If design follows function, then the process of tying flies must be awfully complicated according to the designer(s) of this vise!

The recently introduced (to the US, it has been around in Japan and Europe longer) Tiemco vise weighs in at a hefty $600, which puts it in a tied lead with the Renzetti Master as the most expensive vise currently on the market. So what does one get for the money?

If I were to put it bluntly: A Renzetti Presentation 3000 on steroids. This statement is mostly governed by the jaws design, which is based on the same push collet jaws operated by turning a knob located at the back of the jaws, as well as the general lines followed to arrive at a true rotary concept.

In order to set up the vise from the box in which it arrives, "some assembly is required" prior to tying.. Due to the number of adjustments (four allen bolts, plus head assembly rotary friction, plus jaws rotary friction) I would expect the vast majority of users to struggle before coming to grips with the vise. Once the initial hurdle of setting up the vise in a configuration which suits the tier's personal preferences is passed, it is unlikely that more than a small percentage of them will be prepared to fine-tune the vise, requiring two Allen keys, each time there is a shift in hook sizes.

The standard jaws will handle hooks from #1/0 down to the smallest sizes. The jaws feature a pocket for holding large hooks securely. The optional saltwater jaws will handle #4 - 9/0. In an attempt to provide more work room around the hook the jaws are connected to the main assembly by U-shaped bar, which is articulated at either end. While it does provide some additional clearance, it also introduces a fair bit of additional mass which comes back to haunt the tier when the jaws are rotated.

I have to confess I am stumped to find an argument for the option to actually revolve the jaws themselves over 360 degrees. Yet another adjustment.

The vise I used was a pedestal version. There is no C-clamp option, nor indeed a bobbin cradle option. The absence of a bobbin cradle is rather strange for a true rotary vise. So I checked with Umpqua USA to get the scoop. The response from Tiemco Japan states that this vise should not be considered an true rotary vise, for true rotary tying???

Loosening a knurled ring at the back of the housing allows 360 degrees rotation of the jaws assembly. There is, however, a narrow band of rotary friction. Too tight, and revolving the jaws assembly will be jerky. Too loose, and the mass of the jaws will move to lowest position by gravity alone. The absence of a lever or crank also makes for a rather inefficient rotary operation. A small knurled knob located on the far side of the housing screws into a flat section on the arm assembly shaft to lock the vise into non-rotary position.

The height of the jaws assembly can be adjusted by means of a telescopic stem. The upper section of the main stem, however, is rather thin. Even when clamped tight, the thin diameter offers insufficient friction to stop the head assembly from turning when applying side pressure, such as when tying deer hair bass bugs or saltwater flies.

The pedestal base has adequate mass and footprint to handle all tying conditions. Its feet, however, are quite slippery and very low profile, which means the pedestal will only work well on a very even working surface. Not a big problem on the tying bench, but not always available when travelling. There is a white recessed hook dish incorporated, which is a nice touch on an otherwise dull black pedestal. Hooks and other small items show up well in the dish, but the straight sides may make taking small objects from the dish a little awkward. The Allen key holders, drilled into the top of the pedestal surface, are a waste of time. Fitting the keys into the sides, or the bottom, would have been a far more useful solution. [Hmmm…perhaps having the Allen keys at hand is required because the vise requires continual adjustment?]

The Tiemco vise is at the very top of the price curve for vises and should be able to stand up to close scrutiny. The materials (stainless steel throughout) and workmanship are of high caliber, but design and implementation of this vise are fraught with flaws.

Use of the vise sheds no light on its design concept.

If it is meant to be a true rotary: Why is it so difficult to adjust/rotate, why is there so much mass outside the axis of rotation and why is there no bobbin cradle?

If it should be viewed as a traditional "stationary" vise, then why does it posess the myriad of adjustment options?

All in all the Tiemco vise is a disapointing product in its current form. It will need a lot of redesign and refinement before it can favorably compete with the other high end vises.