I use a PEAK vise. Price is right, $150.
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I use a PEAK vise. Price is right, $150.
Sorry to hear the new guy is not the salesman Norm was.... my son and I were on the Nor-Vise Prostaff for quite a while, so take my comments into account that way.
I have or have had virtually every vise made, including the very top-end ones. I am a gear junkie and cannot help myself. It was a transition for me to switch to the Nor-Vise after decades of everything from fingertips to a Law... but once I got it into muscle memory I absolutely love the real rotary function. There is no fly you cannot tie on a Nor-Vise and there are a lot of lies you can tie better and faster on it.
A local fly shop, Mossy's, designed a better way for Regals to hold shanks as we use tons of the them up here. it is a simple slot in the jaws but it works very well. If you plan to tie on shanks I would contact Mossy's to get one of their vises.
http://mossysflyshop.com/
The last couple Travelers left several years ago as I used to take them on trips. They would be a good cheaper choice unless you tie big stuff.
Thanks everyone for the advice and comments. With the current state of things, getting into a shop to test drive a vise is going to have to wait, but it's definitely on the 'to-do' list once things settle back to 'almost' normal.
Out of curiosity, does anyone have any experience with the Griffin vises?
Cheers.
Funny you should ask. I was going to suggest the Griffin Odyssey Spider but didn't think it was what you were looking for. I have used the Griffin for about 20 years. For about three years I tied for a fly shop and all my own flies that I use while teaching and guiding. The vice came with one set of jaws and I tie everything from #22 midges to Muskie flies on a #3 Gamakatzu salt water hook. There are no chips in the jaws. There is an 'O' ring that tightens the jaws and an extra one that comes with the vice. I have never needed the second one. It has full rotary function which is easy to learn how to use. When I bought mine it was $114.00 Cnd. Cabela's in Canada has them for $129.00. I would buy another one in a heart beat but can only use one at a time and this one hasn't even started to wear:lol:. I think you would be pleased with the Griffin. I purchased a pedestal base for mine. I also have a portable wooden tying station that it attaches to. Great vice.
After posting this I see that there is a new Griffin Spider Cam. Looks like the basics are all still there with some additions. Don't know anything about them. However if they are indeed improvements then it is going to be a great vice. (additions: quick release cam, and material coil. - looks good) Chck U tube for a review.
I have an Odyssey Spider cam vise on a clamp I use for my lightweight traveling vise where weight really makes a difference. I have had it for close to 20 years and it works well enough for the compromises. It is rotary but not for tying, just for viewing. Hooks slip in it once in a while and it is not really a high end vise. But it is functional and mine has been used for a huge number of flies for a long time.
Seems when they try to improve something they don't. Get the old style they are still available.
I used a Griffin Patriot vise for years until I switched to the Nor-Vise. The Griffin was a very good vise.
Larry ---sagefisher---