I’ve been considering going rotary for a while now, particularly full rotary, and as luck would have it, recently found a great deal on the big auction site for a brand new Nor-vise including the travel case, video and bobbin kit. Got the whole shebang for less than what the vise alone usually goes for so I just couldn’t pass it up. In fact, Big brown Santa will be here any day now and I’m psyched to give the Nor-vise a spin (sorry).
I know some of you are Nor-vise users so I’d very much appreciate your comments about which jaws you use for different sizes/styles of flies. It comes with the regular jaws and I wonder if I should order the offset fine points. And if so, would a larger arbor also be helpful? I tie mostly trout-size stuff (rarely smaller than 20), but occasionally have the need to tie some SW flies as well as larger freshwater. My question for those with the standard jaws, “Do they hinder you when tying small flies?”
The automatic bobbin may take some getting used to, but it doesn’t look like rocket surgery so I’m sure I’ll be able to get the hang of it.
I cannot comment on the nor-vise, but the bobbin is first rate. I have two along with a dozen spools and a couple of arbors for winding on the thread to the spools. The bobbin is very easy to use and I would suggest winding your thread around one of the arms to control tension. I usually wind nonwaxed thread around the arm 2 or 3 times and for waxed threads I just wind once, may be twice. It took me about 3-5 sessions with the bobbin before I got the automatic takeup feature down (slack reduction). I hardly use standard bobbins anymore since going to the automatic bobbin.
Congratulations on your purchase. I used to use a Regal then a DynaKing Barracuda, but when I tried the Nor-vise, I sold the other two and have never looked back. I realy enjoy the Nor-vise system with the retractable bobbins. Once you get used to the bobbins, it’s a bit of a hassle to go back to using a standard bobbin. Sort of like going from automatic windows in your car back the the wind up. They both accomplish the same thing, but it sure is easier with a button. I use the standard size jaws and I usually tie from 18 up to 5/0 comfortably. If I were you, I use it the way it is and then determine if you need the smaller jaws for your very small flies. Great vise that will give you many, many years of tying enjoyment.
My wife, VEE, ties on a Nor-Vise with the bobbins and loves it. She uses the standard jaws for salmon and steelhead flies, down to size 20 dry flies. She uses the offset tiny jaws when tying size 22 and smaller.
I use the fine point jaws for tiny and huge (10/0 +). When I sell the vise, I reccomend just buying it with the fine point jaws and a large rear hub. It’s all you need.
Thanks so much for your input. You’ve answered all my initial concerns. Once that puppy gets here I’m sure I’ll be bugging you guys again… so stay tuned.
Thank you as well. I sure didn’t mean to ignore your significant input about the Nor-bobbins. I don’t know if I’ll ever get the hang of this new BB format.
Although I find it much easier to read now, I guess I’m just an old dog trying to learn new tricks when it comes to posting here.
greyfox, no problem. Keep us posted on how you like the vise. I have watched a few tyers at sports shows use one and I am amazed at the speed at which they tie.
Well, the Nor-vise is now in my possession. Got it set up and watched the DVD a couple times to get familiar with its nuances. This is REALLY a beautifully engineered piece of equipment. The standard cam jaws are amazing, holding everything from 1/0 (the biggest I had to try) down to 26 (the smallest). So simple, yet very effective. I couldn’t be more pleased.
Also love the automatic bobbin. Took just a couple minutes to load the spools using the arbor and the vise. Might be faster with an electric drill, but still plenty fast. No problem at all getting them loaded or oriented correctly in the bobbin holder. Took just a few minutes to get the hang of extending the thread a few extra inches to disengage the clutch, then moving the bobbin back to working distance before cutting the thread. Several poster here and on other sites were having difficulty with the Nor-bobbins. Being a belt-and-suspenders kind of guy, I ordered an Ekich bobbin just in case. But now that I know how well the Nor-bobbins work, I might soon have an Ekich for sale to finance a couple more Nors.
Bottom line, the whole system works so well and makes such good sense that I’m left wondering , “Why didn’t I think of that?”
Thanks again for your collective knowledge and advice.
As a Nor_Vice user for many years I am real glad to see Norm getting so many positive remarks. The Nor-Vice is such a great system that I truly do not understand why it has not gotten great press in the past. I guess that it is just so different from the others, and there is a learning curve.
When you chuck big buggers and streamers and an occassional salt water fly the Nor-Vice truly is a great thing to have. Good choice, you will never look back.
I bought my Nor-vice from Norm about 10 or 11 years ago at the Orange County (CA) FFF Convention. At the time I was tying on a $15 beginners vice that I’d had for about 10 years before that – so it was a big step for me. I have absolutely loved it. While there are times I still use a standard vice (quill bodies mainly), the Nor-vice is phenominal for tying wet flies, hellgramites, matukas, wooly buggers, zonkers & etc.
Your post did make me visit Norm’s site – I had no idea that there were interchangeable jaws and other improvements. Thanks.
The ONLY drawback we sometimes see to the Nor-vise is that we sometimes have to “lock” the jaws stationary when “teaching” or “demonstrating” for a group. Most of THEIR vises do not turn or rotate. :lol:
The Nor (or any true rotary) will (should) keep tying fresh for years as one seems to continually be learning proceedures and adapting as new patterns are challenged. :roll:
The Nor is a GRAND toy…I love mine. We have been quite favorably impressed with the Danvises, especially the “balanced” ones, some of our friends have too…a true rotary option for those with a tighter budget.
…lee s.
Not that I know of. But some of the guys are adding a weight to balance the rotation stuff and it spins quite nicely. Don’t know if AAl Beatty would approve or not though.
The Nor Vise isn’t a “True Rotary” vise. It is an in line rotary vise. Renzetti is the only true rotary because they trade marked the term so all it means is it is a Renzetti.
The Nor Vise has a new fine point jaw configuration that has a longer aluminum arm to cut weight and allow for larger hooks and a new hub to go with the arm.
Oops! on the true rotary. Guess we meant “in line” rotary?
Seems like Norm is ALWAYS coming up with SOMETHING new we just GOTTA try EVERY YEAR! :roll: :lol: :lol:
In fact, Big brown Santa will be here any day now and I’m psyched to give the Nor-vise a spin (sorry).