The original NorVise is probably the ultimate inline-rotary vise. It is almost impossible to put a hook in the vise in such a way that the shank is NOT in line with the axis. And since the rotary barrel runs on two high quality sealed machine bearings, It doesn't just rotate, it spins. This spinning quality makes rotary tying a piece of cake. It also makes possible techniques that are impossible with other vises like speed dubbing, making dubbing brushes, and making reinforced herls.

However it is NOT the ultimate vise. Its drawbacks lie in the realm of small and truly large flies. Because the clamp is horizontal and positioned 'below' and in front of the rotary barrel, the room behind a hook clamped in the vise is limited. Tailing small flies (i.e. anything smaller than a size 14) takes some getting used to. Large hooks cannot be positioned with their shank in line, and over a size 1/0 cannot be truly immobilized either. Though there is a large model NorVise, this large model is even less suitable for small flies and is not suited for size 6/0 and larger pike flies.

The spinning barrel locks in 90 degree positions. However, the locking sleeve easily slides in and out of its locking position, especially when tying with the left hand (assuming a right-hand tier) positioned on top of the barrel. This drawback is easily remedied by putting some sticky wax between the rotational axis and the locking sleeve.

The current NorVise models have a set screw on top of the barrel to adjust the rotational friction. This is probably a better option than the freely spinning barrel and locking positions of the original design. However, the friction screw does get in the way of the left hand's resting position

To remedy the problems with small hooks, fine point jaws were devised a couple of years ago. Old models can be retrofitted with these fine point jaws for a reasonable amount of money. The current models are changed in such a way that it is relatively simple to swap different jaw sets. The fine point jaws offer better accessibility with small hooks and better hook holding power with large hooks as well. However, since the fine point jaws extend about 2 inches below the barrel, they destroy the balance of the barrel and make spinning next to impossible. In effect, the fine point jaws turn the NorVise into a standard vise, with a rotational barrel that is superfluous and still in an awkward position.

Verdict:

Is the NorVise ($245-$270, depending on the jaws selected) a good vise? Yes, especially when you do a lot of rotary tying using hooks in the size range of #2-14. Is it the ultimate vise? No. Do I like my NorVise? Yes I still like it, and I truly regret the fact that I do not have room to permanently install more than one vise in my tying den. Is it a "love it or hate it" vise? Another resounding YES. More than any other vise on the market this is a try-before buy proposition!

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