Xuron Vise History

Eric Leiser, "It is the best"

For over 60 years it has been simple as well as simply the best. Originally it was the Thomas Vise (1930's) made by A. H. Thomas a New York tackle merchant who sold it through the mail with other stellar performers such as the "Johnson Spoon" and "Minnie the Swimmer."

Harry Darbee of Catskill Fly Tying fame helped Thomas redesign it and used and sold the new model until Thomas' death. At that point he interested a maker of beer machinery in a batch to fill the demand. Jimmy Deren of the Angler's Roost in Manhattan also handled the vise which was then known as the "Darbee Vise" or the "Anglers Roost Vise."

In 1978 Charles Phelps of Bethel, CT and his brother Peter were attempting to repair one of the old vises. During the process they decided to commence design on an improved version and soon after began to manufacture and sell the vise. Charles was a partner in Xuron Corporation of Danbury, CT. Machining of parts was jobbed out with assembly done at Xuron.

The redesigned vise was renamed the "Xuron Vise." It was distributed by the brothers until the early 80's when Peter went out on his own to start Phelps Flies Company. As part of an informal settlement with Xuron, Peter was given all rights to the vise.

In 1983 Phelps Flies Company merged with the Bedford Sportsman (North) in Bedford Hills, N.Y. Peter's untimely death in 1990 left the manufacturing and distribution of the vise in limbo until 1998 when the Bedford Sportsman South on St Simons Island, GA. started to again manufacture and sell the "Phelps Xuron Vise." It is a vise with a storied past and a bright future. Try it with the understanding you will surely feel obliged to simply place your other vises in storage. It has no peers.