A full review of the FNF Talon Fly Tying Vice

Santa was kind last year and brought me one of FNF's new Talon Vices. I did do a first look video which will be linked in this video. I have been harangued with requests to do the promised follow up video with the full review. I thought it would not be fair to review a fly tying vice that I had not put at least a couple of hundred flies through! It has seen a damn sight more than that and I am now ready to give the verdict on the vice.
If you would like to have a look at it on the manufactures website the link is here www.fnflyfishing.co.uk/produc...
I would love to know what you are tying on at the moment and would you ever consider upgrading? Let me know in the comments section below.

[@kevinjtoner]

Very nice, honest review Lindsay.......Thank you 👍🎣

[@lindsayiflyfish]

Most welcome pal

[@darz3]

Wonder if there are plans to add a bobbin cradle to the attachment options ? Enjoyed both your review videos.

[@lindsayiflyfish]

Not that I know of, but I am sure you could buy a generic one for the vice shaft.

[@kerrypitt9789]

@@lindsayiflyfish I was just going to say there must be an after market cradle?

[@JackOrion0670]

When you loosen the rotation tension is there any slip or wiggle where the arm comes out of the body? I have an HMH TRV and if I set is so it spins real easily the arm gains a bit of wiggle. So I set it at the point where it goes away.

[@lindsayiflyfish]

Hi Jack, I have it set to a rotation level I am happy with there is no wiggle. I have not loosened it right off though to be fair.

[@OregonFishingAdventures]

Thats a pretty awesome vise i just recently upgraded from my starter vise to a purple renzetti traveler so probably wont be looking for a new vise for a long time but this would definitely be one id consider in the future

[@lindsayiflyfish]

Still using mine and very happy with it, if I get another it will be because I like shiny things......lol.

[@robertalexander7286]

Got one of the last LAW vices from Lawrence with back plate and bobbin rest for around £500. The vice on review looks as if it would be just as good.

[@lindsayiflyfish]

I have not used a Law vice but I am sure they are excellent 👌 I have been very pleased with the Talon does everything I need 👍

[@derekcunningham9993]

Good reveiw. Its good to to work your way up to a good vice. Makes tying much more pleasurable. Im using a Jvice. The build quality and engineering are cracking. Its a joy to use

[@lindsayiflyfish]

Not used a JVice but they look really nice bits of kit.

[@derekcunningham9993]

@@lindsayiflyfish yip. I love it. Sometimes Ill set it up , tie something, then sit and look at it. My wife gives me some wierd looks

[@Graham-1888]

@@derekcunningham9993 Ha Ha i do the same with my Regal, if it was up to me i would have my vices as ornaments but i would rather dodge a ceramic dog than a Regal ;-)

[@haktanbulut]

Great review! Thanks!

[@lindsayiflyfish]

Most welcome

[@kurtrout]

Great review. What are using as a material clip if at all?

[@lindsayiflyfish]

I use a hair grip they are very cheap and do the job.

[@kenjones6753]

Great honest review Lindsay - thumbs up from me.

[@lindsayiflyfish]

Thanks Ken 👍

[@michaelshaw8370]

Yes the Talon is loosely based on a top tier existing vice. Kevin from FNF with the combination of his knowledge experience and what he needs from a vice. Like starting with a P51C. Removed the Allison engine added the Rolls Royce Merlin. And a bubble canopy. Great now he has The P51D. Then sat back down and built a A10 Warthog. Just like with his range of Fritz. He is always taking that next step.

[@oreilly6365]

Great review, I just bought a similar vice from HMH, TRV Spartan but have to say I do like the modern look of your vice, very cool. Sometimes ye just have to treat yourself 😉🤣👍

[@lindsayiflyfish]

Cool, thanks! That HMH vice is quality I think you will have many happy hours with it.

[@mikejames663]

Great review, I'm humming & harring, yessing and no-ing, the killer is the price, maybe I should sell all my other vices on ebay to fund a purchase. thanks for the review.

[@lindsayiflyfish]

Your welcome Mike, hope it’s not given you too much of a dilemma 😉

[@MrJimmuck]

Ah well Lindsay, a long long time ago I got given a small fly tying kit in a plastic box and it had a vice in it too!! The vice was blue and was made of steel or irin and the jaws were about an inch wide and quarter of an inch thick. You tightened up the vice on to the table with a wing nut which clamped it down by way of a plastic ball. ... I was ten at the time and I thought it was the greatest thing since sliced bread!! The kit in total was about £1 and two shillings. My vice now costs about 350 times that but hey It served me well .... atb Jim

[@lindsayiflyfish]

As long as it holds the hook tight Jim, the rest is just gravy ;-)

[@Scott_Jackson]

Lindsay, Great review. The guys at FNF have produced a fabulous looking vice and trusting your word looks great to tie on. From your first review 4 months ago I thought yeah I’ll take one so contacted FNF via messenger. The only thing I would say is that the guys at FNF need to get better customer relations my vice was under construction March and will be ready end of March. Still waiting!! Kind Regards Scott

[@lindsayiflyfish]

I hope that you get sorted out quickly pal.

