12 Best Fly Tying Vise 2023 [Helpful Buyer’s Guide]

Nothing beats heading down to the gently flowing river on a sunny afternoon for a day of fly fishing. You would hunt for some trout while at the same time enjoying the scenery.

However, buying and losing flies can be a pricy affair, and this is what makes many anglers to prefer tying their flies.

When it comes to tying your flies, a fly tying vise is a necessary tool for the job. In fact, they have become quite popular as the years have gone by due to the versatility that they offer.

With the many brands of fly tying vises available in the market, it is easy to get confused or end up with the wrong product for the job.

So how do you get the best fly tying vise? That is the question that is article hopes to answer. For instance, we shall mention the factors that you need to consider if you want to get the ideal vise for tying flies.

Best Fly Tying Vise

These factors include:

  • The type of operation
  • The jaws
  • Material spring for tying
  • Warranty service among others

We have also gone a step further and reviewed the following models of fly tying vises, hoping that the analysis helps you narrow down your search for the best product.

Awesome 12 Fly Tying Vises in 2023: Comparison Table

Before we get started, here’s an informative list we’d like to share with you. In it are quick details about the different vises we came across during our research.

RankingNameDimensionWeight
1Rotary Fly Tying Vise – Peak Fishing Vise10.2 x 7.5 x 3 inches2.1 pounds
2Stonfo Transformer Fly Tying Vise5 pounds
3Griffin Odyssey Spider Fly Tying Vise13 x 1 x 1 inches1 pounds
4Griffin Montana Mongoose Vise8 x 14 x 10 inches5.6 pounds
5Danica Danvise10 x 8 x 3 inches1 pounds
6Wolff Apex Rotary Fly Tying Vise3.7 pounds
7Zephr Travel Fly Tying Kit w/Travel Tying Tying Flies4.5 pounds
8Regal Travel Fly Tying Vise2.8 pounds
9Wolff Industries Apex Rotary Fly Tying Vise4 pounds
10Atlas Rotary Fly Tying Vise6.2 pounds
11Orvis RenzettiTraveller 2000 Vise
12Fly Tying Ez Rotary Vise4 pounds

1. Peak Fishing Rotary Fly Tying Vise

Have you been searching for a vise that can hold large hooks of 2/0? Well, Peak Fishing seems to have the vise with a steel jaw that can hold size 2 wire firmly.

The pedestal base on this vise is said to be compact yet easily portable. As such, you can carry the vise with you anywhere.

Key features

The rotary features on this vise allow you to easily monitor the flies from any angle. Moreover, you can rotate the hooks making it easy to use.

In as much as the vise construction is good due to the aluminum and steel used, the plastic knobs used aren’t as sturdy as they seem. As such, they might break if too much force is used on them. Fortunately, these can easily be replaced (NB: get brass knobs as replacements).

Pros

  • Right or left hand orientation
  • Rotary features
  • Easy to adjust
  • Pedestal base

Cons

  • Plastic knobs break easily

2. Stonfo Transformer Fly Tying Vise

If you have been searching for a high quality vise, then this could be it. This vise from Stonfo can be transformed from an in-line vise to a streamer vice or tube-fly vise which means you have three vises in one.

The pedestal base has been designed to serve as a tool rack too. You can therefore put your tools on it where they are easily accessible as you work.

Key Features

The jaws on this vise are said to be interchangeable depending on the hook you intend to use. Besides that, the jaws grip firmly hence a steady hook that is likely to work better.

For durability and strength, the shaft on the vise is made of stainless steel while resisting harsh weather conditions. However, this vise seems to be more advanced for beginner tiers.

Pros

  • Pedestal base
  • Stainless steel shaft
  • Interchangeable jaws
  • Adjustable rotary tension

Cons

  • Unsuitable for beginners

You may read: The 15 Best Fishing Fillet Knife & Best Fly Fishing Lines – Reviews Along With Detailed Buying Guide

3. Griffin Odyssey Spider Fly Tying Vise

Searching for a vise to that is easy to adjust the hook position? Search no more, this vise from Griffin can rotate at 360 degrees which is likely to make adjusting your hook an effortless task.

