I have two cheap fly tying vises that i bought when I bought 2 kits about 8 years ago. Jaws are showing signs of wear and my young bride has told me if I wanted to get a new vise to get it. My point is this: I dont want to spend over $150 (could give a little if i found one if thought would be worht the extra). I will be going to Bass Pro in Pearl, MS this saturday and all I see listed in catalog Apex adjustable, Peak Rotary, Griffin Spider Vice, and a Terry Rotary. Some several others but they look to be about the same price range as the two I have now. Hoping this will be last vise I buy. Would any of the above mentioned be good ones and if so, which one? Maybe you know a place I could call and get a better vice with the amount of money I have to spend. Thanx in advance for all you help. Mathcarver
Of those that you listed I would get the Peak. I would pass on the Terra. We had some in our shop and I was not impressed with the craftsmanship. The Griffin is a very good vise for the money but the adjustments are sort of funky. I feel the Peak is far superior and well worth the difference in cost. Someone once told me “buy the best you can afford and only cry once” or something like that. The Apex is very good too but over time I think the true inline rotary vises will prove more versatile. The jaws on the Griffin, Apex, and Peak will last the average tyer a lifetime.
I do not think you will get a better vise for the same money as you are looking at spending - just different options at similare price points.
Bob, I have a Terra, which with some homemade modifications can be a decent vise. It is good enough for most of what I do. But it is not in the same ball park with the Apex or Peak. The Vogel brothers build the Apex in Indiana, having seen the Apex for the same money as the Peak I would order one of their Atlas from their shop. They provide a clamp and pedestal mount for the prices. It seems they may need a little help with their website but their vises are first rate.
rare to see another post from mississippi. i was in similiar situation several years ago and bought the griffin spider vise, which is light years ahead of the “kit” products that i had and i am well pleased with it, but rate my opinion inferior to those previous post who have experienced other models and know very well what they are speaking
of from my experiences with their input in the past. i would also rather buy from just about anyone other than bass pro on line. shopping in the store is probably a totally different experience. good fishin to you.
mathcarver,
All my relatives on my Dad’s side are from Mississippi and you have some great fly fishing there for warm water fishing especially for bluegill and shellcrackers!
Of the choices you listed, I have the Peak and can highly recommend it. I have no experience with the other vises you listed, so, I cannot compare them to the Peak. One thing you need to know is that there is no “hope this will be the last vise I buy”! : ) I have been tying for over 20 years and own a Regal, HMH, Peak, Renzetti and several other cheaper “knock-off” vises. Fly tying is an addiction and death is the only out! : )
No one here can tell you which vise is best for your situation but you. I only recommend the Peak because I do own one and tie on it everyday. It is well made and is rotary which you may find useful. The best thing for you to do is go to the Bass Pro Shop and sit down and play/tie on several vises in your money bracket and choose which one best “fits” you.
Just remember: “There is no such thing as the last vise I will ever buy”. Please keep us posted on what you decide on. I, for one, would be interested in knowing which vise and why.
A guy on the For Sale section below has a used Renzetti Traveler 2200 for sale for $150. They are high quality vises.
I have been tying on a Peak for a year and a half now and love it…
A number of years ago i bought my first rotary vise. A Renzetti Traveler. I thought it would be the last. Ha, on me I now have 15. Some are vintage, some I would sell. What i am saying is don’t even think that will be your last vise. Unless you give up tying.
I started with a Renzetti Traveler with the cam jaws nine years ago and it is the only one I have and the only one that I will likely ever have.
One vice will do nicely if you are mainly about fly angling and only tie what you need to go fishing.
Of course, if you like lots of tools, you’ll probably end up with lots of vices. That’s cool, but it doesn’t work for a really pragmatic and thrifty Scott. 
John
“narcodog” has a “vise squad”!!!
Sorry, I’m weak and I couldn’t let that one pass by…
Ed
Hello,
I got a renzetti traveler about 15 years ago and haven’t looked for another one since. Had an opportunity to get other vises for good deals over the years but the renzetti traveler does everything from size 28 midges to size 5/0 striper flies. Good vise. Hope you find one that fits
Go catch a fish,
Gary
I had a Renzetti Traveler and sold it because I needed money at the time. When it came time to repurchase the Renzetti (was my plan), I saw the Peak, tied on it and fell in love with it. That was 4 years ago, never looked back. Its a great, rock solid vise. What feels right to you may be very different though
Looks like the Peak brings $150 new on ebay with free shipping.
Hi, I am surprised that no one has suggested looking at the Renzetti Apprentice vise…it is offered at less than the travelers.
I learned to tie on a traveler 20+ years ago and my vise has served me very well. I am hoping to purchase a second
one soon to keep at our cabin. I don’t think you wpuld be disappointed in any of the Renzetti vises.
Well I bit the bullet, or should I have said the vise, and got a Peak. I looked at one or two others and talked with several people in fly fishing area that had a Peak and they loved theirs just as several of you had indicated. Santa is bringing it on his sled but I had an opportunity to slip it out of Santa’s gift bag and tied one fly. I think I’m in love. Never having had a good vise before I love it. By the way, the first fly I tied was a Chilli Pepper that Tony Spezio ties. I finally got a chance in October of this year to go fishing with Tony and caught my first trout ever and it was on a Chilli Pepper saw I thought it was fitting that first fly tied on new vise should be that fly. Sorry I got so wound up and such a long post but I am tickled beyond explanation. I want to say a big hearty thanks to all of you who chimed in an helped this old country boy out. I have never ask anything on this site that I didn’t get a lot of help on topic and that means a lot to me. Now I have got to hurry and get it back in Santa’s bag before he finds out it is missing. Once again thanks you are all a great bunch of people. mathcarver. :D:D:D
mathcarver,
I think you will love using it and it will serve you well for many, many years. Now get it back in the box before “Santa” catches you!!!
Peak has been my choice for over 5 yrs
its more money but I love my Nor vice . you can use the automatic bobbin with any vice it will make faster.
Bob
I have to agree with the nor-vise. I bought one last year and love it.
Two words: Griffin rules! I have a Montana Mongoose that I wouldn’t take any amount of money for.