“French-Style” pin vise?

[Cajonpassfan]

I came across these in a catalogue, for what seems like a very good price.
What makes them “French-Style” and are they any good?
Skeptical minds want to know...
Thanks, Otto K.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

"If you have to ask you don't want to know" 

Sorry, not helpful, just being an a$$.

[wazzou]

They take one look at the intended location of the hole and retreat? 
Just kidding...

[GaryHinshaw]

Here is a quick summary of different pin vise styles:

https://modelshipworld.com/topic/21213-pin-vice-recommendations/?do=findComment&comment=656201

It seems to be that they close with a sliding ring rather than a screw head.  Not sure I see the advantage of that.

[CRL]

The ones in the OP’s ad don’t close with a ring. Other than that, so many jokes… so little time.

[peteski]

If they included the "tickler" function, I would consider them - othervise - no sale! 

On a serious note, the only "special"  thing about them touted in the copy is that they will not roll off the workbench.  Otherwise, they don't seem special in any way.

[Steveruger45]

Yes, they close with a sliding ring. Quite useful for holding odd shapes with suitable inserts.  Not sure why they are called “French” but maybe because some other nationality on the other side of the Channel called them that just because they are “different” 

[Cajonpassfan]

In my OP, I had actually typed “no French jokes please” and then erased it, thinking it would have the opposite effect with this bunch of perverts. Seems I needn’t have worried...only Gary didn’t bite (that’s polite Canadians for you). Thank you Gary for the link. That’s quite a collection!
But seems I already own a French vise, with a ring, just didn’t know it was “French”.
I just might order the set, it’s cheap enough, and one can never have too many vises
Otto K.

[ncbqguy]

Essentially the collet is the same style used on many Dremel tools.
Charlie Vlk

[robert3985]

Hmmm...The big, square heads look as if, for close work, that they'd interfere with being able to twist the vice if the clearance was tight, as the corners would hit, as opposed to a smaller, knurled round head.

As to rolling off the workbench....my workbench is perfectly level.  Things don't "roll' off of it, so this feature is totally useless for me.

I'll stick with my 4pc set of Starrett 240A Pin Vises for $30 https://factorysupplyoutlet.com/240a-pin-vises-w-tapere-1-ea-bit/?cmp_id=9686324766&adg_id=102403657107&kwd=&device=c&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIj6Dk_a_M8AIVXv3jBx0nOgvvEAQYAiABEgIrg_D_BwE

Cheerio!
Bob Gilmore