DanViseAverage Rating: 8.2
Retail Price: 80.00
Manufacturer Description
The Danvise is constructed from a combination of Delrin and tempered steel. Delrin is a space age nylon used in factory conveyor belts - it is very tough. The vise comes with a 12 minute video advise how to adjust it. The very smooth rotating mechanism rides on a dual set of ball bearings. Superb quality at a reasonable price.
Reader Submitted ReviewsSubmitted by Matt Erny
Pros
Best beginner vise made!!! Great inital quality!smooth operation! For 80+- dollars you can not beat the deal. Hands down the best vice for under 100$
Cons
The jaws do have a tendency to wear out It you tie alot of flies. I tie commerical 100+ flies a week. Im on my 2nd set of jaws in the last year.
Submitted by Joe Hard
Pros
This was the first true rotary vice I ever owned. Once I started tying with this vice my flies became better. If used properly, the jaws will hold a hook so it can be bent. The adjustable rotary feature is great, and the crank is very smooth. The C clamp is better than any other method I have seen, once put in place it will not move period, (so I have found). The price of this vice is too low for the quality!!! The video will explain how to set the vice up and its proper operation, and should be watched. The material clip is in a perfect place, and so is the bobbin cradle, which can be moved out of the way so that when not needed, you wont even know its there.
Cons
I too have had problems with the jaws, but it was my own fault. I did not take the time to adjust them properly, and with a big hook and strong thread tension, the hook pooped from the vice. I have yet to get a second set, but just put the hook a little deeper in the jaws. I have been tying with a differnt vice and wish I was still using my Danvice
Submitted by Mark Delaney
Pros
1)Price is good (~$80)
2)Adjustability of jaws easily accomplished (2/0 to very small)
(I believe many people are in too much of hury adjusting the jaws, so they can be bent out prematurely)
3)Good beginner rotary vise
After nearly 20 years tying on a Thompson Model A, my wife bought this for me for our anniversary several years ago. I've been impressed with the utility ov the vise, and thus far it has served me well (despite a few probelms).
Cons
If you don't believe in form over function, this is not the vise for you. It is not that beautiful pice of machined perfection...but it works just fine. The major drawback for me was the lack of room behind the jaws when tying larger bass and saltwater flies. I ended up buying an extension arm (cast aluminum, I believe)from BT's Flyfishing (Al Beatty's online shop)to relieve this problem. I recently did have have a problem with the barrel when a delrin threaded rod broke (apparently it was never set right from the factory). I was able to get it fixed for a very reasonable fee by mailing the vise off to Al Beatty. Some people want the feel of metal when they tie...I don't mind the black delrin resin, adn the adjustment range on the c-clamp have let me tie absolutely everywhere I've taken it. although there is a lot of Delrin nylon in the vise, it is quite sturdy. for those monster saltwater flies though...the Thompson Model A with saltwater jaws is still a better tool. So I use two vises these days, the Danvise basically for everything from 2/0 hooks on down, and everything above 2/0 I use the Thompson.
Submitted by Rick Griffith
Pros
I have not had to much experience with alot of other vise but the cheap ones.I did how ever look at other before deciding on the DanVise.For one the price was greatYes the other ones were prettier and cost alot more.The DanVise did or should i say does everything the others do.The rotary works just as well as the others.Very sturdy built vise and would recommend anyone to buy this vice.Very durable and smooth rotary.The bobbin cradle is very nice touch and can be moved out of they or be removed completely if needed.Table clamp is the best in my experience with any other vice that i have used. Video that comes with it is a great tool in its self.As long as you watch it before use.Very helpful and informative.
Cons
Wish the jaws were extended a little longer,table clamp is the best but wished their was some sort of padding but the can be resolved easily.This may not be so much as a con for me but others would say that it would not win a beauty contest.I'd vote a 10 but theirs always room for improvement in everything.
Submitted by bud guidry
Pros
i've been using the same two vices for two years and have not had a single problem with either. i've grown accustomed to using these great vices and would buy another if i need another vice
Cons
no complaints
Submitted by Kyle Hand
Pros
It might be a good beginner vise, but..................
