Any comments on
this thread?
I started tying on an old Thompson B, not the ever popular A, but the B... Back then, less than $20. I'm now at the other end of the spectrum with a Renzetti Master, one of the $600 vises that you suggest aren't worth it. Whether it is or not, depends on a lot of different things. For me, it is. I tie just "slightly" more different patterns than the ol' Thompson B days, and I wouldn't be happy without my Renzetti which I've had for about 6 years now. I think it's made me a better tier, and with the true rotary feature, I can also tie a number of patterns faster than I used to. I wish it wasn't so expensive, but unfortunately, there are no vises that are significantly cheaper that can do the same things, which seems to be the consensus of the "experts" also.
As far as rods go, I think this is an entirely different ball game! I would agree with you 100% that there are many inexpensive rods that are just as good as the $600-$800 big name rods! I have some of each, and definitely believe this! I was just in Walmart two days ago and couldn't resist the urge to play with a couple of the rods while walking down "that" isle... I was saying to myself that this was a nice little rod, for a price tag of $49.99, but I need another rod like I need another hole in my head...!!! :-)
You're inquiry definitely calls attention to the old phrase "beauty is in the eye of the beholder." There are also times when one of the other old phrases is true, "you get what you pay for."
Enjoy!
Tom Tully, PA-C
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
