Vise fever – I gots it bad

[Abe Mathews]

I’ve been tying on a Peak now for almost two years.  My first vise was cobbled together from the pieces of two different Herter’s vises held to the table with a bar clamp.  The Peak was a breath of fresh air.  I also had a Griffin 2A for a while, but never cared all that much for it.

I don’t tie in “true rotary” fashion much unless I’m winding tinsel on for bodies, but I do use it a lot to check the backside of flies, flip clousers over, etc.  I’ve upgraded the Peak with just about all of the add-ons.  It really has been a solid vise.

But lately, I’ve had a couple of issues.  I have been tying bigger flies for Striper chasing – clousers in 4, 2, 1/0 on Mustad 34007’s.  The 2’s and 1/0’s have a tendency to slip.  I’ve tried hook positioning, and it’s not helping much.  I wonder if I’m asking too much from the standard jaws, so I’ve ordered the saltwater jaws.

But that’s got me thinking.  I seem to tie on opposite ends of the spectrum now.  Either sizes 20 – 16 for tailwater trout or saltwater hooks for stripers and chasing stuff in the surf.  For the smaller flies, the Peak sometimes makes me wish for a bit more room behind the hook.

So I mull.  I’ve wanted a travel vise to take to FL, as the Peak’s got the world’s heaviest base.  I had been thinking about a second Peak or just getting the C-clamp for the one I have, but now I’m wondering if I want to put any more money into this or just go to something different.  A non-rotary (but rotational) vise would probably be just fine for travel.  A big heavy bench vise would be just fine at home.

Then a couple days ago, SWMBO asked me what I’d like for Christmas.  Without thinking much I blurted “Barracuda!”  Something about that design is appealing to me – moreso than the Renzetti.  Big, heavy, and with what looks like a good bit of room behind the hook.

Is this stupid?  I’m a mediocre tier at best.  Should I just stick with the Peak and work around my perceived deficiencies?  Or buy a “no compromise” vise that may last me until no longer want to tie?  Anyone have a ‘cuda that’s being used at the far ends of the spectrum?  

Thanks for listening to my neuroses…
Abe

[dusty montgomery]

Abe,
I have tied on a Peak for a couple of years now, and I have no reason to change it now. You could always get another set of jaws and/or the “c” clamp. Why dump the cash on a new one? Especially for a Renzetti? It seems that w/ Renzettis, folks either hate them or love them, no gray on that issue.

My $0.02, just get add-ons for what you already have.
Dusty

[scott p]

If you end up with a barracuda, you’ll never look for another vise again.

[Neal Osborn]

Abe –

I have the barracuda junior trekker and it is a great vise.  Same as the barracuda minus the fancy knobs.  As you know from our previous discussions, I have tied big Slamma Jammas on 4/0 hooks without problems.  Also, I have been very impressed with Dyna-King overall and their customer service is great.  You can call them with any questions and they will answer spot on.  I recommend buying a second “midge” vise grip for tying the small stuff – I am constantly swapping the regular jaws for midge jaws when my hook needs change.  I recommend the barracuda or barracuda junior without reservations.

[Abe Mathews]

The current update is that I got the saltwater jaws for the Peak, and they don’t work.

[Rob Snowhite]

i now tie with a regal, the hook NEVER moves-whether a size 20 or 2/0

i’ve tied with griffin and renzetti and have settled on the regal c-clamp

i’d rather sacrifice bells and whistles like rotary and bobbin holder for stability. it is also quite simple with fewer parts to go wrong, break, get damaged etc.

[Carter Simcoe]

It seems that w/ Renzettis, folks either hate them or have never used anything else.

Fixed.

I’m using a Barracuda right now and it’s a really nice vice.

[Mike L.]

It seems that w/ Renzettis, folks either hate them or have never used anything else.

Fixed.

Amen Carter, Amen.

[dusty montgomery]

don’t get me wrong…I would tie on one if it were given to me, but they are a bit too proud of their product for me. I’ll stick w/ my $150 Peak and be fine. Rotary, bobbin holder and a solid platform…what else do you need?
D.

[Abe Mathews]

The ability to hold hooks larger than a size 4?

[Abe Mathews]

Another week, another update.

It looks like I’m done with my Peak.

I’ve now tried 2 sets of the saltwater jaws.

[Abe Mathews]

OK, you’ve got to be nuts to reply to your own thread three times, but a new update from today.

The company I bought the vise from originally, as well as the new jaws, contacted Peak and has worked out a deal where I’ll ship them my vise back (Kurt @ Peak wants to see what’s wrong with it), and Peak will ship me a new vise that’s been tested with both standard and saltwater jaws.

I’m hopeful, but we’ll see how this goes.

[mark s]

Abe,

That’s very odd, because my Peak has no problems holding 2/0 saltwater hooks.

[spencer ballard]

http://www.flyanglersonline.com/bb/showthread.php?t=24236, this seems like a good deal and I have purchased stuff from this guy before…

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