D wanted to start tying flies with me. Since we had most of the material to get started, we simply needed the basic tools: vice, bobbin, needle, (I wanted a) threader, and scissors. After perusing the individual items at Bass Pro Shops, I decided it was in our best interest to buy a set, the Vise/Tool Kit.
The set comes with a cam-lever vise, scissors, bobbin, bodkin, bobbin threader, dubbing twister, whip finishing tool, and hackle pliers. It's all arranged in a hardwood "presentation" box.
I put "presentation" in quotes, because we are not talking about master craftsmanship here. The set is manufactured in India, probably in a plant that does not have much quality control. You can really see it in the hardware. For instance, the scissors could barely cut newspaper. I wasn't expecting too much from it, but I didn't realize just how cheap it was until I took of the plastic.
OK, I should have read the reviews before purchasing it. I would have realized that the base of the vise is glued into the case. I would have also noted that the bobkin is woefully too small as well. That said, I appreciate the threader, and the vice does seem to get the job done. I also probably would have been forewarned that everything inside would have been covered in packing grease, including the velvet. Carpe diem.
If you need a small travel set, then this may be the ticket for you. We will get plenty of use out of the vice and threader, but the scissors and bobkin are being replaced. Long story short, this item makes me leery of purchasing anything else manufactured in India, and I certainly would not buy it again. I recommend you leave this alone.
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