Knock-off vices: opinions?

[Jonathan Gardner]

I am a new fly-tier and would like to upgrade my cheap little vise which does not always grip firmly. :beathead: Problem: very few $. I don't forsee any Renzetti, Dyna King, Griffin or Regal in my future anytime soon. On eBay there are several knock-offs which could potentially fill the bill, but with very little to work with, I am reluctant to risk what I have on something I have not seen. Has anyone here actually purchased and/or used any of these vises? If so, what is your advice? :confused:

[alpinetrout]

A better idea would be to state your budget and find recommendations for the best vises in that price range. There are a lot of good inexpensive vises out there. Looking for a "knock-off" specifically is going to really limit your ability to find something good because the better budget vises usually don't copy the design of a higher end vise.

[BertBrehm]

HMH Silhouette $95.00

Not a knockoff.

[hikepat]

Check out the Peak vice. While I went with Renzitte Traveler at a over double the $ I was very impressed with them when I tried out diffrent vices. I think they were a about $100. Many diffrent fly shops around stock them so they are easy to try out.

[SuperDave]

I have a very adequate Thompson Model A that would possibly be an upgrade. You might find one used for a decent price (like $10). The Thompson Model A is a long-honored vice that tought many generations to tie BEFORE the rotary age.

I'd rather go with an established name USED vice than a NEW "knock-off".

Your call.

SuperDave

[steve s]

I agree with everyone above, the knock-off vises are usually priced low for a reason, they just aren't the quality of the originals. My first vise was a Thompson knock-off and that only lasted me a couple of months, the C-clamp broke. I then spent the money on a Renzetti traveler and have been using that for over ten years with no problems.

Good luck,

Steve S

[Jonathan Gardner]

Thanks for the input so far.

I will have to keep it $75 and under. In the $50 range would be more realistic. That is why I am being forced to look at alternatives...

[Daryle Holmstrom]

Danvise!

[FT]

As has been stated by others, the cheap knock-off vised are false economy because they don't hold up and don't hold hooks all that well.

In new, the best values in vises are the Griffin non-rotary ones. They hold hooks with tenacity, are made of good materials, are easy to adjust for different hooks, and they hold up well. The best part is the Griffin non-rotary vised sell for under the $75.00 price you have to play with. In fact, the Griffin 2A is about $50.00. The next best value in non-rotary vises in the Thompson Model A.

Look around and see if you can find a used Thompson A, Griffin 2A or 3AR, or in rotary vises the Peak, or Danvise. You should be able to find a Thompson A or one of these two Griffins for $25.00 or less used. And if you need a rotary vise, you should be able to find a Peak or Danvise for under $50.00

[Skilly]

I Hate to say this but Sportsmans has sveral that might fit your price range.

Skilly

[herl]

I've heard great things about the danvise- if you don't mind the plastic frame, that would probably be the way to go.

[Salmon Chaser]

I bought an Integra vise with a pedestal just over three years ago for $45 and another $15 to ship. I have just over 10,000 flies on it and only one microscopic chip to speak of. The vise grips as good as a regal,, of which it is a clone. It has proved to be one of my best purchases through the bay as yet. 3 other lads in our club use them and two others have the regals to compare to and there is just no difference performance wise. HIGHLY RECOMMENDEDptyd ptyd :beer1: :beer2:
Salmon Chaser

[Warren Perry]

Try the rotary vise from Jann's Netcraft, Catalog # 420304 it is listed at 34.95. I have had one for about 7 years and it works just fine.

This link might not work but I'll post it anyway

http://www.jannsnetcraft.com/fly-tying-vises/042030400009.aspx

Warren

[bfic]

I agree with the Griffin non-rotary or Thompson A. The Thompson,s a great vise especially if you replace the cam lever rivet with an allen bolt/nut and lube the surface the cam rides against ocasionally.

Don't feel bad about the budget vise. Thousands of tiers better than us have used inexpensive stationary vises. One of the best tiers I know still uses one exclusively. I've owned 5 different vises including Regal and Renzetti and am currentl debating trading them all for an HMH which is just an expensive Thompson A.

[Ron Eagle Elk]

I've seen Warren Perry's vise and it is a solid, well made tool. I can second his suggestion.

I can also second or maybe third those that suggested the DanVise. My wife just bought one and is very happy with it. She prefers her Nor-Vise, but likes the DanVise for it's portability and smooth operation.

REE

[hendersonbaylocal]

I will add my recommendation for the Thompson. I picked one up for about 10 bucks on Ebay this fall and it has worked great so far.

[YAKIMA]

Price aside, if it's a great deal, and you don't like the way it feels, did you get a great deal? Sit down and see how they feel to you. Vises all do the same thing, but they do lay out differently. If your stuck on names, you may be disappointed. I have to high named, high priced vises, I love one, and hate the other. My son is the opposite of me on his opinion.

Check Ebay all the time. On line catalogs, closeouts. Put some time in fly shops and see how the vises feel to you. They all should let you sit down at the table and put a hook in one and try it out. Narrow your choices down and go from there. There are some great vises out there without breaking the bank...

Greg

[kodiaksalmon]

I'd say that a more affordable genuine vise is better than a more affordable knock-off. If you're gonna spend $50, get the best $50 genuine vise you can. I bit the bullet several yeas ago and bought a Barracuda. It'lll last me forever. Get the best vise you can afford, and don't look back.

Jeff

[SteelieD]

I know of some VERY good tyers who tie on the Danvise...

http://www.flyfisherman.com/ftb/hwvise/index.html

Stay away from the knockoff stuff. You'll probably just have to buy another vise and then you've blown the 'savings'.

[Nick Riggs]

I have been looking at this one: http://cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0011287316244a&type=product&cmCat=search&returnPage=search-results1.jsp&QueryText=griffin+spider&N=4887&Ntk=Products&Ntx=mode+matchall&Nty=1&Ntt=griffin+spider&noImage=0
I haven't heard anything about this vise, but I really want to get a rotary, any opinions?

[Stewart]

I have a $10 vise from the White Elephant. No complaints so far.

[ceviche]

I have a vise that's either similar or the same as Warren Perry's. While I do think it's a great value, if I could make that choice over again, I'd look for something with cam-lock jaws. There are times when the screw-lock on the jaws become very hard to untighten. It wasn't like I cranked down on them with finger tension, but it's been more than once when I had to break out a pair of pliers to free things up again.

And what about the rubber grommet at the back end of the jaws? Those things rot after a while.

Start with cam-lock jaws, full rotary, and hook shank centering arm--and then search for the best price. You won't regret it.

Oh, if you're interested, here's a link titled: "How to Buy a Fly Tying Vise."
http://www.eflytyer.com/tools/buying_vises.html