Who uses a Nor-Vise ??

[waynep]

Hi All,

I would like to know who's using a Nor-Vise and what their thoughts are. I have been thinking about getting one for a while and recently sold some old hobby stuff (model airplanes) and am deciding what to do with the funds. Possibly a Nor-Vise ? . . .

I have watched all the videos on Norm's website and Youtube. I am interested in hearing from users of the vise . . . I currently tie on a HMH Spartan.

If you are a dealer and sell other vises, and are going to say it's a bad vise, please don't bother.

-wayne

[Normand]

it sounds as if your mind is already made up and dont want to hear any negative comments about the nor vise?

nothing is perfect

why not listen to comments good or bad. isnt that the best way to decide?

[waynep]

I want to hear good or bad . . . . Just not bad talk from folks that SELL other vises. I would rather hear from users of the product. I should have underlined "dealers" in my first post I guess . . . I have read other boards and found that some of the bad posts were from shop who did not carry the NorVise which in my mind skews the opinion a bit.

it sounds as if your mind is already made up and dont want to hear any negative comments about the nor vise?

nothing is perfect

why not listen to comments good or bad. isnt that the best way to decide?

[Ron Eagle Elk]

My wife uses a Nor-Vise and loves it, though she stuill hasn't learned to use the vise to it's full potential. She ties everything from size 22 Tricos to 3/0 full dress salmon flies with it and has no complaints.

I bought the vise used (an older model) and had Norm upgrade the vise. What we got back was a brand new vise with all new components. He really stands by his tools, and is a great guy to deal with.

I can't offer an opinion of my own as VEE won't let me tie on her vise.

[James Smith]

About seven years ago, I was tying on a DynaKing Baracuda (also a nice vise) and I had an opportunity to pick up a NorVise at a reasonable price, so I thought I'd give it a try. From the moment I tied on the NorVise, I loved it. I ended up selling the DynaKing simply because it was a shame to have such a nice vise going to waste.

My NorVise has made me a much better and faster fly tyer. I use the rotary feature on a regular basis and the automatic bobbins that Norm also sells are fantastic. Whenever I have to tie on another vise or to use non-automatic bobbins, it feels clunky and cumbersome.

When I experienced a slight problem with the jaws and contacted Norm, he immediately sent me a new set of jaws. His service is as terrific as his products.

As you can tell, I am a big NorVise fan and quite frankly, I wouldn't swap mine for any other vise on the market. Just one man's opinion.

Jim Smith

[Joe Valencic]

I borrowed one from a club member to try for a week. Personally, I didn't care for it, and as I was tying at shows for awhile, it was also cumbersome to tote along. I went back to my Renzetti traveler with cam jaws and am very happy. I should add that I don't tie flies in any volume, and I can see where the Nor-Vise would excel in this regard.

On the other hand I have a good friend on this board who LOVES his No-Vise and found a way to travel with it without breaking it all down and stowing it. We often tied at the same shows and both liked our decisions.

If I were you, I would try to borrow one for a trial just to make sure you're going to enjoy it, especially since it's an investment of significant dollars. I think this is a vise that a fly tier either loves, tolerates or hates it. But that's the way it is with all vises, which is why there are several successful manufacturers of different style vises.

Joe

[J Castwell]

We used to have one on the counter with the other vises. Guys would come by and 'fiddle' with most of them. We replaced the jaws half a dozen times in a year or so from them chipping. Finally took it off the counter.

[Lake Erie High Ball]

Waynep

Thanks for the post. I too have thought about the Nor Vise; even asked around about them but to no avail.

I will keep checking your post to see what the folks have to say. If you do take the plunge I would be interested in you HMH.

Sean

[Fly Tyer]

I too am looking at the nor-vice. I am starting to get into classics and would like to upgrade my vise. But I do say that I love my non-rotary cam vice (I didn't mention an brand on purpose). The vice is simple, grips well and does a significant size range of hooks, plus the jaws don't get in my way. Im worried the nor-vice will be cumbersome when trying to hold materials by the fly with my left hand. It looks like the vice could get in the way sometimes.

Just a thought,

Phil

[Skip48]

Well I have a Saltwater Traveler with cam jaw and love it, but I decided to make the jump to a Nor-Vise and it took a little time tying with it to really get use to it, but I do like it a lot.

I even got the Fine Point Conversion because I tier a lot of crappie jig and the tail thing is easier with that. However eventually I got use to the regular jaw and don't use the Fine Point that much now. I really like using it when tying with dubbing.

Love the speed even jut for wrapping the thread base on the hook. I have not used it to it's potential yet for sure. All I tell you is that I like it a lot. Only wish the auto bobbins were less costly because I use a lot of different color threads so unless I am fly tying I don't use it (auto bobbin) that much. Even if I had 3 or 4 of them it would be even better.

Skip