The vise is said to be light in weight hence portable. But it is a C-clamp variant which means you have to attach the base to a flat surface to be able to work with vise.

Key Features

You can use this vise to hold a variety of hooks. This is likely to come in handy when you have to tie many flies for different fish species.

The jaw capacity of the vise is 28 to 4/0 and it is said to hold firmly. However, customers have reported that the parts on the vise are not durable especially the plastic knobs.

Pros

  • Rotating vise
  • C-clamp variant
  • Jaw capacity of 28 to 4/0
  • Can hold a variety of hook sizes

Cons

  • Plastic knobs get damaged fast

4. Griffin Montana Mongoose Vise

You are at liberty to choose how and where to use your vise, but making such a decision is possible if it is the Mongoose vise. The reason is the vise comes with a C-clamp for attachment and pedestal base when you have to work while moving.

Tempered steel jaws are likely to have a more secure grip as compared to other normal vise jaws. For this reason, your hook is unlikely to slip once you have placed it on the vise.

Key Features

There is a hackle gauge included with this vise. The gauge is said to be efficient when you want to measure the hackle for dry fly tying ensuring your flies are the right length.

Some customers have reported that the front part of this vise seems to be heavier. As such, the vise is unsteady when you are using it to hold your hook. 

Pros

  • Comfortable hand position
  • Tempered steel jaws
  • 360 degrees rotation
  • C-clamp and pedestal base

Cons

  • Unbalanced weight making it unsteady

5. Danica Danvise Rotary Fly Tying Vise

With a shorter jaw taper, this vise from Danica Danvise is said to be stronger at the jaw tips. As a result, chances of tear and wear are minimized.

In addition, the jaws are cam operated making them easy to use. Besides that, the material on them is tempered stainless steel for durability and resistance to corrosion.

Key Features

The rotary vise features makes it possible for you to make fine adjustments on the hook. You can also check the fly from any angle as you do the tying.

Even those new to fly tying can use the vise according to the manufacturer as it operates smoothly. But one drawback to this vise is the shaft being said to be loose and has to be tightened frequently.

Pros

  • Easy to adjust
  • Hook size 22 to 7/0
  • C-clamp variant
  • Cam operated jaws

Cons

  • Loose shaft

6. Wolff Apex Rotary Fly Tying Vise (W/Base Only)

How about being able to adjust your vise to your preference? Well, Wolff Industries has a vise that is designed with a knob to enable you adjust the vise length.

You can check the fly you are tying from any angle due to the rotary characteristics of this vise. Furthermore, hook adjustment is likely to be effortless as you can rotate the vise at 360 degrees.

Key Features

The jaws on this vise are made of steel and said to be durable. In addition, the jaws are alleged to work well with larger hooks.

Since this is a pedestal base vise, you can carry it with you on the move and use it anywhere. The plastic knobs on this vise are not durable as reported by some customers.

Pros

  • Spot on rotation
  • Vise adjustment knob
  • Durable steel jaws
  • Suitable for larger hooks

Cons

  • Plastic knobs are not durable

7. Zephr Travel Fly Tying Kit

The Zephr kit has 12 tools that are said to be necessary for fly tying. Among these tools is an EZ rotary fly tying vise.

This vise has both a C-clamp for attaching to flat surfaces and pedestal base that you can use anywhere. You are therefore able to choose which one to use depending on where you are working.

Key Features

The vise is said to be able to rotate at 360 degrees hence making the hook adjustment possible with little effort. In addition, the rotation enables you to tie flies efficiently while viewing them from all the sides.

Even when you are new to fly tying, this kit is said to be helpful. However, some customers have reported that the jaws of the vise close poorly.

