Hi Everyone ,
I am looking to replace my vice of probably 30 years standing - The jaws are losing their grip .
I tie sizes 10 down to 20 . There seems to be a huge choice out there !
The vice I have currently came from the original Lathkill tackle when it was run by Philip White and is not branded .
I obviously don't want to get a bank loan for one !
I would like to be able to alter the angle of the head and also rotate the jaws .
Any recommendations would be appreciated .
I have an Anvil Apex and have had no problems in three years regular tying with it. I tie from about a salmon size 3 to 16s usually. They are American manufactured and well made. They have gone up a bit in price because of the fall in the value of the pound recently but £115 should get you one.
Len
Another vote for the Anvil Apex.
Another from me! Handles from tiny to 6/0 no problem at a reasonable price.
I've got the anvil atlas, bit more expensive but can't fault it, really well made and I like using it.
Your post Prompted me to have a look and I've found that I too have the Atlas and not the Apex. Great vice. I've also got a Dyna King vice and that too is a fantastic and very well made tool. Unfortunately my model didn't have the rotating head so I got the Anvil for that feature. I tend to do all of my flies on that now.
Quote from: Lochan_load on March 07, 2017, 04:40:48 PM
I've got the anvil atlas, bit more expensive but can't fault it, really well made and I like using it.
Great choice. High quality but still sensibly priced
I also have the atlas which I got from Harvey angling, might be worth contacting them to see if there if they have any left and a deal to be done in their closing down sale
Atlas here aswell, don't try and be savvy buying it cheaper from the states like me, got hit with a £30 customs charge which put it over the price I would have paid in the uk. Doh.
Quote from: JimJams on March 07, 2017, 07:00:43 PM
Atlas here aswell, don't try and be savvy buying it cheaper from the states like me, got hit with a £30 customs charge which put it over the price I would have paid in the uk. Doh.
I was the same,had to trvel to Edinburgh to pay the customs at post office in sighthill but worked out the same as what i would have paid here.
As a cheaper alternative you could look at a Snowbee Flymate. I used to use one an found it to be a good vice and well made. Limited / no adjustment of head angle but is rotary.
http://www.garryevans.co.uk/snowbee-flymate-vice-1036-p.asp (http://www.garryevans.co.uk/snowbee-flymate-vice-1036-p.asp)
I am also looking for a vice!! I had a stag due in birmingham the other week left a wee bit early the next day to go to The British fly fair before flying north. I just got confused by the choice and depressed by the prices!! Thanks all
Robbie I looked at the snowbee when I was in the market, has a good name when you look about. I just went for the more expensive anvil because the wife was buying it for my Christmas :lol:
:lol: As would I. Generally you get what you pay, my default approach is to get the best I can afford / justify at the time.
Just thought I'd throw a cheaper options out the for the more economical among us.
Has anyone used/got the stillwater Magnus Vice? It a good deal cheaper than some of the others which are similar
Also, I am new to vices over £20, what is the real advantage of vices like the Atlas over vices like the Apex? Cheers
There will be some sweeping generalisations in the following and as it is purely my opinion other will have their own and hopefully will give them.
The cheapest vices, AA type etc. are basic tools. They will be adjustable to suit a range of hook sizes, but this range may be limited. You will not be able to adjust head angle or rotate the fly whilst held in the jaws. Nothing wrong this this type of vice, no reason you cannot tie top quality flies on one. Build quality and materials will match the price
Next step up will be something like the Anvil Apex, additional features include head angle adjustment and ability to rotate the fly whist in the jaws. Note this is not a rotary vice and the hook shank will not stay in plane whilst rotated. These vices should be expected to provide more reliable hook hold over a wider range of hook sizes. Build quality and materials will also be better.
Next step up would be full rotary vices, these are generally far more expensive and precision engineered tools. Operate smoothly, suitable for tying just about any size of fly you want and utilise top end materials.
There are of course vices that fall between these generalisations, but hopefully this rough explanation may be helpful. There are hundreds of options to choose from and a lot will come down to personal preference and whether you see tying flies as enjoyable and a hobby in its own right or a necessary evil to get flies specific to your fishing needs.
