There is a broad spectrum when it comes to cost and quality, and you may have noticed that some fly tying vices are either greatly overpriced or tremendously underrated.
Are you new to fly fishing and have decided its time to tie your own flies? Our list will help you choose one that is right for you, and you would not have to worry about spending much on an overrated product. It is usually hard to effectively combine quality and price affordability, which is why we are providing you with some of the best fly tying vice you will find in the market. We have also outlined somethings to consider when buying a fly tying vice.
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Best Fly Tying Vice 2020
1. Snowbee Fly-tying Pedestal Vice
This C clamp offers a perfect blend of affordability and quality. This is the best option for everyone, both newcomers and advanced tiers. This amazing tool was engineered from aircraft aluminium and high-quality stainless steel. You would not have to worry about quality because the jaws were made high and hardened alloy tool steel.
This tool makes rotation easy, thanks to the rotational facility, which is on the main shaft. This feature makes rotation easy, thereby making it possible for the shank of the hook to rotate about its axis. This product is available in pedestal models or desk clam styles, and it also features a patented ball joint located on the vice shaft. This feature is optional.
2. MDI Rotatable Fly Tying Vice
This product is one of the cheapest you will find in the market today to help you with your fly fishing. This is a weight base fly tying vice with a fully rotating head. This fly tying vice is also free-standing, and it features side lever vice jaws.
How of the amazing thing about this device is that it has a very durable and compact design, it was built to last. It has a spring-loaded grip, which makes it easy to rate the fly in any position. It also features an adjustable head angle. This fly tying vice is about 9.5 inches high, and it comes with a weighted base.
3. Maxcatch Rotary Fly Tying Vice
This rotary vice has adjustable tension and full rotary action. It also features hardened stainless steel jaws with a jaw capacity of about 28 to 4/0. This full spectrum of hooks can be accommodated, thanks to the adjustable jaw hinge of this fly tying vice.
The jaws are made from anodized aluminium with hard chromium steel.
It also has a solid pedestal base.
4. MDI Rotatable Lever Fly Tying Vice
This fly tying vice features a brass head that is fitted with a side lever. This fly tying vice also has a vice hook grip that is spring-loaded. As the name implies, the fly can be rotated in any direction. This is because it is possible to rotate the spring-loaded hook grip to a full 360 degrees.
This fly tying vice also has an adjustable head angle and a dimension of approximately 10.75 inches. This tool also has the mount bracket that helps to secure it to a desk or tabletop.
5. Fly Tying Starter Tool Kit
This is an amazing tool, a 7-piece tool kit that is ideal for every beginner fly fisherman It also includes a lever-action vice, making it a great present. Other amazing fly tying tools you will find in this starter tool kit includes the spring action hackly pliers, an adjustable lever-action vice, a spigot bobbin holder, a pair of needle-nosed scissors, a bobbin threader and a dubbing needle.
6. Flycast Ltd Fly Tying Vice
This is another amazing product you can opt-in for. The fly tying vice comes with tools and materials to make fishing easy for you. It also comes with w hinged wooden box and a table clamp. All the fly tying materials you will need have also been included in the soft zip-up bag it such as all different fly hook sizes. You can also make use of this zip bag to take the vice and tools with you for fishing.
7. Scottie the Fly Tying Vice
This is the best option for professionals who want to up their fly fishing game. You will not need any adjusting for hooks of any size. The only thing that you will need to do is to squeeze the lever, position the hook, and then release the lever. Your fly hook will never remove if you follow these steps. This vice also features specially tempered, powder-coated, easy rotation of the head, and angle adjustment steel jaws. This adds to its durability and makes it long-lasting.
8. Stonfo FlyLab Leva Base Vice
This is also one of the best products in the market. It has a sturdy design and is made of durable and high-quality steel material. It has a solid pedestal base with protections underneath to prevent it from scratching surfaces.
Best Fly Tying Vice Buyer Guide
There are so many vices in the market today, all of which have different features and price tag. Choosing the best can be difficult because of the different options you would have to choose from. Here are some of the features you should look out for when selecting a fly tying vice.
1. The Head
The head is a feature to look out for. You will have to check if it is fixed or adjustable. It is important to note that head in this context refers to the vice’s head, and you would have to choose one that can rotate. There are different variables you will find in the market. Some of the cheap products you will find usually come with a fixed head, and this would not rotate. Other products you will find may come with only a unidirectional movement head with the ability to move only sideways. The best fly tying vices usually have a head that can rotate 360 degrees. However, these are usually more expensive. When choosing a fly tying vice, it is important always to select one that can rotate 360 degrees. This is because it will give you more leverage when you go fly fishing.
2. Jaws
Another thing to consider is the jaw of the vice you would be getting. It is very important to ensure that the only hardened materials are used in making the jaw. Materials like steel are usually recommended. The importance of this is that it is the only way of ensuring that the jaw lasts longer. Another important thing to ensure is that the lads should be nicely placed inside the jaws. This will ensure that you have an excellent grip on the device. It is important to note that the jaws will be used only for smaller hooks. Therefore, you may need to get adjustable jaws for larger hooks. However, this would be at a higher price and won’t work well for you if you are trying to cut down your budget.
3. Material Spring or Clip for Tying
Always ensure that you only buy a fly tying vice that has a material spring or a clip. It is important to note that only the best fly tying vices offer the best grip, whether it is spring or clip held. Another amazing thing to note is that you can always buy spring or clip if your vice does not already have only. This will give you the best experience when hooking and tying the fly.
4. Operation Type
The operation type is another important factor to look out for when buying a fly tying vice. It is very important to look out for this since you will be using the tool on a regular basis and you wouldn’t want to have issues with the operation. Another important reason why you should look at the operation type is that it is only the operation that will determine your overall output. You should easily understand how to operate the vice. This is because you will get the benefits of the vice only when you know how to work the screw collet, cam lever, draw collet, spring lever, and the push collet. You must be wondering how this would affect the choice you make. It is important to note that you will not find these operations in all vices, and some may only have a screw collet while other many have a combination of these. Only the best vices will have all these operations, and this is to ensure that they operate maximally.
5. On the Pedestal or Pedestal
This is also another thing you should consider when buying a fly tying vice. You need to consider if you will be travelling regularly or not. It is important to note that the Pedestal fly tying vice is the best option for people who travel a lot and would need to take so many things along, including the tool. The Pedestal fly tying vice can be attached to any type of surface and would be a better option for travelling. The Non-pedestal fly tying vice, on the other hand, usually requires a special working area, like a table or a bench before you would be able to use them.
6. Type of Vice Bases
Depending on your preference, you might also need to consider the type of vice base. It is important to note that you will not find a one size fit all base. However, it is important to note that the bases that are heavier are usually more stable compared to those that are not so heavy. The types of bases usually depend on the material used in making them, and these types include the aluminium pocket base, the bronze pocket base, the bobbin cradle, the traditional bronze base.
Conclusion
It is usually not easy to purchase a fly tying vice, especially if you are aiming at getting the best fly tying vice. This is because there are so many options you would have to choose from. We have provided you with some of the best products you will find in the market to help you make the right decision.
