In 1980, Tee and his brother Jerry founded Regal Engineering with a clear mission: build a fly-tying vise that was simple, dependable, and easy to use. At the time, many vises required constant adjustments. The original Regal design didn’t. It let tiers get down to business quickly without giving up hook-holding power.

The first Regal Vise featured a “Gopher Jaw” and a wooden head. Not long after, the design evolved into what many tiers recognize today. It introduced the iconic black anodized aluminum head paired with Regular Jaws. That version was patented in 1982 and remains a favorite.

As Regal grew, so did the lineup. New variations included wooden handles, gold-finished heads, and other options built around the same core design. Regal also partnered with Harris Manufacturing to produce its signature sand-castings. You can still see that craftsmanship today in many Regal bases and clamps.

In 2004, Tee and Jerry were ready to sell the company. Don Barnes, President of Harris and a passionate outdoorsman, stepped in to carry the torch. As a third-generation leader at Harris Manufacturing, Don was drawn to the vise’s intuitive engineering and reliability. He began machining parts himself and worked closely with the Regal team to refine and innovate.

Under Don’s leadership, Regal expanded into specialized jaws and new tools for modern tiers. The Big Game Jaw, Shank Jaw, Monster Jaw, and Stainless Jaw joined the lineup. Regal also introduced the Tube Fly Head and Hook Jaw. Most noticeably, the brand evolved with the design of the Revolution Series.