New Tying Vise - Built Like A Tank!

[OntarioFishingGuy]

I recently purchased a Griffin Montana Mongoose tying vise for my fly and jig tying.

 

First impressions: This thing is awesome! Holds a hook ridiculously well, solid pedestal base, well made c-clamp, rotary function is spot on, and there is absolutely no play in the vise while tying. The vise appears to be built very well and seems like it will last a very long time. It holds a wide variety of hook sizes as well. I have tried from a 16 to a 3/0, and it held them all very securely. I am sure you could go smaller or a bit larger without any issues. The cam lock is very smooth and easy to operate, as are the rest of the adjustments. Most of the features on the vise are adjustable, and once you get it set up the way you want, they will stay in place nicely.

 

 

It came with a pedestal base, c-clamp, stem extension (to use with the c-clamp), bobbin cradle, materials clip, hackle/hook gauge, ceramic bobbin (awesome as well) and of course the vise itself. It came in a black carrying case, which will be handy when transporting the vise.

 

The only things I did not like about the vise were that the hackle gauge was not very well made, and although the sizing was accurate, I do plan on upgrading it. (Maybe to a Whiting gauge). Also, the case was made of cheap plastic, but if you would like a sturdier case, I would imagine a large foam lined reel case would work well. I will probably end up doing that in the near future as well.

 

After using it for a while, I will make a more detailed review of the vise.

 

Here are a few flies/jigs I have tied on it already.

 

Size 16 nymph:

 

Size 6 steelhead jig:

 

Size 8 stonefly nymph

 

3/4oz salmon jig (bucktail):