Nor-viseAverage Rating: 6.8
Retail Price: 255.00
Manufacturer Description
Precision ball bearing and heavy brass hubs enable the Nor-Vise to also work like a spinning wheel for dubbing like you have never seen before. Perfectly shaped and textured bodies, with all dubbing materials, can be created, without wax, better, faster and much easier than by any other method.
The Nor-Vise concept is to position the hook shank on the centerline of rotation and then turn the hook rather than wrap hand over hand around the hook. A thread post, aligned with the center of rotation, permits material to be "turned" or "spun" onto the hook without the tying thread being wrapped on at the same time.
The Nor-Vise system will accommodate a variety of jaw designs that can be quickly and easily mounted onto the vise arbor. Although all four of the different jaw designs will handle nearly any fly-tying situation, from very tiny and delicate trout flies to large saltwater patterns, these different designs each excel in certain applications.
Reader Submitted ReviewsSubmitted by Kyle Hand
Pros
This is a fun vise to try new things with. It is very functional for some flies and not so on others (my opinion). I do not use this vise that often so probably not the best to review it. For Woolies and San Juan Worm type flies it is unbelievable.
Cons
Submitted by Brent Drew
Pros
It's gone and off My bench.
Cons
Poor finish and I mean poor!
Bearings were loose in the housing.
The auto Bobbin pulged up every other fly using 3/0 waxed mono.
I'd be happier tying on a $12 Craftsman Vise Grip.
Bought the vise new and it aged 20 years with in 200 flies.
Submitted by ALG
Pros
Sold it 13 days after buying it.
In trying to do justice with this vise, i personally can't. Although the speed at which you can tie only a limited amount of fly's is phenominal, however, and again, you are limited.
Cons
The jaws i had a problem with holding and tightening from the get go even after a replacement set. Also had trouble with the bearings and wobbling. Precision ball bearings, maybe...."Quality" ball or even roller bearings would be better. Horrible quality paint seems to be used because a simple nick flaked a big part off. It would be nice if it came with some sort of base or clamp.....Which it does not. And lastly. The use of brass is cool, but why? I'd much rather have a stainless hub with a base rather than brass and having to mount it on a board.
Submitted by Deb Freele (aka matokuwapi)
Pros
It looks really really slick when you see Norm tying at shows. WOW!
Cons
THE PRICE! YIKES It's not so much the vise. It;s all the parts you need to make it work like Norm does:
Nor-Vise
Nor-vise with Small In-Line Jaw Conversion $255
Conversions (Includes New Hubs)
Small In-Line Jaw Conversion $65
Large In-Line Jaw Conversion $85
Fine Point Jaw Conversion $65
Tube Fly Jaw Conversion $50
Jaws Only (Upgrade on Older Nor-Vise)
Small In-Line Jaws $40
Large In-Line Jaws $40
Fine Point Jaws $40
Tubefly Collet Set (4) $30
Automatic Bobbin, Bobbin Kit, Spools, Arbor
The Automatic Bobbin $35
The Automatic Bobbin Kit $50
Bobbin Spools / Package of 3 $10
Bobbin Spools / Box of 10 $25
Spool Arbor $10
Accessories
Nor-Vise Fly Tying Lamp $75
Nor-Vise Travel System $85
Dubbing Brush Table $50
"Tie Better Flies Faster" Video $10
You could see $1000.00 go in a hurry!
You need to be Norm Norlander to make this thing work like he does....or a lot of time on your hands and a lot of patience while you take hours and hours to learn how to use it.
You need a lot of space too.
Submitted by Curtis Watts
Pros
This vise is the perfect tool for flytying. It adjusts easier than most other vises I have used. The additional tools make your fly tying more enjoyable, and some of them would meke tying on other vises easier also.
Cons
Would like them to design a bobbin threader that would be included with their bobbins.
Submitted by DB
Pros
1. very strong vise, and easy to adjust for diffeent hook sizes
2. true rotary or fixed option
3. speed and precision of placing materials
4. The automatic bobbins are phenomenal! and can be used with any vise by adding the thread arm. I have not used heavily waxed threads. I teach fly tying classes - beginners and eperienced tiers alike spend a lot of time taking up the slack on their bobbins. Very few great bobbins are cheap.
5. Mine wears like iron and seems made of excellent quality material. No problems with the paint.
6. There is a learning curve with this vise. I don't regard that as a negative. When did anyone take up tying without a learning curve?
7. It takes no time to set up the vise and thread holder, and get whatever custom configuration you like.
8. I regard this vise as the best for tying a lot omaterials snd when a lot of wraps are necessary - ie saltwater, streamers, etc.
