I’ve been contemplating getting a new vise (nothing wrong with what I have, just thinking of getting a new toy) and have been drawn to the Regals.
I’d appreciate those of you with experience tying on one offering up the things you don’t like about them. And if you happen to use the midge or stainless steel jaws, so much the better, as that is likely where I’d end up if I decide to pick one up.
Thanks!
—David
One main issue I had with my Regal was making sure the hook was seated properly, especially with smaller hooks. If I didn’t have it in there right, it would fly out of the jaws with a lot of force and little guidance; never took one in the eye and I found most of the hooks that ejected. Besides that, the Regal was a rock; great vise for deer hair bass bugs where you may want to lean on the thread a bit, and big saltwater flies. I’ve switched to a Renzetti Traveller and like the rotary feature, although I use it mostly for inspection of the far side of the hook; don’t think newer Regals are true rotary although they do rotate. Mine just had the standard jaws so you’ll have to look to others for their jaw advise.
Regards,
Scott
Personally, I really like my Regal, especially the with the brass pocket pedestal. I own a Dyna-King and Renzetti as well, and have tied on most of the vises on the market, from the cheap to the expensive, but the simplicity of loading a hook in the Regal keeps bringing me back. Yes, you can spit hooks, and yes, you can chip the jaws, but you can do that with any vise if you are not careful (e.g. I’ve done it with my Renzetti). Manufacturer will replace the jaws for a nominal fee, so I don’t really see a problem. No experience with the midge jaws, although they do not really seem small enough to make much of a difference over the regular jaws. Have not tried the stainless jaws, but have heard many positive comments about them. I like Regal for flies #20-2/0, so if that is similiar to your range, you should be happy with you choice. Luck.
+1 on the above. I had a Regal and sold it for that reason. The jaws would also chip if the hooks were not seated correctly. I have not heard of that recently though.
I have a Regal, but have not used it for a while, I have mostly switched to a Renzetti Traveler. A few years ago when I did use the Regal a lot, I found that my hand got sore from squeezing the lever to open the jaws. I was tying literally hundreds of flies for a trip to Alaska, so I was using it more than most would, but I did find that this was an issue that I don’t get with a conventional vise design.
Ted
Hi David - I own two Regals. One with the standard jaws (chipped), and one with the stainless jaws.
The stainless jaw Medallion is sooooooo much nicer to work with! I’ve never heard of anyone chipping the jaws on a stainless Regal, and to get around that problem, I just put the hook into the jaws deeper, and then move the hook to where I want it to be. The stainless jaws offer great access to the back of even the tiniest of hooks.
The folks at Regal have offered to refinish my chipped jaws for $40 - nice folks to deal with. If you can swing it, I’d recommend the stainless jaws. They only recommend hooks up to a size 2 for those jaws though.
I still prefer my Renzetti overall, and since I use that for most of my tying, I’m not concerned about using the Regal for true rotary tying. It rotates, but trying to use it for rotary tying is awkward at best. The pocket pedestal is really nice for holding hooks, beads, etc.
H.A.
Have a Regal WITH midge jaws and a Renzetti Traveler(older model with screw tightener). Much prefer the Regal. Easy to use, no adjustments needed, holds hook like a rock (not so the Renzetti), easy to inspect far side, and it’s easy to ‘seat’ hooks once you understand how and besides, the jaw of a Renzetti will chip too if not used properly. If you’re looking for true rotary then the Regal is not what you’re after. If you don’t need that feature then hands down it’s a Regal. Oh, the midge head will hold hook sizes std. 8 down to 32. No experience with SS model.
Allan
A few month I happened to pick up the Orvis round base with the pocket Regal. Good vise and I like it a lot. I also tie on HMH which I use mainly for small flies.
I have a Regal and haven’t had any of the issues that others have mentioned. I also have an HMH Standard and prefer tying on the Regal.
I know you were asking for the cons, but I just don’t have any.
