Flytying vices?
I use an older and very basic thompson vice for my fly tying.What I want to do is move up to a more a versatile vice that is either a weighted desk top model or a clamp-on model. I don't necessarily need it to be portable. I am tying flies #18 up to #1/0, both lake and river versions, with the odd saltwater fly now and again. Which models/brands might be recommended or maybe should be avoided?

I'm very happy with my Regal vice.

Don has in my opinion the best vice on the macket.The Regal has served me for many years and most comercal tyers us them.If you want more info on vices give me a call at the shop 604 826-9899

regal is by far the best in my book.. I had a thompson in the beginning, and it fell apart - I got the regal about 13 years ago, and it still works perfectly. Good clamping system, and great design.

I have a Regal (Inex) and a Renzetti traveller.
Both are good vices. If you decide on a regal get the standard model at a minimum that let's you adjust the angle of the jaws. With some flies, particularly smaller ones the angle on the fixed Inex jaws make tying tail a pain.

There are knock offs made in India - most I've seen don't have tempered jaws and I've seen display models with spawls knicked off the jaw rendering them unusable.

Be sure you get the real mccoy!

I have a a knock off regal which is called a regient. It's served me very well. It's a pedistal model which I paid $85.00 for, the clamp on models are about $55.00

Go the the real mcCoy Regal. They are simple, strong and outlast most. Takes from very small hooks to salt water hooks. They are great.
Contrary to Nicole's entry above I also had a thompson for many years and tied flies commercially on it, again from small to large hooks. Stayed together, jaws just got loose. Was great for the money.
I like the Regal much betteer though.

Regal's pretty nice for al all-purpose vise....But because I do not go below a size 8 #36890 TULE, I'm wondering how they work on the *little* shooting irons...Regal's pretty fussy about replacing jaws when owners spit the small hooks like watermelon seeds across the room, by questionable hook placement, when there is a drawing comes with the vise. I'm wondering if it's better to control the hook clamping one's self, via a cam operated model. Thompson, Dyna-King, HMH, Renzetti, Griffith, etc, all offer really nice long-lived cam operated ones. Better yet, get them both !!!! cheers.

I have a Thompson, which works well for the smaller #8 - #20 hooks, but I have trouble getting it to hold the larger hooks in place while tying. Is it a specific Regal vise that's good for larger flies or Regal's in general?

I've also seen some vises with a lot of adjustments for positioning, rotating, (and grating no doubt). Does anyone find that stuff helpful or is it just eye candy?

Thanks in advance for any pointers.

I own a Regal and find it a good vise exept it started rusting after owning it for 2-3 months I phoned down to Regal and they would not replace it. The jaws also start to wear out on the tips so it is hard to hold small hooks without them flying all over in the room

I have a Regal knock off just like Ryan does and I've had it for about 6 years without any problems. The vise looks the same as a Regal and works just great. It makes me wonder why anyone would want to spend three times the amount of money for a Regal. Maybe if you tie 100 flies or better a month the Regal will outlast the Regient knock off but I guess time will tell.

I love my Regal....it rules

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