Probably been posted here a million times, but… I am looking at getting started tying. I am looking for a good vise, one that is versatile, will last and do the job. I will use it mostly for trout and steelhead flies. I don’t want a cheapie, but don’t want to spend more than $200. Is a true, fully rotating vise the best way to go? I look forward to your input. Thanks.
First, Welcome Aboard to the best flyfishing site available!!
I’m sure you will find the answer here. I tie on a Regal which you may want to take a look at, but it’s not exactly what you’ve asked for.
Again, Welcome!!
FlyRodney,
First thing: Welcome to FAOL, from a Pennsylvania fish chaser. I’m relatively a newby to FAOL myself. But there is one rule that I do know about, and that is, that the new guy HAS to bring the coffee and doughnuts!!! You’ll get used to my warped sense of humor! If not, just report me as SPAM! (not the canned kind either!) Anyway , to answer this Humongous can of worms you’ve just opened up : I like the Renzetti Traveler. I don’t know what you CAN’T do with it. Let the games begin!LOL!!!
Best regards, Dave S.
Welcome to FAOL. Your question will surely generate a variety of opinions. I think you should consider how much you will use the vise. If money is an object you can find quite a few non roatary vises that are well within your price range. I tie several thousand flies a year just as a hobby. I use a Thompson Model A vise which has proved satifactory. You might want to consider something like the inexpensive Thompson (20 bucks on EBay) and then if you really get hooked on tying move to a more expensive rotary.
Again welcome.
Tim
I can’t reconmend starting with a two hundred dolar vise. Get a decent vise that you can use as a backup or travel vise later if you want to upgrade. By the time you are looking to get a better vise you’ll know what features YOU want in a vise. Spend the extra money on good materials which make more diference than the vise anyway. After you get the wood chopped for the chatroom and the coffe and donuts served you might want to read this: http://www.flyanglersonline.com/flytying/beginners/part3.php. It’s a little dated but a good explanation of what you want in a vise
Another vote for the Renzetti Traveller. You can start with a less expensive vise (and find some of good quality) but if you’re willing to spend the money up front on something like the Renzetti, you’ll have about as much vise as you’ll ever need. As far as whether you need a rotary, I don’t use the feature all that much (more for inspecting the far side of the fly without removing it from the jaws) but when I do it’s there and I’m glad I have it.
Regards,
Scott
FlyRodney,
Again welcome to da party…I Highly recommend go ahead and spend some money and get a Nor-Vise for the money its worth it.
Or spend less than $80.for a Danvise…both are well worth what you will spend on em.
REGAL. it’s simply the best.
FlyRodney,
If you have a fly shop close by then ask them if you can try out a vise or three. Many places will let you play with the jaw adjustment and so forth, but good places will let you tie some flies on the different vises. If you can test drive some, pick one that is comfortable for you to use, gives lots of access to the hook, and is within your price range.
If you can’t at least put your hands on a vise, picking one is sort of a crap shoot. You may not be happy with your purchase.
REE
FlyRodney,
I saw this vise last night on-line and just remembered it! Check it out. Looks a lot like a Traveler, but way less expensive!
http://www.togenenterprises.com/vises.html
Best regards, Dave S.
Welcome to FAOL. I love my regal, I have tied on a $20 vise from cabelas and a $50 or so griffin, both held the hook well, I was going to buy a peak when I found a great deal on my regal. every one ties a little differently, as Ron said find a shop that will let you try a few out, if you can take a class or two, find what works for you.
Eric
[b]Welcome to FAOL.
I can recommend the Peak Rotary, I have had mine for quite a
while now, about 8 or 9 years I think, anyway I got it when they
first came on the market, it is a mark 1 model.
I have been very satisfied with it, the latest model looks even better,
at a very reasonable price. (What a Scotsman thinks is reasonable :D).
Peak Rotary Fly-Tying Vise
Regular Price:
$149.9
That’s at Cabelas, no doubt you could shop around.
