My Regal spit a hook and the jaws shattered. Yes, I clearly was at fault (must have put the #20 dry fly hook in slightly too far toward the edge), but it's a shame that a single (and quite easy to make) mistake results in a very expensive repair. That just counts as a poor design for me. When I saw the projected bill from Regal to replace the jaws (plus postage both ways), I tossed the whole thing in the trash. No problems after switching to an HMH, which I fully expect to be the last vise I'll ever buy. Yes, it does require an adjustment to the cam when making a large change in hook size, but after a bit of experience this becomes automatic and not something I consciously think about anymore.

Sorry for the delay in responding, I've not really made a decision yet, as I've been looking into all of the great options that you and others have suggested. I am loving the Regal, as many have added to my list, and it's currently in the lead. The Peak is also a strong candidate, based on perceived value. In truth, I'm not sure if I "need" the rotary features as much as I may have thought.
To test the waters, I purchased an incredibly cheap vise and some materials, to see if this is something that I enjoy. Now I'm pretty hooked (no pun, I'm no witty enough). My 7-year-old son and I have enjoyed a number of priceless rainy afternoons tying together. It's a blast, even with a vise that poorly holds the hook.
So, my plan is to pay my dues learning on this vise, while I watch for the right deal on another vise. I'm watching for a Regal.

I just started a year ago, and decided I like going vintage and basic to learn. I bought a nice used Thompson A on the auction site and I have been learning on that and thinking I could watch for a sale or deal to trade up...I will admit that I am not a great tyier but I haven't run into the need to upgrade and the Thompson has worked for every fly I have wanted to tie. I don't anticipate getting into bass bugs and the beautiful deer hair ties, so I don't anticipate needing anything more thant the Thompson for the foreseeable future.

Good luck on your journey

i used a regal knock off for years.guy at a now closed tackle store kind of made me think it was a regal.it is starting to get loose but i still use it for big flies.they will hold any size fly without adjustment.the cheap thompson type vise i started on was really frustrating as hooks wood fall out in the middle of tying and other disasters.being a tradesman ,buy the best damn tools you can.not the most expensive.life is too short to have someone else's shoddy work impair your work.

I have to agree with the approach of not buying a fly tying kit.
Instead, buy good tools and materials you need to tackle your first several fly patterns. One good cape, make it grizzly.
As your challenges and skills increase, you'll find the need for new tools and more materials, and eventually you'll be looking for places to store them. No sense cluttering up with a a lot of mediocre tools and materials you may never use.

I've been using a Thompson A for 45 years. I'm no artist, but the flies I tie catch fish. I'm with I'm with picketpin52.

In my opinion, the Regal is by far the best vice for beginners.
I started with a regal, and I also tied on a regal when I was tying 10 dozen a day commercially and guiding.
I like the c clamp version.

Another Thompson A fan here. I've got two, a pedestal base and a c-clamp. The pedestal base vise came with three sets of jaws, midge, standard and saltwater so I can handle 28's to about 4/0. I've also got a prototype rotary that I bought from Ed Koch when he had his fly shop in Boiling Springs, PA back in the early 70's, very primitive but works like a charm and kind of special because of who I bought it from.

Like a lot of others apparently, I started with a Thompson I borrowed from a friend. I now have a Regal clamp vise with two different heads and an HMH clamp with the fine or midge head. I like the simplicity and functionality of the Regal. Can’t recall the last time I used the HMH. Currently tying Tricos down to 22’s with the Regal.