Completely agree with all you wrote. I either have or have extensively used all of the vises you mentioned: Renzetti, HMH, Thompson, as well as others and found that excellent quality and ease of use far outweighs the need for bells and whistles that you can really do without. I will say however, that you can tie very large flies on the Thompson if you get a set of magnum jaws.

Good to hear you're tying again.

Regards.

Allan