Differences in Renzetti Traveler Series

[DFoster 0]

45 minutes ago, McFlyLures said:

.  Rotary are not just for “wrapping” with rotary feature.  Yes that helps.  But the main reason I love a rotary is to see all angles of the flies without them angled differently when rotated.   Many times I find tying a material on the side of the fly is easier if I turn the vice and can tie on the top.  But it would be more difficult if the fly was angled funky.  
 

 

McFly I completely agree-  There seems to be a misconception that a rotary vise is just for speeding up wrapping.   I use my rotary mainly because it helps improve the quality and not for increasing production.  I tie just for myself and really enjoy my time at the vise.  If I end up with one good (for me) fly instead of a dozen poorly tied ones (for me) at the end of a session that's ok.  If someone wants or needs to pump out a large quantities to fill their boxes or orders they should probably look at a speed rotary or something like the Norvise system.

MD, I had a 2000 series Traveler as my main vise for 5 years and never had an issue.  For $200ish it should last a lifetime as long as you take care of it. Follow the instructions and be careful about hook placement in the jaws.  There are video's on how to place the hook in a Traveler directly from Renzetti on You Tube.  Keep a thin layer of oil on the jaws (not on the inside that contacts the hook).  The oils from your fingers and hands and humidity can cause corrosion.  Lubricate the moving parts with lithium grease a few times per year.  That's all there is too it.  It's simply a great vise especially for tying typical trout size flies.

When I bought mine the local dealer told me there was no difference in the 2000 series numbers other than the finish.  You can always call them in Florida if you have questions.

Good luck and welcome to the site!

[flytire 0]

as an aside, i bought a renzetti traveler way back in 1988 when they originally came out and used it for over 30+ years with absolutely no problem and no maintenance required. it was the old thumb screw jaw version and i and i replaced that with the cam lever version jaws. there was absolutely nothing wrong with the the old jaws. i just wanted the cam lever jaws.

i eventually gave away the old traveler to a tyer on this forum that needed a vise and he has never been back on this forum

thats when i purchased the black anodized finish traveler. to this day it has never failed to hold a hook and has never required any maintenance. i try to tie every day but i dont sit down and pump out dozens of flies every day.  i tie trout, salmon, steelhead, bass, panfish flies and never go larger than maybe a number 2 size hook. i'm not into pike/musky, saltwater style flies

i dont always use the rotary function (after 40 years tying i think i can usually wrap an evenly spaced rib or know what the other side looks like) but its nice to be able to use it when needed (i still wrap hackles hand over hand). i dont think a rotary vise had made me a better fly tyer. you still have to be able to put feathers and fur onto a hook. you can still use a rotary and flies look like 💩

[chugbug27 0]

8 minutes ago, DFoster said:

For $200ish it should last a lifetime as long as you take care of it. Follow the instructions and be careful about hook placement in the jaws.

I agree, and their ads say they have a lifetime guarantee without mention of any ordinary wear and tear exception, but if you ever end up talking to Lilly Renzetti about your lifetime warranty claim, she will make it very clear to you, as she did with me, that the jaws and on some models the brass cam lever do wear out with extended, proper use, and that the actual written warranty expressly excludes "ordinary wear and tear" and covers only defects. Not damage from keeping hooks in overnight, not damage from failing to care for the vise. Those also are excluded from the warranty. In addition, proper and ordinary wear and tear also is excluded. With a vise over ten years old, I was told by another Renzetti rep in writing that that fact alone shows there is no defect.

All that said, it's a great vise and it's well made. Just don't plan on using the lifetime warranty on the jaws once the vise gets old and the jaws fail.

[chugbug27 0]

1 hour ago, flytire said:

a little discoloring after a few years of using my black renzetti traveler

and so what if it wears off? it certainly wont affect the functionality of the vise. its complete covered by the bobbin rest fitting and out of site. non issue imo

completely hidden by the fitting plus its the  least important part of the vise. jaws are #1. bobbin rest it really not required to tie flies

@flytire if memory serves I think you are a Traveler tyer who does not really use the rotary to wrap materials very much. The bobbin cradle is used only when wrapping with the rotary, so it makes sense your post would remain looking good. You don't have an attached back plate. 

All I can tell you is, I paid a little extra for the blackout because I liked the look of it. But I used the back plate and used the bobbin cradle, a lot. And within six months to a year the scraping off of the anodized black coating from the post made the whole blackout idea look not so nice. 

So to the original op, if you want the Traveler for it's rotary wrapping capabilities, I'd avoid the blackout version. If you want to save $$$ I see no problem getting the $179 non-anodized version. The aluminum parts will outlast the jaws regardless of being anodized, I'm sure. If you live near the ocean, get the anodized if you don't want it to pit and get chalky from the aluminum corroding. That would be ordinary wear and tear and presumably not covered.

