Fly Vise recommendations

After 4 years of trying to figure out this fly fishing stuff I think it is time to start tying.  Problem is there is a lot of options and everyone has there own opinion.  I have been told to buy a beginner set and then move up but I have found in the past that does not work for me.  I like quality and would rather invest in a nice vise at the get to.  I do want a rotary style. Whats the recommendations?

That's a good deal.

I've had a Peak Rotary for the past 3 years and have been exceptionally pleased with it.  The machining and quality are top notch.  I would recommend the brass screw kit if you get one, it should be standard IMHO.  I added a D-arm as well, which really makes using the rotary much easier.  Neither are required, but I would recommend both if you can swing it.  I didn't need the tools since I've been accumulating them over the years. For a starter kit, this one looks hard to beat considering the quality of vice and what I would expect from the tools.  I would buy one again and I have recommended them.  The standard jaws work well on size 2-20 hooks, if you are going to tie smaller than that, I would definately recommend the midge jaws. It makes tying 18-and smaller much easier. 
 
Renzetti Traveler should always be a standard consideration when looking at vises. Regal would be another to consider, but up in price range.  A friend has a Montana Mongoose by Griffin that he's been very pleased with, that may be worth a look. 
 
Hope this helps.

Thanks for all the recommendations.  I decided to go with the HMH Spartan.  Now I need to start accumulating soome tools and tying material.  Any particular brand of tools that have a reputaion of being of higher quality.

ORIGINAL: Tracker12

Thanks for all the recommendations.  I decided to go with the HMH Spartan.  Now I need to start accumulating soome tools and tying material.  Any particular brand of tools that have a reputaion of being of higher quality.

Dr. Slick and Matarelli are known to be high quality, but to start out you don't have to spend a mint. Lower priced whip finishing tools have worked fine for me. If they have some little burs, buy a little sheet of some really fine sandpaper, like 800 grit, and polish it up. You can also bend whip finishing tools a little if the thread slips off the end hook.

Get yourself a good set of all around scissors, like Dr. Slicks, and a cheaper pair of slightly heavier tying scissors for cutting wire, the leather of zonker strips etc. Low quality bobbins will often fray or cut thread, so its worth the money to get a nice bobbin. I like ceramic ones.

Cold- I have a pair of those too, and they do work good. The little round tipped jewelry pliers work well for grabbing beads too.

Tracker: You can make your own bodkin pretty easily too. All you really need is a pieve od dowel and a big azz needle. Drill a hole into the dowel, plop some zap a gap or superglue in there and push the needle into the hole. Use a pieve of deer antler or nice hardwood to make a little fancier of a bodkin.

A dowel with a loop of high-test mono glued into a drilled hole makes a good bobbin threader as well.

I second the recommendation for getting good, quality scissors. that's one tool you don't want to skimp on. Nothing ratchets up the frustration level faster than crappy, dull scissors. 

Tracker,
I use either Griffin or Jstockard ceramic bobbins...the Jstockard bobbins are almost identical to the Dr. slicks with the pink ceramic tips and Delrin feet...at considerably less cost than the Slicks, just picked up a set of Dr. Slick Razor scissors....best that I have ever used hands down, but I watch what I cut with them and I think if you were em out you can send them back and have them resharpened and reconditioned if it ever comes to that, I think it will probably be the last pair you'll ever have to invest in. The Slick stuff is the best in quality though to in my opinion.....just sayin!

ORIGINAL: Ginnis

ORIGINAL: Tracker12

I was leaning toward Dr Slick scissors but still not sure on Bobbin. 

get a quality bobbin as well... if not, you'll shred lighter thread at first

And this is frustrating beyond measure. I've tried using diamond polishing compound and twine to polish the barrel of cheap bobbins, but it only works marginally. The cheap Orvis bobbins, I can't remember the model name, will cut 6/0 thread with ease. Even if you're careful they fray the thread, and who the hell wants fuzzy tying thread?

Those are really nice bobbins. Once I get a hang of tying I may look towards getting one of those. 

Hello!

I suggest taking a look at Kerzic's vises: http://sl-si.facebook.com/pages/Sava-Fly-Tying-Vises/183726381655870

ORIGINAL: Cold

Everyone talks about the cheapy bobbins sucking...for me it's been just the opposite. More often than not, I leave my ceramic tipped bobbins and rite bobbin on the rack and tie with the regular old griffin standard metal tubed bobbin. For me, it just feels the most comfortable to use, and I haven't broken thread in a long time due to the bobbin tube.

Just my 2 cents on it.

 
i agree, except for cleaning the wax out of the bobbin tube occasionally, the cheaper metal tube bobbin feels and works great. i also have two different lengths.
i would rather spend my money on a good pair of scissors. i have never tried dr. slick's. i found the scissors i have that were made in Italia are the best yet to hold an edge. now if i knew where to get another. 
 
make that 4 cents

ORIGINAL: doubletaper

ORIGINAL: Cold

Everyone talks about the cheapy bobbins sucking...for me it's been just the opposite. More often than not, I leave my ceramic tipped bobbins and rite bobbin on the rack and tie with the regular old griffin standard metal tubed bobbin. For me, it just feels the most comfortable to use, and I haven't broken thread in a long time due to the bobbin tube.

Just my 2 cents on it.

i agree, except for cleaning the wax out of the bobbin tube occasionally, the cheaper metal tube bobbin feels and works great. i also have two different lengths.
i would rather spend my money on a good pair of scissors. i have never tried dr. slick's. i found the scissors i have that were made in Italia are the best yet to hold an edge. now if i knew where to get another. 

make that 4 cents

Agree with Cold and DT..... I have gone tried several different bobbins - along with the Pettijean. Even though I spent the $ on it - I'm not really sold on it. Yeah it's easy to load but I found that with 14/0 thread, it frays easy when loading it at the tip. I still use it though from time to time but I agree with KJ that my favorite is still the C & F's.

ORIGINAL: doubletaper

i agree, except for cleaning the wax out of the bobbin tube occasionally, the cheaper metal tube bobbin feels and works great. i also have two different lengths.
i would rather spend my money on a good pair of scissors. i have never tried dr. slick's. i found the scissors i have that were made in Italia are the best yet to hold an edge. now if i knew where to get another. 

make that 4 cents

I tie mostly with UTC, so for me the wax is a non-issue. UTC is prone to fraying, but even with it, I've had little issue with thread breaking.

Just picked up another cheapie today...little tiny holder for my Pearsall's spools. I have yet to actually use it to tie a fly, but that'll happen soon enough.

I've only ever used Dr. Slick scissors, and then cheap ones for less-precise applications, but I've heard good things about Anvil scissors as well.

You'll like that little cheapy Cold. I've had one for some time now for just the reason you bought yours.