Joined
·
2,314 Posts
Really like the Ross pliers. I was able to get 2 of them. One the tension screw for the handles broke so I removed the cutters, jaws and sharpening piece so I have extras. As much as I like them, I have retired them in favor of the Skinny Water Culture ones. Incidentally, the Ross pliers still look new.I have a plier fetish, don't ask me why but I own a bunch and have them in my garage, truck, each gear bag, etc...
If you roll on a tight budget I highly recommend the KASTKING Speed Demon. They have a spongy orange handle and cost +-26 bucks. I first found them at the boat show and the rep told me that these, and only these are made with a special steel and stamped/forged whatever on a german die. So they pull knots tight and cut with precision. When I travel and these can either be left as tips or confiscated by some foreign version of TSA I bring them along. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07VPDZ27W?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details I've tried other KK's and have not had the same experience. These are the go to plier in the under 30 dollar category.
My day to day are Ross Pliers which are no longer made. They are awesome. light, aluminum have a hook sharpener and a line cutter on them and look great with replaceable jaws. If you can find them on e bay - buy them or tell me and I will!. I've owned two pairs for as long as they have been around. 20+ years and only now starting to show their age.
More recently I had a great deal on Orvis Pliers. I am lefty and they don't work for me. The internal cutters and rounded jaws require me to turn the pliers in my hand too frequently. A right hander may have a completely different experience. If you want a good deal on them DM me and come try them out. I will sell those.
I own the Simms Pliers last generation. They are OK but the new ones seem much better - and cost a bunch more. You can match them in the same color as their nippers if that kind of thing is important to you.
Finally a buddy of mine convinced me to try out the Danco's others have mentioned. Their premium titanium pliers are top notch. I love them. A new favorite and they are getting promoted to my most used gear bag. They are made in China however. Only their best brand is made in the USA and costs 2X as much. I didn't have a problem with that but couldn't locate a pair anywhere in a store or on the web so I went with the China ones.
That's all I know.
I've got a couple pair of the $20 Danco alumimum ones that I loan out as guest pliers if they forget/don't have some for the day.
Incidentally, the quality of the holster, whether its leather, neoprene or plastic makes more of a difference than people might think.