Selecting the Best Fly Tying Vise: Complete Buyers Guide

If you’ve found this page, your about to embark on journey that might open up a new chapter in your fly fishing book. Understanding entomology (bugs) and learning to how to tie the flies that imitate what fish are eating is a next level step in becoming a better fly fisher..

Let’s clamp down and get into the details of an essential fly tying tool. – a good vise.

At one time I stated you could get a really good fly tying vise for right around $200 bucks, unfortunately inflation has affected the price of everything lately including fly tying vises. Many of the vises I’ve listed as the best are made right here in the USA.

The great thing? Getting a decent vise might be a once in a lifetime purchase, my old Renzetti Traveler is nearly 35 years old now and still going strong.

1. Peak Rotary – Best All Around

Both beginners and experts recognize the importance of a high-quality tying vise. The primary role is to securely hold the hook for tying materials. In this function, the Peak Rotary shines, the good sized lever for locking the jaw adds leverage and the quality machining and materials increase a fly tiers output.

The heavy base and overall USA made quality is an added bonus. I’ve rated this vise best overall for a combination of all the features I’ll describe farther down in this article.

What vise came out on top in my review and what vise do I recommend? 👉 Peak Rotary Fly Tying Vise

Read my full review of the Peak Rotary 👉 Peak Rotary Fly Tying Vise Review and if you’re more into watching YouTube watch my video with this link 👉 https://youtu.be/BrI-H4GksjA

2. Regal Travel – Best Clamp

The Regal Traveler vise is another highly recommended fly tying vise I’ve had a chance to test. The quick clamping feature holds extremely well and the fit and finish are top notch. The clamp is located a little bit beyond the base, which in combination with the lighter base weight makes the vise a little tippy.

Highly recommended and a super solid choice if you tie fast. Read more and check the prices with this shortcut link to Amazon 👉 Regal Traveler Fly Tying Vise

Read the full review of the Regal Travel 👉 Regal Travel Fly Tying Vise Review or watch my video on YouTube 👉 https://youtu.be/s-XAWrpFggY

3. Renzetti Traveler – Proven Performance

The Renzetti brand, renowned in the USA for over fifty years, introduced the pioneering true rotary vise. Their Traveler vise stands out for its portability, signature rotary function, and exceptional hook-holding capability.

Modern iterations, like the Traveler 2200 series, feature an eye-catching anodized finish. Users can choose between a standard pedestal base or an additional C-clamp for securing. Its design emphasizes the importance of securely holding the hook without any slippage, ensuring quality and precision in fly tying.

I’ve been tying with a Renzetti for over 35 years. I can recommend it with confidence check the prices and reviews on Amazon 👉 Renzetti Traveler 2200

Read the full review of the Regal Travel 👉 Renzetti Traveler Fly Tying Vise Review

4. Wolff Atlas

Looking at the Wolff Atlas at first glance the fit and finish is flawless, all the corners are smooth, quality materials like ball bearings and brass knobs. The only downside is that I found that hooks had a tendency to slip in the clamp.

Its impressive machined finish and substantial weight make it both visually appealing and functional. With a smooth rotary function and a well-balanced design, the Atlas vise offers both aesthetics and performance, making it a worthwhile investment for fly tiers.

I’ve got a full written review of the this vise 👉 Wolff Atlas Fly Tying Vise and if you’re more into watching YouTube watch my video with this link 👉 https://youtu.be/owoOwDlB0ok

5. Griffin Mongoose

Next up is the Griffin Mongoose. Opening the box the “complete package” was impressive. A nice carry case with many of the tools needed to get into tying.

Actually tying with the vise was a little more awkward compared to other vises that I looked at. Two things stood out, the area under the clamp was crowded causing me to move my hands in different ways to what I’m use too. The clamp was offset to the centerline of the vise. Now I’m not sure if this would affect my tying but it just seemed “off”.

Other than these things the vise is solid. With so many tools included like a c-clamp, carrying case and nearly every tools needed to get going the Mongoose is a deal.

I’ve got a full written review of the this vise 👉 Griffin Mongoose Fly Tying Vise and if you’re more into watching YouTube watch my video with this link 👉 https://youtu.be/No8YC7-dqO8

6. Wolff Apex

Something that jumps out with the Wolff vises I looked at is the manufacturing quality. Absolutely top notch materials and coatings. Someone who has tied flies has been part of the design and finishing of this vise.

The vise offers a smooth rotary function, through the vise head, It isn’t a true rotary but with a little hand manipulation during athe fly wrapping you can doa good job. The clamp has a cam style clamp the suffered a little in my hook bending test.

