seattlesetters

Dr. Slick 4" All-Purpose scissors for cutting hair and the 3 1/2" Arrow Point Tungsten Carbide for holding/tying at the same time. I love the tiny points on the Arrow, and the small notch for cutting wire, floss or other items is a godsend. You just don't need another pair of scissors...they do it all!

I'm seriously considering picking up a Traveler for use on the road this summer. That should help me decide...

Russ - I'm leaning rather heavily at the moment toward an HMH Standard. I'm still trying to confirm, but I don't think I'd need the midge jaws. I'm also considering the features, advantages and benefits of the Standard vs. the Spartan, but since this will be my bench vise, I am fairly certain I'll end up choosing the Standard.

Thanks, Russ! A couple of follow-ups for you, if you would be so kind: Can one use the rotation on the Standard (or Voyager II) for getting a better angle for attaching materials? Also, with the knowledge Randy provided about D-K vises being available with the midge jaws at no extra charge, the Voyager II and Trekker would now both be of interest. Any experience with those?

I've thought about that, but I don't think I'll need the midge jaws with an HMH. It would just be the additional savings and more compact size of the Spartan to compare to the Standard, and since I'm mentally prepared to spend $280 on a vise, it comes down to full-size vs. compact. From my hands-on research, I think the slightly larger stem works better for me and is the easiest for me to place materials on. And while the Renzetti isn't as easy now, I'm sure that with a bit of instruction and experience it could eventually become just as user-friendly as the Standard.

Thanks, Randy. That's an interesting tidbit about the D-K being available with midge jaws at no extra cost. That just put that sexy little Voyager II back on the list.

OK...so here's my story...and I need your help. I'm just getting into fly tying and I went out and purchased a 2009 Griffin Montana Mongoose vise...and I don't like it. I'm going to return it and get my money back. Then, I'm buying a Renzetti Presentation 2000 or an HMH Standard (I also love the looks of the Dyna-King Voyager II, but I've seen enough complaints here about D-Ks and small hooks to eliminate them from contention. While I realize some people love D-K vises and have no issue with small hooks, I'm just trying to make it as easy as possible on myself. Plus, my budget is $280, no more, and the Voyager II plus a set of Midge jaws doesn't quite make that limit.). My question is, which vise? My research indicates both models are terrific for smaller flies "right out of the box" and each should last a lifetime. My budget allows for either, but if the true rotary vise does more, why should I get the HMH? I will only tie trout flies and 90% of those will be size 12-18. I know this is true because trout are all I fish for (for 32 years!), and I use size 12-18 flies 90% of the time. The other 10% will be split between size 8-10 and 20-22. I fish bamboo rods and simply don't use anything bigger than a #8, and that only occurs during October Caddis time. The 20s and 22s will be nearly as rare as old eyes, feeble skill and physical limitations (I've lost a bit of feeling in my right thumb and forefinger due to a neck injury) stop me at these limits. The only flies I will tie are simple dries such as Sparkle Duns and X-Caddis, and soft hackles. I don't fish with nymphs or streamers so there will be no need to tie them, and more difficult dries will probably be beyond my limitations (if not, great!). I also apologize for starting a new thread, but all the old "rotary vs. traditional" threads I've found end up being advertisements for everyone's favorite manufacturer or about which vise holds a 10/0 hook. I have no need for holding large hooks, and I'd really like to know if rotary techniques will help me with the flies I plan to tie. Does the P2000 afford me anything over the Standard? Will it be easier to tie my simple dries and soft hackles with a true rotary vise, or with a traditional style? Is it easier to place materials ("the pinch") over a traditional vise using its stem as a rest, or over the offset of the Renzetti? Remember, no saltwater flies, no bass flies, no streamers, no pike flies, no tube flies, no nymphs and no bugs larger than size 8 or smaller than size 22. I appreciate any help you folks can give, and all replies will be greatly appreciated!

From my wife, I got a nice pair of 4" all-purpose scissors and a gorgeous Wasatch Medium Hair Stacker made from cocobolo wood. My oldest daughter is always very thoughtful with her gifts and always gets me something she knows I'll enjoy (rather than something more generic). This year, she chimed in with the Skip Morris "Fly Tying Made Clear and Simple" video....perfect for a new fly tier!

It appears I'll be returning the Mongoose and going with a Renzetti Presentation 2000.

I'm just getting started in tying and have decided to try and learn a few simple patterns first. Since I only fish dries and soft hackles, I've made my selections from those types of flies. For dries, I plan on starting out with the Sparkle Dun and progressing to the X-Caddis. For soft hackles, I plan on tying three versions to cover most of the water column: traditional silk, dubbed-body (unweighted) and bead head. I've been looking at either Hareline Stalcup's Micro Fine, Spirit River Fine & Dry or Blue Ribbon Flies Superfine dubbing for the dries, and Hareline Hare-Tron, Spirit River Rabbit-Tron or Blue Ribbon Flies Zelon dubbing for the soft hackles. Will these dubbings work out for a beginner? Are any better than the others? Do I need to be looking at other products? Any help will be greatly appreciated...thanks!

I'm new here, and I just started tying (my first lesson was Monday). I ended up going with the HMH Standard vise. It is a classic design that holds hooks perfectly and perhaps offers the most unencumbered access to the hook of any vise made. I decided on both the standard Omni jaw and a set of those elegant little Micro jaws. I don't think I'll ever need another vise..

They're "rotating" hackle pliers, where the ones in your original kit are standard versions. He should be happy with either!

I like that olive soft hackle! Looks like a killer pattern...fish will jump all over that!

I'm new here, and I just started tying (my first lesson was Monday). I ended up going with the HMH Standard vise. It is a classic design that holds hooks perfectly and perhaps offers the most unencumbered access to the hook of any vise made. I decided on both the standard Omni jaw and a set of those elegant little Micro jaws. I don't think I'll ever need another vise.