# Is The Static Jaw Design of a Vise Important? **URL:** \ **Category:** Vises\ **Tags:** hardtail, vise\ **Created:** [October 7, 2025, 3:49pm UTC](https://fireball.discourse.group/t/is-the-static-jaw-design-of-a-vise-important/3986 "2025-10-07T15:49:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 1\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Fireball-Tool](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/fireball.discourse.group/fireball-tool/32/4077_2.png) [@Fireball-Tool](https://fireball.discourse.group/u/Fireball-Tool)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2025, 3:49pm UTC](https://fireball.discourse.group/t/is-the-static-jaw-design-of-a-vise-important/3986/1 "2025-10-07T15:49:00Z")
The Record Number 6 is often called “the best vise ever made.” To put that claim to the test, we’ve been comparing it to the Fireball Hardtail 510. ![The Record Number Six Vise Closed Sitting On A Steel Table](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/uploads/fireball/original/2X/b/b1853ede6b23b200cefa9810f130d09dcaa71b04.jpeg) ![Fireball Hardtail Vise on a Plate Steel Table](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/uploads/fireball/original/2X/4/4b907c115256f1e4c20554f96626250329e680fa.jpeg) Today, we’ll be looking at the static jaw. The fixed portion of the vise that holds the dynamic jaw in place and absorbs clamping forces. ![The Fireball Hardtail 510 and Record Number Six Side By Side on Plate Steel Table Comparing Static Jaw Sizes](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/uploads/fireball/original/2X/4/4487c92be296598fc85025e0ffa7dfb893740529.jpeg) The Record Number 6 Static Jaw Design: It has a large front chin that helps support the dynamic jaw under clamping pressure and to stay in aligned with the static jaw. ![Record Number Six Static Jaw On Plate Steel Table Close Up](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/uploads/fireball/original/2X/1/1de78471b04c77a4c3dabd0842e6d4a420f01be9.jpeg) The chin also houses the nut that holds the screw. ![The Record Number Six Vise's Static Jaw With The Nut Inside Of It](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/uploads/fireball/original/2X/b/b9571211c3de2ab17378bce1cdefe851a332b7a7.jpeg) The Record Number 6 is manufactured as-cast to reduce machining costs, which introduces slop in the fitment. ![The Nut Inside of the Record Number Six's Static Jaw Has Sloppy Fitment](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/uploads/fireball/original/2X/3/37e8e13ed9b8d0128001caf3a1b91f4b9e92fba9.jpeg) The dovetail section is prone to break when applying heavy forces to the jaws. The screw can also become misaligned with the nut during operation due to the dovetail joint fitment being loose. ![The Bottom Side Of The Record Number Six's Dovetail](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/uploads/fireball/original/2X/9/99b9deb0e363161dbfaf90edcad2b9005e8f1dd7.jpeg) The Record Number 6 vise does not have a dedicated anvil surface. Because of this, users often strike the back of the slide, which can damage the vise. ![The Record Number Six's Rear Slide Of The Dynamic Jaw Showing Signs Of People Using It As An Anvil](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/uploads/fireball/original/2X/b/bab267d3eb91c524d3c053b3afd0a20b0229792e.jpeg) Fireball Hardtail 510 Static Jaw Design: The extended front chin on the Fireball Hardtail 510 adds support several inches out from the jaw face. ![The Fireball Hardtail 510 Has An Extended Chin On It's Static Jaw](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/uploads/fireball/original/2X/a/a134a0324c166cb7ad4cc9b34a6bc65319f75b1f.jpeg) The fully machined pads on the top, sides, back, and bottom are for precise alignment and making sure there is zero roll. ![The Fireball Hardtail 510 Vise's Machined Pads On The Chin Of The Static Jaw](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/uploads/fireball/original/2X/4/4ab3d934aef2e781519594f3251741438c3ae408.jpeg) ![The Fireball Hardtail 510 Vise Has Machined Pads On the Sides Of The Static Jaw](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/uploads/fireball/original/2X/3/3e409be6b73d78064eb169f5de235a197593ffed.jpeg) ![The Fireball Hardtail 510 Has Machined Pads On the Inside Of The Static Jaw Top And Bottom](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/uploads/fireball/original/2X/7/791d5bc5f10ca641711a7952439eea15747e7559.jpeg) The integrated groove system locks the slide securely in place. ![The Fireball Hardtail 510's Dynamic Jaw Has A Groove In It To Keep is Aligned With The Static Jaw](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/uploads/fireball/original/2X/9/94e8f8272dc05352f432524484b79c8339567b3a.jpeg) A rectangular slide design allows for a fully boxed-in jaw. ![The Fully Boxed Design Of The Dynamic Jaw On The Fireball Hardtail 510](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/uploads/fireball/original/2X/a/a34e46783fdae2920f52c7dc7ef16f117441b366.jpeg) The nut is held from the rear by the Hardtail, which helps maintain correct screw alignment along the centerline. The enclosed design helps keep debris out of the slide, which ensures smooth operation and longevity. ![The Fully Enclosed Hardtail](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/uploads/fireball/original/2X/b/bd31acb66f8ca7b3694be8ed46f461ded486cd4b.jpeg) ![The Fireball Hardtail 510 Vise's Nut Inside Of The Fully Enclosed Hardtail](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/uploads/fireball/original/2X/9/98c9bb574eff3f573d44a5823ecd444e6995622d.jpeg) The Fireball Hardtail 510 also features a dedicated anvil surface on the back, so you don’t have to hit the Hardtail part of the vise. ![The Fireball Hardtail 510's Anvil Surface On The Back Of The Static Jaw](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/uploads/fireball/original/2X/e/edde3208e13d7e87a08527a6b9e586e3ecd01bf5.jpeg) The Record Number Six relies on as-cast features that save cost but sacrifice precision and durability. In contrast, the Fireball Hardtail 510 uses extensive machining, a boxed slide design, and better alignment to deliver greater strength, precision, and longevity. ![image](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/uploads/fireball/original/2X/1/17ecd9d6dc6df7d0b43767060a20de94f9f1f259.jpeg)