OK you guys in the know,
What’s the difference between an HMH Spartan and Standard?
I find I’m using my Renzetti trav cam less and less and using my old Thompson A more and more due to comfort of left hand position while tying.
I do like the rotary feature to position material and check symmetry, also to turn fly upside down when putting on head cement (seems to keep it out of hookeye on down eye hooks). The A doesnt have rotary and occasionally the hooks slip some in the jaws so I thought an update to something similar to an A would be nice, hence the HMH.
Thanks for the info.
kbobb,
The initial version of the HMH Spartan (mid eighties) was a pretty simplistic affair, but the present day HMH Spartan is in essence a scaled down version of the HMH Standard.
It is machined to the same quality, takes the same jaws as the Standard, and frankly I cannot think of any reason to shell out the extra $100 difference in price. Go for the Spartan. It is an excellent little vise 
Cheers,
Hans W
=== You have a friend in Low Places ===
http://www.danica.com/flytier
I have been using the Spartan for a little while now and so far I really like it. Nice quality, smooth rotation, easy adjustmets and a lifetime warranty.
Let it go and let it grow.
I also own a Spartan and although I like the vise, getting it to hold a hook without having it slip has always been difficult for me. Unless I really crank down on the jaws and the lever I’m never sure if the hook is going to stay in place. I have sent it back to HMH once for this problem and it did not seem to make a difference.
Maybe I’m doing something wrong. I’m actually thinking of getting a different vise to replace my HMH with.
REgards,
Alberto
Alberto, initially I had some problems getting the jaws “just so” bu now that I am more familiar with the vise it is simply not a problem for me anymore.
HMH uses the thread strength approach to the hook holding issue. (holding strength only needs to be greater that the force required to break tying threads; not the hook or vise breaking strength) Does the hook move while you are tying or when you are trying to move it with your hand? Make sure you look over the booklet that came with the vise to ensure that you are correctly positioning the hook in the vise and have the tension adjustments figured out.
The lever does have a “flat spot” designed into it so there is a little more resistance at that point but it is there to help “lock” the lever down. If you really have to strain to push down the lever the jaws are set too tight. Back off the tension ring a smidge and try it again.
Still a great vise IMO
Let it go and let it grow.