Dyna-King vs. Renzetti: Flagship vise comparison

[deaddrifter 0]

I've had the opportunity to tie on both the Dyna King Excalibur and the Renzetti Master and wanted to provide my thoughts on the differences. I can't speak to other brands but hope this helps someone trying to do research on the flagship models of these two companies.

 

 

Small hooks (18 and smaller): Dyna King with midge jaws

- I find the angle of the jaws on the Dyna King offer more room to work with smaller hooks. The adjustment abilities on the jaws also provide me with access options that the Renzetti just doesn't have. Not to say the Renzetti is bad when it comes to working with smaller hooks but the Dyna King just makes the experience a little more pleasant. If I only had the normal Dyna King jaws then I'd have to give the advantage to Renzetti here.

 

Spinning Deer Hair: Dyna King with normal jaws

- The Dyna King is a tank of a vise. I have the pedestal version of both and I find the Dyna King offers more stability when I'm having to exert a lot of pressure on a hook.

 

Ease of jaw adjustment: Renzetti

- Adjusting the jaws on the Renzetti to accommodate different hook sizes is incredibly fast and easy. The Dyna King takes a little more fiddling to find the sweet spot for the jaw adjusment.

 

Hook range with a singe set of jaws: Renzetti

- I've tried everything from 6/0 down to a 24 and the Renzetti jaws can hold them all. I can achieve the same with my Dyna King but need to switch between normal and midge jaws. Yes, the normal Dyna King jaws will hold small hooks but the midge jaws make tying a lot more pleasant.

 

Size 8-10 hooks: Renzetti

- This requires a special mention because I've found this size range to be where the Dyna King jaws struggle the most. Yes, the Dyna King will hold these hooks but not without spending more time than it should to find the sweet spot on the jaw adjustment. In my mind this is really the only drawback of their jaw design.

 

Large hooks (1/0+): Draw (with bias towards Dyna King)

- I've experienced zero difference in the ability of the Renzetti to hold large hooks compared to the Dyna King. However, my personal preference is for the Dyna King for no other reason than it's a larger vise and I find it more comfortable to use on the really big stuff.

 

Material Clip: Renzetti

- The Renzetti's built-in material clip is fantastic. It easily flips out the way when not in use. It's one of those options that you don't realize how nice it is until you use it.

 

Angle adjustment options: Dyna-King

- The angles you can achieve on the Dyna King jaws are incredible. You can adjust the the jaws so you can almost tie a fly from almost any angle you desire. This offers some really fun methods for doing parachute posts and opens up a lot of options when photographing a fly.

 

Overall build quality: Draw

- Both are fantastic vises that are well built. Yes, both have a few plastic parts as well but this doesn't bother me.

 

I can see myself continuing to use both vises and it's hard for me to pick a clear favorite. I can see myself using the Dyna King for the big stuff, deer hair bugs, and the really small flies along with the times where I want the ability for maximum adjustment options. The Renzetti will come out for the rest as it's just a pleasure to use.

 

[wileecoyote 0]

Deaddrifter, I found your evaluation to be well written and a good assessment of both vises, well done!

[Moshup 0]

Nice review . Thanks

[whatfly 0]

Going by price, wouldn't the Ultimate Indexer be Dyna King's top of the line or 'flagship' vise?

[Gene L 0]

Sounds like both are solid vises. I have a Master vise and it will stop at any position of rotation. I don''t know if that's all that helpful, but it's a great vise. I got it nearly 20 years ago when it was less expensive than now and have only added a spinner, which I didn't really need but is nice in its own right.

[Sandan 0]

Thanks deaddrifter, Seems like I'm going have to cough up for the midge jaws for my DK Pro

[Flat Rock native 0]

The parts of the review I like best are the Introduction, Discussion, and Conclusion

 

Thank you for a timely and well written assessment, most of us really love our own choices, but I really like to hear about others and will take any opportunity to try out a brand or model. Like pictures too, but that is just me

[Woodenlegs 0]

I just wanted to put my two cents in:

 

My first vise was a china cam c-clamp in a Regal kit, I later purchases a Renzetti

Traveler C-Clamp that is great if you have a place to clamp it. Last year I purchased

a Dyna-King Supreme pedestal that I just love. Most of the flies I tye are size 10 to 26

so both vises work well. Just a note I also have a Thompson A C-Clamp that works good

but I don't think anyone can beat a Renzetti for a rotary.

[chugbug27 0]

Just re-read that great review. Dead drifter, have you been able to compare access with renzetti midge jaws v dk midge jaws?

[Sandan 0]

I just wanted to put my two cents in:

 

My first vise was a china cam c-clamp in a Regal kit, I later purchases a Renzetti

Traveler C-Clamp that is great if you have a place to clamp it. Last year I purchased

a Dyna-King Supreme pedestal that I just love. Most of the flies I tye are size 10 to 26

so both vises work well. Just a note I also have a Thompson A C-Clamp that works good

but I don't think anyone can beat a Renzetti for a rotary.

Gotta say I think my DK Supreme is an awesome vise (vice would have been appropriate too). With the midge jaws, 28s and even 30s are ok. Of course, I can barely see a 30.

As to the original post, very good review.

[notenuftoys 0]

This is a great write up, deaddrifter. Thanks for taking the time.

 

Several years ago when I was vice shopping, I took a long hard look at the Dyna King. I had been tying on my buddy's Renzetti Traveler, so that's what I was used to. I really wanted to like the Dyna King because it is built like a tank, but the ease of adjustment kept me sold on the Renzetti. At any sitting I could tie a few size 20 midges and a couple size 4 bass flies, and the quick adjustment on the thumb screw made this very easy. I struggled with the adjustment collar on the Dyna King.

 

Maybe someday when cash is burning a hole in my pocket I'll take another look at the Dyna King again. I do admire their products.