The 7 Best Fly Tying Vises in 2024 – Buyers Guide

Best Fly Tying Vises

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After years of tying my own flies and late-night debates with the team, we agree all agree that the best fly tying vise is the Renzetti Traveler. This is what I use to tie all of my trout flies. It’s a durable, rotary fly tying vise that allows you to see your flies from all angles.

Over the past decade, I have reviewed just over 10 different fly tying vises, thanks in large part to my job as a fly fishing writer. Some we have been sent by companies to test but the majority were purchased by myself.

Here are our unbias and honest recommendations for the best fly tying vises in each category:

Image Product Details  
flyfisherpro-table__imageBest OverallPeak With Pedestal Base
  • Great value for money
  • Sturdy base
  • Compact and lightweight
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flyfisherpro-table__imageBest PortableRegal Travel
  • Jaws have a firm grip
  • Easy to transport
  • Compact size
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flyfisherpro-table__imageBest BudgetGriffin Odyssey Spider
  • Very versatile
  • Affordable price
  • Lifetime guarantee
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flyfisherpro-table__imageBest LightweightRenzetti Traveler 2304
  • Compact and easily portable
  • Corrosion-resistant
  • Features a bobbin cradle
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flyfisherpro-table__imageBest StabilityGriffin Montana Mongoose
  • Strong steel jaws
  • Full 360-degree rotary
  • Suitable for a wide range of hook sizes
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flyfisherpro-table__imageBest CompactRegal Medallion with Pocket base
  • Handy pockets on the base
  • Full 360-degree range
  • Suitable for a wide range of hook sizes
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flyfisherpro-table__imageBest PremiumDyna-King Barracuda Deluxe
  • Excellent craftsmanship
  • Quality materials
  • Hardened steel jaws
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Detailed Fly Tying Vise Reviews

We’ve covered everything from budget models (that still work well!) to premium rotary vises that will take your hobby to the next level. Plus, you can discover exactly what you should be looking for in our Buyer’s Guide down the bottom.

Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, the right fly tying vise is out there!

Renzetti Traveler

Renzetti Traveler 2304

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Pros

  • Very lightweight
  • Compact and easily portable
  • Corrosion-resistant
  • Features a bobbin cradle

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Not as sturdy as a steel vise

The Renzetti Traveler is a high-quality, compact vise that is ideal for taking out with you. It’s made from durable aluminum that is fully anodized so that it can withstand the elements. This makes it corrosion-resistant, even if it comes into contact with saltwater.

Another benefit of the Renzetti is that it’s a rotary fly tying vise, allowing you to see and tie your flies from every angle. This makes it easier to be as precise as you need to, without contorting into awkward positions.

The Traveler 2304 has a sturdy 6×6 inch base that provides plenty of stem support, making this model strong and sturdy. And when it comes to versatility, you won’t be disappointed. This vise can hold hooks from size 28 right up to 4/0, allowing you to work on everything from small to large flies.

This model has all the features you need, from the fly tying bobbin cradle to the materials clip and rotary tension screw. The cam jaws are hard and sharp.

While the Renzetti Traveler 2304 comes with a premium price, this vise is well worth the money. It’s hardwearing, precise, and versatile, offering everything you need to tie flies of all sorts and sizes. We love that it’s easily portable, allowing you to tie flies wherever you are!

Peak With Pedestal Base

Peak With Pedestal Base

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Pros

  • Great value for money
  • Sturdy base with handy ‘pockets’
  • Compact and lightweight vise
  • Excellent US-made construction
  • Generous lifetime warranty
  • Suitable for any hook from 23 to 2/0

Cons

  • plastic screws are lower quality than the rest of the vise

If you’ve got your heart set on a rotary vise but you’re on a tight budget, check out the Peak Fishing Vise. It’s robust and compact, with a pedestal base that allows you to take it anywhere. It also comes in a C-clamp model, if you prefer a stationary vise for your home fly tying station.

But most importantly, it’s as affordable as rotary vises come. This vise will set you back around $155-170, depending on where you buy it. That’s very reasonable for a vise of this quality!

The Peak vise has a streamlined yet efficient design, specifically for fly tying. It’s constructed from a combination of aluminum, stainless steel, tool steel, and brass. This vise can withstand frequent use with no signs of wearing out. And what’s more, it comes with a fantastic lifetime warranty.

The steel jaws specially hardened to give them a more secure grip on your hooks. The jaws can handle a wide range of hook sizes from 24 to 2/0.

The stainless steel pedestal base is very sturdy, with handy pockets to hold the materials you’re working on. Plus, it’s easy to find the right hook or piece against the matte white base.

