Fly Tying: Stonfo Kaiman Vise Review

[@gronthomson]

Thank you, Tim! Teetering between a Stonfo and a Renzetti as a first fly tying vise. I love your very informative and high quality teaching videos.

[@TimCammisa]

You're welcome, and I tie on a Stonfo, so easy choice! Shoot me an email with specific questions: [e-mail]

[@earllubold2505]

I just received this exact vise today along with a bunch of materials and tools. I am looking forward to tying many flies on this vise.

[@TimCammisa]

Awesome, Earl, you're going to love it! Let me know your thoughts on the Kaiman after tying on it for a couple months. Thanks...now have fun! Tim www.troutandfeather.com

[@johnbabela9519]

Just received my Stonfo Kaiman and I must say you weren't kidding about its holding power and quality ! Also, I was a little leary about purchasing from a dealer in Poland but, my concerns were unfounded and the shipping was extremely fast ! Thanks Tim !

[@TimCammisa]

I'm really glad to hear that everything worked out for you, John! Once you've tied on the Kaiman for a bit, please reach out and share some additional thoughts. Feel free to email: [e-mail] Thanks! Tim www.troutandfeather.com

[@earllubold2505]

This vise is truly amazing. The best vise I have ever owned.

[@TimCammisa]

Glad it worked out for you, Earl! I tie on mine all of the time and it's an easy one to recommend to others. Keep me updated! Tim www.troutandfeather.com

[@marksleeper3752]

Hi Tim my wife purchased this vise with the bobbin rest and the tool post for my Birthday , I was getting into larger hooks ,this vise will fit into my family of vises thanks for doing this vid on the vise Thanks Mark

[@TimCammisa]

That's awesome, and I was just tying on mine yesterday during a class I taught in Pittsburgh. You'll love it!! Tim www.troutandfeather.com

[@jefflowery7308]

You sold me on this vise! Ordered it from the Company in Poland on eBay that you mentioned as well. Thank you for the excellent video!

[@TimCammisa]

Thanks for the feedback, Jeff, and be sure to let me know your thoughts after you've tied on it for a couple months. Tim www.troutandfeather.com

[@Woodyt]

Tim, Just ordered this from eBay and I'm looking forward to using it. Thanks for the review and great info. Tim

[@cahillp3]

I bought this vice and found your review. I agree it’s a really nice vice

[@TimCammisa]

Thanks for sharing, and any other thoughts that you can help others when thinking about purchasing the Kaiman? Tim www.troutandfeather.com

[@gregorylaplace6571]

Hi Tim, Excellent review, just ordered one, I wanted a Regal but Stonfo is way more affordable in my country, watching ur review it's solid choice. I tye on saltwater flyes mainly with a left hand not working very well, was looking for strong and easy grip, with big tool to help my crappy hand 😂. Owning a Dyna King Kingfisher atm and I'm fairly beginner, so your lore about this is gold, thanks to you for sharing 🙏🏻. Long live, bless you 🙏🏻

[@inspirationx1]

How has it been?

[@poconodave1]

Just picked up my Kaiman today!

[@TimCammisa]

Awesome, David, and let me know your thoughts after tying on it for a month or two. Have fun, and Merry Christmas! Tim www.troutandfeather.com

[@jamesalbert3905]

Great review Tim! I was a Regal guy forever and now that I "persuaded" my 13 year old son to start fly tying/fishing I decided to give him the good old Regal and I purchased this vise. Hopefully it will treat me as well as the Regal has. Thanks Again.

[@TimCammisa]

You're welcome, James, and I appreciate you taking a moment to comment. I will be tying on my Kaiman tonight, so trust me, I still love it! After you've tied on it for a couple months, shoot me an email and let me know your thoughts: [e-mail] Thanks again, and more importantly, I hope you're healthy and safe. Tim www.troutandfeather.com

[@termite122]

being a classic salmonfly tyer myself i actually tied a salmonfly on this vice few weeks ago..im never concerned about jaws crushing a steel hook as i dont think its possible but for exhibition work on display flies it will certainly harm the finish,,, on a 30$ custom iron for a show fly,, thats a problem..thats the reason we use a piece of cardboard or plastic in the jaws to protect the finish of the hook..being the owner of a law vice myself im not in the market for a vice but i was pretty impressed with this vice and the simplicity..