Overall, the Wolff Apex is a solid choice for a tying vise with a nicely weighted base, an included c-clamp and the outstanding fit and finish.

I’ve got a full written review of the this vise 👉 Wolff Apex Fly Tying Vise and if you’re more into watching YouTube watch my video with this link 👉 https://youtu.be/5m-K8pZULJE

7. Colorado 102 – Recommended Budget Vise

Years ago, I got the Colorado Anglers 102 Supreme. I’ve since gifted it to my TU club to use at fly tying events with youth. Before giving it away I used the heck out of it for nearly 9 years.

What struck me with my old 102 is that it just worked – forever. With a mostly steel construction and intuitive adjustments, I think I just lucked out by buying one of these so many years ago. While not a true rotary it doe sallow for turning the hook for inspection. One stand out feature is that I could adjust everything with a single hand.

The toggle arm for tightening the clamp always work great and even improved with age. I applied a little bit of grease to it and it functioned even better thanes after years of use.

If I had to recommend an inexpensive beginner vise that boasts durability and user friendly features, that could last a lifetime it would be the 102 Supreme.

Check the price and what other folks are saying about the Colorado Anglers 102 Supreme Fly Tying Vise with this shortcut link 👉 Colorado Angler 102 Supreme

8. Griffin Spider – Budget Rotary Option

The Griffin Odyssey Spider Vise comes in two versions, with and without the cam lock for the clamp. I’m going to be talking about the more budget friendly version using a thumb knob for tightening the hook clamp.

Like the bigger brother, the Mongoose, it felt like the Spider is more complicated than it needs to be. Thumb bolts all over the vise to adjust the rotary arm position, tension, tightening the clamp and adjusting the clamp opening.

This is an affordable option for getting a true rotary vise that a beginner can start out with. The Spider boasts a c-clamp, bobbin cradle with a hook size capacity from size 28 to 4/0.

The package comes complete with instructions, an allen wrench, and an extra rubber o-ring, making it a valuable addition to any fly tying setup, especially given its price point under $100. Check current prices of the Spyder on Amazon 👉 Griffin Spyder Vise

Guide Pro Tip: When starting out tying flies, getting good quality materials can make tying flies so much easier. feathers breaking or synthetics take don’t tie in well can make sitting down in front of your vise torture. Take a look at the Hareline Kit – I’ve got a video 👉 https://youtu.be/Nry8_73XF0s?si=kdT3oiB5FGNlrRxw

Special Consideration – Renzetti Presentation

If you’re seriously considering selling your feather creations or jumping into selling flies the Renzetti Presentation Series should be on your shopping list. This vise isn’t just an accessory; it’s an investment into what could be that side income you’ve thought about.

Made entirely of aluminum, steel and brass its durability is unmatched, and the true rotary function is a game-changer (Renzetti invented this functionality) It shares the same jaws as the Renzetti Traveler, accommodating a wide range of hook sizes, but its taller stem and anodized finish truly set it apart.

Boasts a ratchet feature for fly positioning, I find the torsion screw on the barrel more useful, allowing me to adjust tension as needed. Any initial play in the vise was quickly fixed with an Allen key. I also added the material clip, which I highly recommend for serious tiers. If you’re looking to elevate your fly tying, whether as a guide or to sell your creations, the Presentation Series is the way to go.

It’s not just an upgrade; it’s a commitment to excellence.

My Video Reviewing Stand-Out Fly Tying Vises

Going along with the criteria above, I purchased and tested a bunch of vises and videoed the results.

Choosing the Right Fly Tying Vise

When evaluating these vises I keyed in on 8 factors. Each factor received a score based upon a comparison to the competition or whether if the vise had the attribute or not.

Rotary Function

This one is pretty simple either the vise had a “true rotary” with the rotation around the hook shank along with the quality of the rotation adjustment. The Peak and Wolff Atlas were at the top of my ratings.

Ease of Clamp Use

Fiddling with the vise clamp is a pain in the behind. An out-stand vise for clamping is the Regal. Squeeze the arm and it LOCKS the hook into place. While the Griffith Mongoose was more difficult compared to the others.

Hook Bending Test

A fly tying vise should hold a hook well enough to allow you to bend the hook before coming loose. Okay – I’ll make an exception for huge saltwater hooks. If you’ve ever tried to spin deer hair with super strong gel-spun thread and had the hook slip, you’ll understand why a clamp shouldn’t slip.

