I have had my Renzetti for around 20 years now and have replaced the O ring twice. Not sure how many flies, but 20 years I am sure a lot. Jaws are just as good as day one and I tie #2 to #32 on same Jaws. But I would gladly give it up for a Nor…LOL
My initial response to this hypothetical question was a ‘Top-of-the-Line’ DynaKing. Having second thoughts and come to the realization that I’d want the Stainless Steel Jaw model of a Regal with both a pedestal & ‘c’ clamp. The reasons were perfectly described by NJTroutbum in his post. Actually, he omitted one noteworthy attribute. The Regal is a simple looking and elegant vise. The ‘Damaseal’ vise, while interesting and apparently exceptionally well made, is one ugly piece of equipment. Then again, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Allan
It is ugly, they should just send it to me and let me dispose of it:lol:
I predict that one will be some day a collectors item…particularly because there will be only a few of them made.
I love my Griffin Montana Mongoose, but I would like to have a Norvise, someday.
Not sure if there is one vise that does it all. But for me i would love to add a law, ekich or perhaps one of steve abels vises to my desk. I use a norvise now and it does more than my abilities will allow me to fully take advantage of now but the more i tie on it the more rust i shake off. So for now i am happy with what i have.
Has any one played around with that law clone that is. Being made over in wigan uk?
Not sure what its called but looks similar.
Dyna King Ultimate Indexer
Very few vises I have not tied on and not a lot more that I have not owned… There is no vise that can do more than the Nor-Vise, and an awful lot that fall far short. I have not tied on any of my Renzettis since I got the Nor-Vise… and likely will not. I do tie on a upper end Griffin in my travel kit when I have to conserve space or weight… But the Nor-Vise is simply the most vise for the money out there.
art
Not personally, but this is a thread from UK Fly Dressing.
Cheers,
A.
I blame Byron for this so am posting here and will go against the original question since I’m talking saving money.
There seems to be a feeling that the Jvice [never have understood the spelling…in fact, it kicked some emails into my spam box]…is on the spendy side and with all the bells a whistles I guess it is…but most of us already have adequate bells and whistles.
My new Jvice just arrived and for just at 3 bills including postage.
I didn’t go for the board etc. since I am using a C-clamp I already have and Jay turned down the last 2 inches of the shaft to accommodate it’s diameter. I did go for the pro jaws so that was a little extra…got credit for the regular jaws…also got the bobbin holder rather than enlarge the shaft hole diameter of what I have.
So at $300 total I don’t think that’s too bad… just a FYI…and I do blame Byron for starting me down that path.
You can blame me!!! And if you don’t like Jay’s tools, I will buy from you at your cost. Offer good for 2 weeks!!
But, I want to see you post a review after you’ve used it…
Byron
Had a conversation today in a local shop about the Nor-Vise, because I am, frankly, a big advocate and tie a lot of big stuff. I expected everybody that was local and tying lots of big stuff to be weak in the knees over the Nor-Vise…
Well, they all thought it took a lot to get used to it… and I have to admit I had to, also. Several said they had one and considered it a great tool for certain flies, but still not their favorite all-around vise. Old habits die hard…
So I pulled out a couple different vises tonight and played with several of the same simple spey fly (Orange Heron) and thought about it as I tied…
The Nor-Vise still kicks butt! 
But I can see where I was “sold” on it and for that particular fly the Nor-Vise is not a huge advantage. But Haymakers and such are simply made for the Nor-Vise and vice versa… So I still think the Nor-Vise is what every other vise wants to be when it grows up… But not every tyer has to believe that…
Stainless Regal, simple, fast, does’t require adjustments, never slips and washes the dishes.
I would like a barracuda.
Hi all,
I read all of the posts with interest, although didn’t actually read every word, and am surprised I didn’t see my pick, although it could have been there and I just missed it due to my rapid read of the posts.
First of all, I tie on a Thompson “A” and have no plans to change because it does everything I need, and as slowly as I tie, I certainly don’t need a better vise. My of “A” holds the hook just fine, and I think it is a very adequate vise. Fact is, I actually like the old beast.
That said, if I could have any vise it would be one of the original HMH vises that started the whole premium vise movement. Simply a beautifully made, precision device, and a nice to look at old vise. I have seen a few on Ebay and they go for VERY premium dollars.
That said, there is no way I would part with that kind of money for any vise.
Every now and then I look at the new HMHs, they are sure nice, and very nice to look at too, but still, I am satisfied with my old Thompson, and I enjoy tying on it.
The old “A” is a throwback to a traditional approach to fly fishing, and that appeals to me a lot also. Some of the best tiers of all time tied on a Thompson A, and I think the older ones are quite a bit better than the newer ones. Here a while back I bought one of the older ones, and then later a second older one. I also have a couple of newer "A"s. That’s why I think the older ones are better than the newer ones.
I tie on an “A” and have no plans to change.
Good topic, interesting reading.
Regards,
Gandolf