The Regal Medallion vice is a modern high performance vice of heirloom quality that will no doubt be pasted down from generation to generation.  Regal has taken tested mechanics and wed them to classic lines, a forged bronze base, and the simplicity of a New England approach which combines both form and function.  Regal vices self adjust to your specific tying needs in seconds and can be ordered with a nice range of accessories.  If you tie on tubes, then the Regal tube fly attachment connects in seconds and holds tubes from all the major brands without turning.



The Medallion series of vice by Regal is spring-loaded.  Unlike other vices on the market that require adjustment knobs or threaded collects to allow the vice to fit a range of hook sizes, a Regal vice will accept hooks ranging from size 22 - 1/0 with no adjustments necessary.  If you tie smaller flies, then simply switch out the traditional jaws with the SS Jaw and you can tie all the way down to size 32 blind eye hook.  On the other hand if you tie large saltwater or Salmon flies you can change out the jaws again to the Big Game Jaws that will take hooks up to 5/0.  Changing out the jaws on a Regal vice is as simple as can be.  You simply unscrew a brass knob at the base of the jaws, side the jaws off the stem, slide on the new jaws, and tighten the knob.  It takes about 5 seconds!  After that you can move from hook size by simply opening the jaws with the spring arm.  After working with this vice for a week you will wonder why you ever wasted your time with finicky adjustment knobs.  Each vice head will accept a wide range of hook sizes.  Here is the range:

Traditional Jaw: 22-1/0
SS Jaw: 32-2
Big Game Jaw: 22-5/0


Okay, here is how the vice works in detail:



The jaws are spring loaded so to insert a hook you simply pull on the release arm which opens the jaws.  Once you insert the hook release the arm and you are done.  There is absolutely NO adjustment needed!


I have friends who have been tying on the same Regal vice for 20 years and have put thousands of flies through the vice without a single problem.  In addition to the strong spring, Regal vice jaws feature a grove one the left jaw.  The grove holds the hook so secure that you can bend the shank of a saltwater without the hook moving at all. 


Right behind the jaws is a conveniently located material clip.  If you are tying patterns that do not require the clip you can pop it off.


For left handed tier's you can remove the tension arm from the left to right by loosening a set screw.


Changing heads or moving to the tube fly adapter is quick and simple.  You simple loosen the brass knob, pull of the head, put the new one one, and tighten things down.  


The jaws pivots 220 degrees both up and down and can be tightened to a desired angle.  The head also rotates 360 degrees.


What really sets the aesthetics of this vice apart is the bronze base.  You can choose from a couple of different models.  Personally, I like the pocket base.  The pockets are deep and the sloping sides allow you to retrieve even the smallest hooks with no problem.  The bronze base is plenty heavy to stabilize the vice and it looks amazing.



In Sum:  What I like best about Regal vices is that they are not over engineered.  The spring loaded jaws literally allow you to tie a size 22 midge, 12 Adams, and 1/0 steelhead streamer without changing jaws or even having to make a single adjustment.  Just pop one hook out and put the other in.  Simple and efficient!  Those that know me know that I hate buying things twice.  With a Regal vice you do not have to worry about wearing it out or tying flies that require a second vice.  The simplicity of the jaws make the Regal the fastest vice on the market and the holding power is equal to any vice I have tied on. In addition to the fore mentioned features, Regal vices are true works of art.  During the summer months when you are out fishing leave the vice on the bookshelf and it will draw comments.  The only thing I didn't care for in the Regal vice was the rotatory function.  You can rotate the flies, but the operation is a bit cumbersome. 

 $250 with pocket base and standard jaws

Regal Tube Fly Attachment


Tube flies are everywhere.  What started as a revolution in Salmon and Steelhead fishing has moved into trout and warm water species.  The number of companies producing tubes and the sheer variety of tube sizes and styles is a bit overwhelming.  Most tube fly supply houses sell vice attachments with their tubes and each one is a bit different.  After tying a number of tubes you just get tired of having to locate just the right adapter and then (most consist of a needle and plate that clamps in the jaws of your vice) impaling yourself on the sharp end while wrapping materials on.  Additionally, tubes have a tendency to spin on those inexpensive vice adapters.  I have three of them from different companies that you are welcome to have. 

Regal's Tube Fly Adapter is different.  It follows the same "under-engineered" philosophy that makes Regal vices so good. The tube fly attachment comes with three mandrels of different diameters. 


Each of the three mandrels come with a pre-fit collar that threads on to the vice adapter.  This eliminates any "play" in the mandrel when it comes time to tighten things down.




I have tried the tube fly attachment on the following tubes: Eumer, Shumakov, Guideline, Pro-Tubes, Tubeology, and HMH tubes without problem.  Only the Pro-Tube 40/40, which is 80 mm long was about 1/4" too long for the mandrel.  Between the three mandrels every tube I tried fit.  Once the adapter is tightened down the tubes stay put.  Absolutely no spinning! 


You can easily rotate the tube adapter either by loosening the connecting knob or by turning the pre-fit collar. 

In Sum: Regal's tube fly adapter works with the same straight forward engineering as Regal vices.  The adapter is simple, versatile, and fast.  It held, without spinning, every tube I tried.  The only change I would make to the tube fly attachment would be to lengthen the mandrels.  I like to tie large intruders and the standard mandrels are just too short.  $99.00

Disclosure- Regal provided the featured products free of charge for me to review. I was not compensated in any other way for this blog post.