vise

[Deerhunter21]

so my question is, should I get a 6" vise or a 8" vise for staves? im thinking 6" because if a staves 8" i could just split it to get another stave.

[Jakesnyder]

I personally like my shave horse. But if you go with a 6" make sure it's a little better one. I had a cheap one and it didnt last long.

[ksnow]

For a vise, I would go with a 4 inch, so you can grip just the handle section. Anything bigger and you will be into the fades.

That said, I agree with Jakesnyder, I prefer a shave horse of the sit or stand type. Especially for really rough work. When you get to yanking on a vise, that starts to beat up the bench you have it mounted to.

Buy the best you can afford. Better tools will work better and last longer.

Kyle

[DC]

I have a 4" Record that works great. I sometimes wish it swivelled but any swivelling vice I've ever seen was broken or close to it. Probably cheap ones.

[osage outlaw]

Try to find an older one that says Made in the USA on it.  They are usually built sturdier than the newer models for sale.  Same goes for draw knives. 

[Deerhunter21]

where can I go to find one Osage?

[Deerhunter21]

im looking online and am finding 4" ones but they only open up 3"

[osage outlaw]

where can I go to find one Osage?

junk stores, flea markets, estate auctions, yard sales, etc.

[DLH]

I’ll add FB marketplace in my area the USA made craftsmam,Columbian,Wilton(non bullet nose), and reed can be had for $80-$100. I’ve been checking it just about everyday and have bought one columbian.

[Mad Max]

For a vise, I would go with a 4 inch, so you can grip just the handle section. Anything bigger and you will be into the fades.

That said, I agree with Jakesnyder, I prefer a shave horse of the sit or stand type. Especially for really rough work. When you get to yanking on a vise, that starts to beat up the bench you have it mounted to.

Buy the best you can afford. Better tools will work better and last longer.

Kyle

X2

[George Tsoukalas]

On wood, I use a woodworker's vice with a leather lining. Jawge

[Eric Krewson]

I have a 5 1/2" colombian and a 4" multi position swivel, both work for staves but I prefer the colombian over any vise I have used so far. The bigger vice with let you put some serious clamping pressure on a stave to keep it in place.

The advice on going small to stay on the handle doesn't ring true. I may put my stave or bow in the vise anywhere from tip to tip. A shave horse has limited use compared to a good vise set-up.

A few pictures; My easily removable vice pads and my vise and support post combination. The first vise picture was an old one when I used magnetic rubber vice pads, I added a later pic of my easy removable pads.

 

[DC]

Something to remember about the jaw pads. They use up jaw travel so the vice that used to open 4" now only opens 3". And you will want them.

[ksnow]

Eric, what I meant about a 4 inch vise, was that you could clamp the handle section without the jaws contacting the fades. If you have a 5 1/2" vise, there is no way, without narrow, thick vise pads, that you can clamp the handle only, without getting out onto the fades.

I beg to differ about shavehorses being of "limited use" compared to a vise. I personally don't care for the parallel jaws on a vise, especially when trying to clamp pyramid limbs. I don't care that I have to work at a stationary bench that the vise is mounted to. I don't like chasing jaw pads around my work area.

But, that's the beauty of bow making, each person has their own preferences and styles, and tool kit that works for them.

Kyle

[Hrothgar]

I 've used an old 4" vise for most of my work ( I'm too cheap to purchase and too lazy to make a bowyer's bench). Early-on I glued a heavy strip of rawhide from the local saddle shop to the jaws; if additional padding is needed I fold a rag or wash clothe and slide between stave and jaws. Yeah, go American if you can.