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Renzetti SW Traveler

3K views 3 replies 4 participants last post by  tomd 
#1 ·
Sure I own a Traveler, but I bought a SW traveler too. The reason is, "T-1" is now being reserved for steelhead, salmon and trout sorte's. "T-2" is taking over for the 5/0 Partridge Prince Stainless missions.

This implicitly re-ignites the rotary vs. non debate, which I believe like most debates are predicated by subjective views. I think that whatever people are good at using is the right vise. Going beyond preference a bit, physics don't lie. If one is wrapping a lof of silk floss, it's easier to turn the fly than revolve the hand around a fixed position fly. Same goes for hackles being palmered where the barbs are to stay in one direction as opposed to axial twist. Universally jointed (rotary) hackle pliers help solve this, but I have yet to find one that could pinch a garden hose like my ol' standard chrome hackle pliers. Even the best rotary plier does not help me with floss or tinsel or the multitude of other wrapped materials that the Traveler lets me leave in one spot while the vise spins the fly on a single axis.

Now to tell the truth I don't cross-wrap too much gold tinsel on my striper flies
but I do need to constantly check the symmetry of these often behemoth flies. When I apply coatings like softex or epoxy, the ability to spin the fly around with a remote handle greatly simplifies the potentially messy task. I even flip to match the alignment of the eyes.

Basically, it's just bigger jaws and bigger b*lls. A bit pricey at ~180.00 but worth it if you tie a lot of flies. I can't get over my friends who whine at fly shop prices then go buy stereos and skis at ten times the cost. A vise or a quality flyrod can be handed down to your grandchildren.
My grandchildren won't even know what a cassette tape is, never mind 8-track.

There are a lot of good vises on the market and each have their good points. SW traveler offers ease of use and sensible deisgn in a not-too-ridiculous price.

Just my .02
 
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#2 ·
Hi Juro,

I was a good boy and Santa came through with a Renzetti. http://216.71.206.188/images/flytalk/Happy.gif" border="0" align="middle">

Since I just started the SWFF scene this past year, I 've also jumped back into tying my own. My old vise, a Universal 2 Rotary sold me on the rotary concept years ago for all of the reasons you mentioned. The old vise still does the trick but doesn't compare to the Renzetti. I plan on letting Doug use my old one to get the hang of tying. There are few things more satisfying to me than to catch a fish on a fly you tied yourself.

Even though I am still getting a handle on the new Traveller I love the pedestal base. The machine work on this vise is comparable to a finely machined reel IMHO. Hook holding power is excellent. I'll second your nomination. That makes it .04 <img src="http://216.71.206.188/images/flytalk/Happy.gif
 
#4 ·
HI ALL, I TOO WAS BLESS AT CHRISTMAS. BUT MINE WAS A GIFT CERTIFICATE. SO I WENT TO ORVIS(THEIR CERT.) AND GOT ME ONE. I AGREE THAT IT IS A GREAT VISE, BUT TO BE HONEST MY DANVISE(FOR 65 BUCKS) ALWAYS SERVED ME WELL AND IS A ROTARY TOO! I JUST HAD A CASE OF VISE ENVY... CAN'T COMPLAIN ABOUT EITHER ONE. NOW I CAN EXOPY 2 FLIES AT THE SAME TIME! AND IT ONLY COST ME $180.00. TOM D
 
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