[@TimCammisa]

Thanks for taking a few minutes to post that comment, as it makes a lot of sense. Personally, I felt that way, but wanted to be honest in the review and mention what I was told at a tying show. Thanks again, and I hope all is well. Tim

[@robertandersson331]

funny it was up one of our swedish pages someone was looking for a new vise in the price range and i said im not sure about stonfo so i took that back and posted this in the comment (had some bad experience with the 477 with the holding power ) so typical me when i open my mouth for once thanks tim hope everything is well

[@TimCammisa]

Ha ha, it's all right, Robert! This one has been excellent for me, and I hope the videos helps others with their decision. Everything is great here, and I hope the same with you! Tim

[@robertandersson331]

thank you tim yes its good now since the snow came love the hackle plier use it more now because its more secure you dont have to break and drop the hackle all the time think stonfo have some clever stuff

[@TimCammisa]

You're right about them, both Stonfo and the pliers!

[@philward2406]

Hi Tim, I have been using my Kaimen for a couple of years now from Trout through to Clousers etc. My only wish is that there were a longer vertical shaft available as I find the looking at the fly side profile is more difficult, I put mine on a block to raise it when required. Otherwise, it's been faultless.

[@TimCammisa]

Glad to hear it's worked well for you, Phil! What about opening the vise with their lever. Has it been easy to grip and open? It has been for me, though I noticed a few tiers that had some difficulty. Thanks for sharing! Tim www.troutandfeather.com

[@carlhughes9584]

Hi I'm from UK. I have 2 grooves and not one in the jaw. Also, do you find the rotation of the head is a bit rough when you really tighten the head screw? Mine is smooth up to a point, but too much tension and then is stiff and grating

[@NotSoDumb]

I've had that vice for years. The jars are worn and need to be replaced. How do you take it apart?

[@TimCammisa]

Oh no, I would recommend reaching out to the manufacturer for directions, as I have never done so. Their website is: stonfo.com/en/ Good luck! Tim

[@stryker2764]

Hi Tim. I bought this vise a couple of years ago and I do love it's ability to hold the big hooks. However the problem I'm having with it is as an older woman I'm having difficulty opening the jaws to put my 4/0 hook in there. The jaws are so stiff I have to use two hands to open it that wide ! LOL! So i"m looking for another strong vise that will hold big hooks but that has an easier jaw system. :)

[@TimCammisa]

Oh wow, that's crazy! I know exactly what you mean, as mine is now a few years old and requires a lot of strength to open still. I'm really sorry to hear that and will try to think of some ways to help. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with others so they are aware. Tim www.troutandfeather.com

[@j.taylor7361]

Excellent review! The Kaiman uses a similar jaw system as the Regal Medallion. The Regals have a history of having jaws chip if the hook gets placed incorrectly (or, anecdotally, even if the hook is placed correctly). Do you know if the Stonfo jaws are made of a stronger steel than the Regals? Would it be difficult to get it serviced in the USA since Stonfo is based in Italy? I like my Regal Medallion a lot, but the jaw design and rotary capability of the Kaiman is attractive to me.

[@TimCammisa]

Hi J, and you're right in regards to a similar system. Regal makes an excellent vise, as is this Kaiman. I honestly am unsure of a steel comparison between the two, but I have had my Stonfo for around five years with ZERO issues on the jaws. When it comes to servicing, I think that would be a tad more difficult, as Stonfo is in Italy. Hope that helps, and if you have any specific measurements or pictures of the vise needed, shoot me an email: [e-mail] Thanks! Tim www.troutandfeather.com

[@paulbacallo4739]

Tim how this vise works for Left-handed tier. Thanks

[@TimCammisa]

You got it, Paul, and I'll be emailing you the info. Tim www.troutandfeather.com

[@Scott___T]

Great timing for this video! I've been researching Regal vises over the last couple days. I don't tie dozens of the same fly in one sitting so I'm changing hook sizes every few flies. I like these style vises for their instant adaptability. Any comparisons between the Regal and the Kaiman? They seem similar; but I haven't seen the Kaiman in person.

