Dyna-King Barracuda v. Renzetti Traveler
- This topic has 30 replies, 1 voice, and was last updated Dec 29, 2022 at 10:07 am by
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I started tying around 1970 on a Herter’s vice. I quit a few years later. A couple of years ago I started back. Decided I needed something newer and so did my wife!! Bought a Dyna-King Barracuda. I had some reservations about the weighted base but it works for me. It will be a while before I get use to the stuff it can do. Really like it.
I hope you’re not offended with a few counterpoints to your points.
(1) – As you mentioned, you are comparing a travel vice to a workhorse. A fairer comparison would be the Traveler to the Dyna King Trekker or a Renz Presentation with cam jaws to the Barracuda.
As for the base, i have no trouble spinning hair with the Renz while using GSP for that matter. If you crank on the thread while pulling down you might not have had a problem either.(2) Get the cam jaw, problem solved. If no cam then just remember the small screw if for adjusting hook size and the large knob is for cranking down on the hook. Quite simple really but still not as easy as cam jaws.
(3) Something must have been out of adjustment on the Renz. On the Presentation you can make it rotate in either direction or use the factory setting that takes advantage of a one-way clutch. I use the rotation feature constantly and after 20-something years of using it have yet to have the rotation lever assembly back out on me. I never crank the center pedestal knob down enough to prevent the head from rotating, I just snub it down enough that it doesn’t rotate too freely.
(4) Some might call that washed out look a patina. On the Presentation vise it truly is. The shaft and such don’t get it as their made from the same material as the Barracuda but the brass will take on a slight dullness over time except where it is handled frequently such as the rotation lever. The knurled knobs do take on a weathered look but only where you rest your hand when tying. As for glue sticking, again not a problem on the Presentation that I can detect.
All-in-all and to be quite frank you were not comparing the same quality or price-point vises. I had to stand up for a very good vise from a very good and inventive company. Again, the Trekker vs. Traveler would have been a much fairer comparison.
I used Regal for years, then Barracuda, now the Renzetti Master.
The Renzetti Master is super smooth. It makes the tyer feel like he is holding the hook with his fingers – like Lee Wulff
If any of you guys are dissatisfied with your vices, I suggest that you put them in a box an ship them to me. It is the way to happiness, now I’m headed to get a Gatorade.
I have been down the exact same road, and I made the switch to the dyna king and I am totally happy with it. I will also add that the vice mentioned above that supposedly put the fit and finish on the dyna king to shame is not even close
Catching up with old threads (I was in hardcore shooting mode last winter…)
As of now, I’ve spent a bunch of time tying on a Herter’s vise (looks to be a knockoff of a Thompson), a Peak (my workhorse for a couple of years), an HMH Spartan (my travel vise), and a Dyna King Barracuda Indexer.
I bought the Dyna King as an upgrade for my Peak.
Dyna king and their “newer” jaws are absolutely no good for smaller flies. I have never had a worse vise for holding 12’s and smaller. It was a joke of a vise. 3 jaws later, still bad. I used to use an older professional, that was a real vise! Jaws actually held all types of hooks and well. My barracuda is nothing more than a paperweight. I love my renzetti presentation. It holds every hook and doesn’t fuss. As for the traveler. It’s ok, not as sturdy as the presentation 4000, but does hold a hook.
I ask you all here, if you have a newer dyna king,( 2018- present), does your vise not hold ? I’ve asked 5 people and all 5 said that they wouldn’t recommend dyna for small hooks. WHAT HAPPENED to the good jaws?
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