AK's Vise

[midstream]

Does anyone know what kind of vise AK uses?

[Hans Weilenmann]

Uh.... AK Best vise

Cheers,
Hans W


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=== You have a friend in Low Places ===
http://www.danica.com/flytier

[ScottP]

Hans,

Didn't AK market one with his name on it for a while in the late 90's? Don't think I've heard of it mentioned for about 5 years.

Regards,
ScottP

[billknepp]

Yep That'd be the one..I hear Rumpf is doing a run of it and that it will be available late Spring....Can't wait to find out for certian...and the price...!

[Hans Weilenmann]

Scott,

Correct. The vise was originally marketed with active partnership of AK Best the person, and carrying his name.

When the original company folded, the design rights moved to McKenzie company in Oregon, who carried through some minor (to the eye, not sure AK sees it the same way) changes, most specifically to the jaws.

McKenzie was taken over by 3M, and they took over the distribution of the McKenzie vise for a while and then it got quiet, the vise went off the market.

Rumpf&Son now own the design rights, and in their own statement they indicate prototypes are now in test, with formal release of the vise (not sure under which name) due later this year.

Cheers,
Hans W


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=== You have a friend in Low Places ===
http://www.danica.com/flytier

[mantis]

AK says he took a bath on the deal. I thought the jaws were the best part of it and am sorry to hear they are changing. Glad to hear it will be re-issued and I wonder if and hope that AK will benefit as AK is a pretty nice guy and easy to chat with. The part I didn't like was the bulky rough metal looking C-clamp. Actually, I had made a deal with his ex partner for a vise to tie on at the shows with for one of my flies. It fell through as the partnership fell apart. Ak didn't mention anything about it at Somerset and since I know he drops in here once in a while I hope he will let us know if he still has anything to do with it and if he does I'd like to see him or the powers that be advertise on here.

[This message has been edited by mantis (edited 07 February 2006).]

[midstream]

Does anyone know where I can get one?

[Jeremy]

I too have always admired that jaw style in A.K.'s vises and always kinda wanted one....

Seems to hold tiny hooks very nicely.

Then there's that... "other" vise *BG*(L.A.W)

Jeremy.

[wvflytyer]

any pictures??

[billknepp]

I know the first vises had a price tag in the 500 dollar range...and am in the hopes that this run will bear a lower tag...but if the jaws are not as they orignally were...it won't matter to me...cause I'll not be biting...as it was THE reason I wanted one!!

Was pretty much the slickest set up I've ever laid eyes on...right down to the "third hand". Which was a base mounted clamp of A.K's design.
Think I need to contact Rumpf,For any and all info they might be able/willing to give me.