ASG mark III vise

[Shallow Runner]

What are your opinions on this vise? Anybody owns or has used one? What do they normally go for $?


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I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=30.238677,-92.809306
Eatin ain't cheatin

[skiptomylu]

Never looked at that vise. Looked it up and it's very cheap price and made in India so can't say much more than that. How well it works or how long it last, don't know anything about it actually. I did see a few guys get them for a back up vise or an extra just in case their vise breaks I suppose.

So no opinion from me though. Since I have 4 vises I don't need a back up or I may have bought one just incase, but I like the ones I have too much to get one like that to use all the time.

[Shallow Runner]

Well I have only used 2 vices the first was a starter kit from bass pro and than the asg vice. I paid $80 for the vice and 14 tool set. The vice is alot heavier duty than the bass pro vice and it spins as well. There is also a handle that you pull like the clutch on a motorcycle and it opens the jaws to insert your hook. Once the hook is inserted it will not slip you can break it off if it's light wire and the vice will not slip. I have never used a good vice so really don't know the difference except it's alot heavier duty and easier to use than the one from bass pro. As far as how long it will last I don't know yet. The tool kit I received was cheap and flimsy. The bass pro tools were much better made. Just wandering if anyone had one or any opinions on it. Any recommendations for a good vice and price range are appreciated.


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I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=30.238499,-92.809222
Eatin ain't cheatin

[Fatman]

Cheap Regal knock-off. When I started tying flies back in the 90's all I had was a cheap Sunrise Vise (Thompson Knock off) I looked at it, and tried it but didn't like it. I know from the comments of the guys on several of my fly sites that a big problem with their Regals is pinging hooks from the jaws of the vise. And chipping the tips. So don't know for sure if that one has the same problem. Back then it was going for $25 bucks.

Here's a review of of vises's: Fly Tying Vises In-Depth Review by Fly Fish Ohio!

Even reading that only makes you think -
Best bets - go to a fly shop if you have one nearby and try tying on them - small shops that are still open need the business and should be willing to let you try them.
Find a fly tying group in your area and explain that your trying to buy a new vise and see if you can go to one of their meetings and try them.

There is NO PERFECT VISE - is a comment I've heard on several fly boards. If the vise you're using isn't comfortable to tie on you'll never be happy with it!!!!! is the cold hard truth - and every single guy here who's been tying for years can recommend all kinds of vise's, but YOU have to tie on it. Gotta get out and put some legwork in to find the right one for you.

Fatman

[skiptomylu]

Very good advise Fatman and you exactly right if I didn't like my vise it would be miserable to tie. I know it wouldn't last long at my house if I didn't like it. I do have a hard time believing in vises as cheap as this one looks to be. I mean on ebay there $19.95 plus shipping and that says a lot I think. The guy had over 300 of them so looks just like trying to turn them over as fast as he can.

[skeetbum]

What you've been told so far is all good advise. I can only speak from my experience, and I've only tied on 2 vises. That said, I can also say that I've seen a lot of different vises, my job has me traveling and I stop at all the outdoor stores I can. I'll keep it as short as I can. The good vises start at about $100 and go up. These will be at your desk for many years. The cheaper and knockoff vises show their weaknesses when side by side with good vises. A rotary isn't absolutely necessary but it's a very good thing to have and makes tying a lot easier. Anvil Apex and Atlas are both good machines under $150, as is the peak and some of the Renzetti's which I use. I can drop names for a long time, but the one thing I can tell you is to handle several before you buy, and be PATIENT. This is like choosing a woman, you want to get it right. You won't regret the time spent, and the one for you will stick in your mind as you look at the others. Good luck in your search.....Skeet.