Starter Vice

[TroutHunter]

Hey Guys,

I'm heading out to buy a vice this weekend. I am new at tying, so I'm not too sure what to look for. Any recommendations for a beginner?

Any info would be greatly appreciated,

Cheers!

[flyboy]

First question is what do you want to spend? then what kind of quality do you expect for your money? My preference(and the one I chose)would be a renzzedi traveller, under $200 with taxes, true rotary and a good solid vise, now, I have only been tying for a short time so I'm sure there are other tiers out there that may have a more informed opinion.

my

[professori]

I would recommend you look at a decent quality vise. With out breaking your bank, I don't think a new tyer can go wrong getting a Regal knock-off (ask any tackle shop for exactly that a "Regal knock-off" and they will kn ow which one you are talking about.) They come in somewhere between $30 and $60 depending on who is selling them. I started with a Griffin Superior and have no complaints about it. I think it retails around $80. Holds hooks well from size 20 up to 2/0. Currently I have a Griffin Blackfoot Mongoose, a true rotary, which I received as a gift, but I think retails around $160. If you have the money, that is the vise I would recommend.

[11th Warrior]

Like Prof and FB said, decide how much you want to pay first. I started out with a $12 POS because I wasn't sure I was going to like/be any good at tying my own flies.

I quickly learned that a $12 vise wasn't going to cut it. From there I asked the same question you did, on a different forum. I had as many suggestions as there are vises on the market.

I decided on a Renzetti Traveller. Mine was significantly cheaper than retail because I got a deal on it in Hawaii (not many fly tiers there apparently). I don't have a single complaint with it and I've had it now for 10 months.

Do your research and decide what you want out of the vise (rotary, cam jaws, etc) and then make your choice. Don't rush into a purchase too quickly.

[TroutHunter]

Great advice guys...gives me a place to start!

Thank you!

[tbar24]

i agree with prof on the griffin blackfoot mongoose, have had it for 3 months and love it

[Roughingminor]

I am absolutely sure that I will upgrade to a higher-end rotary one day, but at this point I have a vise that holds a hook. It performs that function perfectly, it cost next to nothing, and I tie very effective flies with it. If you're just starting out, I'd go basic and simple. If you find that you like your new hobby and want to upgrade, that's possible at any point.

[chauchey]

If you're sure you're going to be tying up flies regularly for the next number of years, then go with a decent quality rotary vise. If you're unsure as to how many flies you'll be tying up, there are vises for under 20 bucks that will allow you to figure out if you like it, have an affinity for it, and if you'll be committed enough to make it worth your time to get a good vise. Don't get me wrong, your 20 dollar vise won't last forever, but it will allow you a cheap way to figure out if you should spend the extra money or not. Should you buy a full rotary and later find you don't need it...PM me. I'll take it off your hands as I'm in need of one.