Beginner vise

Does anyone know of a decent starter vise under 40.00? So far all the ones I have seen have horrible reviews. Biggest complaint is that they do not hold the hook. I bought a vise for around 20.00 to try it out and it is totally useless, I use it as bobbin rest for my tying vise. At least it has a pedestal so I can move it. If we get into the 40.00 dollar price range there are several that will do a decent job. I thought we should have a sticky on a beginner vise but do you feel that 40.00 is steep for a first time user? I do realize that in this economy that may be hard for some to come up with that much money.

I have a Herters vice that is 20 + years old still tie jigs on it. Still holds the hooks . Can't even guess how many jigs have gone through it . You can still pick them up on auction sites and more than likely right here for 10 to 15 bucks. If you don't need a lot of movement or special features or you are on the creek bank . Use hemostats for 1/32 and the like.

For a starter vise my favorite was the Thompson model B and the Herters that you have is probably the one made by Thompson and a copy of the B. I used the Herters vise all through high school in the 50's and wish I still had it.

we are still using the old Thompson often on been using it ever since I was a teenager for the price depending on which one you buy of course they can't be beat for a beginner you can get vises cheapest seven dollars all the way applies you want to go from Barlow was in a course many other people that carry good-quality tools are out there.

I believe this is a great idea... Some of the vises I have coming in for review are in the 40.00 price range.

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Originally Posted by jigtosser

For a starter vise my favorite was the Thompson model B and the Herters that you have is probably the one made by Thompson and a copy of the B. I used the Herters vise all through high school in the 50's and wish I still had it.

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do you still find a quality in the Thompson issue did many years ago don't know if you updated apparently you have we still have my Thompson from late 50s and 60s did you tie any jigs back then in the 50s.

My beginning vise was oredered from Jann's Netcraft. It was their (Rotary Vise) for about $35.00 and served me well for over 20 years. I bought my second vise (Griffin Odyssey spider) about 25 years ago and still use it. Be sure to use ceramic bobbins.

As I also tie flies, I also frequent alot of fly tying sites. One of the biggest complaints I've read about with some of the vise's in the $20 to $50 dollar range is that either the jaws stop holding firmly (even with adjusting) or the jaws chip.

When I first started tying Jigs I got a Worth Jig tying kit and the vise was bascially two strips of metal with a threaded screw to tighten. I like others who have posted have a Herter's (Thompson model) knockoff, then two Thompson Model A's and my current vise a Dyna-King Kingfisher.

I've tied 1000s on this one. Griffin Spider Vise

It was $75 when I got it...looks like everything else it's gone up. Shop around. The bobbin rest makes your life MUCH easier as a jig tyer using chenille.