5 Things to Consider When Buying a Fly Tying Vise | Module 2, Section 1 

Just got my first vice for Christmas from my pops. A Regal Engineering Revolution. Been fly fishing for about a decade but just now starting my venture into tying my own flies and I am excited to learn. With that being said.... I cannot believe these modules are free on youtube. You're the man! Thank you very much =)

I had to laugh a bit about the C-clamp being too small to fit on tables. I had all kinds of trouble with that using a Thompson A vise in 1976. In 1977 I bought a Price Vise which had a C-clamp that would open up over 4" wide and actually fit on those Forest Service tables in campgrounds. In fact for a while that widely adjustable C-clamp was sold separately without the vise. It also had jaws that would rotate with 2 standard detentes and the ability to snug it down anywhere you want between them. There were few, if any, pedestal vises back then. I don't use that vise much anymore because the last time the jaws were replaced, they installed midge jaws, which are great for small flies but no good for tying any large steelhead flies or saltwater flies. I loved the utility of that vise and still have it although I've gone through 3 sets of jaws with it. The jaw shape was similar to the one you see here and for 3 of the 10-years I taught fly-fishing schools on Spring Creeks where size 18 through 22 flies were the norm, that's the vise I used. The tips of the jaws didn't actually wear out but splayed out instead of meeting correctly at the tips. In 1990 I bought a Regal vise with the rotating head - not the true rotary vise to spin on axis, but does rotate all the way around so I can inspect what I'm tying or turn it to an easier angle to tie on. It's now known as the Regal Inex. I love the ability to mount any size hook in the jaws without needing to make any adjustments. Just squeeze the handle enough to open the jaws, put the hook in place and release the handle That's been my primary vise since 1990 when that rotating head first came out. I still use the Price Vice clamp with it though. That Regal vise is still my main vise and the one I keep mounted on my desk. I did have the tips of the jaws chip about 3-years ago after over 30-years of use and had Regal replace those for $50. I also have a couple of true rotary vises, both a Danvise, which is from Denmark and made from Delrin and steel - it's very light and works well. The other rotary vise I have is an early version of the Renzetti vise which is very well known. Although I don't use the rotary function of spinning on axis often, I found the ability to turn the vise head with all of my vises a huge plus, especially when I started tying full-dressed, feather winged, Atlantic Salmon Flies back in the 70's, where precise placement is paramount. Pedestal really is the way to go if you want to be able to move it around easily and set it on a table. You can't just buy a pedal and expect it to work though. You need to buy a new stem of the right height for your vise or you'll be tying flies with your arms raised up in the air. The stem for use with a C-clamp is way too tall to be used on a pedestal. So either get the pedestal to begin with or buy a pedestal plus stem to use with your C-clamp vise.

Love the series. About a year into fly fishing and really want to get into tying my own flies.

That caught my attention, too. A C-clamp on a vise doesn't make it a low quality vise. The C-clamp introduces its own pros and cons but doesn't influence the quality of the vise.

You have a link to a list of what the material kid came with that is needed for this class so I can just put it together myself?

Very interesting video.

Where can one grab that vise in the video? I do not see it online anywhere.

Got sad they are sold out and that the model of vise launching looks so different :/

I use articulated size 4 flys here in Colorado

Hey Alex, great video. I'm in Australia and am really struggling to find a quality vice that I like in my price range. I really like to look of The Flysmith Vice you've got there. Is there any way of getting it here in Australia? If not, do you have any recommendations for vices? I normally tie trout flies with hook sizes 12 - 20, but occasionally tie saltwater flies as well. I've been tying on and off for a few years now, and am finding the cheap vice I have is beginning to hinder my progress and is almost taking away from the experience. I need something that is easily portable, as I spend a bit of time in hospital and stuck at home, and use fly tying to keep me occupied and stay connected to fishing and the things I enjoy doing. Thanks again for the great videos, they have been keeping my mind busy and keeping me keen to get back out fishing.

Is it still possible to get the vice in this video? Thanks

Do you ship the vice to Ireland? Like the look of the vice

If I got all the stuff to make flys and went down to the lake, would people buy them?

I went on your site to see the vise but it says it’s coming soon. Do you know when will it be available and will you ship to canada?

Hi , l am trying to find a new jaw for my vice.l stay in the U.K. 🇬🇧 and can't find a replacement jaw.please can you help me.

So now a Peak C-clamp vise is of lower quality than the Peak vise on a base. You lost credibility right away. You gained some back later on.