Cons
My daughter was tying commercially for me and went through one of these pieces of junk in about a month. Maybe 5 dozen flies total. I will not purchase another one.
Submitted by OLB
Pros
The best thing about the danvise is the price. You get many features of a higher priced vise a a price anyone can afford. It's easy to set up and holds a hook very well. Excellent vise for a beginner
Cons
When I learned how to spin deer hair I started to have trouble with the hook sliding in the jaws while packing the clums of hair. No other cons
Submitted by Deb Freele (aka Matokuwapi)
Pros
I picked up this vise 18 months ago. My other vice (Regal knock off) was wearing out. I thought I would like to try a rotary vise as I thought that some of the tying I was getting into could be speeded up or improved with this option. I was ready to lay some big bucks down but I really wanted to see how much I used a rotary feature before forking over the really big bucks. After all, a vise is only a tool to hold a hook. I'd rather buy a new fly rod with the big bucks.
After reading reviews, pros and cons for all the vises out there I decided to take a change and try the DanVise. The price was attractive and if I didn't end up liking a rotary then I wasn't out that much. If I did like it...I could always upgrade later.
Well I was pleasently surprised with this vise. I am so happy with it's function that I will probably never buy another (more expensive) vise...even when this one wears out...IF it wears out.
It has a cam lever (which is why I love those Regal style vises) It's light weight and clamps on to tables like a shark on a leg. Darlin is tough...very tough!!
It is without question the best vise you can buy for under $100 (US).
For the non commercial tyer, this vice will last a very very long time. I see no wear on my jaws and I've put through a few thousand flies so far. I've tied flies from sized 2/0 down to size 32 on it and the jaws held tight.
Would I buy it again if this one wears out.... or a truck rolls over it? You bet.
Cons
It requires two steps to install the hook, unlike the Regal style. For those who have complained about this vise, this is where the problem lies. They need to take the time to properly fit the hook into the clamp. Some force the cam to close on a bigger hook after working on smaller hooks without taking a few seconds to make this adjustment. It's easy to avoid this by tying from bigger to smaller when tying a number of flies at a sitting. This is not an unusual set up. Most other rotery vises require more than one adjustment to install a hook.
The vise is kind of ugly....(without looking at price) it's sort of like comparing a HUMMER to a Cadillac SRX SUV. The Danvise is the Hummer. It does't mean that the Danvise does not grab the attention of onlookers. Like the Hummer, you just can't help looking at it. It just one tough machine. Personally I like Hummers.
Submitted by gary mitchem
Pros
great price
nice vise for the beginner
Cons
jaws will easily wear out, if your a commercial tyer,you shouldnt use this vise to tye!!!!!!
Submitted by kenneyk
Pros
Jaws clamp tightly and hold onto a wide range of hook sizes from at least 12 through 3/0. A true rotary vise as well. I tie commercially, have tied close to 1,000 flies with it, and it still works great.
Cons
Jaws seem to get nicked up quite easily. Just make sure you size the hook properly before clamping the hook down-very simple if you're not lazy.
Submitted by Mike Markey
Pros
I've been using the DanVise for about 4 years. I tie mostly on sizes 10-18 but occasionally tie very large 2 and very small 32. The DanVise has done all the sizes I have tied and has not slipped a hook. The jaws are very tough steel after 4 years of use they still look like new. The jaws are actuated by an internal spring and a cam (no rubber bands here) and are adjustable for gap and rotating center. Unless you tie greatly varying sizes you probably won't need to change your settings. In the 10-18 range I rarely have to change anything. The C-clamp is very tight and the height of the head is fully adjustable to a comfortable working height. Once you have the rotary mechanism set properly you will never have to change that either. You can stop the fly at any angle and continue to tie and it won't move till you want to move it. I haven't had a problem with the vise in all the time i've had it. Another great thing is the price hasn't changed in at least 4 years.
Cons
My only complaint is the metric size of the vertical shaft is different than all other vises in the world and accessories that attach to the shaft will not fit without modification. Very few accessories are available for the DanVise.