Pros

  • EZ rotary vise included
  • C-clamp and pedestal vise base
  • Durable tools
  • Carry bag provided

Cons

  • Vise jaw closes poorly

8. Regal Travel Fly Tying Vise

If you have been searching for a uniquely designed vise, then Regal travel fly tying vise may be an excellent choice for you. This vise has a reverse goose-neck stem that is said to help in position the fulcrum of the vise jaws for efficiency.

The rotary motion is convenient for hook adjustment and positioning. Furthermore, the jaws of the vise are said to be able to handle a varied range of hook sizes.

Key Features

Since the vise is made of aluminum material, it is alleged to be durable. Besides that, it is light in weight and likely to resist corrosion even when exposed to salt water.

The size of this vise is said to be convenient especially when you have to carry it with you. Unfortunately, the vise is unsteady and keeps falling, maybe because the base is small to offer stability.

Pros

  • Pedestal base
  • Made of aluminum
  • Lightweight and durable
  • Small and portable

Cons

  • The vise is unsteady

9. Wolff Industries Apex Rotating Fly Tying Vise

When the jaws of the vise are made of steel, they are not only strong, but the grip is likely to be firm. This is what you get when you purchase Apex fly tying vise from Wolff Industries.

The vise is made of stainless steel to prevent rust in case of exposure to corrosive substances like salt water. In addition, stainless steel is likely to enhance the durability of the vise.

Key Features

You can make the vise length sufficient depending on your working area using the adjustment knob. As such, you do not strain in case the surface where you have clamped the vise is either low or high.

Screws holding the vise are said to get loose and can fall off rendering this vise useless. You have to keep tightening them each time you are working which tends to be a cumbersome task.

Pros

  • Full in-line rotary
  • C-clamp and pedestal base
  • Easy to use
  • Adjustable vise length

Cons

  • Screws need frequent tightening

10. Wolff Industries, Inc. Atlas Rotary Fly Tying Vise

Wolff industries state that their Atlas fly tying vise is designed for small fly tying. This is because you can fine-adjust the jaws to be able to hold the 32 to 7/0 hooks which are more suited for small flies.

The pedestal base on this fly tying vise is colored blue. The manufacturer says that the pedestal can help you to find bead heads that you may have dropped accidentally.

Key Features

Derlin sleeve bearings used with this vise are the likely reason for the smooth operation. Moreover, the vise can rotate at 360 degrees for easy hook adjustment.

The lack of a bobbin cradle on this vise means you are unable to rest when fly tying. As such, using it may exhaust your hands especially when you are new to the tying skill.

Pros

  • Derlin sleeve bearings
  • Jaw capacity 7/0 to 32
  • Interchangeable jaws
  • Pedestal base

Cons

  • Lacks a bobbin cradle

11. Orvis RenzettiTraveller 2000 Vise

For stability and an easy to use vise, Orvis Renzetti seems like a good choice to fit the description. The base of this vise is said to be stable resulting in a steady hook and well tied flies.

The jaw capacity is 28 to 4/0 hook sizes. Furthermore, the jaws are said to hold firmly and even working with hooks that are bigger that 22.

Key Features

Orvis is said to be easy to use and portable. Besides that, the bobbin cradle is alleged to make this vise more convenient while enabling you take brake when fly tying.

This is a right hand action vise. As such, you can be limited in case you are learning to tie flies and you end up purchasing the right hand action.

Pros

  • Bobbin cradle included
  • 28 to 4/0 hook size
  • Screw adjustments
  • Rotary action

Cons

  • Only right hand action

Another article: Top 10 Best Kayaks for Fly Fishing: Unbiased In-depth Reviews

12. Fly Tying Ez Rotary Vise

For you to use this vise with many hooks, the jaws are designed to enable adjustment. This comes in handy for fly tying more so when you do not know the fish you are targeting, so you can use many different hooks.

According to some customers, the vise is more suitable for new tiers due its simplicity. But pros can also use it since it is said to be light in weight and easy to use.

Key Features

The ability to rotate the vise is advantageous when it comes to checking the flies you have tied. In addition, a hook that can rotate is likely to be easy to use and position as compared to one that is fixed.

