It can get confusing just trying to sort out the features you need from the ones they say you need. First, a good fly vise must hold a variety of hook sizes and shapes securely. It isn t enough to hold just a few sizes or shapes well, it must hold them all. That s the most basic and important requirement. The jaws of the vise must be positioned or be able to be positioned at an angle that allows you to tie flies of various sizes with it.
Some vises have jaws that are too big to use with a variety of hooks.
Others don t have the jaws positioned at an angle that allows the tyer to work with small hooks. Look for a vise that has jaws positioned at an angle that allows you to work around and with the smallest hooks you might someday use. That might be size 28, so check to see if the vise will hold this size hook securely while allowing complete access to the main length of the hook shank. Many vises have heads that pivot or rotate. These are nice features you should consider when shopping for a fly vise.