Buddy I totally agree. I also use the rotary feature on my vice, having the tension set so I can move the vice head into the position I want it and it will just hold.
My point is that, to coin an old English saying, “You can’t have your cake, and your ha’penny.” It is more expensive to incorporate more features into a vice. Look at the quality vices that are non rotary, the Dynaking Kingfisher or the HMH vices. I’m sure you will agree that these are quality vices. As such the price reflects this. Unless you are a truly excellent engineer and have access to a top quality machine shop, you will have to go to such a maker if you want quality.
The quality of, for example, Dynaking vices is constant across the range. As a result the price increases as the features increase. Now if you have the features, and the price is low what must give way to permit this? There is only one other factor to consider.
While agree in essence with your statement there is another aspect which also comes into it and that is access to the hook, specifically access to the rear portion of the hook. This is specifically the case when mostly smaller hooks are tied on.
A number of the in-line rotary designs on the market restrict access, or “encourage” the tier to adopt a modified wrist angle. This may or may not be an issue - as with all things vices, eh vises, this is a personal weighing of features vs requirements/preferences.
Guys…ya’ll have really lost me. I’m sure this is all fantastic educational info for the fly tying experts, but I havn’t a clue what you are talking about. At this point, I’m pretty sure I’m going with a rotary vise but now have to decide if I want the Peak or the Renzetti Apprentice. Leaning towards the Apprentice. Seems more people out there are tying on it and have been for long periods of time with very little complaints.
By all means, though, don’t stop your conversations about whatever it is your conversing about. I’m sure many are finding it informative!
If I am not mistaken, the Renzetti Apprentice is not a rotary vice…at least a true rotary. I have tied on a Peak and really liked it. I will be the next vice I purchase. I currently tie on a Renzetti Traveler. Wile I like the Traveler, the base is not heavy enough for my heavy-handed style of tying. If you want my opnion, I would go with the Peak.
which motor oil is better? Quaker State, Pennzoil, or Castrol?
which one is better- a brunette, a blonde, or a redhead?
what’s the best- Coke, Pepsi, or RC?
THERE IS NO CORRECT ANSWER. You simply must make up your own mind, and over time, your preferences most likely will change. With every vise and every vise type, there are things you will like, and things you will not like. Certain styles will have good features which far outweigh “bad” features.
I really dislike Regal vises, and I dislike “knob” tightened vises. They just do not suit my preferences- some I can articulate and some I would have trouble explaining— Like artwork, some I like and some is IMO just complete garbage which has been vomited on. Other people have opposite views.
I like cam-operation and rotary features, and I like utility and value compared to glitz and gimmickry. I’ve tied on all manner of vises over 30+ years, and I am close-to-perfectly satisfied with my Peak vise.
ALL the vises that have been discussed are perfectly effective fly tying tools.
There are thousands of fly tyers tying excellent flies on every one of them.
The bottom line is after you buy one, you’ll adapt to the vise. Just like folks do with their rods, reels, lines, and every other tool we use.
After some use, more experience, and conversations with others, you might decide to try a vise with different features and configuration based on your preferences, but maybe not.
As far as access to the back of the hook on smaller flies, that really depends on the vise and how the particular tyer approaches that issue. I seldom tie smaller than a 20, and have no problems with that size on my vise.
A friend has a DanVise. He’s into real small stuff, tying down to 32s. He tells me he couldn’t do that as well without his DanVise. I’ve not watched him tie, but obviously getting to the back of the hook isn’t an issue for him. His flies look fine. He replaced his Renzetti Presentation with that DanVise, so obviously it wasn’t an issue of cost.
I’m not up on digital mechanics and joint angles, etc., but I think there are different approaches to any given operation on fly. Finger length, dexterity, sensitivity, flexibility, all will effect how you do a particular thing on a fly.
Not every one of us ties the same flies the same way?
I put Quaker State in my car. I married a Redhead. I prefer Coke. There, that’s settled.
As for vises, I meant to say the Renzetti Traveler.
Thanks to everyone for their input. I just like to know what others are using and theirs likes and dislikes of the equipment they use. I know I will in the end decide what’s best for me, and I may make a mistake, and I may adapt to whatever I decide on. Its an opinion thread…and everyone has one and is entitled to their opinion…even about art. Lord knows before I decided to get back into fly tying I tied many files on a cheap steel fixed position beginner vice. And I may in the end decide to just get another one of those. Just want to explore some better vises as options.
I actually went to Bass Pro here locally last night and they had a Peak rotary. I was kinda shocked they had it in the store. But anyway, its was a SOLID vise. I may just have to go back and get it. Very nice looking and like I said, solid and seemed well made.
I just picked up a Danvise and have to say, it has quite a few adjustments, is light weight(some ABS parts) but has true rotary and the price is right. It also comes with the bobbin holder which is an extra cost on most vises. It also comes with a training DVD so you will be familiar with the vise before using it. I really like it. Is it in the same class as regal or peak no but it does everything they can do and more and cost less than half the price of other true rotary vises.
Bob what is your opinion on vises…oh sorry we covered that:D
BTW along the spelling line…I don’t know if I mentioned this but I was trying to communicate with Jay of Jvice and my email would throw his responses into spam because of the spelling:(
Well, due to funds, or lack there of, I am going with the Griffin Odyssey Spider. I really want the Peak, but I’ve asked myself over and over, “do I really need a vise like that for what I will be tying”? Its a very subjective question I know, and only I can answer it. I’ve looked around and read alot of reviews and the Griffin seems to be a great vise and alot of people are very happy with it.
Thanks to everyone on their opinions and input. Now, what “Vice” to you recommend? HA…just kidding!
Thanks again to everyone for their input. I received my new Griffin Odyssey Spider Cam Vise today and LOVE it. The true rotary is already coming in handy.