[@Scott_Jackson]

@@lindsayiflyfish that ship has already sailed

[@DallasLopez1]

Hey Lindsay, at first glance the chassis and base look very similar to the snowbee Waldron. Do you find this to be the case, as well?

[@lindsayiflyfish]

Never owned a Snowbee but it looks very similar.

[@DallasLopez1]

@@lindsayiflyfish What's the biggest hook you've tried in this vise?

[@lindsayiflyfish]

@@DallasLopez1 Had a size #4 in it for Pike but it could take bigger.

[@DallasLopez1]

@@lindsayiflyfish 4/0 or 4?

[@lindsayiflyfish]

@@DallasLopez1 #4 pal not 4/0.

[@craighorsburgh1328]

Lindsay, I was lucky enough to get a Law years ago at a decent price, looking at this vice it would have been nice to tie on it to compare.

[@lindsayiflyfish]

I am going to have a go on a Law vice at the BFFI so will let you know👍

[@ultraman1red]

I had the pleasure to own 2 LAW vise and his fly reel. I even had the pleasure to speak to Lawrence Waldron on the phone back in 2010. Great vises for sure but price on secondhand market is due it's rarity. I sold my LAW vise and use other vises that are just as good get the job done. FNF and HMH Law look a likes are every bit at good as the Original Law. Lawrence Waldron was a genius in is vise design but design quality is no longer exclusive. Great review BTW.

[@lindsayiflyfish]

Thanks, I must say I am very pleased with the vice. It was a great investment.

[@fliesbychris]

I'm considering getting one Lindsay so be brutally honest. ATB Chris.

[@lindsayiflyfish]

I always am Chris, one of my downfalls I think.

[@paulkennedy667]

What is the best fly tying vise to start with...?

[@lindsayiflyfish]

Hi Paul that's a question! If you are just dipping your toe into tying buy a cheap one to see if you are going to enjoy it. If you do find you love it go to a shop or a show that sells lots of different vices and ask to try a few. Pick the one you like best/ can justify buying! ;-)

[@paulkennedy667]

What vise do you recommend for novices...?

[@lindsayiflyfish]

A Scottie Vice is affordable and solid.

[@lonewizzard8456]

Looks like a rock solid vise. I doubt that FNF makes a lefty version. Sure would be nice if they did!

[@lindsayiflyfish]

I would enquire I think they did make a run of lefty vices.

[@Clambelly]

Would love to see a comparison video HMH vs. FNF

[@lindsayiflyfish]

If you can get me the HMH I will do the video buddy 😉

[@neilandrew961]

Good video again sir you shouldn't have said in video about extra bits now you're good lady knows were the shopping money went to 👍

[@lindsayiflyfish]

My bad, but its not like I spend money on expensive whisky, oh wait.....lol.

[@neilandrew961]

@@lindsayiflyfish thats a necessity a good dram especially after a cold day fishing

[@mrb3334]

Have you tried the cadarn vice yet lindsay?

[@lindsayiflyfish]

Not had the pleasure pal.

[@mrb3334]

@@lindsayiflyfish mine will be here this week sometime cant wait to try it out lindsay my dad has opted for the talon tho cant wait to try that out also

[@marksleeper9385]

nice vise

[@lindsayiflyfish]

Very pleased with it.

[@kerrypitt9789]

Some people have no life, so they try and create drama. This company is not the only one that has copied the Waldron vice. To say it is a "Cheap," knock off is just dumb. Cheap? Not likely. Personally I think it is a jealousy issue, not everyone can afford one, so they make up an excuse because they think they need one. Onward, I think this is good timing on your part as far as "Does it work as a vise that works with my style of tying?" Ultimately at this point, you can only do that and that is probably the most important part of any vise. In two years will you see anything mechanical going wrong? That is doubtful, but maybe keep it in mind for a future video. Thanks for your work on this!

[@Graham-1888]

It's that reason I chose the HMH TRV, a long standing company with a solid reputation so if anything did go wrong I would be pretty confident in getting it sorted out quickly. It's a lot of money to spend on a vice from a relatively new company with no background in vices. Anyway I'm sure they are great but I wasn't that impressed with what I saw compared to the HMH but we are all different and have our own opinions, happy tying to everyone that owns one.