9. I also like rewarding the inventor directly for his labors.
10. This vise is unique in many respects. Most other vises are pretty much all alike.
11. Production tiers should love it. I know of some who use it and are very pleased. They should be the ones doing the reviews.
12. This vise allows the tier to really use both hands effectively - not just the one winding thread. The hand on the hub can be integral in precise thread placement.
13. In the rotary mode, the thread is never out of your sight (ie back or off side of fly), and the entire fly is visualized throughout the tie. No surprises on the off side when you're done.
14. I think his tube fly is the best design out there, and there should be no limit to what a tube fly tier could do with this vise!
15. I've obviously spent a lot of time analyzing this vise. I also studied it carefully and asked Norm a ton of questions about it. When I bought mine, I also got one for a good buddy. He also likes his.
16. I really believe people's problems using this vise relate most to having a different system than what they were accustomed to. New skills are required and perhaps new parts of your brain as well.
Cons
1. The biggest con I see is the criticisms above. I think the experienced tiers weren't patient enough. I certainly wouldn't criticize Norm because be uses both his hands as well as his brain. I think this vise is for the tier willing to explore new horizons. Norm's results are no aberration. All good flies require experience and good technique and materials.
2. If it's a con, this vise may be best for the tier with an open mind!
3. Spools for the auto bobbin have to be loaded with thread.
4. Long tails on flies can get tangled - ?no different than any rotary vise?
5. cost is a consideration, but you can sure spend more for a vise that just holds a hook. I'm planning to buy more auto bobbins and spools.
Submitted by Don Stracener
Pros
True spinning, not just a rotary make this vise a pleasure to use. Dubbing is faster and easy. Spinning on ribbing or hackle works great. The new lever jaws work well and will go from very small to size 2/0 hooks without a problem.
The auto bobbin works great, I would use it on any rotary I had.
The tube fly attachment works very well for tubes.
The fine point jaws work good for weaving when you can move the jaw towards you.
I find the space required is about the same for the vise mounted as a rotary vise with cradle.
Norm was great to work with anytime I need help or had a problem.
A lot of production tiers use the Nor-Vise in our area.
I have tied at least 400 flies without a problem.
Cons
The Nor-Vise has a learning curve, no doubt about it. Out of the 5 vises I have it took more effort to learn how to use it.
I had to watch the DVD a few times and work at learning the way the vise works to take advantage of it.
Submitted by MMT
Pros
Used it for the first time last night - first couple of files were a little strange looking - broke my thread twice - but after a little practice. . . I whipped out 10 more in about 30 minutes. I aree with "DB" with all new things we must be patient. I have already learned to love it. As far as the price . . . yes it is up there a little - but it was my choice to spend the money. I think it was well worth it.
Cons
Wish the video had a few more examples of tying. Would make it a little easier to get the hang of it. :-)
Submitted by Bob
Pros
I have had mine for a couple of years and I really like it, though it was (is) a bit difficult to get used to. I did not care for Norm's jaws and converted mine to Rinzetti, and it is just made a very good vise better. I also mounted mine on a cutting board. There are a lot of very fine rotary vises out there now, but for the money, I do not see any that are better! I continue to learn!
Cons
Submitted by Allan Fisher
Pros
I learned on this vise, so therefore, it was very easy for me to get used to the feel and action. For me, whether it is tying large or small flies, it works well and simple. Yes, one should watch the video a couple of times. Yes, I use both hands in my work normally and have good hand-eye coordination. My son learned on the vise as well and I don't know if either one of us will ever go to a conventional vise. The materials lay down better, especially dubbing, floss and tinsel. The reason, I believe, is that it is easier to keep consistent tension on these materials as the hook is rotating, instead of your hands rotating around the hook. I have the micro tip and tube fly assembly. All were in excellent quality when I received them.
Cons
I have larg hands so tying in tails for midge sized flies sometimes is a little bit of a challenge, though this is literally the only issue I have with the vise. To solve this problem, I purchased the micro tip, which fixed the issue. Norm has been very helpful and responsive to any questions or issues that I have had with the vise, either through email or one on one at the shows.
Submitted by DaniLa
Pros
That wise is so good, and if you will tie more than 10-15 fly's on this wise you will feel diferent!
1. Faster make dabbing on threed. -important when you make small flies.
2. Full control fly position.- two way : (90, 180, 270, 360) and smooth using uper bolt.
And many other options that help to tie fly faster. And thank to Norm Norlander for his good product that helps many fly tyingers!
Cons
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