starting to tie

[kindanewbie77]

I have never tied before, and I am looking to make my foray into that realm of our sport(don't worry I won't tell you guys where I am going to do it:rofl::rofl::rofl . Just looking for a recommendation for a decent, and relatively inexpensive vice...thanks in advance!

 

[Bamboozle]

Your head is going to explode with all of the suggestions and choices.

First of all, decide how much you want to spend.

Second, do your damndest to get to Somerset this weekend and talk to the folks tying there and look at a few options like rotary versus stationary.

Then start your due diligence.

There are all kinds of vises out there at all price points and they ALL work great for those that choose them. So before you drop the cash, narrow things down a bit.

You'll be glad you did!

 

[PRomano]

I am currently using a Thompson model A vise that I purchased nearly 30 years ago. At times, I wish for smaller jaws to tie smaller flies in the size 14 and smaller range, but other than that I have no issues with it.

I recently had the oportunity to try a Renzetti Traveler vise and loved it!
I like the smaller jaws and the bobbin cradel. The rotary function can be usefull also. If you have the money, get the Renzetti otherwise the Thompson should do fine.

Welcome to the the fly tying club. I think you'll find it very rewarding. Now you will be able to make what ever flies you need, when ever you need them. Years ago I used to camp on the banks of the East Branch of the Big D. I would bring my entire fly tying kit with me and tie flies right on the stream bank. Other campers (non fisherman) would gather around and watch me tie. Once they saw me catch trout with them they would totaly freak!

 

[klg neighbor]

I have never tied before, and I am looking to make my foray into that realm of our sport(don't worry I won't tell you guys where I am going to do it:rofl::rofl::rofl . Just looking for a recommendation for a decent, and relatively inexpensive vice...thanks in advance!

:rofl::rofl:

 

[AKSkim]

I can't tell you the name of them, where to find them, or even which state you find them....

 

[Pete]

I am currently using a Thompson model A vise that I purchased nearly 30 years ago. At times, I wish for smaller jaws to tie smaller flies in the size 14 and smaller range.......

My Model A is even older than yours... A few years after I got it, they started offering "Midge" jaws and "Super" jaws for hooks that the original didn't handle well. I got the midge jaws.

The current model A is a little different than ours, so you might want to inquire about interchangeability with the modern jaw sets.
dhthompson.com - accessories

 

[BRK TRT]

If you want a vise that will last your life, and tie flies in a wide range of sizes, then you will not go wrong with a Regal.

 

[BIGBOW]

I have never tied before, and I am looking to make my foray into that realm of our sport(don't worry I won't tell you guys where I am going to do it:rofl::rofl::rofl . Just looking for a recommendation for a decent, and relatively inexpensive vice...thanks in advance!

Id second the trip to the fly show.. its hard to beat some of the deals going on there, but id walk around and compare before settling. My first vise was cheap from Cabela's, but I cant begin to tell you how many flies came out just fine with that whole setup. Its not a bad idea to start off cheaper to see how much time you'll really put into it. Some people piss away a small fortune and barely sit at the table. Good luck.

 

[Burtbords149]

I've been using a Dan-Vise for quite some time and it gets the job done just fine. I tie flies from 4/0 saltwater flies to size 22 midges.

I would get something simple and inexpensive to see if you like it at first, there are many kits available online that give you a decent vise and some good starting materials.

Once you begin to tie, make sure you fish your flies as often as you can, it makes for a very rewarding experience.

Good luck.

 

[Mstash]

Not to mention how much $ your going to save on tying your own.:rofl:
All that savings + a whole lot more goes to buying more material.Some that will sit in a box for years and you'll never use. When I started in 81 I spent $100.00 to get started and. Now I have boxes on top of boxes of materials.Trout,Bass.Salt,

Welcome to the addiction
Mstash

 

[frogge]

Hey,
Most of the people here are going to recommend getting a good vise up front. That's because they are all actively tieing. The people who bought fairly expensive vices and no longer tie are not going to post. That said I'd recommend getting a good vice with rotary capabilities. The precise model is a matter of taste. I have a Peak and it cost I think about $150. Its all I need. I have a copy of a Thomson A that I started with and it is totally adequate, but not as "fun". Certainly an option would be to borrow someones spare vice and tie and then get a better one once you know both what you like and how much you will be tying. If you want, PM me and I'd be happy to loan you my cheap vice if you pay the shipping.
Toodles,Frogge.

