Quality Starter Vise

[JasonV 0]

I bought the Mayfly vise as well and have been very pleased with it.

[Dave G. 0]

Agree with the above from what I seen. Just unsure if inline true rotary will make the resin behave more uniformly vs a full rotary that doesn't spin around the hook axis. I've made up my mind from the above, and after thinking on the subject for a length of time, that an inline true rotary will be the best for myself to start with given this will be more favourable to learn straight up. Now the battle will be which vise from the true rotary bunch grabs my attention the most.... first world problems.

It would be really good if you could get to a tying shop that has multi vises to try. Some just seem to fit better than others. Some smoother, some have nice features. It's really that kind of personal choice. I just mentioned the bushings in the Mongoose because I saw some wobble in a video and then read reports of the same in reviews. It's a good chunk of change for one and others in the same price range don't use plastic bushings. I've used bronze and brass bushed vises that don't show any wobble or slop at all.. But All That is just my take.

[BuzFly 0]

For $250 I would go with the Renzetti SALTWATER Traveler. It will hold the hooks you said you tie on most of time and will go up to a 7/0 and down to #16. It is a rotary and the build quality is quite good. The other one to look at is the Griffin Montana Mongoose Vise is also a good choice. It will hold the hooks you listed and is also rotary. The other thing I like about it is it comes with a bunch of other things:

 

Tempered steel jaws will securely grip hooks from 4/0-28's.

The MT Mongoose comes complete with FREE accessories:

C-Clamp

Pedestal

Bobbin Cradle

Material Clip

Supreme Bobbin

Hackle Gauge

Deluxe carrying case

Lifetime warranty.

Made in the USA.

I know the Renzetti is build better than the Griffin Montana Mongoose Vise but the Griffin comes with a lot more options. The Renzetti holds a hook very well with out the need for groves or other gimmicks and is made in the USA also.

I would try out the vise you want tying what you typically tie on the hooks you typically use. Tie a few dozen on each vise and see what works and feels the best.

Brad

[shoebop 0]

I have to chuckle every time someone asks for advice on buying a vise. You could just cut and paste the answers from any post on to any other post. Everyone just recommends their vise, even if it wasn't mentioned as a choice.

[subtraho 0]

I've had a Montana Mongoose for ~6 months now, really love it. Admittedly it is my first real rotary, but it is worlds better than anything else I have used.

[ditz2 0]

There are many great vises in the $$$ area you are willing to spend. As a beginner you have not idea which vise will work best for you. I see you as having 2 options. Get a decent cheap vise and tie for a few months and then you will have a much better idea as to which vise you might prefer. I think the best option is get a Nor-vise to learn on. It has many great advantages and it would be best to learn from the onset rather than have to re-learn after learning on another vise and then switch to a Nor-vise. It has a totally different technique requirements. I am an old dog and I learned on a set of vise-grips welded to a rod that was held in a home made c-clamp. It actually worked pretty well and I still have it. As suggested above go to the web site and watch the videos. I don't personally own one and I am old enough that I am not interested in learning to use one but it would be wise for a beginner to start there and it appears that you are willing to spend the money. It is not just a vise. It is a system. You can ever do dubbing brushes on it. One does not need to be considering a pro tying future to get benefits from the system. If I was still 30 or 40 I would not hesitate to invest in one. 67 is not the age to start using one IMO. It sure looks like a great system to me. .......But if you decide to buy just a vise there are many that are fine quality vises.

 

I will add one last comment....I have been tying on a vise that was something less $100 for 8 or 10 years and I have few complaints with it and there are several others that I am sure are just as good or better for the same money. My point is that $100 will buy a fine vise that will last for years. If you are going to spend 3X the $$$ buy something special. Go to a site called Ohioflyfishing or something like that. They did a really nice comparison of many vises in different Dollar ranges.

[yellafella 0]

Thanks all for the input.

 

After much debate I bit the bullet and bought a vice from Jan Tvrdek. Arrived yesterday. I've been waiting on tools to start tying, but they haven't arrived. I ended up using a set of nail clippers, rough scissors and manually held the tying thread and managed the attached as my first fly.

 

 

For a first tying vice I'm spoilt. I ended up with the Jan Tvrdek as it had a traditional jaw but in the form of a true rotary with an easily adjustable arm, something which I think is quite handy:

http://www.jan-tvrdek.cz/rotary-vice-black-386-30

 

Thanks all again for your help, hope to be drawing on it now as I learn this great and fun craft.

