I've been tying flies for 55 years and have both taught fly tying (up to and including married wing salmon flies). I've been recommending Griffin Vises since I saw my first one, which was a good 30 years ago, All the Griffin Vises are well-made, hold a hook with a vengeance, and would last the average fly tyer a lifetime. The Odyssey Spider is an excellent full rotary vise that sells, like the other Griffin Vises and tools, for a lot less than others that hold hooks as well. Plus, they are made in Montana and if something breaks (most likely because someone dropped it) or wears out, parts are readily available at a very reasonable cost to replace the broken part.
I know folks who have bought the Peak Rotary, the Griffin Odyssey Spider, and the Renzetti Traveler. All of these people like their vises and none of them have had any problems with their vises. But for the best value for the money spent, the Griffin Odyssey Spider beats them all. Granted, the Odyssey doesn't have the nicest finish, but who cares? The finish doesn't help it hold a hook solidly without slippage. If you really care about the finish, you'd be looking into the $400.00 and up truly professional vises that are overkill for the average fly tyer.
So from a value to cost ratio, the Griffin wins by a large margin, so safe yourself some money, buy the Odyssey, and use the money you saved to buy more materials, more fishing gear, a new fly line, or to take more fishing trips.
