ED65":3ip55g2n said:
Not sure but some time after his October 2013 post, "On Record Vises – Old Quick-release Are Still Best"
I read that post. In the comments below, people were remarking on how scarce/expensive old vices were becoming and started asking about new models. He mentioned the Eclipse vices at that point, though stated he didn't know if they were "still any good"... which suggests that they used to be good at some point.
A couple of years later, with the new bench build series, he's featuring the brand new Spear & Jackson 9" Eclipse, as it works well (in his opinion), costs less than £100... sometimes much less, if you shop around. But most importantly, is widely available in both the UK and US.
Granted, he also showed off an S&J skewback saw on the basis that, unusually for a cheap modern saw, it could be resharpened in the traditional way. I don't see him use it that often, though and he doesn't mention it outside of that one sharpening video. But he does sometimes highlight various current/modern/new products and brands that produce good kit, about as often as he slams others (like Bahco saw files vs Bahco sliding bevels), but without seeming beholden to brand enslavement like Rob Cosman™, or more reasonably just sponsored like Matt Estlea. You rarely get Sellers mentioning brand names or showcasing modern kit, and when he does it's not usually the big names you'd expect. Veritas on occasion, perhaps...
On that basis, I'd say that he's either not actually sponsored by anyone, or he's really, REALLY rubbish at remembering to mention the company and place the product!!
So in conclusion, if old vices aren't cutting it for you for some reason, the Eclipse so far seems like a solid choice to purchase new.
