Vice advice??

Hello all

I'm thinking about upgrading my old AA vice I've had since the 70s.....

What are your thoughts on "rotary vise's vs non rotary vice's"

What brands & models would you suggest

Budget: $200.00 + -

I tie mainly Drys & Nympth's #8 - #24, also steelhead flys & streamers.

Also I'm a lefty, if that should make a differance to the models out there....

Thanks for your advice
OHB

Well first off, if the AA is still working...I wouldn't replace it. I wore one of those out, but it's enjoying retirement clamped to shelf on my tying bench. :) Rotary/non-rotary~I've dabbled with rotary vises (Renzetti, PEAK, Griffin) but favor traditional-style/non-rotary vises. By "rotary" I mean TRUE rotary where the hook shank rotates on it's axis. I think the vise I LIKED the most was an HMH (sold it, dumb move) but day-in/day-out I use my Regal Vise. I've had a couple of them, but the one I use all the time is a clamp model with a "MIDGE" head on it. It can go down to about #22 (probably smaller) with ease, but I can also spin deer hair on it, tie big streamers, etc. THE only issue with Regal vises is that you HAVE to make sure the jaws have enough of the hook bend in them to hold securely. If you push it, only try to grab a little of it and the hook shoots out..the tips of the jaws clack together and there is a high probability they will chip. I rarely tie smaller than #18 these days anyway, but I've carelessly put super-tiny hooks in and had to learn the hard way. However, Regals (NOT the Regal knock-offs) are my favorite to use, and I'm pretty sure you can reverse the action bar to make it good for lefties.

I still have a first-generation, rotating PEAK vise as well as a PEAK traveller. In my opinion, their jaws are the best. I have the midge, regular and saltwater jaws. I even messaged PEAK a few times saying that if they made a traditional vise (similar geometry/function to an HMH) I'd buy one. The traveller comes close, but doesn't rotate in any way. Pain for the head-cement step.

Thank you for the reply GW. I think I'm leaning towards the "Peak Rotary" with the pedistal base. The only negitive thing I've seen about it is the tension screws being made of plastic. Peak does sell the screws made of brass with plastic tips that I will probibly order, along with a set of midge jaws.

Thanks again GW
OHB

I have a pe

Thanks for the reply Swampsinger, I'll be picking up mine this coming weekend. It's about time I made the upgrade to a rotary, but my old AA will still be put to use in a travel kit I'm putting together.
Would you recommend ordering the midge jaws for anything under #18s?
Thanks again
OHB

Sorry, I'm n

Attachment 35467
Thank You Swampsinger

Peak is good value for money IMO.

I have the peak rotary.I also have the midge jaws.I ty alot of small flies down to size 26.The midge jaws give me little more room to the rear of the hook.Nice to have but not really necessary.

Kijiji. See 3 records $40 $60 $100 for a #2.
Never mind not kind of vise your looking for

Use what you have if it works for you now, save the money, maybe better materials, or spend the $200 on a weekend trip or guided trip or course. For many years I used a large C clamp a large vise grip and a needle nose vise grip or needle nose pliers to hold the hook, I used that until I got a good one at a garage sale, still use that one.

Now that said, it is nice to have the best tool, if money is OK and you are serious about changing, besides the feed back here (that might or might not work for you)
throw a fly tying party and let people try each others equipment and offer tips, make some friends drink some beer and eat BBQ etc
go to a club like Izaac Walton, see what others use, if what you are interested in is there talk to them and they might let you try it,
go to the store and ask if you can try it.... spending $200 on something that doesn't work for you just means someone gets a deal on Kijiji in 2 years (where you might get what you want) and you are using the old one or shopping again.

Good luck and let others know what you got and your experience.

Good points from Mosquito. I enjoy the fly fishing club belong to two of them, helps pass the winter. For inspiration on the peak, check out Ruben Martin Flies on YouTube.