On Thu, 06 May 2004 03:54:34 GMT, "JohnR" wrote:

Is anybody here familiar with the A. K. Best Vise? It may have been from a
company called AK's Tools. I don't think they are being made anymore.

I have seen a pedestal version used by Shane Stalcup in some of his
videotapes.

The reason I ask is that my local fly shop took one in on trade and now is
selling it for $90. It is a clamp model with the midge jaws (or at least it
looks like a midge jaw).

Is this a fair price for a vise that isn't being made anymore? I've heard
some rumors that they had trouble with the jaws being fragile or brittle.
Any truth to that?

I already have a Renzetti Traveler pedestal vise and it is a good vise.
Still I do like the looks of the AK Vise.

Thanks in advance.

-John

There was a problem early on with the jaws being too brittle.
I have played with this vise several years ago, and found it to
be junk, it will barely hold a hook, and those are not midge jaws,
that is the standard jaw for that vise. Stay with Renzetti.