Looking to purchase a vice, HELP

[mooney4]

Hey everyone, I'm interested in tying some flies. At least attempt it. My problem is what should I be looking for in a vice. I need some help. What would be a good starting vice? Are there any kits that are recommended? Is the vice that comes with the Orvis kit any good? Any info would be great!~!

[Magnet]

I have a Dan-vise. It sells for under $100. It is a true rotary vise made of delron. (synthetic material) The jaws are heat treated steel. I like it a lot. I recommend not going the kit route. Go to your local fly shop for recipie specific materials. Watch AJ's fly of the month videos, or your TU chapter may also give you a few pointers.

[cdeight8]

Hey mooney4,

I was in the same position you were in earlier this fall. Everything I read said to not skimp on the vise. I ended up going with the Renzetti Traveller ($150 with coupons and discounts at Orvis). Also a true rotary vise and the jaws are good for a wide range of hook sizes. I am very happy with the choice and it didn't break the bank. Good Luck and happy tying.

Chris

[SperryWater]

Personally, I'd forgo the kit and get a decent vise, a pair of scissors and bobbin. An excellent book for learning how to tie is Charlie Craven's Basic Fly Tying. As you work through the book you will learn most of the basic techniques you need to know to tie just about anything and by the end will have accumulated a nice starter set of materials.

As for fly tying vises there is a nice review on the FlyFishOhio site http://www.flyfishohio.com/Vise%20Re..._Shoot-Out.htm of some of the less expensive vises. I bought a Peak vise based on their review and have been very happy with it.

Welcome to the wacky world of fly tying! Once you start you'll never look at your cat, dog or road-kill the same again.

[AaronJasper]

There is only one choice here... Dyna King Barracuda JR. Trekker. It might be 239, but you won't need another one that's the nice in the TPO video since the start. I have used that one prior to the Regal. But the Dyna King is the beat bang for the buck period. The Renzetti is good too BUT you need to get the model with the cam lever jaws.

[WILDFLY]

I'd have to agree with Aaron. The Dynaking is bar none one of the best vises made. I have both a Renzetti Traveller and a Dynaking Professional. I use the Renzetti for tying the few patterns that I really want to use a rotary vise for, but 90% of my tying is done on the Dynaking. You need to ask yourself how much would you really use the rotary feature of the vise. Rotary vises tend to be a bit more expensive and I actually find it quite a bit easier to tie on a standard style vise because the back of the vise is wide open. With some rotary vises, especially the Renzetti's, it can get a bit cramped working at the rear of the vise like when your putting tailing on small flies. The Dynaking rotary vises do give you quite a bit more room in comparison though. Hope this helps.

[Fontinalis]

First disregard all the models you have been given thus far. What really needs to be answered is what is the vise for. It's simply a device to hold the hook. I have learned to tye just like the old catskill tyers flies out of your hand. This is nice to show off and tye but a vise is the way to go. Now let's talk vises, here is what you need to look for in a vise.

1) Does it hold the range of hooks that you feel you will be using to tye.
2) Does the jaws of the vise hold hooks reliably and firm or does the hook in the vise seem to slip or with a little pressure move. (A good vise when adjustment to hook size is made should never slip)
3) Are the adjustments made to the jaws to hold the hook firmly and securely easy or seem to be a little complicated. (Looking for easy adjustments and good hook holding power without hook slippage)
4) Does adjustments constantly need to be made when going from hook to hok of the same size or is it more like a set it and foget it. (Your looking for a set it and forget it).
5) Once items 1 - 4 are out of the way, place a hook in the vise and see if you feel that there this enough room for your hands. Does your hands feel crowded when tryiing to reach the hook or do you feel you have plenty of room. (Your hands should feel comfortable and not feel crowded)
6) Next you have to decide on what kind of model (meaning a clamp type vise or a pedastal vise). For pedastal vises, it's simple, is the base of the vise heavy enough not to fall over when some pressure is pulled down on the hook. Make sure the vise does not seem to move (more like an anchored feeling)
7) Mechanical check of a rotary vise, make sure the vise spindle is not wobblely and rotates smoothe.
8) last part is appearance. This may or may not be important to some, but you have to work on and look at this vise every day. If it's ugly to you, you will want to replace it. Just keep this in mind.
9) Try and go to a fly shop or a show where you can see and try the vises out before you buy one. This is very important. Just like casting a fly rod. One may catch your eye, but really cast poorly. The same concept applies here.
10) Buying a vise is like buying a car, some like Ford, Some Love Chevy some love Lincolns. I think you get the point.

Have fun buying a vise and do not rush into a model just because some one says buy this one and so on. Some good manufactures to look at are as follows:
Regal, Dynaking, Renzetti, Peak, HMH.

I hope this helps
Sincerely
Andy Brasko

[Davyfly]

I do own a number of high end vises but would have to say for my money the the Renzetti presentation 3000 takes some beating, this vice has been used for 1000s of flies over the years, will accommodate large Salmon irons to size 30 hooks.

Aside from the obvious that it should hold a hook secure, the other main consideration is the ease of manoeuvrability around the vice jaws, many vices due to the relative angle and excess amount of metal will not allow it.
I also detest a pedestal for the same reason, it very much inhibits effective movement due to the short distance from jaws to table.
My vice is set up with a adjustable arm that allows for me to have the vice well away from the work surface if needed, and that is certainly the case when dealing with deer hair bugs.

Either way its what you are happy with at the end of the day.

Davy.

[WONDERBOY]

I am in the same situation. I am looking for a new vise but there are so many good options under $200. I have looked at Peak, Griffin Montana Mongoose, HMH Spartan, and the Renzetti Traveler. I am sure all of them would be great vises. I just can't decide. I feel your pain.

[Mike Klizz]

Another thing you should consider is customer service of the company for which vise you choose. There are many high quality vises that are very good. I have an HMH spartan and have been very happy with it. Clean, efficient, solid, GREAT customer service. You can call them with any question you have and will get a prompt response.

I would second whoever said get Charlie Craven's book. I have been seriously tying for 3-4 years and I still learn from this book. I would recommend learning the patterns in this book from the beginning and just getting the materials you need for each pattern. This will cut down on you initial cost. Get GOOD tools, and have fun!