I just rec’d the 2008 ABEL catalog and noticed that the ABEL SUPREME FLY-TYING VISE
is gone. On their website-it still lists them for sale; albeit discontinued. Sad really. It is a beautiful vise.
I usually tie on DynaKing vises. They are tried and true. A few years back Steve Abel demoed the ABEL SUPREME FLY-TYING VISE for me at a show. It had some great features yet at $500.00 it was out of my league. Last year I picked-up one of the discontinued aluminum versions for $150.00 less than the high-end deluxe brass model and it functions exactly the same. Glad I did now, since soon these will be impossible to purchase in either version. So if you have been thinking about getting one - better jump on them while they still offer them on-line at least. I had to wait around 6 weeks for mine. Steve Abel put a lot of thoughtful design work into his vise and it is a beauty IMO (He sold his company a few years ago).
Wables;
Below, is the press release, put out by Abel Automatics Inc. (Abel reel’s real company name)…
(quote):
Andrew Madoff and other private investors acquired Abel on November 9. November 15, 2007
NEW YORK INVESTOR GROUP ACQUIRES ABEL AUTOMATICS INCORPORATED
CAMARILLO, Calif. – A small group of private investors has acquired Abel Automatics, Inc. manufacturers of precision machined fly-fishing reels and fishing accessories, announced Don R. Swanson, president and chief operating officer. New York-based Abel Holdings LLC assumed control of the company Nov. 9.
Financial terms of the private acquisition were not announced.
Andrew Madoff, Abel Holdings LLC lead investor, said, “Abel’s 20-year legacy of unparalleled quality and performance makes it an attractive investment. As I’ve gotten to know the company through this process it has become clear that its most important assets are the people that create these excellent products. We’re thrilled to lend our expertise and join them in building this business and the Abel brand.
“We will work with existing management to help refine all operations of the business, reposition it for growth, and maintain the manufacturing processes that allows Abel to produce the finest fly reels in the world.”
Swanson, with Abel in various capacities since 1994, will continue to run the company day-to-day and assumes the title of president and chief operating officer. Representing Abel Holdings LLC, Madoff will be the CEO. Glen Krapff, chief designer, was named vice president; with Jeff Patterson director of sales. As a part of the transaction, both Swanson and Krapff became shareholders.
Founded by Steve Abel as an independent machine job shop, the firm initially made precision screws, aerospace, computer and medical parts. A lifelong fisherman, Abel machined reels for family and friends and in 1988 produced their first fly reel for the growing sport fishing market.
Today, Abel makes 37 sizes of fly reels in four models plus knives, pliers and other fly-fishing accessories.
They are all discontinued now I’m guessing. When I bought the aluminum model-Jeff Patterson told me that the model was discontinued. The upscale model was still available in 2007. So the fact that the vises are no longer listed in the 2008 print catalog tells us that you can only buy what is left on the shelf by purchasing them on-line.
The $350.00 sale price point on the aluminum model now puts this great vise in the range of other premium vises-while they last.
Anyways-putting the info out there to the tyers interested in a different vise.
Well, if anyone “can’t live without one”… I got my Abel catalog yesterday and they’re offering their “20th Anniversary fly reel”, limited to only 100 being made, for a mere $1,000.00 ea.!
Abel has discontinued it luggage, vise and rods. Made in America has gotten very expensive and cost passed on to the consumer went above the price point most people were willing to spend even for quality. Abel is currently focused on their core business, reels.
I have been a huge fan of Abel ever since I spoke with Jeff Patterson many years ago and found him to be a stand up guy selling great quality products. He has alway answered my emails and has from time to time sent me some free reel handles. I wish the new owners all the best and hope they continue to make some of the finest reels made.
I’ve been tying on this vise for three years. It’s a very nice vise, but it is (was) priced out of the reach of most tyers.
Now, I don’t make the big shows on the East or West Coast, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen one of these vises in use at a FFF show or a club event, except by the late Michael Verduin.
Seeing new, unused, signed, “first run” vises from 1998 currently being sold on Ebay, really makes one wonder just how many were sold?
I guess if no one purchases your product, you too would drop it from your catalog.
The Abel Vise could not compete with Renzetti and Dyna King. I have tied in numerous shows and been up and down the East coast and have never see one in use. The vise is eye candy, but for some reason it is not a favorite. I will not say if the vise is good, bad, poor or great. I never used one. I own a Renzetti Master vise which is a high end and my friends have this vise as well or another great vise the Dyna King Baracuda. It just makes me wonder if there were quality issues with the vise or people thought it was over priced because it was an Abel. I don’t know the Answer. This might be a Good question for the board.
Great questions/comments. I too was satisfied with my vises(Dynakings) and thought the Abel was bling to the max. Never would stop at the Abel booth at the shows to check it out. Pretty jewel though. Then at one show there was this thin, rough looking fellow standing by the vise and he asked if I had ever seen this vise. So I reluctantly let him demo it for me. It was an amzing tool with features not apparent at a glance! He pretty much sold me on it and I nearly completely disassembled the vise checking it out. Really a neat;albeit a super expensive tying tool. I wanted one bad. Then I realized that the guy giving me the demo was a very ill Steve Abel. I had not even recognozed him.He sold the company right after that show.
So when I saw the Abel web site sale going on-I jumped on it.
All I can say is live and learn. I have seen these vises at a show and of course in catalogs. I have never seen any one tying with it. You and I both have the last vise we will ever need. I will not give up my Master for nothing. Handles my classic wet flies and of course Salmon flies extremely well. One heck of a vise. Is the Abel vise that good or comparable to the Master. Again, my question is really why didn’t that vise catch on if it really was that good?
