The vices of vises?

[MarkD]

I am in search of yet another opinion on a vise before I plunk down my hard earned dough.

The vise in question is in the Cabela's "Spring 2000" catalog. It is manufactured by Crown and looks to be a dead ringer for the Regal 360 degree rotary model. I'd rather pay $34.99 for a Crown than $179+ for the Regal. I know Adam said, long ago, that he used a Regal clone, but I don't know if it is a Crown or not?

Any advice on this vise would be appreciated.

Also, if you have the time, give me a run down of the tools that make your life easier when tying for the salt.

Thanks in advance.

[rel]

<FONT color=black face="Times New Roman,Times" size=2>MarkD- bodkins are easy to make and cheaper than buying. Mine are stainless steel heliarc rod ground to a point and stuck in a piece of dowel. They work great for applying epoxy and they can be made any length or diameter you want. I use a whip finisher for tying off the head only because my hands are too rough for hand whipping. I have accumulated several bobbins so I don't have to change spools as often. The last 2 bobbins I got you don't thread up the tube but through a notch in the side. They are steeel and I haven't seen any others like these anywhere. For a hair packer I use the top of a bic pen- works great . For the threader I usually ust a piece of stainless wire from an old fishing rod that I used for deep jigging. The expense is only if you need fancy tools. rel</FONT>

[bass3six]

FYI...Fin and Feather in Essex has a pretty decent sale going on for vises. They had a Regal copy going for around $75.00. I believe that they also had a Regal with one freshwater and one saltater head...was told it was a $275.00 vise going for $150. But, being a "rookie" tyer...what do I know? :);
FWIW...I ended up with a Renzetti SW traveler for $150.00 Now, I'm in over my head!

Doug B.

[ssully]

Mark,

I'll second Ron's post. The beautiful thing about tying your own is you can improvise without compromise. If I remember correctly Lefty used a a pair of vise-grips mounted on a homemade stand at one point for big saltwater flies.

You may want to check the RT BBS5 archives for previous discussion on the merits and drawbacks of different vises.

As for tools I'd recommend two decent pairs of sissors one straight and the other curved. I just purchased a large Griffin(they make vises also)ceramic bobbin that I like a lot.

FWIW I have a Renzetti Traveler vise that Santa brought me. Prior to that I used a twenty year old Universal 2 Rotary ($20)that did a fine job. You can borrow it if you like as Doug won't be neeeding it. ;-)Just my .02

[bass3six]

SSully,
Just want to say thanks for the offer again. We just never seemed to be able to cross paths. And like any other hobby, I jump in with both feet. If I lose interest, someone will get a heck of a deal!
Doug

[Adam-Albino]

Yep, it looks like the one in Cabela's cataloge is the same vice. I have to find the link I posted for the guy in the mid-west who has them real cheap.... (20 or 25.00);

BTW, the same company in India is also making a Regal Traveler knock-off now.... (I like the regals better though).
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[mcollins]

Doug, where did you get the Renzetti SW Traveler ? That about $30 off what I've seen it for. - Mark

[bass3six]

Mark,
I bought the SW Traveler at Fin and Feather in Essex, Mass.
Doug B.
BTW, call first, as I may have gotten the last one.

[boba]

Re: Vices
One can never have too many vices ... er... vises. Does the Regal knockoff come with a lifetime warranty?

Re: bobbin threaders
Don't use one. They are slow and the wrong ones can scratch the inside of your bobbin. Pull some thread off the spool after placing it in the bobbin, then cut off and wet the end. Place the wet thread tip in a ways in the bobbin tube and then suck on the tube. It will pull the thread through the bobbin tube. This method is much faster and safer for your bobbin.
Re: Scissors
Decent ones aren't that expensive ($10-20). Large finger holes are more comfortable, since you don't have to put them down while tying. Serrated edges will help since you are likely to be cutting a lot of bucktail. Use worn scissors or cheapos to cut the heavy or plastic material (mylars, fishair, corsair, etc.), so you don't ruin your good ones.
Good luck
Bob
</blockquote>
So much water, so little time...
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On 2/20/00 4:09:56 PM, MarkD wrote:
I am in search of yet another opinion on a vise before I plunk down my hard earned dough.<BR><BR>The vise in question is in the Cabela's "Spring 2000" catalog. It is manufactured by Crown and looks to be a dead ringer for the Regal 360 degree rotary model. I'd rather pay $34.99 for a Crown than $179+ for the Regal. I know Adam said, long ago, that he used a Regal clone, but I don't know if it is a Crown or not?<BR><BR>Any advice on this vise would be appreciated.<BR><BR>Also, if you have the time, give me a run down of the tools that make your life easier when tying for the salt.<BR><BR>Thanks in advance.

