Dedicated To The Smallest Of Skiffs banner
12K views 44 replies 34 participants last post by  Cactusspine  
#1 ·
Would like to know what you are using to tie flies. I have been using a Griffin Patriot Vise for about 30 years. I paid $90 for it back in 1989 and it is a rotary vise and will hold just about any hook and has jaws that came with it for flies using < 22 size hooks. It is still going strong but I have never really liked where it clamps on the hook and have always liked the Renzetti style Travelers vise but not the tension band that it uses. The jaws are really good and you can bend a hook in them without it moving. Has anyone here used the Griffin Odyssey Spider vice and what do you think about it? I know it also has a tension band but it is a bit less money than a Travelers and I already have the base for the Griffin.
 
G
#2 ·
I use a peak rotary vice I picked up used on ebay. Cost $130 and came with a lower end fly tying kit and a bunch of material for tying freshwater flies. I used the piss out of it and it still works fine... Just replaced all my hand tools with nicer stuff.

Might be sacrilegious here but I don't see the value in spending a $600+ on a vice that does the same exact thing as mine. It holds a hook and spins.
 
#5 ·
I used a Renzetti traveler for years but grew frustrated with hte fact that the jaws pivot on the front fine adjustment screw. I had to replace that screw numerous times because it would get bent when I had to really crank down on a hook, I.E. tying deer hair on a thick hook. I wanted to upgrade to collet style jaws, and would love a Dyna King Barracuda, but just can't justify the coin. I bought a Peak and have been very happy with it, especially for the money. It is not as "refined" as the Renzetti or Dyna King, but functionally it fills my needs very well. I also like that the pedistal base is huge and heavy.
 
#12 ·
I have the Griffin and the Renzetti. The only issue I had with the Griffin is the screw down jaws, big deal I know... lol. Only reasons I went to the Renzetti is because it has a cam lock and I found it on sale and saved a good bit of money. Only negative about the Renzetti is it has a ratcheting head. So if you rotate it by the handle it’ll only spin one way. But, you can simply spin it by the end knob if you need to spin it both ways.
 
#13 ·
I have the griffin spider rotary, I bought it discounted and it does what I want, hold a hook without slipping and rotate. Honestly I wish I would have got the peak or Renzetti but this one works well enough where it doesn’t warrant replacement and was worth what I paid for it.
Coming from a non rotary vise to a rotary I don’t think I could ever go back.
 
#19 ·
I’ve got two, a Renzetti Traveler and a HMH Spartan. I like the Renzetti better simply because it’s easier and quicker for me to get the hook secure in the Renzetti and the hook stays secure. Nothing really wrong with the HMH, it just takes a little more fiddling with to get the hook set. The Renzetti is a pedestal base and I like that better than the C-clamp Spartan. Securing the hook effortlessly and quickly is the chief thing I want a vise to do.
 
#20 ·
I have the Griffin and the Renzetti. The only issue I had with the Griffin is the screw down jaws, big deal I know... lol. Only reasons I went to the Renzetti is because it has a cam lock and I found it on sale and saved a good bit of money. Only negative about the Renzetti is it has a ratcheting head. So if you rotate it by the handle it’ll only spin one way. But, you can simply spin it by the end knob if you need to spin it both ways.
I believe you can adjust it so that it’s non-ratcheting.
 
#21 · (Edited)
I've been using the Renzetti Saltwater traveler for about 22yrs now and have very few complaints tying bushels of flies over the years. No doubt the Peak is another great value in a vice and have tied some good flies off of that one too.

Backbone has my dream vice and it's still on my bucket list after all these years. Humm, maybe one day. :rolleyes:
 
#23 ·
I've been using the Renzetti Saltwater traveler for about 22yrs now and have very few complaints tying bushels of flies over the years. No doubt the Peak is another great value in a vice and have tied some good flies off of that one too.

Backbone has my dream vice and it's still on my bucket list after all these years. Humm, maybe one day. :rolleyes: But I was wondering if I had to drive a Caddy to own one? :oops: I'm not a Caddy type of guy anyway, tho. ;)
Its HARD holding these alligators down...
Wooooooooo
 
G
#26 ·
I

I use the Nor Vice. I like rotary vices in general as they allow me to make sure that my flies achieve balance and symmetry. I can easily switch jaws for trout flies [small] to larger saltwater flies. I also tie tube flies for use while fishing for cuda.
 
#27 ·
I have two DynaKing’s, a Barracuda and a Professional and agree with comments regarding the Peak vise. That said the Barracuda is nice at home but I like the simplicity of the Pro and it’s nice for traveling. I have a base, table and rail mount fit it which can be secured to a tubular rail on the boat - BTW I drive a Tesla....no not really that’s BS, I drive a truck....ha..ha! Incidentally, the Pro does everything I need for any type of fly tying...period.