[@lindsayiflyfish]

Kerry, I will bear that in mind and if I am still around maybe a little recap after two years tying on the vice. I have as it happens tied on the TVR, its a solid and very good vice. Is it streets ahead of the Talon? Not in my humble opinion but we all like different things. How boring would life be if we all agreed on one thing?

[@kerrypitt9789]

@@Graham-1888 I've tied for 52 years on four different vices and never had anything to get sorted out. No vice even the cheapest, has ever broken on me. As far as being serviced properly, find me a company that won't. I currently use a Norvise I had one of their bobbins not work well years back when Norm was still with us. Norm actually phoned me and gave me a couple of things to try, then said if it didn't work let him know and he would mail another right away. HMH is not the only company to provide great service and if you have a complaint about this vise that Lindsay is using, you should tell us what happened.

[@kerrypitt9789]

@@lindsayiflyfish I will put it in my calendar.

[@Graham-1888]

@@kerrypitt9789 did I say I had a complaint about it ? Read my comment again. As for you never having an issue with any of your four vices then you have been lucky, I and many many others have and knowing your problem will be sorted out and the company is still around is a major benefit. I stick to Regal, HMH and Petitjean as I trust them 100% and have a good relationship with their UK suppliers. I don't have an issue with the FNF vice, I use a lot of their materials and have spoken with Kevin a few times but if I'm paying £500+ on a vice I will stick with the brands I know and trust.

[@melvynwood2824]

You can have a go on my Laws at the next BFFI Lindsey.

[@lindsayiflyfish]

Thats very kind Melvyn, I will take you up on that.

[@ivanpesca41]

I love the vice ! but the only problem, NO bobbin cradle and this IS an $800 dollar ROTARY vice!

[@lindsayiflyfish]

I have never used a bobbin cradle so don't miss it. I get your point though.

[@quincym-e4680]

I'm thinking about this or a new loop rod hmmmmmmm

[@lindsayiflyfish]

Oooft what a dilemma, get both you only live once and you can’t take it with you.

[@quincym-e4680]

@@lindsayiflyfish no chance you have not met my wife 😅

[@Graham-1888]

@@quincym-e4680 Bruises heal and scars look cool, it's worth taking a beating sometimes ;-)

[@lindsayiflyfish]

@@quincym-e4680 Singing to the Chior pal ;-)

[@jorgecarcao1270]

Made in UK or China?

[@lindsayiflyfish]

All made in Scotland pal 👍

[@graemebrown1191]

✌

[@robertbaker8164]

I am going to get a new one between this and the new HMH TR SOMETHING i am like you law in suppose to be the best it my money i spend it like i want too enjoy your u tube channel

[@lindsayiflyfish]

Cheers Robert, I hope you get many years of pleasure from whatever vice you decide on 👍

[@Graham-1888]

HMH TRV is far superior in my opinion but your money your choice, they are only hook holders at the end of the day and they don't make you a better tyer, it's just nice to tie on something nice that makes it more enjoyable.

[@lindsayiflyfish]

Agreed pal, each to their own.

[@Clambelly]

Why is HMH TRV superior ? I am considerng purchasing HMH or FNF ....thanks.

[@Graham-1888]

@rhino ranch watch the reviews, see how many top US and European tyers use it. The HMH brand has a long history for producing high end top quality vices, I spoke with the owner regarding the jaws and I was extremely impressed. Hook hold is superb and the palming wheel works really well and there is loads of tying room. I'm not saying there's anything wrong with the fnf but I own the HMH and know it has a great pedigree behind it and I also know a uk based seller who has sold a lot without a single complaint or return. If I'm spending north of £500 I want a top quality product I can trust from a company that's been around a long time and won't disappear any time soon. You will see the difference in finesse and build quality by watching the videos, the HMH blows the fnf out the water on every level but that's my own opinion. Good luck with whatever vice you choose.

[@michaelshaw8370]

You vain? Two hundred percent a definitely NO! You always have prioritised quality and fit for purpose. In this case could you use a clothes peg instead of the best vice that suits 99-9% of your requirements? Your money and your choice. The idiots who say otherwise. They need a haircut from a rusty spud peeler. Or dental treatment from goldfish

[@lindsayiflyfish]

🤣🤣🤣

[@joemoore4037]

Whow all that money to hold a hook its a rip off pure robbery £500 I tie flies my vice cost less than £20 I adapted it to rotate no different to this overpriced one 😂😂

[@lindsayiflyfish]

You do you Joe 👍