In conclusion, this rotary fly tying vise offers excellent value for money. It’s hard-wearing and provides all the features you need for a beginner/intermediate fly tier. The only drawback is that the plastic screws don’t seem to be made to the same quality and may wear out over time. But that’s a minor thing to note in a vise that is otherwise impressive!

Regal Travel

regal travel

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Pros

  • Great value for money
  • Handy, compact size
  • Lightweight and easy to transport
  • Tie any hook size from 22 to 1/0
  • Jaws have a firm grip

Cons

  • Smaller base can tip occasionally
  • Best suited to tying smaller flies
  • It’s not a rotary vise

If you’re looking for a smaller vise that you can take anywhere, the Regal Travel vise fits the bill. It’s compact while also being well made with a sturdy construction. This makes it perfect for taking on the road, so you can tie flies wherever you are, according to the situation. It’s also lightweight for easy transport.

Regal is well known for creating top-quality products for anglers, and this vise is no different. It may be small, but it lacks nothing when it comes to the build and materials used. The Regal Travel vise is built to last, with a robust jaw mechanism and aluminum base. It’s kitted out with the Regal Regular Jaw Head, which is suitable for any hook from size 22 to 1/0.

You’ll have no trouble holding hooks firmly in the jaws, which have an excellent grip. The articulating head also allows you to get the perfect angle to tie intricate knots.

However, as the Regal Travel vise is on the small side, you may struggle to tie larger hook sizes with it. But were this vise excels is in allowing you to tie small to medium flies, no matter where you are.

Griffin Odyssey Spider

Griffin Odyssey Spider

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Pros

  • Comes with a lifetime guarantee
  • Very versatile
  • Rotary vise offers a full 360-degree range of motion
  • Affordable price

Cons

  • Not portable
  • Plastic nuts are low in quality and can come loose

The Griffin Odyssey Spider is a low-cost rotary vise that offers you everything you need to tie some excellent flies! Without breaking the bank, this entry-level model has the most important features we look for in a vise, including a bobbin holder and full 360-degree motion.

You can attach the Odyssey Spider to any table or desk in minutes, and it will hold securely. Then, you’re all set to get started tying your flies! While it’s not portable, it’s a fantastic rotary vise on a budget.

If you want to create a fly tying spot in your house, this is the best affordable vise around. It offers superb control over your work, while the fully-rotating head makes it easy to manipulate your materials for a neat finish.

The Griffin Odyssey Spider is also versatile enough to handle all sorts of hooks, so there are no limits to what you can create. You can take your pick from the Spider with cam or without, according to your needs.

And if you’re still not sure, it comes with a lifetime guarantee. So, there’s no need to worry about damage or breakages over time. This vise will be with you for years!

Griffin Montana Mongoose

Griffin Montana Mongoose

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Pros

  • Includes a lifetime guarantee
  • Suitable for a wide range of hook sizes
  • Full 360-degree rotary fly tying vise
  • Strong steel jaws
  • High-quality, US-made construction

Cons

  • One of the more expensive fly tying vises on the market
  • The instructions lack detail and are quite confusing

As with all Griffin products, the Montana Mongoose was designed with us fly fishing enthusiasts in mind. The Montana Mongoose costs more than the Spider, but it’s well worth the investment if you can spare some more cash.

Its refreshed design is more efficient than ever, with an all-new rotation lock screw and fine tension screw. These additions give you greater control over the rotation, so you can get as precise as you like with your flies.

You’ll be comfortable even on long tying sessions due to the smart design of the Mongoose rotary base. When in use, it’s very stable – perfect for adding tiny details to your flies. It comes with both a pedestal base and a C-clamp for optimal versatility, allowing you to set this beauty up at home or take it with you.

The Montana Mongoose also comes with a convenient hackle gauge, a bobbin cradle, a ceramic bobbin, and a material grip. You can pack it all away in the included carry case for safe storage or transport. We love that you can choose between the pedestal or clamp base, as this makes it suitable for all conditions. This vise will truly meet all your needs in one handy model.

Regal Medallion with Pocket base

Regal Medallion with Pocket base

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The Regal Medallion is an iconic fly tying vise that looks as good as it performs. This workhorse vise is suitable for anyone from beginners to pros and will meet your needs effortlessly.

With a lightweight bronze pedestal base, you can easily take this vise on your fly fishing trips. It’s compact. yet hardwearing and practical. It even has useful pockets on the base to hold your materials while you work.

The jaws are made from high-quality materials that ensure a firm grip. The Medallion’s jaws can handle any hook from a size 22 right through to a 1/0 hook, making it ideal for tying all sorts of flies,

The Medallion series includes a range of different models, such as the Big Game vise and the stainless steel model for saltwater. That means there’s the perfect Medallion vise for everyone!