 

[JeffK]

I tied with a cheap copy of the Thompson A vise for 30 years until I was replacing the bolt that held it together too many times.

Got a HMH Spartan (the pedestal one in AK's post). While it is a better vise, it is not a life altering experience. The vise just holds the hook and most of the tying is the tier. However, if the vise is breaking or the hook comes loose it is miserable. BTW, I really like the pedestal base better. When I had the clamp base I found myself on too many tables where the molding made it hard to get the clamp on.

 

[klg neighbor]

I tied with a cheap copy of the Thompson A vise for 30 years until I was replacing the bolt that held it together too many times.

Got a HMH Spartan (the pedestal one in AK's post). While it is a better vise, it is not a life altering experience. The vise just holds the hook and most of the tying is the tier. However, if the vise is breaking or the hook comes loose it is miserable. BTW, I really like the pedestal base better. When I had the clamp base I found myself on too many tables where the molding made it hard to get the clamp on.

Ditto here on the pedestal base. The clamp on base also brought the vise too close and I had to sit further back from the table. For me, that was uncomfortable.

I like the HMH - a recommendation from Matt G. However, you can start out with a cheaper vise until you find out how much you'll be tying. If you're tying a lot and can afford it, you'll buy a second and use the first one as a backup, or for traveling, or to use as you teach someone else how to tie.

 

[smittin]

I just got the Griffen Spider Vise and it works good at a good price. I wasn't sure how much I would use the rotory feature but I use it all the time for rotory tying and to check the profile of the fly ect. Some of the part's seem a little on the weak side and I might upgrade one day but I am very pleased with the vise and more pleased with the price. I also had been shopping around since july so the thought process on which vise to get was well thought out and the spider is what I ended up with. I even started a nice post on it back in july.

 

[irish1]

I got one of those kits that have the basic (cheap) tools, materials and instructions. I upgraded the vise to a 'No-Name' Regal knock-offs on e-bay. It came with both a pedistal and clamp. I use the clamp and even with the strongest thread pressure I can apply I haven't had a hook slip yet (hooks breaking is another matter). This was about three years ago and I haven't had any problems with the vice yet.

 

[kindanewbie77]

Well I have got my wife on board, and that is a good thing...i also have a nicely lit area picked out in my shop to set up a desk....and Irish, I think yo may have hit it on the head....I have been doing a lot of poking around on eBay, and I was going to go the route you suggested, even before you suggested it.....upgrades will come down the road as needed, my b-day and fathers day aren't too far off! Thanks to everyone for all their input, I appreciate it! Oh yeah KLG, still not gonna tell you where I am doing it!

 

[Green Highlander]

Newbie,

If you buy cheap, you will but twice. I've tried most vises at my local fly shop and nothing...let me repeat that again...NOTHING on the market rivals Dyna King. I have a Barracuda, but they have other more modest versions as well.

Emmett

 

[kindanewbie77]

GH...those are some fancy vises....WAAAYYY out of my unemployed price range.....not happening for some time, but thanks for your input!

 

[Andy B]

Hi Green Highlander:

Yes you have a great vise but My Renzetti Master is one cut above and looks a whole lot nicer.

 

[theartoflee]

Renzetti in my opinion are over priced, I have a traveler and have put quite a few flies through it from midges to articulated streamers to monster bunker flies with health share of tubes also. It works, but then again so would your hands if you didnt have a vise. Your paying big bucks for a fancy name and marking. Just because a vise is called a master series doesnt make it the master or rotary vises.

The HMH vises are in my opinion an exceptional value.. I just got their spinner vise for Christmas and love it. I have put a hundred tubes though it so far and havent had a problem yet. They have some very nice in expensive rotary models also.

GH-Doesnt Jack S also have a barracuda?

 

[NJpatbee]

Ordered my HMH Spartan along with the micro-jaws today. My Thompson A is officially broken after I broke the handle trying to remove the permanent pin that holds it on - I had midge jaws that I purchased many years ago and thought I could just..... Well, I got over 30 years out of it.

I have a separate inexpensive midge vise that simply could not hold the hooks any longer as I tried tying some fluttering caddis sizes 20-22.

Fortunately I have a back up vise that I bought in 1973 that will suffice for sizes 12-18 until the new one arrives.

 

[Pete]

Ordered my HMH Spartan along with the micro-jaws today. My Thompson A is officially broken after I broke the handle trying to remove the permanent pin that holds it on - I had midge jaws that I purchased many years ago and thought I could just..... Well, I got over 30 years out of it.

