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RETURN to Putah Creek Trout -> Putah Creek Fly Fishing Forum -> Fly Tying and Fly discussions -> Selecting a Vise
Post Info TOPIC: Selecting a Vise
SCM


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Selecting a Vise
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I am looking for a little advice on selecting my first tying vise.  That said, I am wondering what I should be looking for in a vise.  I would like to get a quality vise, built in the U.S., with sufficient features to allow me to move into more complicated patterns, and in the range of $100 to $150.



-- Edited by SCM at 19:31, 2007-08-28

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JT


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I have a Regal vise.  I've had it for over 10 years now and it's held up fine. 

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ChucktheDuck


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Make sure you get a vise with a strong grip. It is also helpful to have a 360 degree rotating head. Most good vises on the market are just fine but just know if you go cheap you will get what you pay for. I found this out the hard way when a cheapo vise I bought snapped at the jaws on the first hook I put in it! Besides that one mishap I have always used Dyna King vises and they work great. I currently have the Kingfisher model and it works awesome for $135. I use it to tie bass patterns up to 2/0 and small Putah creek flies down to 22 with no problems.
charlie

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SCM


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Thanks for the suggestions. I have seen good remarks posted on the Internet for both Regal and Dyna King, as well as Griffin, Anvil, and HMH. I assume I would do fine with a reputable brand staying in the mid-level product category.

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101fish


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I'd go with Dyna-king, personally. Cant really beat them in quaility or durability. That being said, I started on a woordvise and did fine. 360- degree rotation is a great feature, as well as an easy method of release. Spring loaded releases can be nice, but avoid the cheaper models because the spring can be shoddy. Vise stands are also available for some models (regal has a couple as does dynaking), so keep that in mind as well as they can allow you to tie on an surface.

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SCM


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I am actually leaning towards either a Dyna King or a Peak.  The Peak vise was recommended in a review article at Flyfisherman.com, as was the Dyna King Squire.  The Peak is little better on price, but I don't want to cheap out as ChucktheDuck warned against.  The Dyna-King Squire seems like a good value and simple to operate vise.  I was also happy to see Dyna-King vises are built in Cloverdale, CA, which is about an hour north of where I live. 

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JT


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Have you checked out any of these vises in a shop or just online?  I would recommend checking them all out.  Put a hook in each of them.  Rotate the vise jaws.  Get a feel for the release mechanism.  Then you can see for yourself which you like better.  What's good for someone might not be for another.

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SCM


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I am planning to go to fly shops to check out vises and also see about tying classes and other equipment I will need. While I would like to buy a used vise/accessories (I assume many people buy tying equipment use it once then sell it at a discount),  I don't want to make any more on-line purchases since having a really terrible incident with an auction site retailer. 

That said, do you have any recommended brick and morter fly tying retailers?  In my area, the only places I know have vises are the Western Sport Shop and a local on-line retailer at flytyingspecialties.com.  I recall there was a fly shop in Vacaville near the outlet center.  However, I went looking for it a month or two ago and I could'nt find it.  I have also considered seeing if I could visit the Dyna-King shop in Cloverdale.  I am not sure DK can sell factory direct since they have a dealer network, but it doesn't hurt to ask I guess.

Also, just want to thank you guys for passing on the suggestions and recommendations.

Steve

-- Edited by SCM at 09:18, 2007-08-31

-- Edited by SCM at 09:19, 2007-08-31

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JT


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Fly Fishing Unlimited, the shop in Vacaville, is gone.  It's been gone for a couple of years now.  There are a few shops in Sacramento, though.  There's one in Napa.  There's also one in Pleasant Hill.  They all sell vises. 

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KHB


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If you are looking for something economical, might a suggest a "Dan-Vise".
It is a rotary vise made of a "Delrin" body and it has std steel jaws.
My Dad gave me one that he has used for several years. He just loved it.
I just started tying flies myself and it works great. It runs about 80 bucks.
There are several on-line reviews if you look it up.

Good Luck
KHB



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WytEurp


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I want to start tying flys and have seen all the suggestions for vises....can anyone suggest what brand of tools are also good....or does it matter as much on brand and quality with the tools.....

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SCM


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Hey WytEurp,

I ended up buying a Peak vise. So far I am really happy... simple design, easy operation, good fit and finish quality, and easy on the ole wallet at $150.

As far as tools go...I found tool quality does matter. I bought a Dr. Slick box set (bobbin, threader, hair stacker, hackle plier, whip finisher, bodkin, and scissors) from Cabelas thinking a kit would be an easy way to start. So far, I am dissapointed with the quality of the set-up. The tools just feel and look flimsy. The worst piece is the hackle plier which is so weak it allows the hackle material to slide out under tension.

Sooner than later I am going to buy some new tools (once the wife forgets about how much I have spent on fly fishing equipment this year). That said, I plan to look into Matarelli tying tools. I have been told they are top quality.

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timmosazz


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For sure get a rotory vice it makes all the diffference. I have a renzeti out of Cabelas and love it kind of pricy but I like it. Hope it is the last one I buy.
Man O man do I miss that shop. It stinks that I have to go to Napa or Sac for fly gear! (Fly fishing unlimited)

-- Edited by timmosazz at 05:54, 2007-11-12

-- Edited by timmosazz at 05:57, 2007-11-12

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WytEurp


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thanks SCM I was looking at the Dr. Slik kit I will look into Matarelli...

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iamamultitasker


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If you want a good, but inexpensive vice, try this one:

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat20431-cat20443-cat20534&id=0011298313694a&navCount=3&podId=0011298&parentId=cat20534&masterpathid=&navAction=push&catalogCode=IH&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat20534&hasJS=true

You can't beat the featurs vs. cost ration and I've had mine for 10 years with no problems whatsoever. 

ct

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SCM


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WytEurp,

One thing I forgot to mention...you will definitely want to get more than one bobbin. You will be changing thread, wire, and tinsel constantly if you only have one bobbin. That said, its easier to have a few bobbins loaded with the materials you use most often, such as olive, black, and brown thread.

For what its worth, here is a link to a site that has a great selection of flies, materials, and tying instructions...it is defintely worth bookmarking if you are just learning to tie like me.

http://members.tripod.com/stevenojai/flybox.htm

-- Edited by SCM at 19:21, 2007-11-12

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timmosazz


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One more fly pattern site you can spend days on.
http://www.danica.com/flytier/patternindex.htm

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