Pros

  • Compact size
  • Handy pockets on the base
  • Strong jaws have a firm grip
  • This rotary fly tying vise has a full 360-degree range
  • Suitable for a wide range of hook sizes

Cons

  • Not the cheapest vise on the market

Dyna-King Barracuda Deluxe

Dyna-King Barracuda Deluxe

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Pros

  • Excellent craftsmanship
  • Quality materials
  • These vises have a sturdy base
  • Choice of pedestal or clamp base
  • Hardened steel jaws grip hooks – no slipping with this vise!

Cons

  • You’ll need to buy midge jaws if you want to tie tiny flies
  • It also can’t handle very large streamers

If you’re willing to spend a considerable chunk of money on a vise, then check out the Barracuda Deluxe from Dyna-King. It’s a stylish, full rotary fly tying vise that is a joy to use. The bearings are super smooth, and the sturdy base prevents tipping, no matter how heavy-handed you are.

This premium vise is made in the US and constructed with careful attention to detail. The Barracuda Deluxe has hardened stainless steel jaws and brass appointments. It comes fully equipped with a bobbin hanger and an adjustment forcing cone and can handle hook size of 8/0 to 22.

Superb workmanship and smart design set the Barracuda Deluxe apart. If you’re looking to invest in a rotary vise that will last a lifetime, this is one of the best vises around!

fly tying vise buyer's guide

How to Buy the Best Fly Tying Vises For You

Here’s everything you need to know to find the best fly tying vise for you!

Rotary or Non-Rotary?

Rotary vises allow you to see your fly from every direction and turn it 360 degrees. This makes it easy to get the best angle for fly tying so that you can tie very precise, neat flies.

However, rotary vises tend to be much more expensive than a non-rotary model. So, you’ll need to consider your budget when deciding which is the best fly tying vise for you!

If you’re just starting out, you might want to go for a cheaper non-rotary model. But if you take your fly tying seriously and spend a lot of time at the vise, then splashing out on a rotary model will make a huge difference.

Clamp or Pedestal?

The two main types of fly tying vises are the C-clamp vise or the pedestal base vise. Clamp vises are handy because you can attach them sturdily to any table or fly tying bench to create a dedicated fly tying space.

Where pedestal bases have the advantage is that they’re portable, allowing you to tie flies on the go. Vises with a pedestal base tend to be lightweight and compact, so you can take them with you wherever you go.

Construction

You want a fly tying vise that is well-made and durable, so it will last you for years. The best fly tying vises tend to have an all-metal construction – plastic parts tend to wear out or break more quickly.

Aluminum and steel are the most common materials used for fly tying vises. While aluminum tends to be more lightweight and corrosion-resistant, steel vises are stronger.

Versatility

Before you buy, make sure to double-check what size of hook the vise can hold. This is especially important if you like to tie large streamers or tiny midge flies. Some vises have a wider range, or you may need to buy specific jaws instead.

Jaws

When looking at different models, you’ll find that a fly tying vise will either have interchangeable jaws or fixed jaws. If you can, go for a vise that has interchangeable jaws as this feature will give you greater versatility. It allows you to tie big saltwater flies and fiddly little flies with the same vise.

Just bear in mind that vises with interchangeable jaws tend to cost more. But you could save money in the long run if you invest in one model that can handle all sorts of flies, so you don’t need to buy more than one vise.

Warranty

Some premium vises come with a warranty that can range from 1 year to a lifetime guarantee. Having this warranty can bring greater peace of mind because you’ll know that you’ve got a product you can rely on! If anything does happen to your vise, the manufacturer will repair or replace it for you (although you may need to pay a nominal processing fee.)

Bobbin Cradle

If you like to take your time when fly tying, a bobbin cradle is an essential feature to look out for. The bobbin cradle lets you rest between tying, without messing up your work so far. You’ll find it comes in handy when you’re in the middle of a long fly tying session and need to take a short break!

fly tying FAQ

FAQ

Who makes the best fly tying vise?

There are some reputable companies that specialize in making fly tying vises. You’ll get the best quality if you buy from one of these dedicated companies, such as Griffin and Regal.

Why tie your own flies?

Tying your own flies a great way to extend your fly fishing hobby off the water. It’s fun to experiment with different tying techniques, and there’s nothing like the achievement you get when you hook a fish with one of your own flies.

You’ll also save money you would otherwise spend on commercial flies (so you’ll have more money in the pot for other fly gear!). But most importantly, you can learn a lot about the fish and their behavior, which will pay off when you’re back on the river!

The Wrap Up

So there you have the ultimate guide to fly tying vises. We’ve reviewed the best products on the market, with something for every budget and need! Personally I’d go for the Peak With Pedestal Base, because it’s a great value for money. But what vise will you go for? Let us know in the comments below!

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