I have a separate inexpensive midge vise that simply could not hold the hooks any longer as I tried tying some fluttering caddis sizes 20-22.

Fortunately I have a back up vise that I bought in 1973 that will suffice for sizes 12-18 until the new one arrives.

It's been a long time, but I think I drilled out the permanent pin, when I got the midge jaws.

Years later, when the removable pin broke, Thompson replaced it free.

If you want to resurrect it as a spare, check their website for contact/warranty info.

http://www.dhthompson.com/index.php
http://www.dhthompson.com/gaurantee.php

The warranty page states that the vice should be returned, but in my case the shipping cost (both ways) exceeded the cost of the part by quite a bit. They just sent me the part based on an e-mail I sent to them at the address on their contact page http://www.dhthompson.com/contact.php

 

[kindanewbie77]

So after reading the more posts, it seems like you guys are fans of thompsons....I am currently watching a few on eBay, they seem to be simple, and solidly built, and no frills. In the collective opinioni, are they decent vises for a newbie?

 

[Pete]

I don't want to mislead you. I use a Thompson model A, because it's the one I learned on.

It was considered "standard" in the 1960s. Other vices could be reviewed as better or worse, and everyone would know what you meant.

By today's standards it's probably pretty primitive.

 

[Broadheadscreek]

Thompson vises are true work horses not the nicest looking vise but very comfortable to tye on and I have tyed down to a 32 on mine with out to much of a problem I have my original and it is almost 34 yrs old and works just as well as the day I bought it. Last year I bought a Griffin and am very happy with it. It took a while to get use to tying on it . Renzetti and Able
vises are very nice looking vises and are works of art I just can't justify spending $500-$800 on a vise.

So after reading the more posts, it seems like you guys are fans of thompsons....I am currently watching a few on eBay, they seem to be simple, and solidly built, and no frills. In the collective opinioni, are they decent vises for a newbie?

 

[Fly Guy]

I prefer a rotary vise. I use the Renzetti Traveler. I like spining it to apply glue and look at it. I started on a Renzetti standard vise. They work fine, but it's personal preference. I want a HMH Spartan with midge vise for the little stuff. Check them out, they can work as a rotary too.

Jeremy

 

[kindanewbie77]

thanks guys....Pete you weren't misleading at all, I was just curious as to the groups thoughts on the vise for a first time tier....the ones listed on eBay are reasonably priced and my budget does not include 200 dollar vises. I think I can swing an older thompson aa, and a newer knock off rotary with a material kit for under 200....that will keep my wife happy for sure!

 

[Pete]

thanks guys....Pete you weren't misleading at all, I was just curious as to the groups thoughts on the vise for a first time tier....the ones listed on eBay are reasonably priced and my budget does not include 200 dollar vises. I think I can swing an older thompson aa, and a newer knock off rotary with a material kit for under 200....that will keep my wife happy for sure!

AA ?
Be careful, the AA (or Double A), was a knock-off of the Thompson A. When it first came out, reviewers criticized it for having the steel on the jaws too hard to get a good grip on the hook. (My brother had one, and didn't have any problems).... Just make sure that it really is a Thompson.

If you get a AA, it should be considerably lower in price. I think they're less than $15 new.

Yes, like Broadheadscreek said, the Thompson model A is a good workhorse. I never felt the need to upgrade...... I just didn't want you to get the impression that it was a modern "state of the art" tool.

 

[kindanewbie77]

They are in fact model A's, there are quite a few of them on there, one as close as Denville....there is no denying that they are not "state of the art" but as I said, I am going to be very new to this, and if I can get two vises and stay within budget, I am going to try to do it! Again thanks for your input!

 

[NJpatbee]

So after reading the more posts, it seems like you guys are fans of thompsons....I am currently watching a few on eBay, they seem to be simple, and solidly built, and no frills. In the collective opinioni, are they decent vises for a newbie?

The Thompson A is a good vise and if you do choose one, make certain it has interchangeable jaws. I tied for over 30 years with mine, with assistance from a separate midge vise because the jaws on the old Thompson A were not meant to be changed. After 35 years of tying I did treat myself to the HMH Spartan, which is of a finer quality.

But remember, I broke the handle on my Thompson A through abuse.

Pete - I did contact Thompson regarding purchasing a new handle.