Need New Pliers?

[ShakyMan]

I am looking to get a quality pair of pliers that will last me a long time so I am looking at three different pliers right now. The Abel #4 pliers which are $150.00, the Ross Reels Pescador 6" Pliers which are $139.00, and I am also looking at the Van Staal 6" Titanium Pliers which are $239.00. I can get $25 off on all of them so which should I get? My friend recently bought the Pescador Pliers and the cutting blades were not matched up, and nearly everything was loose. He tried to tighten it but the metal stripped. Any tips and advice on which ones I should get, or another pair that I didn't mention and you think is better would be great. Thanks!

[surfcollector]

If you do a search, some folks here have done a lot of homework on pliers. I'm still debating...

[ShakyMan]

ok, thanks

[Highlander1]

I think your down to 2 choices as if your friends new $139 pliers weren't right, how could you even consider them? Out of the 2 selections left, for the money I'd go with the Abels, they seem to only be about $140 overpriced. Honestly, there isn't a thing a pair of $12 Craftsman diagonal cutting pliers wont due that all these may or may not be able to do. If it twer' my money, I'd buy cheap pliers and a new reel, rod, or tackle. As for pliers lasting a lifetime, the $12 Craftsman will last a lifetime and they will replace them if they break. The bigger problem is losing them, try and go a liftetime without that happening.

 

If you must, go ahead, I'm afraid all you'll have is a pair of pliers that may or may not do exactly what you want them to despite the name on them .

[G Lech]

VS

[SurffisherMike]

Personally I wouldnt buy any of those. I love the VS reels have 7 of them but I think the pliers are over priced. A friend of mine used a pair and siad he was not at all impressed. I surffish and everything is under water at some point and always wet. I have a manley whick can cut a 4/0 treble in case it gets stuck some where it shouldnt be and I cant get it out, and a browning needle nose with a side cutter. Like the needle nose to get a hook out when its deep in a fishs mouth. The manley is just a back up and not on my belt but stuffed in my bag or pocket. After if fish i rinse them down, dry them off a bit throw them on a cloth and spray the business end down with wd40. They work great , cover everything, go for about $100 for the pair, and when I lose them it wont be that big a deal.

[ShakyMan]

thanks everybody

[RI: best part of CT]

I gotta kick outta reading the HORRIBLE reviews of the Ross Pescadors on the Cabela's site - easily one of the worst reviewed products I've ever seen there

[ex-bunker dunker]

i got these pliers 3 years ago at a show, came with one end drilled for a lanyard loop i think they were ten bucks.. i lost em walking out to demo tip once, and found em 2 weeks later half buried in the sand. they are amazing, but dont have designer name on em. i think they were 9.99..

[HatterasJack]

do yourself a favor

 

take the next few months (late fall / winter season) and stay tuned to the buy/sell/trade forum watching for pliers posted up for sale

 

they seem to come along every few weeks - all different brands

 

buy em there "used"

 

you'll get a good deal, not spend an arm and a leg, and be satisified

 

remember, in the off season guys are going thru their inventory of "stuff" and they look to offload gear .... it's the nature of the beast

[vinnyb]

Honestly, there isn't a thing a pair of $12 Craftsman diagonal cutting pliers wont due that all these may or may not be able to do. .

 

 

Except not rust . Yup - there has been endless discussion about pliers & to be honest it really comes down to how often you want to maintain your gear. Mine are constantly dunked & then thrown in the back of the truck 'til next time so I tend to spend a bit more on the better pliers.

[JimK]

Why would anyone pay that kind of $$ for a pair of pliers that are gonna be lost to the water or sand, dropped down into the rocks, over the rails, whatever... sooner or later??? I picked up a pair of Calcutta pliers and a sheath at a local b&t in port monmouth late summer. They are stainless steel with nice grips on the handles..and have been dunked many times since august. Rinse them and wd-40 them after each use and they look good as new still... many many dunkings so far and unhooked hundreds of fish.. total cost for pliers and sheath was <$30... completely happy with them. Had this discussion with DarkSkies when he saw how nice the pliers were and he asked what kind they are.

[vinnyb]

Rinse them and wd-40 them after each use and they look good as new still... .

 

 

That's why. I don't want to have to remember to WD40 my pliers after every trip. To each his own. A good lanyard & any pair of pliers will remain attached to your hip .

[ex-bunker dunker]

That's why. I don't want to have to remember to WD40 my pliers after every trip. To each his own. A good lanyard & any pair of pliers will remain attached to your hip .

 

i dont maintain my pliers, they have no rust on em... heres a photo of em in action

[Gmofftarki]

For what it's worth, Craig from VS recommended against their steel pliers (I know, not an unbiased source) in favor of the titanium for 50 more.

 

Apparently the steel needs to be constantly coated with oil, etc, while the titanium is "throw it in the tackle box, move on with your life".