Choosing the right split ring pliers can significantly impact your fishing and lure-making success. This review compares five different pairs, ranging from budget-friendly options to high-end professional tools, to help you find the perfect fit. We'll delve into the strengths and weaknesses of each, focusing on factors like jaw design, durability, ease of use, and overall value for money. Whether you're a casual angler or a dedicated lure craftsman, finding pliers that reliably grip and manipulate split rings is crucial for efficiency and preventing frustrating snags.This in-depth review examines Rapala, Howco, Aliexpress combination, Ima/Maybug Kihara combination, and Texas Instruments split ring pliers. We assess their performance in opening and closing rings of varying sizes, highlighting issues such as jaw misalignment, grip strength, and overall build quality. This comparison will equip you with the knowledge to make an informed decision, ensuring you select the pliers that best meet your needs and budget, ultimately improving your fishing and lure-making experience.
Read more: Top 5 Fishing Pliers for Effortless Split Ring Removal
Rapala Extra-Large Split Ring Pliers: A Disappointing Experience
My first experience was with the Rapala extra-large split ring pliers. While they boast the ability to open large split rings, I found a significant flaw. The jaws often forced themselves inside each other, making it difficult to manipulate the rings effectively. This design flaw made them frustrating to use.
The sprung-loaded bottom jaw is intended to assist, but in practice, it frequently resulted in the jaws crossing, compromising their grip. Despite their size, their inherent design issue makes them unreliable. I’ve only kept them to demonstrate their shortcomings in this review.
Howco Split Ring Pliers: Durability and Performance
The Howco split ring pliers offer a significant improvement. Crafted from tool steel and stainless steel, these pliers are exceptionally durable and robust. The jaw design cleverly prevents the jaws from crossing, providing a secure grip.
While only available in one size, the Howco pliers compensate for this limitation with their exceptional quality and reliability. Their design allows them to handle various sizes of split rings effectively. The material strength ensures they’ll withstand the rigors of frequent use.
Aliexpress Combination Pliers: Budget-Friendly but Flawed
These inexpensive combination pliers from Aliexpress are a mixed bag. While convenient due to their multiple tools—including a line cutter and crimping jaws—their performance as split ring pliers is underwhelming.
The line cutter is ineffective, and the split ring pliers, though functional, share the same flaw as the Rapala pliers, frequently failing to grip rings securely. The added feature of serrated jaws helps somewhat, but the overall quality and durability lack the robustness of Howco pliers.
Ima/Maybug Kihara Combination Pliers: A Good All-Rounder, but With Drawbacks
The Ima/Maybug Kihara combination pliers offer a good balance of functionality and comfort. They have comfortable rubber handles, a braid cutter, crimping jaws, and split ring pliers. However, the split ring pliers are not perfect.
I found their jaws misaligned which causes wear over time. This results in the pliers not gripping split rings as securely as they should. While they work adequately, they don't provide the same precision and reliability as dedicated split ring pliers.
Texas Instruments Split Ring Pliers: Top Pick
These dedicated Texas Instruments split ring pliers are my top choice. While not the cheapest, they are exceptionally well-made and durable. The box joint construction and precise jaws indicate high-quality construction, ensuring smooth operation and a secure grip.
They’re available in two sizes to cater to various split ring sizes. Though the push-on handles might require occasional re-securing, the overall performance and precision make them worth it. The small size is particularly excellent for detailed work.
Conclusion: Choosing the Right Split Ring Pliers
For serious anglers and lure makers, dedicated split ring pliers like the Texas Instruments models are an investment worth making. Their superior construction and performance outweigh the higher cost. While budget options exist, they often compromise on quality and reliability.
The Howco pliers are also a strong contender, offering exceptional durability at a moderate price, though their single size might be a limitation for some. Ultimately, the best choice depends on your budget and the frequency of use; however, prioritize quality and precise jaw alignment for optimal performance.