It seems that with each new vise query topic I read the replies and follow links or check out the recomendations. Each time, each year, I find myself wanting for that one vise manufacturer to read my mind and design and build the vise of my dreams, affordably.
I have 7 major points if interest that I’d like to see in a true rotary vise. If anyone is aware of a vise that satisfies these please tip me off.
Matted, anodized finish, preferable black. I tie around 1,000 dozen a year and long hours under bright lights is no place for a shiny vise. I cannot see why all these vise builders (or buyers?) insist on a highly polished product. I am aware of many brands that are finished in the manner I prefer but they fail other areas.
Cam Operated jaws. I know they abound and I appreciate them.
A C-Clamp that is wide enough to accept hotel room tables!!! I do not, and will not, trust a pedestal base. Ever accidently knock your vise over, thus spilling a full jar of cement into a pile of 15 dozen newly tied Catskills?
Roughened jaw surfaces. I don’t care if they are pebbled or serrated…hook pockets are nice too for big irons. Smooth jaw surfaces get almost glassy over time.
Generous “resting” surface behind the jaws (not too close) for my other hand to hang out. This is a touchy point too. If the jaws are too far below this surface it is useless and if this surface is too narrow or short it is useless.
A rotary lever that is on the same plane as the hook shank. For me at least, it is awkward to spin a lever that is perpendicular to the thing I am spinning.
Adjustable jaw angles. Access is everything!
FWIW: I am currently tying on a Griffin Odyssey Cam. For me it comes the closest but it’s wimpy and I am very displeased with the jaws. Perhaps there is a vise out there that fits the bill that I have overlooked?
We all have our own views and preferences what would be our perfect vise. Remember though: one tier’s dream vise may be another tier’s worst nightmare. Vise are very personal tools.
I drew up the functional specifications of ‘my’ perfect vise, passed them on to a friend to build. It became the LAW vise, the year was 1989 and I have been in tier’s heaven since
Thus my inspiration . I am doing (or should I say “trying”) the same. But it’ll never hurt the vise industry to discuss our various wants and needs openly.
I have a vise that has all but one of the ‘features’ you asked for.
I’m using a Dyna-King ‘Ron Abby’ signature vise. It has all you ask for EXCEPT the adjustable jaw angle. The finish isn’t anodized, it’s brushed ‘matte’ stainless. Still not bad under the lights.
So far, I’m very pleased with it (only had it for two years, so it’s still ‘new’).
I really like the ‘wheel’ style rotary operating handle. I can spin it with my palm for ‘quick’, and there is a handle for more deliberate action.
Check it out, if you haven’t already. I did have to ‘order’ the vise with the features I wanted (they are very accomodating), as I’d not seen one in a shop.
It’s a nice vise but without being able to adjust either the stem joint or jaw housing I’m afraid it fails on that account alone. I’m also not sure about the finish…and I wonder why more companies don’t offer an alternative finish. Heck, it’s common place with reels where I see even less of a need.
Mr. Williams, To be honest I detest "true " rotary vises , and I still tie with my Thompson “A” finding it my comfortable “home”. I’ve tried a lot of true rotary vises and now I can look at one and tell it won’t be suitable for me. Enter now the L A W vise, the same one the Han’s uses. This vise has changed my opinion of True rotary vises, in a word, awesome. Total fexability in almost every aspect of functionality . The great part about it, at least for me, is that you can use it practically like my old Thompson.It does not have a cam lever but it is not needed due to the star wheel that closes the jaws, it’s effortless and the holding power is incredible! Plus the jaws need little, if any, adjustment for tying the largest of hooks to the smallest, Certainly 10 hook sizes can be easily used without any adjustment at all. I’m trying to save up for one, they aint cheap , but to me it seems worth the investment.
Take care, Jim
Plus the jaws need little, if any, adjustment for tying the largest of hooks to the smallest, Certainly 10 hook sizes can be easily used without any adjustment at all.
As there is no adjustment option on the LAW jaws, they better not need any, even a “little”
The jaws cover the full gamut from #7/0 down to the smallest hooks around.
Sounds like your almost there… The Griffin Montana Mongoose meets almost all your requirements - the body of the vise is matte, the jaws anodized black - cam operated (current model is - 1st generation is not)- C-clamp may be one option that doesn’t meet your needs - roughned jaw surfaces can be done with a mill bastard file - generous resting surface ideally located - knurled rotary knob as well as rotary lever. Give one a test drive. Alec
I’ve tied on a LAW. I can’t get past the thumbwheel nor the angle of the rotary lever. Remember, the bulk of my tying involved multitudes of the same size so a Cam is more suited to my style. No arguments about the rest of the LAW vise. It is a top-of-the line vise for sure.
I’ll stop there, the rest gets embarrasing
Before it gets said: I dislike Regal’s mechanism and the vise does not fit my hands, although hook-holding is exceptional and the finish is desirable. Not arguing the quality of that vise at all…it’s just not for me.
[This message has been edited by LWilliams (edited 19 February 2005).]
[This message has been edited by LWilliams (edited 19 February 2005).]
I’ll agree that it is a step up from the Odyssey (and back at the same time)…it still has the same crummy jaws. I’ve busted the from adjustment screw twice on mine. The jaw surfaces will get glass-smooth with use. How fast that occurs depends on how much you use it.
I’d prefer the machinist does the surfacing of the jaws.
It is for ludites such as yourself that Lawrence actually made a cam version of his vise. If only you had reminded me, as I had a LAW cam vise in my bag when we met at the Somerset show.
Saw a comment that only drawback to the MT Mongoose was lack of a C-Clamp mount? Per mags I have, it looks like you can get the MT Mongoose in a pedestal or c-clamp, or boaf. I like the pedestal. I keep head cement in a wooden mount. It will never be tipped over. I take the (Griffin Patriot Cam) vice to the stream and tie while doing volunteer Creel Surveys for AZ Game and Fish at 3 hours and 45 minutes a session. My Griffin Patriot came with both c-clamp & pedestal. Like it but first vice. Wonder about the true rotary types. “I” would get a lot of use out of a true rotary…but now…which one?
L. Williams, this is Jim Williams. I doubt you are my long lost cousin in the midwest. I am in AZ. Anywhooo…I am a rookie tyer. So you know vices better than I. But, what you describe sure sounds like my first vice, the Griffin Patriot. It has adjustable jaw angle, rotates in same plane as hook shank if you have it parrallel to desk, and it is sure not wimpy. Buddy will it hold a hook. I think you could make a tv commercial with a truck…
