I use the HMH starter tube tool for shanks and it works pretty well. I just had a look and it is about half the price of the shank chuck tool. You can also tie tubes on it, so it might be a more versatile and budget friendly option.
I have HMH and OPST adapters and, as part of my COVID quarantine therapy, I got a Regal with a shank jaw. Both adapters do an ok job of holding a straight shank but with the Regal the shank feels welded in place. I actually don’t like anything else about the Regal vise but it is, hands down, the shank holding champ on my bench. My Renzetti is almost as good, but using it for shanks caused some wear to the jaws.
If you still want an adapter shoot me a pm, however, I bet that your Barracuda (I think that used to be My Barracuda ) will do a better job than an adapter.
I use OPST shanks with no additional tool. As long as at least 1/8" of the shank is in the jaws of my vice, it stays in there pretty well. Most of the time I secure a little more and cut off the end when the fly is finished, if needed. If I'm tying a long enough fly, sometimes I'll start pulling down the shank when I am working on the head. I just reposition as needed.
I've decided to treat myself to a Regal shank head... but up to this point I've been using the biggest jaws on a Stonfo without any trouble at all - tying on a mix of OPST, Waddington, Senyo and Aqua Flies shanks.
I really like the Aqua Flies shanks, I'd recommend those.
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