Want to bye a new vise

[tomfly]

I have been using my Thompson A for long time now. I still am very fond of the vise. I am looking to upgrade. I am interested in the Thompson Cobra. Before I make the purchase I would like to know if anyone uses or has used the vise? Any feed back would help.

 

[Trout Fever]

cant say i have that one i went from thomson AA to a Renzetti travler fantasic rotary vise bought it from cabelas $195

 

[flytire]

unless its a used vise i dont think the cobra is made anymore. i would advise a different vise

 

[tomfly]

unless its a used vise i dont think the cobra is made anymore. i would advise a different vise

it is still listed on thompsons website

 

[Lloyd]

Tom I'm not sure if you have your heart set on the cobra but at the next RRTU tying night your more than welcome to check out my Regal , and I'm sure you would be welcome to check out everyone elses vises, and they're opinions.

 

[tomk6251]

Tom - I have a Peak and am very happy with it. Your more than welcome to try it out at our next fly tying night, as Lloyd said. Tom

PS: of course, anything you tye is mine! :rofl:

 

[Andy B]

Hi Tom:

Let me add a bit here to your dilemma. I tyed on a thompson Pro II vise that had a base. I origionally had the Thompson Model A that was a clamp style. The issue I had was I could not use it all the time due to limitations by the clamp. This became an issue on fly fishing trips, camping and various hotels. So my wife surprised me with the Thompson Pro II vise with a base. I loved it and tyed on it a long time. So my tying was changing, Bass flies, some saltwater and then started thinking about Salmon flies. My vise due to my tying needs became outdated. I wanted a new vise that I felt would handle it all. So I bought a thompson 360 and was truly disapointed. Hook holding sucked and had to always make adjustments. So after learning the hard way I went out and tried various vises. I landed with Renzetti. Tyed on that company until recent issues. I have sold my Renzetti Master and soon my Renzetti Presentation 4000 with the cam jaws and saltwater base. I now have two Regal Medallion vises that has the bronze base with pockets. Both of the vises have the Stainless steel jaws and the vise that is used for home I bought the large big game jaws and stem that is for my salt water and Salmon flies. I am truly happy with the quality and ease of use. Simple is truly better and this vise stands true to that statement. Now, I am not telling you to go out and by a Regal. What I am telling you is you need to go see a few vises like HMH, Dynaking, Renzetti & Regal. The reason I tell you this is because you have to try the vise and see how you feel meaning does the vise give you plenty of room for your hands to work or do you feel crowded in. The vises I listed all have really good hook holding power with some with no adjustments at all to others just one adjustment for the size of hook you are working for then it becomes a set it and foget it until you change hook size again. Now I owned a true rotary vise and never used the feature. After playing with Regal I like the fact that I can still turn and see the fly more for cosmetic purposes and last to tye material in on the other side once in awhile. Again, you need to decide what do you really want or would like to maybe try. Lastly and it is important on two aspects. If your buying a base type vise then you want to make sure the base is heavy enough so the base does not move while your tying. This is important on much larger size flies. Lastly the looks still means alot to me. When all the mechanical aspects of the vise has been met and passed my needs the looks do play an important aspect. You have to look at this animal everyday in your house. You surely don't want to look at something that you feel looks to brassy or dumb looking or looks cheaply built. Hope this helped a bit.

Sincerely
Andy Brasko

 

[the river fox]

DYANA KING.....DYANA KING....DYANA KING.....There is no question.....IF YOU TYE.....you NEED A DYANA KING.......DYANA KING

 

[Joe D]

I've had several vises over the years and currently use a Renzetti and a Peak. I have a Thompson 360 that I bought decades ago that still sometimes ends up in my travel bag. Since last year, the Peak rotary model has been the vise I tie on most often and think it's a great value. If you tie a lot, buy the best one you can afford and don't look back.

 

[the river fox]

DYANA KING....JUST LOOK AT IT........Most of the gay men on this site will not agree......why......you will not have to talk to them again

 

[tomk6251]

You surely don't want to look at something that you feel looks to brassy

HEY! Keep my brassy looking Peak vice out of it. I'm bringing it to Shannon's later, and just for that, I'm gonna sit right next to ya.
:rofl:

 

[Trout Fever]

Andy what happened with your renzettis that made you get rid of them?

 

[tomfly]

DYANA KING.....DYANA KING....DYANA KING.....There is no question.....IF YOU TYE.....you NEED A DYANA KING.......DYANA KING

$400 is not in my budget. I think I can get a quality vise fo half that price.

 

[Broadheadscreek]

Hi tomfly, As has been stated prior in this post get out and try the different vises. Check out the ones in your price range tye a fly on it and go from there ,its all a person preference. For me I have tied on a double A , Griffin , Renzetti, Regal and Peak .. My final choice was Peak as it provided a full rotary function, fantastic hook holding power along with plenty of room to work with multiple materials on hook with out them getting in the way and there are no springs or rubber O rings to replace or repair...It is the best vise at it's price point and is a true work horse that will not let you down. If you have any doubts take a look at the reviews ... Not to mention it is made in the USA...

