If price were no object, what vise would you choose for a lifetime of tying?
Based upon reputation alone, I would select the Law Bench Vise.
I haven’t used one nor have I seen one in person. I’ve read enough from the “masters” like Hans, etc., to realize this is the vise. 
[url=http://www.rockymtnfly.com:2547b]Rocky Mountain Fly[/url:2547b]
Law is up there, but the Dingo is pretty attractive too. My brother ties on a Renzetti Presentation. Very nice, but for pretty much the same money, I think the LAW would have to be the way to go for me.
Castwell:
$640.00!!! I can see why it would be the only one you would every own.
David
My choice would be a Norvise with the fine jaws. With the fine jaws you can tie almost any size hook large or small. I tie down to a size 28 with it so far.
Even with money be no object, the vise I’d like to have is unobtainable. I believe there were only 4 of these Renzetti vises ever made. I think they were ‘Master’ prototypes, with all the gizmos and stored in a cushioned-lined handcarved attache’ case. The one that I saw was too much for words. However, even if I owned it, there’s a good chance I’d never actually use it.
Allan
Allan
Where could buy a LAW vise? I’ve pictures on the home site, but I can’t even locate a price?
I currently tie on a NorVise and I would not swap it for any other vise including the Law Bench vise. I jsut really like to NorVise system and it works very well for me. There are a bunch of very good vises to choose from. Much like rods or reels once you hit the top tier of tying vises, they are all excellent, it just depends on personal preference. IMHO
Jim Smith
Well for me this year or next year I will purchase my dream and last vise. It will be the Renzetti Master. I tied on them and just love them. When it comes to vises, I say to each his own.
Andy B
fish: You need to deal direct with Lawrence in order to get the vise. It’s going to run you well over $600 US, closer to $700 depending on the exchange with the Euro.
I have tied on the LAW and it’s a great vise–but it just does not work as well for me as it does for others. Like all vises, it needed some hefty modifications to suit my demands–and price was an issue. I do know that Lawrence has some options designed now that were not present on the vise I used.
I’m in love with my JVise (JVice) and will recommend it to anyone who sees vises as I do.
Sure wish Norm was a sponsor here, so’s I could get in the fray too!
Whatever any vise will do, so will Norm’s…plus a wee bit more. 
…lee s.
[This message has been edited by lee s (edited 22 December 2005).]
I love my Dyna-King Signature Model and mine will last my lifetime. However, if I were to only have one vise at my bench for the duration I guess I would choose a Brass Abel with the “Dorado” anodized finish on the aluminum portions of it. Why? Because it is a pretty good vise and mostly because it so beautiful. I would get around its few shortcomings.
For now I am stuck with a few utilitarian Dyna-Kings and not crying bout’ that!
Rich
[This message has been edited by flymaker2 (edited 22 December 2005).]
Lucky me I have had my LAW bench Vice for about 4 weeks. I was tying on a DK Barracuda. I would say the LAW gives me the same advantage as tying on a hook 2 sizes larger would give.
Cheers,
Alan.
"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, martini in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming “WOO HOO what a ride!”
I’ve tied on all the vises mentioned, and own several of them. If I had to choose only one, it’s gonna surprise many of you. It’s the DanVise…it will do anything any of the others will do, and at a far cheaper price. The MPV is an impressive tool, as is th LAW and the Barracuda, but the DanVise will do anything they will do.
“Dubbing brushes” are far easier with yours too, Hywel.
I too own my dream vise a NorVise, Just wish I had stepped up and bought one sooner. Bought a second one to set on the other side of the desk for dubbing brushes. And Norm is a great guy and very helpful with any questons.
Steve K.
[This message has been edited by flyman9 (edited 23 December 2005).]
Well, its interesting to hear folks talking about the Danvise in such glowing terms. Then again, its not “pretty” like a Renzetti.
I just this week switched from my 9 year old Danvise. It is actually a Danica Rotary from Europe. This was purchased before Orvis started marketing them. I think, in its price range, it is the best vise on the market today. Strong (well, bullet proof would be more appropriate) and able to hold multiple hook sizes in a single jaw (Look! Up in the sky!)
I used the Dan-vise to hone my tying skills. I then learned what the 360 rotation can do for you. I finally needed to go past what the Danvise, a Renzetti or almost any other rotary vise could do. I bought the Nor-vise.
I look at the Nor-vise’s ability to rotate rapidly as an evolutionary step in fly tying. These steps are as follows:
Hold hook in fingers
Hold hook with locking type hand vise
Hold hook with bench-mounted vise
Rotary vise (aka Renzetti/Danvise)
Fast Rotary (Norvise)
I think my appreciation comes from spinning wool. I’ve done it by hand with a basic turkish spindle, with a spinning wheel, and with an electric wheel. The Nor-vise is like the spinning wheel. Don’t think I’ll be giving it up any time soon.
Frank Reid
seems no matter what vise I step up to,It just is NOT the Vise I am looking for, Went to a DK Supreme a few months back even with a switch to a midge jaw…I still am not seeing what everyone else is seeing in this vise…It has not impressed me I’d go back to my Griffen Oddessey if I had’nt paid so much for this thing…
“I’ve often wondered why it is that so many anglers spend so much money on,and pay so much attention to.the details on the wrong end of the fly line.If they took as much care in selecting or tying their flies as they did in the selection of the reel and rod,They might be able to gain the real extra edge that makes it possible to fool a fish that has,in fact,seen it all before” A.K.Best
Everyone wants to excel in this sport but at the same time we let traditionalists place restrictions on our tactics, methods, and ideas. I always assumed that fly fishing was a sport that allowed imagination, creation, adaptation, investigation, dedication, education, revelation? : Fox Statler, On Spinners (Not the dainty Dry Fly kind) “Spinner’d Minner Fly”
“Wish ya great fishing”
Bill
[This message has been edited by billknepp (edited 23 December 2005).]
Apparently, the MARRYAT MP-Travel vise has been discontinued.
Don’t know whether that’s the end of the line for Marc Petitjean-deisgned vises, or if a new and better model is in the works!
Cheers,
for my money the best vise is a Renzetti 3000. I have used it for 30 years with no problems. I do have a Renzetti traveler I use on the road.
Streamcaddis…