Vise recommendations

[Bamboo&Brookies]

Hey folks, a friend of mine is looking to leap down the rabbit hole and get into fly tying. I have tried to warn him away from this road to personal and financial ruin but he will not be swayed.

He is asking suggestions for a basic, decent vise to start with. I figure he will be tying trout flies for the most part -- probably sz. 4 streamers through sz. 20 or so dries.

I have a Dyna-King Barracuda Jr. rotary... got it years ago at Somerset for under $200... I like it but I see they now go for $400... way too steep.

I see good things said about HMH Spartan vises, or even the old standard Thompson "A" model, which appear to be available to this day.

Any other thoughts ( ? )

Thanks!

-Rob J.

[ted patlen]

regal has a variety of vises that are excellent

[blackdirtfly]

I love my HMH vise.
Also have a Danvise that i used for years.

[Eperous]

I love my HMH vise. ...

Second that... LOVE my HMH... but it's an HMH Standard.... I moved from various Thompson models, including their 360 SLT vise when I broke a pin when Thompson disappeared from the tying scene for a few years, and Tim Didas saved my bacon sending me a replacement pin, though we didn't know each other... we've been good friends since that mishap...

HMH has my vote, but I grew up on Thompson style vises....

Ed

[Bamboo&Brookies]

Thank you! I will pass these suggestions along.

rjj

[Theroe]

Your friend can’t go wrong with a Thompson........ if he falls down the black hole, he can always upgrade and keep the Thompson as a back up, just like the rest of us did.
Dana

[bearbutt]

Your friend can’t go wrong with a Thompson........ if he falls down the black hole, he can always upgrade and keep the Thompson as a back up, just like the rest of us did.

LOL!--I must be the only one who never had a Thompson--my first vise was a Universal rotary--. There are a lot of pictures of people like Helen Shaw tying on them out there, and they were made near where I lived in Western Mass--so it wasn't a hard decision to make. They're aluminum/alloy, and fairly light--I still use mine for when I fly and travel. Not the easier jaw to use, but it did the job for over a decade before I upgraded to a Regal--and it's Regals I use at home and when I can drive to camp.

bb

[catskilljohn]

I finally bought a regal after seeing them everywhere, in the last few years almost everyone I know switched to one.
I lucked out as it was under $60.00 though, likely wouldn’t have ponied up if it was full price, but I’ve been using it a lot and really like it.
The only downside is anything over 3/0 doesn’t fit.
I keep a Thompson at the upstate place, that thing is just great. Really all anyone needs. CJ

[ted patlen]

true cj about the size part. another thing I've found is that the pressure on the regal is so great that it can easily ruin a japanned finish on antique hooks and will dent any of the automobile finishes used by many of the todays hard made hook makers

[Theroe]

John-I meant to mention this trick to you: spray brake cleaner has a clear plastic tube straw.......Cut a 1 inch piece, and then split it in half with a razor blade. Soak it in hot water and then form it over the bend, and let cool.

Works like a charm, and it’s reusable !!