Best Vise?

[scott bullinger]

Mike,

So is the HMH Spartan what you use or is it just one of many you have?

[Mike L.]

It is my main vise.   The only vise I would trade it for would be an HMH Standard, which is basically the same vise with a couple added bells and whistles.  

I started on a Traveller and it was fine until I tried other vises.  Since then I have tied on a Regal and Dynaking Barracuda (both loaners) before I decided on the HMH after tieing on one and loving it.

What I like about the HMH vises is that they are all metal, sturdy and well made.  The jaws easily swap out to accomodate smaller midge hooks or larger saltwater hooks with no slipping, something that universal jaws cant do.  While not a true rotary, the jaws still rotate 360 degrees.  And, my absolute favorite feature, the angle of the jaws can be easily moved up or down.  This is huge and very helpful in tying many fly patterns.  *Edit* It can also take a tube fly converter making an inline, rotary tube vise.

Your mileage may vary.

[scott bullinger]

I’ll be honest regarding my use of the “rotary” on the renzetti,…I don’t use it for it’s intended purpose.

[john michael white]

I have a Dyna King Barracuda Jr. with C clamp base.

[nemoblackdog]

Frankly, no one makes anything that would resemble my ideal vise.

I like the sturdiness and hand access afforded by a simple design like the HMH Spartan.  It’s great to rest the palm of my left (material) hand on the vice while doing fine detailed manipulations with my fingers.  I especially like it adjusted to a steeper-than-45-degree angle – I find that most comfortable of all.

That said, I also like and use the “true” (in-line) rotary functions found on Renzetti-style vises.  But on those vises, hand access stinks.  Oh – and it’s not because I’ve not put enough time into adapting.  My main vise *is* a Renzetti Traveler.

So, what I want is a true-rotary vise with the solidity and hand-clearance room / angles found in the better “non-true” rotaries.  The “V” would be quite large and deep – 2-3x deeper than anything I’ve seen out there.

As far as I can tell, nobody does this.  Obviously, it’s possible, but I suspect it’d be relatively expensive because to combine those two characteristics, you’d need to machine some pretty stout parts so things aren’t too wobbly.

[bill hall]

renzetti what crap ,have to use a rubber band for it to work not enough room for tailling i have a dyna king thats 20yrs old thats 10 times better than a renny i don’t understand the renny hype . ihave no need for a rotary vice.

[bill hall]

I’m with Andrew on this one. I can’t figure out the Renzetti haters.

I’ve had a Renzetti for a loooong time with no issues. Am I missing something as well? I’ll buy another brand tomorrow if it will improve my skills.  😉

first buy yourself a good vice, get a copy of production fly tying by ak best . next tye everyday your skills will improve 10 fold

[chris del plato]

Zach et al,

Firstly, Hi all.

[chris c. crane]

I haven’t seen it mentioned yet, but I have been very happy with the no frills Dyna-King Squire.  I’ve tied everything from #24 midges to 2/0 3/0 bass and pike flies.  I have yet to have a hook wiggle free.

Good luck.  Buying new gear should be fun.

[clark reid]

renzetti what crap ,have to use a rubber band for it to work not enough room for tailling i have a dyna king thats 20yrs old thats 10 times better than a renny i don’t understand the renny hype . ihave no need for a rotary vice.

Well Bill you don’t hold back ;D

but to say they’re crap is a bit OTT in my opinion. As a commercial tier of 30 plus years experience I rate my traveller as among the best vices I have tied with. I have full need for rotary, but didn’t know it until I had it.

I absolutely rate them. Having said that the Dyna Kings are nice Vices, I still love my old Regal (For freshwater patterns) and ultimately it’s about horses for courses.

I’d recommend to anyone, before committing to a new vice to try and get together with a Tying club or the like and tie on a variety and then buy the one you like. As this whole thread indicates , once narrowed down to the premium products it becomes what your personally favor.

You can judge a man by the size of things which annoy him.

[Morsie]

I have a Dyna king Aristocrat, I’ve had it for so long I don’t even know if they make them anymore. I can go from a 10/0 Gamakatsu SL12 to a size 12 hook with almost no adjustment and a gorilla could swing off the 10/0 without it moving. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

Morsie

[regan c. kenyon jr.]

Has anyone tried or does anyone use the Anvil Atlas?  That thing looks like it would survive Shock and Awe.  Also seems like it provides lots of access and a place to rest your hand like the HMH vises.

http://www.anvilusa.com/The_Atlas_Vise.htm

[greg mitchell]

Has anyone tried or does anyone use the Anvil Atlas?  That thing looks like it would survive Shock and Awe.  Also seems like it provides lots of access and a place to rest your hand like the HMH vises.
http://www.anvilusa.com/The_Atlas_Vise.htm

I don’t have an atlas. But I do own the other vise that anvil makes – the apex. It is a fine vise. I own several vises but it is probably currently my favorite even over a couple that cost much more. I think the atlas shares the same general build and jaws as the anvil. But the atlas is true rotary whereas mine is not. I would bet it is a very fine vise.

Greg

[Abe Mathews]

Just curious about this.

[wayne patton]

Yea I was reading the thread to see what Zach decided on . . . . Zach ???

[Joel Thompson]

I have to put in one more plug for the Nor Vise. I don’t alot and by no means am I a good tier but I really feel like this vise has helped me become better. I am sure you have seen it at the shows you go to Zach but if the rest of you have not seen this vise you need to check out the videos on Youtube. Here is just one of them.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhWCvMvg1_0

Joel

[jarrod white]

I tried the NorVise out when I was in the market for a new vise. I think it is an incredible vise, well built, and well designed. I tried to convince myself that it was the one for me, and if you watch somebody who ties on one, it is the most incredible thing I have ever seen. I found the problem for me was , if you have been tying for many years on a standard type of vise, its like starting over. I just could not get used to it. I will definitely say that is a amazing piece of equipment.

[Mike McKeown]

I watched the vids, it looks great, but I dont think I could get used to just spinning the materials on, and thats not all that flytying is about…

[Joel Thompson]

I watched the vids, it looks great, but I dont think I could get used to just spinning the materials on, and thats not all that flytying is about…

I disagree with that Mike. Look at all of the tools, gadgets, and materials that have been invented in the past 20 years that make the art of tying easier. That is simply what Norve has done with this vise. The techniques that he has come up with to tie in different types of material like dubbing and hackle simply make it a better stronger fly. The art is still there as well as the learning curve that is involved with using the vise for the first time. I simply think it opens more creative doors.

Just my opinion though and I am one of the worlds worst tiers. :-/

Joel

[Mike McKeown]

Admittedly, I have only seen the videos, so I cannot make a justified comment, moose you are very, quite correct… it has come a long way and I am always open to new and improved, but also still like the old and inferior.

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