[@TimCammisa]

Thanks for the message, Scott, and I hope this helps. Being that I don't tie personally on a Regal, it's tough for me to make those comparisons. Based on some features, the two are similar. All I know is that I tied on this one last night! Thanks again, and if you have any specific questions, feel free to shoot me an email: [e-mail] Tim

[@minaviladas2855]

Hi Tim. Nice review. Have you seen or used the Stonfo travel vise, it’s looks very intriguing.

[@TimCammisa]

Thanks for the comment, and I have one of the Stonfo Airone travel vises. Intriguing is an excellent word! The vise is the Stonfo quality I've come to expect, yet folds up into a really small package. Stay tuned because I plan on showing more about it... Tim

[@guyrivest5876]

Hi Tim. I've been using this vise for 2 years now and I only have good things to say about it. Your review now just confirms my opinion. There is a canadian supplier for this vise that has pretty good prices too. It's around $235.00 CDN wich is equivalent to $185.00 US considering the currency exchange rate. If you want you can check this link to their Ontario based fishing shop web page (www.flymart.ca/product.aspx?product_id=3934&name=STONFO-KAIMAN-VISE-609).

[@TimCammisa]

Thanks for adding onto the conversation, and it sounds like we're on the same page. I wanted to be ensure that I talked about pros and cons, and if you have any others, be sure to let others know. I discussed the notion of salmon fly hooks, and I was happy to see another tier mention them in these "Comments," too. Thanks again for offering a potential seller of the vise. Tim

[@marcjalbert4139]

Hi Tim, I'm considering upgrading from my Peak, which is a good vise, but tension adjustment could be better. I notice there is no bobbin cradle included - is there an "accessory" you can buy from Stonfo, or at least a 3rd party option?

[@TimCammisa]

Marc, Stonfo does offer these, as do some other companies via fly shops all over. Be sure to check the diameters of everything, and an option once you've purchased one is to incorporate a joint block with this vise: stonfo.com/en/p/joint-block/ Thanks for checking, and feel free to shoot me an email with more questions about it: [e-mail] Tim www.troutandfeather.com

[@larryharris151]

can I purchase the rotary Jarhead only

[@TimCammisa]

Hi Larry, and I'm unsure of that. You would have to contact Stonfo to figure it out. Let me know what you find out. Tim www.troutandfeather.com

[@bradgajewski4867]

Can u review the peak vise please

[@TimCammisa]

Thanks for the suggestion, Brad, and if I'm able to review one, I'll be sure to post. The two Stonfo vises are those I tie with daily, hence why I comfortable doing a review. If you want to talk more about other vises, including a Peak, shoot me an email: [e-mail] Thanks, Tim

[@thestcroixkid]

If you can't afford a Regal Revolution this looks like a great option...

[@TimCammisa]

The Stonfo Kaiman is a great option, no matter the price point. I consistently return to mine, even though I own way too many vises! Here's a link for those interested: amzn.to/3kxcKv7 Thanks for sharing, and if you decide to purchase one, be sure to let me know your thoughts. Tim www.troutandfeather.com

[@BenjaminArai]

Do you have a recommendation on where to purchase the vice?

[@TimCammisa]

Thanks for the comment, Benjamin, and aside from a Google search (to find places in your area), I recommend Ebay, too. There is a seller on there that has been a supplier of Stonfo products, Fishing Mart, I believe. Good luck, and if you do purchase one, let me know what you think after tying on it for a couple months. Tim

[@Туйкос]

Спасибо!

[@TimCammisa]

You're welcome, Maxim! Tim www.troutandfeather.com

[@carlhughes9584]

Im.amazed that people have problems with the grip. Im an average man with fairly amall hands but find it easy to open. Im a teacher and ao not like im a builder etc with especially strong hands.

[@TimCammisa]

Glad you have found a good one for you, Carl. The Kaiman has a significant pressure that simply holds hooks, just what the vise is made for! For some, it can be difficult to open, hence I recommend that others try to get their hands on one before buying. Though not always possible to try out ahead of time, this vise should meet the needs for most. Tim www.troutandfeather.com

[@carlhughes9584]

@@TimCammisa Hey Tim it's a great vice for sure. I'm just surprised at many saying it's tough to open.....maybe I'm stronger than I think, but it's easy.