Submitted by Gary Madore
Pros
It securely holds any hook I stick in it and it rotates like it's supposed to: What else is there to say. I could have spent 5 times as much on a vice with a sexy brushed-metal finish but that would have been dumb.
Strenghts: Great jaws, rotating friction adjustment, desk clamp, and space-age look.
Weaknesses: None (unless you count other people slamming your vise because it doesn't cost as much as a car as a "weakness" (grin))
Cons
Nada. Zip. None. Rien.
Submitted by Jamie
Pros
This is a superb entry to the world of rotary vices, light weight and easy to use the vice will see you right and performs well for the occassional tier.
Cons
The rotary action it a little loose and it can be difficult to hold a fly in a certain position whilst you are working on it. The jaws slide up and down so you can adjust the hook shank being held to be true rotary, but this has a habit of beomcing loosing after a while and you end up with some movement about the axis. The jaws on mine needed replacing in arond 6 months of hard use, as they became all gnarled up.
Submitted by Stony
Pros
I purchased this vise because I really wanted a better option than my old Thompson A. I did quite a bit of research on here and elsewhere and felt that this was probably the best bang for the buck. I went out and purchased one. Boy was everybody right. This vise is great. I am just a beginner but it feels like everything that should be in a vise is there. Simple to use and the true rotary is sweet. I love this vise and I don't think I will really need to buy another one.
Cons
The only low point that I can think of is that it doesn't come with the extension for tying big flies. You have to purchase it seperately. I found mine for less than $20 so it really isn't that bad of a deal.
Submitted by
Pros
Had mine 3 yrs, it's been flawless. Read some complain about setting the hook jaw, if you tie flies you can take 5 seconds to set this easily. Never had any hook come free, awesome holding power. (and I typically use kevlar threads and v. high pressure) Very easy rotary function and takes 2 seconds to adjust rotary resistance from easy spin to holding fly solidly at any rotation postion. Just getting the extension arm now to aid with rear clearance tying big tubes etc. Expect to find I'll like the estension for all tying. Big base I have (older than present model) is great/heavy and v. rarely moves. Bobbin holder nice bonus.
Cons
Not as sexy as others, but I get a chuckle from having thousands into rods/reels/fly tying materials and finding this now $70 vice so rewarding (was $80 when I bought it)! Can't find a reason to spend more.
Submitted by Warm Water Fly Fisher
Pros
awesome vise
awesome price
true rotary
i have a coupla other vises and this one is my favorite
i have used more expensive rotary vises and this one has all the features that they do
the vise comes with a material clip and a bobbin rest
they have improved the jaws since the first few models, so they don't break, chip as often
A+A+A+A+A+
they sell pedastool bases extension arms and saltwater andmidge jaws for this vise. you shouldn't need anything more than that
i have tied thousands of flies with this vise
take care and happy tying
WWFF
"tie em and fly em"
Cons
none
Submitted by Sean
Pros
As someone who travels a lot for work, I found the vise very light weight and easy to pack in my suitcase. The C clamp grips the table firmly and I've yet to find a table in a hotel room I can't get the vise onto. The jaws are quite sturdy and, although I only tie occassionaly (4-5 flys/week) should last me a lifetime.
This is an excellent BEGINNER vise (see cons below) and will last the AVERAGE person a very long time.
Cons
This isn't so much a con against the vise since I can't find any, but a con against those who are complaining the jaws aren't sufficient if tying commercially. If you're tying commercially, you should be spending the money on a high quality vise!!! ($200-$400). If I'm a professional angler, I'm not going to waste my time using the WalMart special fishing rod!!
Submitted by Pat
Pros
Having been built from composite material it is very light weight. Easy to haul in a bag or tote to your fly fishing hole in case you need to tie. The rotation was smooth.
Cons
Too many to list. But the biggest problem was the lack of space next to the head. I had difficulty getting my big fingers in to work with small flies. In order to tighten the rotation the handle was screwed in reverse. That action took two hands rather than my new Peak just two fingers to tighten a screw. Overall the thing was just too bulky for me.
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