Hello fellow fly anglers and tying enthusiasts!
Welcome to the first entry in a new series where we’re pulling back the curtain and inviting you on a special journey: the creation of our dream fly tying vise.
As a sales engineer in precision mechanics and a die-hard fly fisherman, I’ve always felt that the perfect vise was just out of reach. So, with a partner who runs a CNC factory, we decided to take matters into our own hands. This series will document our progress, our challenges, and our successes, step-by-step. And it all starts with the most critical component: the jaws.
Part 1: Perfecting the Jaws
The jaws are the heart of a vise. Period. If they can't grip a hook with absolute, unyielding confidence, the rest of the vise is just a fancy paperweight. That’s why we dedicated all our initial energy to creating a jaw system that is both powerful and versatile.
Our first prototype is here, machined from high-grade aluminum alloy and robust stainless steel. We had one primary goal for this stage: flawless clamping performance.
The results have been incredible. We’ve successfully tested the jaws with hooks ranging from a tiny size 22 to a burly 1/0, all without making a single adjustment to the tension. The grip is rock-solid. We’ve redesigned the internal mechanics to enhance durability and ensure there are no small, easy-to-lose parts.
One little detail we're excited about: we plan to anodize the final stainless steel jaws in a gold finish. This will create a perfect high-contrast background against dark hooks, making it easier to see what you’re doing during those detailed tying sessions.
Your Feedback is Our Blueprint for What's Next
This is the foundation. Now that we’re confident in our jaw design, our next focus will be the vise body and base structure.
This is where we need you. What are your thoughts on this first step? Do you like the idea of a single tension setting for all hook sizes? Is the gold-anodized finish something you'd appreciate?
Most importantly, as we move to the next stage, what features should we consider for the base and body?
Join the conversation in the comments below. Your feedback will directly influence the next prototype. Let's build this together.
Stay tuned for Part 2!
Tight lines, The Rivfly Team, Kevin. Gao
