SalarMan

I have both types. The HMH TRV and a Renzetti Master Series. They are both great vises. I believe the TRV's design based on the legendary LAW vise is ergonomically superior and that is why I use it most often. It is just very comfortable to work on. As far as being able to tighten up the TRV enough for you to use regularly I have a thought. Take a small of pliers, thoroughly wrap the jaws in some kind of strong tape (duct tape??) and carefully experiment on using that kind of setup to obtain the hold you need with damaging the vise. Perhaps a pair of vise grips which can be set to stay open at a certain width to help avoid doing any damage to the vise. By the way, the TRV jaws are not machined, they are investment cast tool steel.

That's fine...I simply said I know what I'd do if it were mine...not telling you what to do. Sorry if you were offended.

I just sat down a tried a half dozen different size 8 hooks in my TRV and with very little effort I was able to tighten the jaws to hold the hooks in the first groove without any slippage. These hooks included a limerick, model perfect, sproat and sneck bends in trout, salt water and salmon hooks. I did make sure each and every hook was carefully set into the groove from top to bottom of the jaws. If the vise doesn't work for you I know what I would do if that were the case for me...I'd sell it and buy something else...period.

Thanks for the kind words. The hook is a Ronn Lucas, Sr. size 3/0 Harrison Bartleet.

Thank you gentlemen.....

I can't come up with the words to say how impressed I am with your work on these flies. Just superb KrakenFly...superb indeed!!

Something I've given some thought to, and while it isn't my first choice on how I like to fish...I'd still be in the outdoors doing something I love. We shall see👍 Thanks guys!!

Let's just say I had a rather unexpected learning lesson at the end of 2021. I have not fished in almost 3 years due to some issues with my lower legs causing bilateral foot drop. Over this time frame I have gone to getting around with 1 or 2 canes depending on the circumstance of the given time and location. After some basic tests recommended by my spine surgeon (his work had NOTHING to do with my situation) I was then referred to a neurologist for further examination and testing. His expressed the fear I may be in the beginning stages of ALS. However because of my age and the fact this problem had been stable for almost 3 years...further and much more extensive testing was done. The end result is I have LAD...leg amyotrophic diplegia. The neurologist told me I was 1 case in 100,000 and he had never seen this outside of a textbook. So this is what it is and I can live with it. So what did I learn? Sure...I miss my time on the stream...but I really don't give a shit because I am here and will be for some time to come, or so I hope at 73 years old. I now fish vicariously through web sites like this one, my fly tying and of course the various and sundry magazines. After 59 years with a fly rod in hand I can say it has been a good run. I've fished the tropics for bonefish and tarpon, the Rivers Test and Itchen in England, completed my bucket list on Atlantic Salmon a few years back, fished out west of course, got to know a lot of fine streams here in Pennsylvania and made some long time good friends locally as well as getting to know on various levels some of the legends in the sport. A special shout out to Mark Knapp, Dean Foster and "Toothy". You guys are a prime example of what are the truly fine people who are part this great sport. Cheers and Happy New Year to one and all. George PS - If you ever have to have an EMG test be prepared. You will feel like a guinea pig for capital punishment - LOL 🤪🤪

I happen to agree with Mark on this one. The flies are like a fine rod or reel...the tyer or rod builder or reel maker had fishing with the finish product in mind. So fish one and keep the other close when fishing...I'm sure your father would agree.

Don't know this pattern. Most interesting and I will do a little research on it. Also - Hook details?

Nicely done mixed wing version of a long time favorite pattern of mine. I must ask...Details on the hook?

Just finished this fly a short while ago, and to steal a phrase from a Brit I'm acquainted with...I'm pretty chuffed with this one. As my own harshest critic I won't go on and on about minutiae that may or may not really mean anything. I'm just happy to start the year with a completed pattern I like and with work I like as well. Happy New Year everyone!!

Sure can't add to what has been said...so...HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!

Just so much fun to follow...great stuff!!! 👍👍

Brings back a fond memory of the time I was in Elsie & Harry Darbee's fly shop and Harry show me a set of the Allott Flies. Buggers work on Atlantic Salmon too!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS !!!!

Can you say photo created?

Wish I had something like those "cards" to respond...but alas that is not the case. Merry Christmas to you as well as one and all!!! George

Hmmm robow7...all 3 TRV's I've owned have the grooves in the jaws. Curiousier and curiousier...as the King said in "The King and I".

Some, but not all of you may remember my TRV stories...aka trials and tribulations...from the past. I had one that held only large hooks, but nothing smaller than a size 8. My next one held anything from a 24 through a size 2/0, but nothing larger. Well I now have another with the Generation 3 jaws and while originally only capable of the 2/0 limit, my friend on this site Mark Knapp made some minor changes to the jaws in his machine shop and the vise now will hold the little hooks (#24's) and I've had a 9/0 in the same vise and it held well enough to tie on that monster of a hook. I tie most of my classic salmon flies on 3/0, 4/0 and the occasional 5/0 all of which need the plastic insert to protect the finish on these expensive handmade hooks. To date this borderline ergonomically perfect jaw design has become my vise of choice whenever I sit at the desk to tie...with NO ISSUES.

You aren't the only one with arthritis. Yet I find the holding power of both my vises...the HMH TRV & Renzetti Master...work just fine with very little effort. It isn't the type of hooks I'm using either, it is just using each vise in the way they were designed to be used. In the case of the TRV, it is a matter of putting the hook into the jaw's grooves properly and gently tightening up the jaws. It doesn't require much effort if the hook is set correctly. The Master is the same. Use the small adjusting screw to set the hook, then simply and gently move the locking lever into the position shown in the vise's instructions to secure the hook. NO BRUTE FORCE is required...period. My arthritic hands will attest to that.

Sounds like a great week to me!!!🥃🍽️🍷🍺

Love it Dean...and I will follow this from beginning to end. Should be fun for both me and you.👍👍 Like you I have truly enjoyed fishing bamboo over the years. I've had the pleasure of owning and using rods from some of the great rod builders, but when they became too valuable I decided to turn them into cash...the kind that just ends up being pissed away on other fun stuff. The only fishing that I made the total commitment to graphite was Atlantic Salmon and salt water. Much more efficient tools of the trade in those cases...but trout fishing just feels better with a cane rod in hand.

flytire - Here is a photo from last week with a 3/0 hook in place which my TRV held during the tying of the fly no problem.

As I would expect from DFoster...he explains this a lot better than me. I will repeat myself however. One question - Where are you located and what do you fish for? While I own and both the HMH TRV and Renzetti Master I would go with the Master if you have the need to tie a FULL (!!!) range of fly sizes...as in size 28 through 10/0. If your needs are trout fishing based then the TRV's very ergonomic jaw design would be my choice. Obviously if your fishing includes salt water, big fresh water fish (muskies), steelhead, salmon, etc. then I would go with the Master...if your budget allows. One other repetition...if at all possible try before you buy.