[/b]
Welome FlyRodney.
Basically there are three vise designs; stationary like the Griffin 1A, rotatable like the Anvil Apex, and fully rotary like the Renzetti. Some people prefer the stationary style or cannot get onto the rotary method. For myself, I tied for several years on a stationary, but now almost always choose the rotary. I agree with the previous posts that you should go to a reputable shop and try both systems.
An American or British/European manufacturer - i.e. the patent holders, best represents each design. No-one in ‘my’ fishing club uses a knock-off made in India or China after about the first year of tying. They are not properly machined nor made of top quality steel, generally speaking. Our club uses the Griffin 1A for teaching newbies. Personally I use a Danvise, a Griffin 2A, or a Griffin Odessy Cam for my tying, depending on location and fly pattern
Here is a link to a useful article that reviews several products.
http://www.flyfishohio.com/Vise%20Review%201/Fly_Tying_Vise_Shoot-Out.htm
Good luck, and remember - don’t buy an tying materials because they look wonderful or because you read about the somewhere unless you are actually going to tie AND USE the fly that needs them. You could probably tie all the flies you really will ever need with about 10 or 12 materials.
Greg
I WAS IS IN THE SAME PLACE 10 SHORT MONTHS AGO
ANVIL ATLAS, Can not go wrong, Notice the caps was not yelling was being solid.
Helps me with viewing all components before tying off sequentually, Avoids cutting thread by mistake, and almost impossible to put the hook in wrong.
http://www.anvilusa.com/The_Atlas_Vise.htm
Trust me on this one I would not steer you wrong
Welcome! I also vote for the Rinzetti Traveler but, you may want to get a simple starter kit to begin with. I bought a kit that included a vise for about $40. I still use the vise on occasion. I especially like to use it when I’m out knocking about and don’t wantt to risk damaging a better one (my Rinzetti).
I bought a Renzetti Traveler, but I would recommend the Danvise (made in Denmark) Al & Gretchen Beatty of BT Fly Fishing Products (FAOL Sponsor) sell the Danvise, and it is a true rotary and I think it is the best bang for the buck. It is one of the few true rotary vises that can be setup for a right-handed or left-handed fly tier. For $88.95 it is a bargain.
The Danvise
$88.95 (vise only)
Danvise: Only $88.95 The affordable inline rotary vise.
The vise includes a vise with c-clamp, bobbin cradle and DanVise Introduction DVD 12 minute review of the vise?s features and proper jaw adjustment.
~Parnelli
go to your local fly shop and sit down with the demo vises, tie a few flies and pick the one that YOU are most comfortable tying with
Big can of worms you opened up here friend. Everyone has their favorite. My first vice was a knock off from India of a Thompson AA, cost me about 6-7 bucks. It took me five years to totally destroy it, not bad for a cheap vice. I got a Anvil Apex for Christmas that year. I love this vice. Made in the U.S of A. Lifetime warranty, Get pedstal and c-clamp base, all for $100.00
Welcome FlyRodney
Glad you signed up.
Vise advice, sure it’s been brought up before. It is one of my favorite posts to follow.
The best advice I received when looking for fly tying equipment is “buy the best you can afford”. You have a limit of $200.00 and you should be pleased with vises in that range, but if you see one that you really like (not just pleased) that’s fifty bucks more save for the 50 more. It will be money well spent.
If you’re not in a big hurry see if you can’t pick-up a great used one. I got my Griffin Spider (new) for a song when a gentleman received a Renzetti as a gift and prefered the Renzetti.
I should really let OhioTuber (the vise bandit) tell you how to get a good deal on a vise.
Welcome again I am sure you will enjoy your time here.
Sean
OK every one is going to recommend a favorite. I am going to recommend some light reading. This page was recenlty posted by a member of my local fly fishing club. It’s a great write up/ review of the most popular vises.
http://www.flyfishohio.com/Vise%20Review%201/Fly_Tying_Vise_Shoot-Out.htm