E
everett464
0
I am looking to buy a new vise, and I have some questions to put to the community here to complete my research on the subject. The questions I have remaining are pretty specific, so ideally I am looking for folks that have first hand knowledge of the vises I have surmised will work for me. That said, any general advice is appreciated, even if superfluous. I suppose, with the research I have already done combined with input from the community, this thread could serve as a tutorial for other OFFers looking to buy a vise.
I have been using a Terra Spring Action vise, which is more or less a Regal Medallion knock off. It met my needs when I bought it, and with the exception of a somewhat chipped jaw, it has been good to me, and generally serviceable. It holds hooks well, from a size 2 to an 18. The spring action is relatively ingenious; it holds hooks very firmly, and is limited only to the extent that it is a little too simple. I am just now realizing the advantages to be gained by a full rotary, cam lever vise, so I am going to buy one.
Really, I am looking for a "forever" vise (more or less). My price range, which has been inflated by my research, is $85-190. It seems to me that anything significantly under that is going to be more limited than what I would expect out of a long-term, do-it-all vise. Further, I definitely want a full rotary vise, and I am relatively certain that I want a cam-lever action.
These are the three (four?) that interest me:
1) PEAK Rotary Vise ($145) - If I was going to buy a vise right now, without further input, this would be the one. The Peak Rotary, by all accounts, is an extremely high quality, trouble-free, precision vise. It is constructed of stainless, brass, and tooled steel, and it is meets the cam lever, full rotary expectation. It is made in the US, and comes with a lifetime guarantee. The biggest question/hesitation I have with this vise is that there is no adjustment between the shaft, and the jaws; in short, there are going to be situations, with smaller hooks, that because the jaw height is fixed, the hook shank will not be in the line of rotation, causing the shank to turn a loop, instead of spinning on the intended axis of rotation. This is troubling to me, but I don't know that it should be; how disabling is the problem going to be when using the rotary function, and what size hooks am I going to have the issue with?
2) Renzetti Traveler ($189) - 45 bucks: that is the first factor that I see when comparing the Traveler to the PEAK. Next, I see the material considerations; the Renzetti is constructed of Aluminum, as opposed to steel, and has a significant amount of rubber and plastic in the jaw assembly. The reviews I have read on the Traveler are nearly all positive; in fact, without double checking my research, I can't think of anything negative except for the aforementioned material concerns. The Jaws will adjust up and down, eliminating the only concern present with the PEAK vise. Further, Renzetti's customer service is widely considered the best in the industry, so the material concerns are probably negligible, until you consider the possibility that the vise breaks the night before that epic Deschutes trip, and you have only tied 2 flies, even Renzetti isn't going to life-flight me out replacement parts (but, I'd have a backup, right?). So, big question, is the Renzetti worth the extra money????
3) Danica Danvise ($85) - Early in my research, this was the one; it is full-rotary and cam-operated, and cost half that of the other vises that do the same, but the more I looked at the vise, and researched my options, the more I was sure that a plastic vise was not going to satisfy me. Look, I'll just come out and say it, I am what is known in the military as a "gear queer." I like stuff, and I like quality, cool stuff. My biggest concern with the Danvise is that every time I sit down at the vise I am going to wish I had shelled out the extra clams to get a serious metal vise. The fact remains, the Danvise has all of the functionality I am looking for; it is full rotary, cam operated, and the jaws adjust up and down. Further, while I call the vise "plastic," it is actually constructed of a phenolic resin, that is, by all accounts, bulletproof. I have just about written this one off the list, because of my above mentioned, and admittedly vain, concerns, but if someone has some awesome testimonials, I am all ears; lord know I would love to save the money for tying materials.
4) (dark-horse entry) Griffin Odyssey Spider ($89) - another inexpensive entry, The Odyssey is relatively low on my list. First, it is not cam lever operated; Odyssey makes a cam lever option, but at $150 it simply does not compete with the PEAK, or even the Renzetti, in my opinion. I would be buying the cheaper version simply as a cost consideration. The major concern I have with the Odyssey models is quality; they look cheap, and the reviews are not all that favorable, when compared with other vises at the same price-point. What I am really looking for is testimonials on these vises; how many, if any, of you have experience with these guys, and are going to try and change my mind? none? ok, it is settled.