 

[tomfly]

Thanks guys for all you suggestions. A vise is like a car. I agree you need to test drive it. I know you can not go wrong with names like Renzetti, Regal or Thompson. They have been making vises forever and a day. It is just the matter of deciding on the one will fill my needs and budget.

 

[Johnny Utah]

As far as a budget goes, you cant beat a good pair of forceps!

 

[Lonewolve]

for what its worth : I learned to tye on a Mentor's/Friend's older Thompson Model A and when i had tiedon that vice for about 4 years, i went out an bought a Thompson 360 wanting to try the rotary thing, by that time i was tying for four shops an figured it would also give me a lil more ease of palmering or wrapping ribs or hackle,well i found out that it was not a " True Rotary".Also i had to change the jaws whenver i wanted to tie different size flies, In the Lehigh valley most flies are size #16 and under, if you fish smallmouth you can be anywhere from 1/0 to #10 hooks. Then i started guiding some folks when i got hurt at work an was unable to return to work right away. I made quite a few great friendships an clients.One client saw my steelhead boxes analso a full dress fly i had tied an asked if i also sell flies.i said yes i do sell flies.
I asked him if was looking for some custom tied flies an he said yes , also he wanted a full dress like the one in my box and if i was willing to tie hime one. I replied yes, but that there were two kinds of full dress, those tied with the true ingredients and also the ones tied with substitutes or subs that also look an fish great.
He then told me he wanted them in a shadow box/frame with a picture of him an a relative holding fish from a Salmon trip where they had each hooked an landed a Nice Atlantic at the same time. I agreed to tie them , he paid me upfront, i went to A A Outfitters in White Haven , i had known Bob Sentiwany for a few years an also tied for him. I asked him to show me a Renzetti traveler i had explained what i tied on before an some of the issues i was having when i tied in production mode. Instead of the Taveler he brought out the "Master" he gave me some hooks an showed me first how its jaws were adjusted then let me fool around with it an tie a couple dozen flies with it. I was wowed. I told him i would be back that i wanted a week to sit an think on it.
On the drive home it was a no brainer, i sold my Thompson in two days, an then went back up and its been the Master vise. this was before Renzetti brought out the traveler an the other models with the similiar cam operated jaws the Master has had all along.One thing the Master ties it all an does it in spades. from 10/0 down to 32's one jaw, oh an if yer a midge guy they make a midge jaw which is nothing more that the regular jaw thats been had a 1/4 round machined out.
Renzetti also has a lot of different attachments to do different things also, such as extended bodies, parachute gallows, backplate, Ausable Speed Crank to name a few.
For me its Renzetti.
Regal has had issues, their jaws have been known to crack or have metal crumble off, this happened after the company was sold a few years ago, i know this personally because several friends are or were die hard regal fans. They have had regal vices for over 17 + years. They sent thier vices back in to have new jaws installed an in every case they cracked or crumbled, i do know they the stainless an havent had an issue so far.. this is a total of 4 guys that tie verything from steelhead to midges as well as a few saltwater flies.
It comes down to this if I may impart a lil wisdom here: Tools say alot about a man, a vice is a tool.
Buy the best you can get , when you do you will only have to buy it once.Chince an you will pay far more than if you just bought the best.Consider what you will tie the most figure out what sizes they vice handles the most, figure out if having a true rotary vice is something you need or just a novelty that you will spending extra money for nothing.
If i could steer you : Renzetti Traveller cam operated ties most sizes except large Saltwater/Salmon hooks ,it ties #28 to #4/0. The company that put the rotary in rotary and set the bar, also great customer service.
The other vice if you prefer stationary i highly encourage you to seriously consider: the HMH Spartan, HMH has had a solid reputation from day one great customer service. the Spartan ties with several different sized jaws which are easily adjusted an installed.
pay little get little , educate yourself an spend good money an get a tool tat will serve you very well with no regrets.
Tight Wraps & Tight Lines
Rick Wallace

 

[Johnny Utah]

I am not looking nor do i want to get into a vise debate. A vise is total tier preference. All stated above about testing out before you buy is the best thing to do.

Why is it that its always renzetti guys who speak ill of regal? Any time you hear ill of regal, ask what that person ties on.... Renzetti.

I use regal. Started out on a griffin superior model a(great vice with great jaws, never had an issue) , upgraded to a Regal medallion with midge jaws(now my travel vise) and now I tie on a Regal revolution with standard jaws(my bench vise)

I just love the shear simplicity of regal. Bulldog all the way!

 

[CTobias]

Anvil Atlas

 

[lightenup]

I am not looking nor do i want to get into a vise debate. A vise is total tier preference. All stated above about testing out before you buy is the best thing to do.

Why is it that its always renzetti guys who speak ill of regal? Any time you hear ill of regal, ask what that person ties on.... Renzetti.

I use regal. Started out on a griffin superior model a(great vice with great jaws, never had an issue) , upgraded to a Regal medallion with midge jaws(now my travel vise) and now I tie on a Regal revolution with standard jaws(my bench vise)

I just love the shear simplicity of regal. Bulldog all the way!

I vote Regal as well.....JU is right, the simplicity of the thing is a great asset...no messing around, just right, for me anyway....