Recommend a vise for a first time buyer...

[chauchey]

Well, I need to buy a vise because I can't afford to spend 2 bucks a fly. I have the time, I have the ambition, I'm willing to learn.

Qualities of the vise

1) Rotary
2) <$200
3) Has a good clamp that won't begin to slip after a year or so of use.

Things it doesn't need to be

1) It doesn't have to be able to tie every size of fly, just the most common sizes.
2) It doesn't matter if its a C-clamp or pedestal vise, unless theres a consensis among experienced tiers that one is better than the other.
3) It doesn't have to come with my own personal Fred or Profi, although if they're free I guess I'll take'em.

Click here to recommend a good book for the new tiers

Click here to recommend good brands of materials for new tiers

[2fly]

I think once you start getting in to tying you will find 2 bucks a fly will start sounding like a good deal! Soon you will need a desk to tye at,then a light,feathers,furs,hooks more hooks a cabinet to put it all in, upgades,then after 3 to 5 grand and mabey 1000 flys whiped up you will say man I thought I was going to save money ! it will be to late and youll be hooked.Just buy the best you can and I would recomend a c clamp style to start with.Check out M&Y their xmas sale.

[phearless]

Buy the best vise you can afford.
I still believe the Regal is one of the best buys out there.
It is great for tying most common sizes of flies.
The jaws are a little beefy for tiny flies, say 20 and down.

Pedastal is the way to go in my opinion.
The ability to move the vise away from the edge of the table and rest your elbows on the table is a definate plus.
Another advantage is the picnic table is never too thick for your clamp.

I have had mine since '90 and it is still going strong. I did have the jaws replaced once as i was tying commercially and they did become a bit weak.
The lifetime warranty took care of that though.

The flat body of the vise is also very comfortable to rest your hand on while tying.

This vise rotates 360 and vertically approx. 240.

Just my experience.

[geoffvl]

I was looking at the griffin montana mongoose some of the other members have on the griffin website and noticed the blackfoot mongoose vise. Its a rotary and the price on the site says $145. Don't know if anyone else has this one. But it's a good brand and a decent price.
http://www.griffinenterprisesinc.com/vises.html

[johnk]

I've got 3 Regals, one with midge jaws which I absolutely love. If you're looking for a company that stands behind their product 100% then buy a Regal. I also have 2 Danvises and when I first laid eyes on this $65 rotary and saw all the plastic I thought "cheap" but the jaws are excellent and after 2 years and 10,000+ flies the first set of jaws are still going strong.

The point to be taken from all this is you can go as cheap or as expensive as you like and still get what you're looking for. If you're just beginning then a rotary is more than likely inconsequential as you'll want to have the basics down before implementing the rotary function. Though I have two rotary vises I rarely use the function just because of all the dubbing loop leeches I tie and I need both hands on every wrap. It does come in handy for chironomids and Pumpkinheads though.

[professori]

I was looking at the griffin montana mongoose some of the other members have on the griffin website and noticed the blackfoot mongoose vise. Its a rotary and the price on the site says $145. Don't know if anyone else has this one. But it's a good brand and a decent price.
http://www.griffinenterprisesinc.com/vises.html

Just checked the site again. I have the blackfoot mongoose. A very nice vice for a very good vise. I have been tying up #2 steelhead flies and # 16 drys all day today.
Neither size had any slippage problems

[RustyBomber]

My next vise will be the Renzetti Traveler (#28-4/0). An excelllent vise for the money but I know of a late tyer who has tied over 500,000 flies on the Regal.

[SalaR]

My next vise will be the Renzetti Traveler (#28-4/0). An excelllent vise for the money but I know of a late tyer who has tied over 500,000 flies on the Regal.

Mr W.D....I watched this fellow many times even during a few card games...and yes I lost the hand!! constantly...something called focus!
C

[SalaR]

I've got 3 Regals, one with midge jaws which I absolutely love. If you're looking for a company that stands behind their product 100% then buy a Regal. I also have 2 Danvises and when I first laid eyes on this $65 rotary and saw all the plastic I thought "cheap" but the jaws are excellent and after 2 years and 10,000+ flies the first set of jaws are still going strong.

The point to be taken from all this is you can go as cheap or as expensive as you like and still get what you're looking for. If you're just beginning then a rotary is more than likely inconsequential as you'll want to have the basics down before implementing the rotary function. Though I have two rotary vises I rarely use the function just because of all the dubbing loop leeches I tie and I need both hands on every wrap. It does come in handy for chironomids and Pumpkinheads though.

My First Fly Tying vise was a hand me down although a tank of a vice...a MacDonald..ugly but still works. Its like a first car ...then you drive a sports car,then you drive a Porsche,Lincoln, Jag and so it goes..and you end up with a great Toyota...My favorite vise is the 1st Generation Stenzel..Val has One but have to keep my hands off...my new favorite Vise is a Waldron authorized edition...comes with this great integral Tube fly assembly...pure rotation and smooth access to everything. The clamp Jaw assembly is equally as smooth...however,fairly expensive...the clamp jaw looks like teh Canada Arm..but the best jaws I have ever used!and that is important to have a great hook hold and even rotation!
C