joelhains Posted October 27, 2015 Report Share Posted October 27, 2015 I'm looking to get a fly vice and hopefully be able to pick up a descent one for my price range. Years ago when I was in high school I got into lure making and I had a cheap $20 vice but I mostly just used my hands because it wouldn't hold hooks well. Since then I've moved away from fly fishing and Ive been making soft plastic baits, spinnerbaits weedless bass jigs etc...Now I want to get back into fly tying and I will also use it for tying lead jigs for bass and walleye using up to 5/0 heavy hooks. Any suggestions for a good quality vice for around $100-$150... also what are some features I should be looking for?thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimP Posted October 27, 2015 Report Share Posted October 27, 2015 (edited) A couple of years ago I purchased a Peak vise based on a head to head review. The Peak vise has been a solid performer with no problems and has been used a lot with no problems. This link is a couple of years old and since that time the Peak Vise retail price has inflated slightly past the $150 mark. Shop around, you can still find them at times sub $150. Here is a link to that vise review: http://www.flyfishohio.com/Vise%20Review%201/Fly_Tying_Vise_Shoot-Out.htm Edited October 27, 2015 by JimP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Apdriver Posted October 27, 2015 Report Share Posted October 27, 2015 I bought a Griffen Montana Mongoose which is a rotary vise,and for what you want it for, I reccomend it. It was reccomended to me by Smalljaw and he has had great service from his Griffen as well. These will hold a large bass hook like you're wanting to. I have put up to a 5/0 in mine, no problems. The rotary is nice because you can turn it over to inspect and adjust your material as you build or just to add material to the bottom of the jig. Prices are all over the place but there's a guy on eBay selling new ones very competively priced with free shipping. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goose77 Posted October 28, 2015 Report Share Posted October 28, 2015 Hey Joel, a new vise...good for you. The above comments are right-on. I tie on big hooks most of the time; deerhair, poppers, pike flies. These often take quite a bit of thread pressure and strong jaws on the vise. I use Dyna-king, Regal, and Renzetti...in that order. I also use a clamp mount the vast majority of the time. If I had to start over on a budget, I'd strongly consider a used vise as described. And I would take a longer look at the Peak...alotta guys like them, and they seem to hold up well. Good luck and cheers, Ed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smalljaw Posted October 29, 2015 Report Share Posted October 29, 2015 I'd go with the Griffin, I've had mine for quite some time and what a wonderful tool. There are a few reasons I recommend the Griffin that Apdriver mentioned, the first is that it is a good quality vise that you can get new in your price range and they have lifetime warranties so you know they are made well. Another reason is you want to tie flies and larger bass size jigs, the Griffin will do that without having to spend any more money, the Renzetti, Peak, Regal and most of the high end models require you to buy an extra set of jaws for larger hooks, the griffin doesn't need extra jaws and it holds extremely well and is a true rotary vise and made in the U.S. and is a very well made product. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BLT Posted November 3, 2015 Report Share Posted November 3, 2015 If looking right now, I would get another Anvil vise. Used from #10-7/0 hooks on it. There is mention of rotary vise. You can have a Rotating vise, or a true rotary. A "true" rotary will rotate the hook and keep it level while turning, rotating will not. I have a Peak right now that is a true rotary and spent extra money on it, when just a rotating vise would have been all I needed. Not sure which you would want, but if you don't need that true rotary, you can save a few bucks by just getting the rotating one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walleyeking Posted December 11, 2015 Report Share Posted December 11, 2015 A little late but my vote is also for the griffin Montana mongoose. It holds great. I love the rotary feature of it. I've tied everything from 3/8 oz buck tail jigs with 3/0 hooks down to size 18 dry fly hooks with the mongoose and it works great for all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joelhains Posted December 18, 2015 Author Report Share Posted December 18, 2015 The Griffin is the one I went with. It is going to be a chirstmass present so I'll get to put it to work in a week or so. I bought a cheap one from bass pro to get me going but it's a pain in the butt. Look g forward to using it. Thanks for all the recomendations guys! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goose77 Posted December 21, 2015 Report Share Posted December 21, 2015 Hey Joel, good for you. I'm sure you'll like it...and Merry Christmas! Ed 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joelhains Posted January 6, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 6, 2016 (edited) I have to make a minor correction to my last post... I said I was getting the Griffin as a gift for the holdays, and I did. By it wasn't the Montana Mongoose I'd requested Santa bring me. I received the Odysee Spider instead. I hate to admit I was slightly disappointed when I saw the box but after using it nearly every day for the last week and a half I love it! It is everything I could want out of a vice. It holds nearly any size hook firmly. I had hooks from size 12 to 7/0 trebles and have had no problem at all with it. Right now I just can't see any way to justify spending more on a "higher end" vice. Edited January 6, 2016 by joelhains Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goose77 Posted January 6, 2016 Report Share Posted January 6, 2016 Hey Joel, good for you. It sounds like a good present indeed. Looks like that will be a great tool for you. Cheers, Ed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
