Which Vise?

All about flies Fly Tying
1

Saw all the comments on vises. Lotta vises out there. Only 2-3 mentioned repeatedly. Are these the only good ones? Or just what people had that commented. I am new to tying. Have a Griffin Patriot Cam and it does not have the “V” structure. I like to use it pointing up at a 45 degree angle. At this angle the roatary isn’t worth much. The rotary only good if you are using the vice parrallel to the desk top, a manner in which I choose not to use it. I like the looks of the MT Mongoose. BTW the material clip on the Patriot is a joke. Small and so recessed you can’t stick anything in it. Maybe there’s a technique, but as a beginner it looks like a waste. The material clip on the MT Mongoose looks very handy.I have never ever seen a LAW vice? I will say this, the Griffin will sure hold a hook. It looks much bigger and therefore more cumbersome than a lot of the other vises I see in mags. I favor strength, and therefore am looking at the MT Mongoose, it LOOKS tough and it is. But for a fine art of fly tying should one use something lighter?

Plain old Jim, I’m Plain…and I’m old.

2

POJ: Think women and fly-rods!

As a side note: the more/longer you tie, the more of an opinion you will develop about vises and what you demand out of them. To paraphrase Hans, “Your dream may be my nightmare.”

The one constant: it must firmly hold a hook.

3

Check out Al Beaty’s web site…he’s a sponsor here I belive. The Danica is a really fine vise for the price. You get your upward angle that you like. I’ve had one for a couple of years now and really like it.

Snow on the roof with fire in the hearth

4

I’ve had my Thompson A for some 25 years now. While there are newer vises on the market with all the bells and whistles, I perfected my skills on my Thompson and tied 1000s of flies on it. I hope that when I tie my last fly it’s on my old tying companion.

5

Plain old Jim,

I have both a Thompson A and a DynaKing Ron Abbey signature vise. I am now thinking about buying a DynaKing Kingfisher for the shear simplicity. In my opinion the best money anyone can spend to improve their tying is on quality materials.

6

One thing that I never hear amyone talk about is the temper in the steel of the vise jaws. If it is to soft it will get a grove in it and not hold a hook right. If it is to hard it may break the hook.

I use Dyna-King and have had the same vise for more than 17 years and I tie for a living. I have tied on hooks to a size 8/0 for sailfish flies and had no problem in holding those big hooks I have also tied down to a size #28 in the same vise with no problems.
All I will say is be aware of “THE” vise jaws and the temper of them. Ron

[This message has been edited by RonMT (edited 20 February 2005).]

7

The Danvise is talked about a lot in this forum.

But before I ever logged onto FAOL, I researched this topic quite a bit, and quite independently bought a Danvise.

It’s very hard to beat at $80, or however much it goes for now.

8

JIM–as JC has said let the fun begin. As you have said most comments will be by what others now use and prefer.
First as a beginner you own one of the finest vises made,USA with a lifetime warranty. Be happy with it for a few years. I own 6 Griffin model 2A’s a Odyssey and a 3ARP-the 2A’s for kids classes. Your Patriot is made to be used at a 45 but I do use my 3arp horizontally at times tying tube flies. A true rotary is usually only to wrap material on the hook and look at the back side of the fly, that you can do with yours. I have material clips that I never use and your answer for a lghter vise for the fine art of tying–most prefer the weight.
If you cant stay with the vise you have and would like the Mongoose in the future call Griffin at 1 800 344 3150. Ask if they would make up a kit to change over your Patriot to a Mongoose. I bought a kit to change the 3ARP to the Odyssey and found I can use both one with c clamp and he other with the pedestal.

Bill

9

Jim,

Your last question was:

“But for a fine art of fly tying should one use something lighter?”

No. Certainly not.

For a (the?) fine art of fly tying, the artist should use whatever works for him (or her, as the case may be).

You can tie absolutely AWESOME flies without ANY vise (see those tied by a fellow named Wulff).

Vise grips work just fine.

C-Clamps.

Plain old pliers stuck in a bench vise.

Cheap $9 import ‘fly tying vises’ DO work, and some work better than many of us would like to admit.

If you like tools, or find some inherent satisfaction in owning neat, fun, or just well made stuff, then the choice of a vise becomes more of an issue.

BUT, it’s all subjective. No one ‘best’ vise out there. ALL of them work, to varying degrees. I really like mine, but I liked the ones I had before it too. EVEN the cheap import that I started on (at least until I broke it).

If you consider fly tying an art (surely debatable, but a nice thought), then it’s the PRODUCT that matters. HOW you get there is the province of the artist, and the artistry is still there REGARDLESS of how it was achieved.

Use the vise that works for you. Upgrade it when and if you want to. No one ‘needs’ such things, so have some fun and be glad you woke up today on THIS side of the grass…

Good Luck!

Buddy

[url=HTTP://HOMETOWN.AOL.COM/RSAN2708/INDEX.HTML:59a96]HTTP://HOMETOWN.AOL.COM/RSAN2708/INDEX.HTML[/url:59a96]

10

Ha! Not a Renzetti nor a Peak mentioned??? I appreciate all the good comments. I have been told that Thompson has gone out of business. So…I wouldn’t want to buy one of their’s. I think the point was a decent vice you get good at is what you will like…and the Patriot is a good choice. I think I would like the true rotary. I think it was Al Beatty wrap chenille and hackle by rotating the vice. I like that idea. I don’t think I can do that with the Patriot. However, it sure is good and strong. I think I will like it. It’s just, well…uh…you know…a boy and his toys…

Plain old Jim, I’m Plain…and I’m old.

