Fly Fishing

kory_k · Location: New York, NY

So I have been fly tying most of my life and started out on a thompson model a vise from a kit that my dad had got when he was a kid. The vise was very basic, but it did the trick and held the hook and I tied hundreds of flies with it. Then in high school I got a griffin vise for christmas one year and was stoked to have something that could hold the hook more reliably and allow me to crank down and tie on a wide range of hook sizes. I got that vise about 20 years ago and actually still have it today (I did break it once but it was replaced under warranty). The vise does the trick and holds the hook and I have tied thousands of flies with it and it has been on trips with me from the Bahamas to BC to Mexico and many other great spots. It does have some limitations though and on small hooks the jaws are big and get in the way and it is not a true rotary vise so I can't wrap chenille, tinsel etc as efficiently and uniformly as I would like. I have debated about getting a new vise for a long time but always tend to spend the money on other gear like rods, reels, waders and boots and the like. But I think it is getting to be the time to get a new vise and I wanted to see what everyone else is tying with and why they like it. I have had many people tell me to get a Dyna King others say Regal vises also Renzetti vises have a good reputation and then a few people have mentioned an obscure vise, the nor vise. I have also heard a little about Peak vises and HMH or maybe I should look at another Griffin since I have been pretty happy with it and just upgrade to the rotary version.
What are any of you guys out there using? Why did you choose it? What do you like and dislike about it?

Matt1515 · Location: Greensboro, NC

I tie almost everyday. Four years ago I bought a Renzetti traveler that I'm sure you know about it. I'm still on my original jaws with no grooves or scarring. I've also found that the standard jaws can hold a 26 midge hook or any salt. I know some say to use one jaw for all hooks can mess them up but that's not the case in my experience for this one. Pretty sure they're under 200 bones too. It has seen a lot of action at the bench and streamside and still looks new.

robcecc · Posted: Mon 01/18/10 10:17 pm Post subject:

a renzetti traveler will get most of your work done. i wanted something stronger and more durable so i went with the dyna baracuda
some day my kids will be tying with that vise

kory_k · Location: New York, NY

Thanks guys, good info! appreciate any and all responses, I like to hear it from guys who use the stuff...thanks again!

robcecc · Posted: Mon 01/18/10 10:46 pm Post subject:

i failed to mention that part of the reason i went to the dyna king was for tying 8/0 to 10/0 hooks
the one problem i had with the renzeti was that i would occasionally tighten the jaws too much and pop the screw, user error