Larry
January 9th, 2004, 02:09 AM
Jim Sez:
I'm considering a new vise, and those glitzy rotary jobs really look nice.
But I've got to ask myself how often one actually uses the rotary feature. I
tie lots of #12-20 nymphs and dries, along with some #4-10 steelhead flies
when I want to see what I'm working on. I know they can be plenty useful,
but just how often do you actually rotate the fly, in practice?
Here's my cut at it:
I'm the one asking about the DynaKing and maybe I can add a bit of
perspective and information here for you. I've been tying for 39 years
now, have done the majority of my tying on a fixed vise up until 8 years
ago when I boought a "rotational" (NOT rotary) vise, the Regal 360. It
allows you to loosen a nut ans spin the jaws around in a circle so you
can view the fly at any angle, and you can tighten the nut if you choose
and tie with the fly in a different position, for example, if you want
to tie in legs, etc.
I've tied semi-commercially and in competition and swaps for a long
time, and have never really gotten the bug for a rotary... I've tied on
vises belonging to others, tied at shops and shows and had a Nor Vise
that I bought and took back in a week once (just didn't like the thing
at all).
The reason I'm considering one now is primarily for tying "in the round"
flies, and nothing more... those where the body materials and hackle are
all applied evenly around the hook, no wings, no beards, nothing else...
these would include Griffith's Gnats, Wooly Worms and Buggers, Leeches,
and a selection of nymphs that are more searching flies than anything else.
Other than on flies of this type, I can't see a REAL benefit to having a
rotary. You can also use them if you want to apply weight to a bunch of
hook shanks at one time, or want to tail and apply bodies to a large
numebr of flies, then tie them off and finish them on a stationary vise,
which are some of the other uses I'm considering it for. They're also
great for drying epoxy on a small number of flies if you don't have a
motor and wheel.
The majority of them don't have real great hook holding capabilities
(until you get up into the $300 range) and those that do have less than
desirable configurations for getting your hands around the jaws behind
the hook, or no place to rest your "off" hand. They aren't extremely
comfortable to tie on, and I can't personally ever see myself using one
as a "go to" vise for the majority of my tying.
I'm considering the DynaKing Trekker because it DOES have excellent hook
holding abilities, there IS a comfortable place to rest your "off" hand,
and it's price is FAIRLY reasonable ($209) The standard jaws will
accomodate hooks between sizes 2 and 24, and there are midge jaws which
provide even better access to the back of the hook (for us sausage
fingered fellas).
I've tried to talk myself into the Renzetti Traveler for 4 years now,
used those belonging to friends and I was almost convinced when they
came out with the cam-jaw feature last year... and was even CLOSER to
almost convinced when they came out with the little bit beefier and more
stable feeling Sal****er Traveler, but I just am too uncomfortable tying
on this vise.
I've also been looking at the PEAK vise, and although it's a bit less
expensive ($129), not having seen it and gotten a chance to actually tie
on it, I'm unable to make a decision. I really like the sturdy lo0ok of
it, but at this time, I'm leaning towards the Dyna King Barracuda
Trekker I think.
So... if you're thinking of going to a rotary as your one and only vise,
better plan on learning to walk all over again. =) If you're
considering one for occasional use, it might be a good thing for you. I
know I'll still spend the majority of my time tying on my Regal 360.
That's my story, and I'm stickin' with it!
Larry
I'm considering a new vise, and those glitzy rotary jobs really look nice.
But I've got to ask myself how often one actually uses the rotary feature. I
tie lots of #12-20 nymphs and dries, along with some #4-10 steelhead flies
when I want to see what I'm working on. I know they can be plenty useful,
but just how often do you actually rotate the fly, in practice?
Here's my cut at it:
I'm the one asking about the DynaKing and maybe I can add a bit of
perspective and information here for you. I've been tying for 39 years
now, have done the majority of my tying on a fixed vise up until 8 years
ago when I boought a "rotational" (NOT rotary) vise, the Regal 360. It
allows you to loosen a nut ans spin the jaws around in a circle so you
can view the fly at any angle, and you can tighten the nut if you choose
and tie with the fly in a different position, for example, if you want
to tie in legs, etc.
I've tied semi-commercially and in competition and swaps for a long
time, and have never really gotten the bug for a rotary... I've tied on
vises belonging to others, tied at shops and shows and had a Nor Vise
that I bought and took back in a week once (just didn't like the thing
at all).
The reason I'm considering one now is primarily for tying "in the round"
flies, and nothing more... those where the body materials and hackle are
all applied evenly around the hook, no wings, no beards, nothing else...
these would include Griffith's Gnats, Wooly Worms and Buggers, Leeches,
and a selection of nymphs that are more searching flies than anything else.
Other than on flies of this type, I can't see a REAL benefit to having a
rotary. You can also use them if you want to apply weight to a bunch of
hook shanks at one time, or want to tail and apply bodies to a large
numebr of flies, then tie them off and finish them on a stationary vise,
which are some of the other uses I'm considering it for. They're also
great for drying epoxy on a small number of flies if you don't have a
motor and wheel.
The majority of them don't have real great hook holding capabilities
(until you get up into the $300 range) and those that do have less than
desirable configurations for getting your hands around the jaws behind
the hook, or no place to rest your "off" hand. They aren't extremely
comfortable to tie on, and I can't personally ever see myself using one
as a "go to" vise for the majority of my tying.
I'm considering the DynaKing Trekker because it DOES have excellent hook
holding abilities, there IS a comfortable place to rest your "off" hand,
and it's price is FAIRLY reasonable ($209) The standard jaws will
accomodate hooks between sizes 2 and 24, and there are midge jaws which
provide even better access to the back of the hook (for us sausage
fingered fellas).
I've tried to talk myself into the Renzetti Traveler for 4 years now,
used those belonging to friends and I was almost convinced when they
came out with the cam-jaw feature last year... and was even CLOSER to
almost convinced when they came out with the little bit beefier and more
stable feeling Sal****er Traveler, but I just am too uncomfortable tying
on this vise.
I've also been looking at the PEAK vise, and although it's a bit less
expensive ($129), not having seen it and gotten a chance to actually tie
on it, I'm unable to make a decision. I really like the sturdy lo0ok of
it, but at this time, I'm leaning towards the Dyna King Barracuda
Trekker I think.
So... if you're thinking of going to a rotary as your one and only vise,
better plan on learning to walk all over again. =) If you're
considering one for occasional use, it might be a good thing for you. I
know I'll still spend the majority of my time tying on my Regal 360.
That's my story, and I'm stickin' with it!
Larry