Good Beginners Vise -- Need Recommendation

[rpb]

I would like to try tying flies and would welcome some suggestions on the tools and materials to buy to get started. I see mixed reviews on the kits. it seems like a 'good' vise and set of tools is essential.
I would prefer not to over-spend but poor tools are never a good idea either.

it would be great if someone could point me in the right direction!

Thanks in advance

[planettrout]

First - Welcome !

Second - take a look/see here:

http://flyanglersonline.com/flytying/beginners/

Third - consider taking classes or joining a fly tying group...

Fourth - make it fun


PT/TB

[ScottP]

I would prefer not to over-spend but poor tools are never a good idea either.

If you're looking for a basic vise that won't fall apart on you, I'd look at a Thompson A; a lot of folks start out on them (me included). Nothing fancy, but it holds the hook, which is what it's supposed to do. Over time, you may (probably will) want to move up to something with more features, at which point you should find a fly shop (or friends) that have a number of different vises you could test drive.

Like PT said, welcome to the forum.

Regards,
Scott

[Tig]

Second the Thompson promotion. It was the first vise I started with 38 years ago and I still have it. Almost good as new. Cost $20 back then.

[Paddy80701]

Welcome rpb to the greatest fly fishing site in existence. Study the beginning fly tying pages here on FAOL and also other sites. The Thompson A is good advice. I would avoid Kits as they are usually inferior and expensive. There are lots of good used vices and tools on Ebay, as well as materials. If you need anything, a simple request on this site will bring you tons of stuff and usually free. Remember "new guy chops the wood and brings the beer !"

[Silver Creek]

Thompson went out of business about 10 years ago. I don't know if the current Thompson vises are of the same quality or even the same materials. Someone has revived the brand.

http://www.flyanglersonline.com/bb/s...ompson-Vise-Co.

[planettrout]

They can still be found on ebay...




...that one is going to my grandson when his attention span is longer than that of a gnat...


PT/TB

[ducksterman]

The Danvise and the Mayfly true rotary vise are at a good price point and true rotary....the mayfly is made in the USA now.
I would recommend learning rotary techniques from the beginning ...wish I had...but it's obviously not necessary.

[whatfly]

Of vises still in production, the Griffin Superior 2A is the next best choice to the discontinued Thompson A. The cheap Pakistani vises are fine to start with, just as long as you recognize that they do not last very long on average.

[fritz]

http://www.dhthompson.com/contact.php
try this to determine if Thompson is still in business. one of the most popular start up vises ever made