Fit and Finish

Smooth corners, quality materials like brass bushings/knobs and a nice finish coating is a sign of a manufacture taking the time to add the finishing touches to a quality manufacture fly tying vise. Knocking your knuckles on your vise is going to happen, you don’t want your knuckles to bleed after doing so. The Regal and Wolff Atlas are stand outs for fit and finish.

Guide Pro Tip: Download the score sheet with all of the Vises and Scores 👉 Fly Tying Vise Comparison Chart with Scores

Pedestal Base Weight

Brand	Weight
Regal Travel	1lb, 8 oz
Peak Rotary	4 lb, 13 oz
Wolff Atlas	4 lb, 1 oz
Wolff Apex	2 lb, 6 oz
Griffin Mongoose	3 lb, 8 oz
Renzetti Traveler	2 lb, 11 oz

I prefer pedestal bases over table clamps. I like adjusting the distance between myself and the vise for the size fly I’m tying. Big flies like streamers are farther away, tiny dry flies and midges are closer. (old eyes)

Ease of Assembly

A fly tying vise shouldn’t be tough to assembly. Honestly if a vise has a lot of pieces it is going to most likely have more failure points. All of the vises were pretty good at this, the Griffin Mongoose has a lot going on and took a couple minutes longer than the others.

The budget models listed did take a couple extra minutes, but I think that’s a trade-off when getting a vise that might cost $100 less than the higher rated vises I looked at.

Cost

The cost of all the vises I reviewed were between $250 and $100. This is removing the budget models and a professional grade fly tying vise.

Review Rating by Others

I originally thought I would “weight” this factor given the opinion of others should be a super important factor. What I found is that because I reviewed “the best of the best” all the independent ratings were 4.5 stars and up.

Fly Tying Vises 101

Having tied 1,000’s of flies and creating a How to Tie Flies Class on this website, I’m hoping I can share some bits of wisdom related to fly tying vises.

Types of Fly Tying Vises: Stationary, Rotary and Turning

Stationary Vise

As the name implies, holds the hook in a stationary position – No turning. I recommend getting a rotary vise, but rotaries have only been around for 30 years or so. Millions of flies were tied on a stationary fly tying vises. I still have one that I use for pictures and some quick tying. I built a nice heavy custom base for it to hold things steady.

Rotary Fly Tying Vise

This vice lets the hook turn using a lever or just twisting the vise jaw. Having the hook/jaw turn will speed up tying, particularly when applying hackle. I define a rotary vise this way because other tying vises turn but don’t turn in a way that helps apply hackle and other wraps. Additionally, the hook shank is usually centered on the spindle of the vise head rotation.

Turning Vise

Many production tiers don’t like the rotary function and just want to turn the fly for inspection. Production tiers have developed the skills of applying even pressure all the way around the hook.

Regal tying vises are the perfect example. The fly is held via a spring clamp and the clamp/fly will turn, but this turning is mostly to inspect the fly. The benefit of the spring clamp on the Regal is super- fast hook changes.

Guide Pro Tip: I recommend a rotary vise. In the beginning, start with the spindle locked to develop your skills, later speed up your tying using the rotary function. If you plan to tie small size 14 to 26 dry flies a rotary is practically required.

Considerations When Selecting a Fly Tying Vise

Think about how much you’re going to use the vise. For me, I tie +6 dozen flies a year and I call these my meat and potatoes flies. I use them up like I’m eating them (mostly loosing them..). I don’t like fighting to tie a small dry fly like size 20 and smaller, so I buy them (my eyes are getting old).

I don’t like buying piles of materials so I stick to about 10 different flies and stock only the materials and hooks to tie them. I wrote a mega article about fly tying tools and my tying strategy HERE.

My Experience and Things to Think About:

Fly tying has a natural progression, we play around with tying a fly at a show or the club. Then decide to get a cheap kit, sometimes that vise and the materials with the kit plain suck, which will frustrate you. But if you see a glimmer of hope you buy more materials and upgrade to a better vise.

Notice I recommend spending a little bit of cash to get something decent. Even tying 2 dozen flies a year can be a pain in the rear if the vise is fighting you. Plus, I find tying flies helps me stay connected with the sport during those snowy or rainy days.

How to Select a Fly Tying Vise – Things to Look For

Fly tying vises come in two versions: C-Clamp and Pedestal bases.

C-clamp – Base versions clamp to the table top. This is great if you think you’ll travel with your vise to a fishing destination.

