troutdogg 0 Report post Posted July 10, 2011 Guy's, I have the opportunity to pick up a NIB C&F Reference Vise for a decent price. The machining of this unit looks to be impecable and we all know that C&F products are very well made and engineered. Hook range for this puppy is #32 thru 3/0 and the vise has some really cool features and accesories such as listed below. I am looking for input such as likes and dislikes from tiers who have actually used this model. Like - Jaws work well, very good hold on all hook size range .......... Any info to be shared would be much appreciated! Currently I have a Renzetti Master Vise, Mark Petitjean's Swiss Vise and might consider selling either one should I get the C&F model. C&F Reference Vise Features & Accesories Parachute Post Tool: Tool for tying parachute hackles and extended bodies. Magnetic Dust Bin: No explanation needed here! Site Plane Plate: Gray on one side green on the other.... Link Arm: Adjusts jaw height without affecting the hook plane. Rotary Function: Jaw rotates to any angle without changing the hook plane. Magnetic Jaw: A powerful magnet inside the jaw holds the hook in place before the jaw is closed, allowing for a precise adjustment of the hook position. Temporary Hanger: A clever Micro Slit Foam collar to store flies Material Clip: To keep fly tying materials out of the way Bobbin Hanger: Holds the tying thread and bobbin out of the way. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
troutdogg 0 Report post Posted July 16, 2011 OK, I decided to make the investment and all i can say is this - BEST VICE I HAVE EVER USED! No other vise compares....... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
92Esquire 0 Report post Posted July 16, 2011 I'm glad you like that vise. I've always been curious about the C&F tying tools, but have never seen them "in the flesh". Based on their fishing accessories I've used, I have no doubt that the vise would be first rate. My local shops are no longer stocking vises in the price range over about $250, so there was no chance of getting to mess with one of the C&F's. What do you like best about the vise? What design choice did they make that's superior to the other vises you've used? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
troutdogg 0 Report post Posted July 16, 2011 The feel and quality of the C&F vise is by far superior to any vise that I have used to date. I have used or tried almost every vise made at some time or another. As stated earlier I have the Swiss Vise and the Renzetti Master; each one has its plus and minus but with the C&F I can confidently tie a hook range of #32 to 3/0. This is due to a well engineered jaw design that seems to be bullet proof. in addition, the rotarty function on the C&F feels like a piece of precision equipment because of the quality of the bearings used and as far as I'm aware the C&F vise is the only vise to use bearing for this feature. The physical dimensions along with the vises layout make it a very user friendly platform to tie on. For some reason the C&F vise was never pushed hard in the US. While traveling abroad I have visited many fly tying get togethers and the C&F seems to be the vise of choice. Now I know why! Happy tying! Update - Still plan on keeping my Swiss Vise. Have to say that I still prefer this vise for #22 and smaller due to the geometry of the jaws....... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites