Thompson Going Out Of Bussiness

[Andy B]

Well, it has been reported to me via the store I use to work at and also has been talked about by others and I on FAOL that the Thompson vise company is to go out of bussiness. LadyFisher on FAOL told me that Thompsons new vise the Cobra was one of the lines that placed them in trouble. When I know more and the truth I will report back. I am just a little sad to hear this, because it was the Thompson model A and then a few years later the Pro II vise that I learned to tye on. Also Thompson was a vise I reccomended for the begining tyer as well. I can see how they went into the tank, but I do not feel the Cobra vise was the cause. Before I learned a lesson about vise buying I upgraded to the Thompson 360 SLT. Felt because it was a Thompson and I had two others that I tied on, it had to be just as good not to mention that it had a nice appearance too. The problem was that it did not hold hooks as well as the Thompan A And Pro II vise lines. It also needed adjustments every now and then on the neck to head region. Because of these two issues this vise became a drag. Keep in mind that the SLT 360 was newly revamped, Also keep in mind that Thompson tried to compete in the Rotary vise line and the vise they came out with called the vision vise was a bust. I look back at Thompson and look at the old line and seen nothing but a vise that was and is a work horse. I just don't understand how a good product and company went bust. So because of the Thompson SLT 360 vise lesson that I received I went shopping and investigating vises for three solid months. Tried them all and found two that I liked. I went with Renzetti, now you know the rest of the story. I can not preach it enough, try before you buy. If you do not know what to look for in a vise when buying, please ask and I will be more than happy to help.

Andy B

 

[RW]

Andy, RW here,

I have had the Thompson Model A I am presently tying on for 40 years. Darn shame to hear that. One of the best vises ever made, and even though all the new spiffy rotaries have come out in the last two decades, the Model A has probably had more flies tied on it by professionals and amatuers alike than all the other vises put together. Old vises and fly tiers never die...they just fade away...........

Gonna get a back-up from one of the fly tying mail order houses that still have em in stock....just in case I live another 20 years..lol

Later, RW

 

[willowhead]

RW, i've got a Renzetti Traveler, (three of them actually) that is for sale. I recently got the cam model in a silent auction at the FFF I.C. in Idaho Falls, back in Aug., so i'm selling one of my old ones. Comes with two stems, short and long, Pedastal base, and clamp, bobbin craddle, and materials holder. $100. Let me know. I'll bring it with me to Danbury. mark

 

[willowhead]

I think it was a Thompson i first bought for my wife. Came in a kit from Cabelas. Ended up giving it away to a friend who was just starting out in tying a few years later, and after i had bought my wife a Renzetti Traveler. She used that for a few years and them she got us the free Arcadias from the Japanese vise company, and now that's her main vise with the Renzetti as a back up. By the way, has anyone been to the new Cabelas store in Hamburg, P.A. yet??????? I've GOT to get out there SOON(er) as in IMMEDIATELY if NOT. Isn't Hamburg somewhere along I-80? mark