.