Thanks in advance, and my apologies for the rather lengthy post. Have fun reading, and I look forward to your contributions/advice.
I have been using a Terra Spring Action vise, which is more or less a Regal Medallion knock off. It met my needs when I bought it, and with the exception of a somewhat chipped jaw, it has been good to me, and generally serviceable. It holds hooks well, from a size 2 to an 18. The spring action is relatively ingenious; it holds hooks very firmly, and is limited only to the extent that it is a little too simple. I am just now realizing the advantages to be gained by a full rotary, cam lever vise, so I am going to buy one.
Really, I am looking for a "forever" vise (more or less). My price range, which has been inflated by my research, is $85-190. It seems to me that anything significantly under that is going to be more limited than what I would expect out of a long-term, do-it-all vise. Further, I definitely want a full rotary vise, and I am relatively certain that I want a cam-lever action.
These are the three (four?) that interest me:
1) PEAK Rotary Vise ($145) - If I was going to buy a vise right now, without further input, this would be the one. The Peak Rotary, by all accounts, is an extremely high quality, trouble-free, precision vise. It is constructed of stainless, brass, and tooled steel, and it is meets the cam lever, full rotary expectation. It is made in the US, and comes with a lifetime guarantee. The biggest question/hesitation I have with this vise is that there is no adjustment between the shaft, and the jaws; in short, there are going to be situations, with smaller hooks, that because the jaw height is fixed, the hook shank will not be in the line of rotation, causing the shank to turn a loop, instead of spinning on the intended axis of rotation. This is troubling to me, but I don't know that it should be; how disabling is the problem going to be when using the rotary function, and what size hooks am I going to have the issue with?
2) Renzetti Traveler ($189) - 45 bucks: that is the first factor that I see when comparing the Traveler to the PEAK. Next, I see the material considerations; the Renzetti is constructed of Aluminum, as opposed to steel, and has a significant amount of rubber and plastic in the jaw assembly. The reviews I have read on the Traveler are nearly all positive; in fact, without double checking my research, I can't think of anything negative except for the aforementioned material concerns. The Jaws will adjust up and down, eliminating the only concern present with the PEAK vise. Further, Renzetti's customer service is widely considered the best in the industry, so the material concerns are probably negligible, until you consider the possibility that the vise breaks the night before that epic Deschutes trip, and you have only tied 2 flies, even Renzetti isn't going to life-flight me out replacement parts (but, I'd have a backup, right?). So, big question, is the Renzetti worth the extra money????
3) Danica Danvise ($85) - Early in my research, this was the one; it is full-rotary and cam-operated, and cost half that of the other vises that do the same, but the more I looked at the vise, and researched my options, the more I was sure that a plastic vise was not going to satisfy me. Look, I'll just come out and say it, I am what is known in the military as a "gear queer." I like stuff, and I like quality, cool stuff. My biggest concern with the Danvise is that every time I sit down at the vise I am going to wish I had shelled out the extra clams to get a serious metal vise. The fact remains, the Danvise has all of the functionality I am looking for; it is full rotary, cam operated, and the jaws adjust up and down. Further, while I call the vise "plastic," it is actually constructed of a phenolic resin, that is, by all accounts, bulletproof. I have just about written this one off the list, because of my above mentioned, and admittedly vain, concerns, but if someone has some awesome testimonials, I am all ears; lord know I would love to save the money for tying materials.
4) (dark-horse entry) Griffin Odyssey Spider ($89) - another inexpensive entry, The Odyssey is relatively low on my list. First, it is not cam lever operated; Odyssey makes a cam lever option, but at $150 it simply does not compete with the PEAK, or even the Renzetti, in my opinion. I would be buying the cheaper version simply as a cost consideration. The major concern I have with the Odyssey models is quality; they look cheap, and the reviews are not all that favorable, when compared with other vises at the same price-point. What I am really looking for is testimonials on these vises; how many, if any, of you have experience with these guys, and are going to try and change my mind? none? ok, it is settled.
Thanks in advance, and my apologies for the rather lengthy post. Have fun reading, and I look forward to your contributions/advice.