This is a C- clamp variant vise meaning you have to clamp it to be able to work. As such, you are restricted since you have to work where your vise is located.

Pros

  • Rotary features
  • Cam lock jaws
  • Adjustable to fit varied hook sizes
  • Easy to use

Cons

  • C-clamp variant only

The Buying Guide

If you want a product that you believe would serve you best, there are several aspects that you need to focus on.

Let’s discuss these factors in detail.

The rotation and adjustability of the head

We recommend that you go for a unit with the capability of rotating smoothly. Note that there are models with fixed heads that do not rotate at all.

There are those with only the sideways movement of the head while there are those with a 360-degree rotation.

The vises with fixed heads tend to be lower priced than those with rotating ones.

The Jaws

There are a few things that you need to look out for in the jaws. First, they need to be made from a sturdy material such as stainless steel to give you an assurance of durability.

Then, the jaws should not be too stiff to make them hard to open and close. Additionally, adjustable jaws can accommodate hooks of different sizes.

Base Types

In this instance, you are faced with the option of C-clamp and pedestal bases. The former is ideal if you work from home as it is suited for attaching to the tabletop.

The latter, on its part, versatile and sturdy and is ideal for you if you travel a lot.

Of the two options, the C-clamp has a stronger base.

The warranty service

One way of distinguishing a genuine product from a fake one is through the warranty service that it offers. This helps you in avoiding losses in case something goes wrong with your vise within the warranty period.

On top of that, ensure that the coverage is valid for a reasonable duration.

The Price

When it comes to the pricing, always have a budget that you are relying on. Also, avoid going for items that are extremely priced, either too cheap or too expensive.

Types of Vise Bases

There are several types of vise bases available, but the general rule is a heavier base represents more stability.

Aluminum Pocket Base

These types of base tend to be lightweight and affordable but are only suited to work with small hooks.

Bronze Pocket Base

This type is well-built, impressively designed, and at the same time, portable.

The Bobbin Cradle

These are quite popular due to the convenience that they offer, in that you can rest your Bobbin in-between your fly tying process. What’s more, is that you could always build your own Bobbin cradle just in case your vise comes without one.

Bronze Traditional Base

When it comes to the bronze base, it is sturdy, bulky, and very stable.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The purpose of this article is to boost your knowledge of fly tying vises. Therefore, we have also included some commonly asked questions and their responses.

Let’s check them out.

How do I use a fly tying vise?

The first thing you need to ensure is that you can use the vise in a seated position. Therefore, you should use the adjustment screw to adjust the height that would put you in this position.

Then, the holding jaws need to be higher than the desktop clamp. You could use the swivel to set this position if it had not already been done so.

When it comes to opening the jaws, start by adjusting the rotary shaft before placing the hook in the jaws. Then, by closing the jaws, you will have secured the hook in place.

What Factors Should I consider if I want to get the best vise for fly tying?

As you shop for the ideal fly tying vise, there are several factors that you need to put into consideration, and they include the hook sizes, the toughness/tightness of the jaws, the type of base, pricing, among other factors.

What do the initials CDC represent in fly tying?

These initials stand for ‘Cul De Cunard,’ which is a type of fluffy feather and comes in different colors. They are plucked from ducks and are popular with anglers due to some of their properties such as buoyancy, water-resistance, and the ability to trap air.

Best Overall Choice

Peak Fishing Rotary Fly Tying Vise is our best fly tying vise since it is portable and easy to use. Besides that, both right handed and left handed customers can comfortably use this vise.

Wrapping it Up

Acquiring the ideal fly tying vise for the job can be a complicated affair. One of the reasons for this is due to the countless models available in the market.

We all want a product that is worth every cent spent on it, and that is why we have given you a simple guide on the qualities to look out for.

Further, we have reviewed some models with the hope of giving you fewer options so that you could narrow down your search and, in the process, save time and money.

We can only wish you all the best in your search and hope that you get pleasant results in the end.

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