I'm going to the the plunge and begin tying my flies. Any thoughts on good-value vice? Definitely sub-$200. Around a hinder would be better. I have no delusions of tying for anyone else but myself, and for my own satisfaction. Are the vices that come it kits at Cabelas, Orvis, etc; poor choices in the long run? Has anyone owned an Anvil Made Atlas? I just saw that they are manufactured in my local area and it's nice to support the local guy when able. Any other recommendations? Thank you.

I have a Renzetti Traveler that I've used for over 10 years and I love it. Never had a problem with it. I think it was around $150 when I purchased it, but that may not be the case today. Holds hooks rock solid and is full rotary. Good luck and I hope that tying your own flies brings you as much joy as it brings me.

David

Regal standard jaws c-clamp. I tied on one for 30+ years and it ties from 3/0 tarpon down to 20 midges. Not rotary, but that was never needed until they wanted to sell for $$$$

You can tie a lot of good flies on a $20 Thompson “A” knock off. If you don’t like tying, you only have $20 in the vise. If you do, it will probably take awhile for you to realize the limitations of a simple vise and move to a rotary or similar. These are the kind of vises that come in kits.

I started with a kit but that was in the days before YouTube and most of the online stuff, so I progressed from a wooly worm to a really ugly Wulf in slow steps. YouTube can be your friend, so can having the opportunity to watch and question good tiers at a local club or fly shop.

Enjoy it, its a way to stay involved in fishing when the weather or circumstances are trashed. It also lets you tie patterns and colors of patterns that you can’t buy but are best suited for the waters you are fishing.

The Griffin 1A is an excellent vise. It looks like it runs less than $70. The adjustment isn't as quick as the Regal but it holds hooks rock solid. The price difference can buy you a lot of tying material and hooks.

I've read many solid reviews on the Griffin, Atlas, Renzetti. I need to look into the Peak and Regal. I think the Regal is more than I want to spend. The Renzetti as well.

Since you are on a budget, I'd try the Danica rotary vise, the best of the low cost rotary vises. You probably won't even use the rotary function, but it 's nice to have the option, at least it gives you opportunity to try the function. Cost is around $100, has all the bells and whistles of more expensive vises. Unfortunately I can't give first hand experience, I tie on an Atlas and Renzetti, started on a Thompson. However, reviews are very positive even with it's usage of many delrin parts.
After you grow into the addiction of tying, some time in the future one can always upgrade to one of the "premium" vises.
Respectfully rvreclus

To learn anything right, crawl before you walk and walk before you run. If you are new to virtually any activity, fly tying or other, concentrate on the techniques, not tools. A simple vice that holds the hook firmly is all that is needed--the old standard Thompson A or a copy being good examples. The "better" vices have "features" that you don't need, and the money would be better spent on materials and secondary tools. Speed and long-term durability for volume production is built in to the top end rotary vices. You will never need either one, unless you want to multiply routine beginner's faults in tying. When you have to put more attention into using the tool than into technique of tying the fly, it is the wrong tool.

Regal, it won't break and you'll never want for another.

i would go for a thompson model A or a knockoff thereof.

even if you replace it,they come in handy for drying flies that you epoxy or cement,or for travel,etc.

my wife,who is a much better tyer than I ,swears by them.

My two cents......I started my tying on a BPS Crown vise, it's a Regal knock off $49. Not a true rotary but does revolve. I like the spring lever clamping style of the jaws, and with the money you save you could invest in quality tools like scissors and such. I’ve moved on to a Regal but the Crown is still going strong and I use on occasion.

I really enjoy their reviews, and it was super helpful to me. I also happened across this video while looking at vises -



He kind of compares vises to cars, some extra dry humor there

dont recognize that one. but after 30 plus years i still tie on a Thompson A vise. primitive? maybe. minimalist, yep. but it does what i need it to.