11

I just now ordered a Danvise. I think Hans did a review on the Danvise… So did Al… [url=http://flyanglersonline.com/prorevw/btsflyfishingproducts.html:5904d]http://flyanglersonline.com/prorevw/btsflyfishingproducts.html[/url:5904d]
click on Danvise to see Hans… [url=Fly Fishing Tips, Gear & Destinations - Fly Fisherman]Fly Fishing Tips, Gear & Destinations - Fly Fisherman

Spelling and Grammar not subject to judgement…

[This message has been edited by Grubb (edited 22 February 2005).]

12

“I have never ever seen a LAW vice?”
[url=http://www.danica.com/flytier/law/law_v1.jpg:b8ad8]http://www.danica.com/flytier/law/law_v1.jpg[/url:b8ad8]

Try this link

13

Hey now, for what its worth, I have Two (2) Renzetti Travlers (A “His” & a “Hers”) as well as a Norlander Rotary. I knida think they’re all just fine!

Al Corey

If you get to thinkin’ you’re a person of some influence, try ordering somebody else’ dog around.

14

Plain Old Jim… have you looked in to Dyna-King at all? I have 2 of them. I use the Voyager2 (rotary and adjustable head angle) for my main tying and the Kingfisher for my travelling vise. The Kingfisher doesn’t have all the bells and whistles, but it’s a pretty dependable vise. I’d recommend them to anyone.

Mike

There is no greater fan of flyfishing than the worm.

Patrick McManus

15

Plain Old Jim

You spoke too soon about the Renzetti;
I have one and am planning on getting the clouser version also. I own 4 vices and the only one on my desk is the Renzetti Travler. It does everything I want, my last vice was the spider by Griffin. I disliked the vice. My flies are all big, most in the 2/0 range. My Spider vice would flex when I was tying, it drove me nuts. (ask anyone here they will testify)
But please remember this, I still own that spider vice and will teach my grandkids and friends to use it. Just because I did not like the vice does not mean that everyone will dislike it. I really do like my Renzetti Travler and it does almost everything I want. I am going to add the clouser vice because I want to. Need has nothing to do with tying. This is a want sport not a need sport. If we bought want we needed the suppliers would go out of business. So have lots of fun, and maybe you will start collecting vices. We have one or two in here that do just that. I might be headed that direction myself. hehehehe

Harold

16

Jim,
As to your inquiry re: the MT. Mongoose - I have been tying on one for a year now and am very pleased with it. It is an excellent vise, holds hooks of all sizes well, has an excellent design in terms of comfort and is very fairly priced, a great deal in fact, when you consider all the extras that come with it - hackle gauge, bobbin holder, base AND c-clamp and carrying case. I do not think you would be dissapointed. Oh, and if it matters to you, it is made here in the ol’ USA. Tight lines, Alec

Just Fishing! All life is that to some extent. If we are not fishing for one thing it is another. But angling! That’s just a bit different. In it we find peace and contentment and much with which to occupy our minds. May the balance of our fishing days be blessed with congenial comrades and “tight lines.” Ray Bergman

17

Bill W,
A couple of observations…

"First as a beginner you own one of the finest vises "

I’m not sure Plain Old Bill is really a beginner…guess we would have to define beginner…he sounds pretty much up to speed to me…

“A true rotary is usually only to wrap material on the hook and look at the back side of the fly, that you can do with yours.”

Having watched Al’s DVD he shows some neat techniques that go beyond the quote IMHO…I know you said “usually”.

And I wonder how the new vise Al is coming out with would match the desired features???

18

Man what a cool website. I expected to get my head cut off and handed to me on a platter, which is what usually happens when I stick my neck out. Really appreciate the comments. What a cool bunch of class people. I feel ok about posting here, as opposed to being intimidated by people who talk down their nose to everyone. …uh…I know you can tie a flie without a vice…as someonw once said. Yeah, but I am INTERESTED in the vices and their different features. I felt like telling that person, Great…I will send you a pair of vice grips and you send me your vice. But wait, it get’s even better…respond in the next 10 minutes and I will double your order! Yes, that’s right, TWO pair of vice grips instead of one! <grin> I guess I need to say exactly what I want. That is a vice that has a good functional material clip, holds the hook well, and when rotated keeps the shank in the same plane, to wrap material and see all sides as well. My first Montana Nymph looked great on the side I could see and was tying from, but the backside was out of proportion! The Mongoose MT looks like it has all I want, a material functional material clim, rotate, and the v notch to Lay you hand down on the hook to hold those feathers and make a soft loop and attach to the hook. To the man using the Mongoose MT…is that v notch roomy enough to lay your hand down in there and neatly and precisely lay on a piece of tinsel or sumpin…or is the gap too small? I have small hands, I guess I need to go to the valley, 3.5 hours away, and look at one. I really like the idea of wrapping material and seeing all sides by rotating.
It seemed the Peak got lotta good comments but in the pic I saw I saw no material clip. Thanks for all the comments. Appreciate the help.

Plain old Jim, I’m Plain…and I’m old.

19

Plain Old Jim- If you want a material clip on your vise and you have your heart set on that vise? Go to your local hardware store and by a small spring large enough to go around the vise without seperating the coils to far. Instant material clip. Ron

20

I just bought a Dan-vise Saturday from Cabela’s in Owatona, MN. It does and has everything that you requested. The bonus on top of it was they had them on sale for $49.99($30 off). I don’t know if you could get the same deal through their website. It was definitely a surprise that had me smiling all the way home.