I am in the market to purchase a good rotating vise to tie size 20 trout flies and to tie some sweet clousers in the marsh. I have looked at renzetti, peak, and griffin vises. I really like the montana mongoose version from griffin, but I want to buy this baby one time. even though I will be new to tieing, I want to have something that is not a piece of @#@# and I could sell later if needed.
Anybody have any suggestions? FYI-I am not against buying a used one either if anybody has anything for sale.
The big three to look at would be Renzetti, Regal, or Makenzi…
since you want rotary, Regal is out… I would get the Renzetti traveler… if you primarily tie freshwater get the standard… if you tie more larger patterns, or saltwater stuff get the saltwater version…
you can also get different jaws if you need to get specific…
I tie on a renzetti… and there are some other good manufacturers out there… but in 8 years of selling vises these three are the best.
Griffin and alot of the other companies out there are ok, but they can’t match the quality of the three I listed. Like you said… Buy it once and never worry about it again…
Dyna-King Barracuda is another vise worth looking at. If you want to try a rotary without spending a lot, look at the Danvise. Cabelas has them. It’s a surprisingly usable vise.
Hook holding is most important. I’ve never liked the Renzetti or any of the others that have the same/similar vise jaws. They slip more when compared to others. I tie on a Dyna-King. The jaws are grooved and can’t slip. The Danvise has similar jaws as Renzetti but, the lever arm is a lot longer and can apply much more pressure on the hook with less effort. The only thing i have heard people say negative about the Danvise is that it isn’t metal. My list is Dyna-King then Danvise. I think people give Renzetti extra credit for being so pretty. But, they seem to do that with most fly fishing things.
Renzetti is pretty… but I have no problem with slipping hooks… and I’ve tied just about anything known to man… maybe you should ease up a bit on the thread… or man up when your mounting your hook…
I tie on a Traveller and it is a great vise. I have tied trout flies to #16 and salt flies to 3/0 with no problem. You do not need different jaws, but you can if you like adjust the jaws that come with the Traveller. There is a way to move them back and forward slightly to help hold the smaller and larger flies. I have never moved my jaws and have had no problem with them holding any hook. I do have the cam style, not the screw type closure on the jaws.
Good luck with the new addiction.
If you are new, do yourself a favor and take a couple of intro classes or get with someone that you know to be a good tier. It will save you some serious pains later. Take it from someone that did not do this and has suffered occasionally becaue of it.
Far better it is to dare mighty things to win glorious triumphs even though checkered with failure, than to take ranks with those poor spirits who never enjoy much nor suffer much because they live in the grey twilight that knows not victory nor defeat.
I agree that the two to look at first is Renzetti or DynaKing. I use my Renzetti Master most of the time but also have a Renzetti traveler with the clouser jaw arrangement (straight) which is good for long flies. I picked up a Norvise a few years ago cheap but don’t hardly use it. Your idea of going for quality in a vise from the start is good.
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good info for sure…I have been recommended the renzetti by two seasoned tiers as well for its quality and longevity. During my searches I found this griffin mongoose…Does anybody have anything to say about this one…pro’s cons?
Go with Renzetti or DynaKing, neither will need to be replaced.
Cons: Griffin is cheaper for a reason. My Griffin was held together with rubber bands and epoxy after 8 yrs.
Pros: looks cool when new, isnt nearly as expensive.
I tie on a Regal I’ve had for a dozen years. Great vice, only had to oil it once. It’s got grooves so the hook won’t slip and its also spring loaded so you don’t have to use a lever to clamp down on the hook. The pressure of the spring holds it. Can’t recall any time I’ve had a hook slip. I’ve tied trout flies down to size 22 on it and saltwater flies up to 3/0. Never had a complaint about it. Also have never needed the true rotary. I believe they are cheaper than Renzetti’s too, around $120.