QuoteI just went for the more expensive anvil because the wife was buying it for my Christmas :lol:
And quite right too.
:roll:
PS For the record I have the Anvil Apex & the Snowbee Flymate.
I got a AA as part of a novice fly tying kit over 30 years ago. I have been given fancier and far more expensive vices as presents from family/friends over the years (birthdays/chrimbo). Nothing as fancy as a full rotating vice but certainly plenty optional extras compared to my AA.
The new vices just didn't feel right, bulky, bits in the way where my hands and fingers wanted to be and I always have reverted back to my AA. I know a lot of this is down to the fact the AA feels like a well worn piece of clothing, my palms and fingers know every nook and cranny and that adds to my enjoyment when tying. Also like an old piece of well worn kit, I just see cant myself with something brighter/shinier/newer/better.
It holds hooks and that's all I want, I have a wee spring on the shaft and blue tack above the tightener to hold things down, not fancy but does whats needed.
I would suggest you try before you buy if at all possible, you may end up like me and just not like it, even if its far superior to what you have.
I like my lever action Regent. Quick, easy and simple to use, although mine doesn't spin :)
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Stillwater-Regent-Traditional-Vice/dp/B00C25T1K6/ref=pd_sbs_200_t_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=4WJPRGYS2Y9BYR0Y77P9 (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Stillwater-Regent-Traditional-Vice/dp/B00C25T1K6/ref=pd_sbs_200_t_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=4WJPRGYS2Y9BYR0Y77P9)
My last was a regent and really liked it,although mines was 20 quid :lol: I use a wee desk so it was on a g clamp and the stem kept slipping through and the whole vice would drop, bit annoying at the best of times but when it drops and thread and hackles unwind at important times it's f-&@/n annoying. That's what got me looking around for another vice and the atlas came up in different forums and reviews I read. The rotary thing I wasn't too bothered about but once you have it it's a really handy thing-I tilt the hook to a 90 degree angle when applying the dubbing/wax to thread and it gives you more room to work and keeps your fingers and thread away from the hook point-the anvil vices seem to have the features that more expensive ones have and the build quality is really good, maybe the ones at 400 quid are shinier!? Unless something catastrophic happens to this one I'll never buy another
I have a lever action heavy brass Regent which rotates but that is not a true in-line rotation. Takes any hook, very fast and it is onto a heavy base mount. Had it a long time. Does the job :D :D
Andy .... just file a small flat onto the shaft of your Regent at the right height you want and the holding screw will grip fine and the stem will stay put.
I gave it to someone on here Vaughan when I got the new one, I'm the opposite of a hoarder.....except with fly rods!
HMH sx simple no bells and whistles solid [attachimg=1]
Now THAT is a tying station ! :applause
I have been using the Snowbee Waldron ever since they were first released. Paid £125 for it from Cafaro Brothers in Glasgow (now sadly shut). Does everything I need from it and it's jaws still look brand new! Think they are crazy money now. Infact just checked, they now retail for £399!
Quote from: johnsd on March 11, 2017, 10:29:55 PM
HMH sx simple no bells and whistles solid [attachimg=1]
what is the tying for the devon minnow :)
I got an excellent s/h Anvil Apex from Robbie .
Tied a few last night and no issues , In todays world of vices its basic but appears well made and I think it will do everything I need .
The choice of vices (not vises !) is staggering and also the cost !!
Quote from: johnsd on March 11, 2017, 10:29:55 PM
HMH sx simple no bells and whistles solid
That's an awfy tidy set up John. :D
I have been trying to inprove my own set up.
Getting there slowly.
Billy
That is a very nice set up Billy. My desk looks like a bomb site :worried
I had to tidy it as the wife was up for a few days last week.
I was like a man possessed with the hoover and Mr. Sheen.
Billy
Quote from: Chase on March 14, 2017, 07:32:22 AM
I got an excellent s/h Anvil Apex from Robbie .
You won't go wrong with that vice. Built like a brick public convenience. I have one myself although i seldom use it now.
Quote from: Chase on March 14, 2017, 07:32:22 AM
I got an excellent s/h Anvil Apex from Robbie .
Missed this post, glad it arrived safely and happy tying.