[Gene L 0]

Looks like a fine vise. Until you get a bobbin, you can hold a section of thread with a spring clothes pin...keeps it from getting in the way. But a bobbin is more convenient.

[Charlie1947 0]

I don't have a lot of experience with different vises but the Mayfly rotary vise seems to work well for me. I have gone as small as 18 and I'm sure it would handle smaller. I've had it for two tears and tyed hundreds of flys and the jaws are like new. It is made in America and sells for only $87. There are other models too.

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/MAYFLY-2A-TRUE-ROTARY-FLY-TYING-VISE-STEM-MOUNT-BOBBIN-REST-MADE-IN-USA-/191536631513

Thanks for the link and info My first vise was Griffin Odessey Spider, great vise but a hours at the vise the front screw was painful on the fingers.

How about on the Mayfly? Thanks for your time and info!

[Kentuckysteve 0]

I have the Mongoose and have never had a problem with the head.Never noticed any wobble.It has always been smooth.I like the adjustment.I can tighten it where it wont turn if i dont want it to or stop it in any position.It holds any hook i put in it tight.I would not hesitate to buy another one.Also has a lifetime warranty so if anything breaks its covered.

[Adam Saarinen 0]

TMC 2 :-)

[vjc 0]

 

 

I don't have a lot of experience with different vises but the Mayfly rotary vise seems to work well for me. I have gone as small as 18 and I'm sure it would handle smaller. I've had it for two tears and tyed hundreds of flys and the jaws are like new. It is made in America and sells for only $87. There are other models too.

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/MAYFLY-2A-TRUE-ROTARY-FLY-TYING-VISE-STEM-MOUNT-BOBBIN-REST-MADE-IN-USA-/191536631513

Thanks for the link and info My first vise was Griffin Odessey Spider, great vise but a hours at the vise the front screw was painful on the fingers.

How about on the Mayfly? Thanks for your time and info!

No, the front screw turns very easy. You just turn it till the jaws both touch the hook. Once touching, or almost touching, you operate the lever to clamp the hook. When done you flit the lever down and the fly is loose and you re hook and clamp. I have not hand any issue with the clamp lever but if I did I would cover it with a soft tubing. I like it but like I said, I have nothing to compare it to. It's my first vise.

[Charlie1947 0]

 

 

I don't have a lot of experience with different vises but the Mayfly rotary vise seems to work well for me. I have gone as small as 18 and I'm sure it would handle smaller. I've had it for two tears and tyed hundreds of flys and the jaws are like new. It is made in America and sells for only $87. There are other models too.

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/MAYFLY-2A-TRUE-ROTARY-FLY-TYING-VISE-STEM-MOUNT-BOBBIN-REST-MADE-IN-USA-/191536631513

Thanks for the link and info My first vise was Griffin Odessey Spider, great vise but a hours at the vise the front screw was painful on the fingers.

How about on the Mayfly? Thanks for your time and info!

No, the front screw turns very easy. You just turn it till the jaws both touch the hook. Once touching, or almost touching, you operate the lever to clamp the hook. When done you flit the lever down and the fly is loose and you re hook and clamp. I have not hand any issue with the clamp lever but if I did I would cover it with a soft tubing. I like it but like I said, I have nothing to compare it to. It's my first vise.

 

Thanks VJC, you answered all my questions! I appreciate you! Many tight lines!

[Foxy 0]

I will go with renzetti or dyna king

Either one won't go wrong with it.

I hate to say this but think about the resale value no other vise can beat them and they sales quick!

haha

[Freddo 0]

I thought I had a budget until I started "really" shopping good and hard. I decided I did not need a true rotary and went with a Regal Medallion and SO HAPPY with it. My favorite things are: (1) not having to mess with a screw to adjust for hook size, (2) a simply squeeze to open/close the jaw, (3) holds a hook like *cRaZy* tight, (4) the base is solid/heavy and does not move. I'd buy another if needed but this will last two lifetimes.

 

Have fun! Get a vise and start tying. I'm still new and learning but it's such a great thing to catch fish on the flies you tie. I've caught some on home brewed recipes already too (bluegills aren't too picky)!