I’ve been tying on a Regal since 1990. I don’t care for the midge jaws, since i think they limit you in hook size a bit. The standard jaws work for just about everything yu will tie, with the exception of sub #24 hooks. Yes…if the jaws are not positioned properly in the standard jaws, they can and will spit a hook…and most often chip them a bit in the process. INn all the years I’ve used mine it has done it twice. Both times I was “tweaking” hook position for a particular angle. The stainless jaws in the Regal I personally feel is perfection…no more chipping to worry about, and a slightly finer jaw to better place smaller trout hooks. If I EVER replace my current vise, it will be for a Regal Medalion with stainless jaws.
i have a Regal and have had it for years, used it for production tying, with standard jaws down to #26 . considering the stainless jaws , so i can do smaller work. Had a Renzetti till their customer service mad me mad, bought the Regal after i got off off the phone and never looked back.
The “Reach” of the standard Regal makes it next to impossible to use a standard attachment, bobbin holder, gallows, etc. They do have a model with and offset stem that should take care of the problem. Other than that I like my regal.
I have had a Standard Regal for many years and like it. When teaching beginner’s fly tying classes, the Regal saves a lot of time because no one has to wait for someone to get the jaws adjusted right. Just squeeze, insert hook and release. I have never had it spit a hook.
I agree with Jack on the “reach” of the standard Regal. I noticed that Regal now has a Traveler Regal and I really liked the off-set of the stem which I feel will take care of the “reach” problem. I contacted Regal and asked them if I could just purchase the Traveler stem and they said yes. Needless to say, it should arrive sometime this week.
The material spring is not the greatest, but, overall, the Regal is a quality vise that I would recommend to anyone.
I have a Regal with the stainless jaws, and I love it. I tie from size 6 streamers down to size 32 midges with no problem of holding the hook. I have tied with many other vises over the years, and this is the best I have used. It was recommended to me by a commercial tyer who has used just about every vise.
I have had two over the years. Both with c clamps. Rock solid
Jaws for what i was tying. Sold one and traded the other. Never any trouble
with mine. Only reason i sold mine was i wanted true rotary. I have yet to
try the new configuration but i have seen it in action. Looked well built. I made
My own bobbin cradle which was extended and swung out of the way. I dont do
parachute styles so no need for gallows here.
Thanks everyone for the insight/opinions. It’s very much appreciated.
—David
I own three regals. I started tying on the fixed head Inex. Then moved up to the Medalion with standard jaws. I easily tied flies down to #22 and even dipped lower, but was always very careful when doing so. I have had my eyes on the Stainless Steel Jaw version for quite some time, and just a couple weeks ago sprung for one. Unbelievable. I can’t say enough good things about the SS version. I have had no problems with any of my Regals, and I do a bit of commercial tying and tie a decent number of flies every year.
I have tried out many other vises just to see if the grass is greener and I have never found anything I enjoy tying on better than a regal.
The hook spitting issue is overrated in my view. I have had one hook spit out on me in all my time using Regals, and it was totally my fault and would have happened no mater what vise I was using.
After tying on vises by Renzetti, Dyna-King and HMH, I’ve been tying on a Regal Medallion with the stainless jaws exclusively for the past four years now. I really can’t say enough about the vise. I absolutely love it and have had zero problems with it. I tie in sizes ranging from #24 down to #8 with the majority being in the #16 though #20 range. Hook access isn’t an issue. I’ve heard of the “shooting hook” problem but have never experienced it myself. The only real “con” that I’ve discovered is that on occasion, the material clip gets in the way, particularly when tying the wing post on parachute style dry flies, but this issue is easily remedied by simply removing the spring when tying those style of flies. I’d estimate that over the past four years this vise has seen approximately 4,000 flies (1,000/year) pass through it. It still looks just about the same as it did the day it came in the mail with the exception of some wearing of the black finish where my left hand rests on it. I’ve never tied on a Regal without the stainless jaws, so I really can’t comment on those.
If you’re looking for an exceptional well engineered vise to tie typical sized trout flies on and don’t need true-rotary capabilities, I would highly recommend the Regal with the stainless jaws.
I’ve also been tying on a Regal for several years now and would not consider replacing it with any other vise. I’ve also heard stories about hooks shooting out of the jaws but like some others, I’ve tied alot on mine and never had that happen.
One thing that I like about the Regal so well it the flat surface on top of the head. I tie right-handed and while tying the flat spot on the top of the head is the perfect place for my left hand to rest steady while holding materials, etc. I have the Midge jaws and have tied from size 10 up to 26 on mine with zero problems.
It appears it’s pretty hard to get a con from you folks. So either the vise is that good, or you are all just eternal optimists. 
Thanks again everyone.
—David