vices.

[Davyfly]

Given the wide range of vices out there to day, what is the vice you choose to use.

Second question. If you own a rotary, do you use that function when tying wet flies of any type.

Give you my answers later.


DW

[Bert]

It's been said before, but this vise is like tying on an anvil. Clamp the hook and go. No adjustments. Nothing fussy.
Plus, it's endorsed by Don Bastion and Steve Silverio.

I'm an intermediate tyer who dresses flies at my leisure. On a good night, I produce a mere dozen or so.
I have a rotary vise --a Renzetti Presentation. It sits in the closet.

[Eric Peper]

I've used a Regal for over 30 years. I had a dalliance with a Renzetti Traveler for a few years during that period and rarely used the rotary feature and now rarely use the vise. IMO, there is nothing that beats the Regal for simplicity and for holding a hook securely until you want the hook released.

EP

[tie2fish]

Another Regal fan here. I normally use the midge jaws when tying soft hackles, and much prefer a pedastal base so I can turn the whole thing any direction I choose.

[Soft-hackle]

I grew up using a Model A type vice. First one came from Herter's. Later, went to a Thompson Pro which is very much like their Model A, but with a black finish to reduce glare. Today I use an HMH Spartan and am very pleased with it. Same style as the A but a lot better made with no head wobble. It can be used as a rotary, but the only time I use it is to turn the drum to look at my flies or if I'm tying to the bottom of the hook.

Mark

[mikeytwoshoes]

I guess I'll respond, if only because I don't use a regal.

I use three vises, all of which I find more than adequate. renzetti traveler clamped to the bench in the tying den (gets used if I'm tying in there). peak vise which I use if tying on tv tray in front of tv. dynaking kingfisher as a travel vise and fot tv tray tying.

as far as using rotary technique for tying flies? no I don't bother, but I do prefer a true rotary vise for the standard reasons...

[Joe Billingsley]

I have a Renzetti Presentation 3000 (I guess that's what it was still called 25 years ago when I got it) and have had ZERO problems with it. I also have a HMH Spartan and use it for smaller flies because it can give me a little more clearance behind the fly and their midge jaws are smaller than the Renzetti.
When tying wets, I guess I only use the rotary function for inspecting the fly during the tying process. But that in itself is a help.

Joe

[skunkaroo]

I've got lots of vices -- drinking, gambling, womanizing, etc...

But when it comes to tying vises I most use a older Griffin Odyssey Spyder Plus (long since discontinued). It's a true rotary with reasonably narrow jaws, and like most I don't often use the rotary function with soft hackles.

I also own a Norvise and now the Anvil Apex. The Norvise is useless for delicate work imho. I've seen Norm do some incredibly small patterns using it, but without the offset jaw attachment it really doesn't allow good in-close work. I haven't played with the Apex much, but it seems to be a very solid vise that holds hooks very well. Like the Regal it's not a true rotary, but for soft hacklesthis is a minor issue.

Aaron

[Ron Eagle Elk]

Started out with a Thompson A years ago and have been through a number of vises in the last 40 years. I looked at a LAW Bench vise but couldn't justify the price. After seeing some comments from the lads on UK Fly Dressing I bought a Snowbee-Waldron. A very well engineered and manufactured vise. This is the last vise I will probably ever own. At almost 63 years it had better be.

Yes, I use the rotary function when tying wet flies. I was tying at the Albany, Oregon Tying Expo and had a guy tell me I was the only one at the show using a rotary vise that actually used that function while tying at the show. I'm sure there were others, he just hadn't seen them yet.

REE

[letumgo]

I've used a Danvice for a number of years now. Love the rotary feature, especially when roughing up the body of soft hackle flies using velcro. I can twist and turn the fly to get at all sides, without removing from the vice. I generally wrap the hackle with rotary pliers. Overall I love this vice, but hope to trade up to an HMH someday.