As a note: High volume production tyers will also get c-clamps vises. Usually a production tyer will have a dedicated station and it’s important to have the vise in the most ergonomic position to spin out thousands of flies. The C-Clamp versions allow for a low comfortable position.

Be a little cautious clamping your vise onto the family dinner table, the clamps can mar the surface pretty bad.

Pedestal – Bases are what they sound like the shaft mounts to a base.

Look for a heavy machine steel or cast base. Regal, Renzetti, PEAK and Wolff all understand that pedestal bases must have some heft. Nice gummy rubber feet under the pedestal also helps the vise stay put.

Better vises will have the option to switch between base and pedestal types. Again, proven models from PEAK, Wolff or Renzetti will offer this option.

The Heart of a Fly Tying Vise – THE CLAMP

It seems obvious but the first and foremost function of the tying vise is to securely hold the hook. The vise should also hold the hook WITHOUT severely cranking down on the jaw clamping mechanism. From personal experience, I can say don’t get a cheap vise because you’ll struggle with this.

Years ago, I found a deal on a rotary vise sold by a supplier in China. I bought a sample and it looked ok. So, I bought 50 of them and sold half a dozen at a fly-tying show. One of the tiers saw the price and bought a dozen of them for teaching classes. Three weeks later, I refunded him all his money and got a dozen used broken vises that couldn’t hold hooks.

Moral of the story buy a proven vise from a respectable manufacture. A crappy quality vise will hold a tier back.

Look for the jaws advertised as having HARDENED JAWS. Hooks have a high hardness- it’s what allows the point to stay sharp. The jaws of the tying vise need to be harder so they will clamp onto the hook.

Replaceable Jaws: Look for a vise that sells replacement jaws. As you progress you may lean towards tying big deer hair poppers on size 1/0 hooks. Most standard tying vises won’t hold this large of a hook. The same is true with tiny hooks -24 and down.

Guide Pro Tip: You can break a vise jaw by leaving a hook clamped under tension for extended periods of time.

Ease of Adjustment: Normal tiers will sit down a tie 3-4 – size 14 elk hair caddis, then switch to a size 6 streamer to tie up some woolly buggers. The vise needs to easily adjust between different hook sizes. The spring clamp style like the Regal excels at this – no adjustments needed.

Hook Size Range: A proven manufacture will publish this. Normally a tying vise will hold size #20 to 2/0 hooks. If the hook size isn’t published proceed with caution.

Shaft Diameter: I know this isn’t a manufacturing standard but ALL fly tying vises should have a 3/8 inch stem size. Further down in this article, I’ll talk about accessories, if you’re vise stem isn’t 3/8″ then most of those gadgets won’t fit.

Should I get a Rotary Tying Vise?

Simple answer – YES.✔

I would advise all beginners to get a rotary vise and LOCK it in position for a while to learn how to apply even pressure while wrapping. This skill above most others will help make durable, well-proportioned flies. Once you get the hang of using the rotary feature you’ll hackle and cross wrap like a pro.

If you own a stationary vise after a couple dozen flies you’ll wish you had a rotary. Tying streamers and dry flies just gets easier with a rotary.

Check out this video of Kelly Gallop and watch how he explains fly tying vises and if the vise makes a better fly.

Are Fly Tying Vises Handed?

Better tying vises are designed to be “handed” Most right handed folks will have their bobbin/scissors in their right hand. This leaves the left hand available to pick up materials or adjust the vise.

If the vise adjustments are facing you as a right hander, as a lefthander you’ll be have to reach over the vise to adjust things. The Dyna King Indexer is sold in both versions.

PRO TIP: Even from the beginning, try to learn to tie flies with the scissors ALWAYS in your hand. Setting down your bobbin to pick up scissors is a huge waste of time.

How Much Does a Good Fly Tying Vise Cost

If you’re simply shopping for the cheapest you may want to get out of fly fishing. Starting to tie flies can be a downward spiral into a fanatical feather fetish which might cost hundreds and hundreds.

For a decent fly tying vise – what I would recommend, is going to cost $150 to $250 usd. I’d look at getting a vise from a domestic manufacture that understands fly fishing. I have called the folks a PEAK Fishing and a person picks up the phone.

Two important things were in that statement

1. I could find a phone number
2. An actual person answered and HELPED me.

Fit, Finish and Quality of a Fly-Tying Vise

Image sitting with a cup of coffee in one hand and resting your other hand on your vise… You want the edges smooth, brass and polished stainless steel feel better. The jaw rotates on ball bearings. Each of these things takes a little bit of time during the manufacturing process to make, but the result is quality.