[ESMORA]

Mark,

What a coincidence!!! I just received from Cabela's today one of those Crown vises. I unpacked and checked it out and it seems to be an exact replica of the Regal, without the Regal emblem. I haven't tied anything yet with it but it seems to hold a 3/0 hook well, better than my old Thompson standard vise. I'll let you know how it works tomorrow after I tie a few. But at this point I feel like I got a good deal.

Eric M.

[JimC]

Congrats Doug. Nice vice. I hope you're finding the time to put it to good use.

[jimg10]

Mark,

I'll give you some info from a Regal Medallion user. I too had the same doubts when it came to plunking down hundreds of for a vise. I've owned my Regal for two years now, used exclusively for Saltwater fly tying, clousers, decievers, epoxy flies, etc., using all hook sizes. Everytime I place a hook in this vise, I'm glad I bought the Regal INSTEAD of the cheaper imitation. I tie every Monday night with several other SaltWater "Addicts", one in particular decided to save a few bucks and buy a Regal clone or look-a-like at a fishing show. He spends more time screwing the thing back together than he does tying flies, it's constantly falling apart. My advice, look very carefully at the materials and workmanship in a vise, Regal, Renzetti etc., these vises are expensive because they are quality products and usually have Life-time Warranties... I chose the Regal over the Renzetti simply because inserting a hook takes two seconds...don't be shy about going to a local fly-fishing shop and asking if you can try out both these vises or ANY vise you are interested in....ask if you can insert a hook...Hey, you wouldn't buy a car without a test drive....right!!!
Good-Luck....

[Adam-Albino]

I have both the cheap knock-off and the regular Regal. I find little difference between the two. In fact I think the range of hook sizes are a little better in my knock-off. Sure the fit 'n finish aren't as good, but its only tying flies....
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[EricM]

Adam,

I agree with you. Come on now! you're only tying flies, you're not performing brain surgery. Owning a "real" Regal vise would be nice, but not everyone can drop over $100+ for a vise, I didn't even spend that for my 9wt. St. Croix fly rod I use. By the way I tied my first fly on the Regal knock-off I bought from Cabela's last night. It worked perfect. I guess gauging it against the standard Thompson vise I've used in the past it's a definite improvement. I also believe that with the great track record I've had with Cabela's if anything happened to the vise I could get it replaced or returned for a refund without any questions.

Just my 2 cents.

Eric

[MarkD]

Thanks for all the info and I value all of your opinions.

I just pulled the Cabela's vise out of the Priority Mail box this evening. I, of course, went right to my fly box to gather every size fly I could find. Damned if that vise didn't hold all of them equally well. Now I just need to figure out how to turn plain hooks into actual, effective flys.

Also, not being one to buck popular opinion, I now own ceramic bobbins as well.

I also informed my wife that the pile of metal utensils on the coffee table was, in fact, her Father's Day present to me. Being the understanding woman that she is, her only question was, "Oh......really? Was I generous this year?"

Life is good gentlemen.

[Aulonocara]

Mark,
I agree with Jim. However, I can completely understand not wanting to drop a large sum of on a vise if you are new to the sport. My 1st vise was a Regal want-to-be called a Gorilla. I'm not sure if they are making them anymore. This vise really ****ed me off. Simple things like turning the fly around to view the other side was a pain in the ass because after a few times, if I wasn't paying attention, the screw would work it's way out and the whole head would loosen up. Just ask around and see if you can get feedback from people who have been using a specific vise for a while. Maybe e-mail some of the guys who replied to this post who have had good luck with their vises and get SPECIFIC models as I don't think all the regal take-offs are really worth purchasing. Or, you could give in like I did and buy a Barracuda from Dyna-King. Got I really love that vise!!!