[Lesg 0]

Not to try to take over the Renzetti thread but a comment on what Chugbug said about warranties. Several years ago i bought a pocket knife with a "lifetime guarantee". After  a couple of years the pin holding it together let go and the blades  came loose and fell out. I shipped it back and they sent the broken knife back saying that the knife had  passed its useful "lifetime" so it was no longer covered. I replaced this knife with a Schrade pocket knife and MANY years later it failed. I returned it to the company without much hope for a reply. I was absolutely amazed when they sent me a new knife and a letter of apology because their product didn't last a lifetime. I have nothing to do with Schrade other than being a n extremely satisfied customer. I guess my point is that "lifetime" means different things to different companies. 

[DFoster 0]

1 hour ago, chugbug27 said:

I agree, and their ads say they have a lifetime guarantee without mention of any ordinary wear and tear exception, but if you ever end up talking to Lilly Renzetti about your lifetime warranty claim, she will make it very clear to you, as she did with me, that the jaws and on some models the brass cam lever do wear out with extended, proper use, and that the actual written warranty expressly excludes "ordinary wear and tear" and covers only defects. Not damage from keeping hooks in overnight, not damage from failing to care for the vise. Those also are excluded from the warranty. In addition, proper and ordinary wear and tear also is excluded. With a vise over ten years old, I was told by another Renzetti rep in writing that that fact alone shows there is no defect.

All that said, it's a great vise and it's well made. Just don't plan on using the lifetime warranty on the jaws once the vise gets old and the jaws fail.

 Product lawyers, like all lawyers can get really cute with language. (Why else would we admire and love them)?   We had a stainless steel water heater with a lifetime guarantee that expired at 15 years as that was apparently the predicted "lifetime" of the unit- LOL.  Another example is the "lifetime" guarantee on a roofing shingles.  What they mean is the shingle is guaranteed for it's life not yours.  Anyway I probably tie less than 200 flies a year so I don't really know how long it would have taken me to wear out the jaws.  Still after 5 years it showed almost no wear and yes it is a great vise.  By the way I was going to put it on consignment at local shop and on the way in a guy offered me $100 for it.  Sold-

[mikechell 0]

[flytire 0]

3 hours ago, chugbug27 said:

@flytire if memory serves I think you are a Traveler tyer who does not really use the rotary to wrap materials very much.

you are correct. i dont use the rotary function "VERY MUCH". But i still use it ocassionally to produce quality flies for swaps and for the one off posting photos of flies i tie 

[Poopdeck 0]

Buy what makes you happy. If you like staying on a budget buy the 179 one. If you are happy with your 401K, buy the 209 one. If you want a rotary get a true rotary. The functionality will be the same between the vises. I think I'm the only person to have three different make vises that have never failed and all three hold a hook equell to the others and none were made in the last 2 or 3 decades. Holding a hook is the only feature I care about. Others can speak eloquently about fit, finish, warranty, and whatever else justifies what they spend on a vise. 

Personally I don't care much about what the other side of the fly looks like since I'm pretty sure, and most times correct, it will look just like or very close to the other. However, getting a true rotary is a no brainer if you want a rotary feature. It will not improve your speed, it will not improve the quality of your fly but it will satisfy your curiosity as to what's on the other side. 

[Gene L 0]

I can't see any disadvantage of a rotary vise.  I've got one I don't usually use the rotary much;  my fishing buddy uses his rotary features a lot and tells me that I should and lays out the advantages of one.  Primarily, it's in placing hackle or other materials precisely, which is mentioned above.  I can't do that instinctively and while I'm sure material placement is there for some, it's not for me.  I can't get used to doing it, which is a shame because I've had two other rotary vises, each bought with the intent to use the rotating features.  I do like looking at the other side of the fly. 

I don't think a rotary vise will make you a better tier, and for me, won't make the process much faster. But it might for someone more adroit than me. But it's worth a try, and if you break it down by usage  it's not a financial burden.  A vise will last you a long, long time. If you pay $600 (!!!) for a vise and it lasts you 6 years, do the math. Two bucks a month?

  

[mikechell 0]

$2.00 a week.  Still not a lot.

[Mark Knapp 0]

I use my rotary function about half the time, for specific flies that make it more helpful. To me, the extra time and effort to bring the bobbin rest into play doesn't make the rotary function an asset on all flies. I do like it and am glad I have it.

[Mark Knapp 0]

6 hours ago, mikechell said:

$2.00 a week.  Still not a lot.

.27 cents a day. That's a bargain, I'm thinking of buying another one.😁

[mikechell 0]

9 minutes ago, Mark Knapp said:

.27 cents a day. That's a bargain, I'm thinking of buying another one.😁

🤣  How long has it been since that was what a cup of coffee cost?  "About the same as a cup of coffee" ... that's what it cost (supposedly) to help a third world child go to school, or learn a trade or  some such plea.

[Mark Knapp 0]

27 minutes ago, mikechell said:

🤣  How long has it been since that was what a cup of coffee cost?  "About the same as a cup of coffee" ... that's what it cost (supposedly) to help a third world child go to school, or learn a trade or  some such plea.

I was going to say the same thing. Hey, how come you're not fishing today? I'm leaving on an over-nighter in a little bit.