Avoid plastic: if you spill head cement on the vise, (which happens) you’ll NEVER clean it off of plastic. Remember, those 12 vises I sold for a tying class? Yup.. they had a little thumb screw made of plastic. Half were broken when returned.

Avoid Stamped metal: I liked lots of things about my first tying vise, but the one thing I hated is the stamped metal jaw lever. It’s rough to operate, which required me to adjust it excessively to clamp the hook.

Signs of Quality in a Tying Vise

Machined components: particularly the jaws, levers and vise body. Machining a hunk of metal is the starting point for precision. A quality vise in the $150 to $200 dollar range will have machined components so bearing and attaching parts align.

Brass, Bronze and Bearings: Thumb screws that adjust tension should be made from a durable material like brass or bronze. The brass and bronze have a lubricating property so the screw points won’t mar the shafts or contacting surfaces.

Polishing and Softened Corners for Finger Friendly Tying

It costs just a bit more to polish a stem or soften the corners on the vise head. These are those outward signs that a person “in the know” understands how a fly tier will use the vise. Look for a vise to be smooth and polished like the Renzetti, Wolff and Peak.

Fly Tying Vise Accessories that Actually Help

Bobbin Holders: are a standard item on many tying vises. It’s a wire that holds the bobbin while wrapping on another material. A great example is wrapping wire onto a brassie fly, the hold supports the bobbin and thread in alignment with the center line of the fly while using the rotary to wrap brass wire.

Get a good LED light: I used an incandescent light for years, it was hot and I was always moving it because of the heat. Looking back on it now, I must have looked silly. I couldn’t see what I was doing so I’d move the light closer. Then the light would get hot so I’d move it away.

Material Clips, usually made from a spring wrapped around the spindle of the vise. The clip holds material out of the way while tying other sections of the fly. Most vises over $75 will have this standard.

Magnifiers: I have one on my light. I don’t use it much mostly because I avoid tying small flies. I could see a use if tying little midges were my thing.

Profile Plates: provide a light-colored non-glare background to help see the fly details. A nice item if your eyes are getting old.

Tool Trays: many of which attach to the shaft of the vise. I haven’t used one that attaches to the shaft myself, but I do recommend some type of holder for the head cement. It’s super easy to knock over those little jars spilling glue all over and in turn gluing fur and hair to your table.

Tube Fly Attachments: are adapters that clamp into the jaws of the vise. The adapter will position a needle in alignment with the vise spindle. Look at a model that has different size needle diameters.

Waste Catcher: You’ll create a pile of fur, feathers and cut-offs tying flies. If you start playing with deer hair, mountains of hair will go everywhere without a waste catcher. If you get one, look for something that is low profile so it doesn’t get in the way of your hands.

Fly Tying Vise Manufactures and Warranty

PEAK FISHING is a division of PEAK Engineering and Automation. They’ve been in business since 1994 and started selling fly tying vises in 2001. Located in Loveland, Colorado PEAK makes all of their fly tying vises in the USA. All PEAK vises have a limited lifetime warranty.

REGAL VISE: A family owned business located in Orange Massachusetts USA. Marketed as the highest quality fly tying vise in the world. The vise sports a cast base and a spring clamp for holding the fly. Every Regal Vise has a Lifetime Warranty. Read about the company LINK to Regal https://regalvise.com/

Griffin Enterprises, Inc vices have a Lifetime Warranty and are made in the USA. Located Kalispell, MT these folks live in the heart of fly fishing country and understand what’s needed in the fly tying vise. Read more about the company HERE.

Renzetti Fly Tying Vises come with a Lifetime Warranty. Renzetti was the first company to market and sell a true rotary fly tying vise back in 1977. Still family owned with the family engineering and manufacturing fly tying vises in Titusville, FL. https://www.renzetti.com/

Colorado Angler Supply is one of the largest wholesalers of fly tying tools and accessories in North America. Located in Aurora, Colorado. The warranty information is vague compared to other fly tying vises. They sell a great product, but closely inspecting upon receipt of the vise. I’d suggest getting your vise from AMAZON (here’s link to the tying vise) because of the great return policies.

Will You Catch the Fly Tying Bug?

This has been written before. Catching a trout with a fly you’ve tied is a cool feeling. You’ve out smarted a little creature with a brain the size of a grain of rice.

All kidding aside, sitting down on a raining day dreaming about fishing and tying up some flies is fun. With a good tying vise and a handful of hooks, thread and feathers, you can get your mind off everyday stresses and almost be on the water from your kitchen table.