The fixed jaw is always fixed, but the movable jaw can rotate when not locked in place by the wing nut, in other words there is no rotational constraint on the movable jaw. Once the movable jaw is locked it only rotates if you really force it. I actually prototyped a design with two guiderods but hated it. More difficult to lock, more cost, more complexity and less room to access the bottom of your board. I promise you won't miss it, and if the jaws do become misaligned you just press the vise down on a table and they straighten right out. Hope that answers your question, thanks!