So the wife bought me a pair of VS pliers for christmas - something I've always wanted but would never have bought myself. She got me the stainless ones an I'm probably gonna exchange them and get the titanium (just can't see having stainless pliers for that much money). Anyway, I'm just wondering what most of you guys use, the 6" or 7" version and if there are any drawbacks to either one (such as being to big to get at trebles in small to medium sized bass with the 7")? Any input or advise would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

When you can have titanium why would anyone choose less? No offense Clogston but I buy my pliers at Ace Hardware. Asking these blue collar guys about the difference is.........funny.:buds:

I have the six inch version and they are fine. I have used the 7 inch model and if I had to do it again, I would purhase the bigger set. The extra length is invaluable. Go with the bigger set.

If you ask a women ,size does matter.:doh:

I would think the bigger set would be great when the gators show up. If it is early in the year and I am chasing schoolies my barbs are crushed so I can use my fingers. My wife has a set of the orvis pliers on order with Pete. My main reason for wanting them was the long reach with the needlenose. So to me bigger is better.

Definitely exchange for titanium. Even if you decide to never wash your pliers all season long they won't be any worse off then if you washed them daily. It's never fun discovering you went too long in between oiling on a set of pliers when you need to get some big trebles out of a fish or spending time instead of fishing working the rust out of the pivot point. Enjoy never having to worry about that ever again. Everyone will tell you they're too expensive, but hey, I love fishing, there's worse things we could be spending money on.

I've got both sets of VS pliers, and I like them both. I always wear the 7" in the surf though, it's just better for really wrenching big trebles out of blues. The 6" can do it but I kind of like the extra clearance. Some people will tell you they're too heavy but I've never felt that way.

Also, if you have big hands, be sure to try the 6" first if you decide to go that way. They're fairly small and some people's fingers find their way into the external cutters. I usually use my 6" on the boat.

I would think the bigger set would be great when the gators show up. If it is early in the year and I am chasing schoolies my barbs are crushed so I can use my fingers. My wife has a set of the orvis pliers on order with Pete. My main reason for wanting them was the long reach with the needlenose. So to me bigger is better.

Latest back order report from Orvis shows a 1/16/06 shipping date. :doh:

When you can have titanium why would anyone choose less? No offense Clogston but I buy my pliers at Ace Hardware. Asking these blue collar guys about the difference is.........funny.:buds:

I was asking because I know that some of the guys on here do have the VS pliers and I wanted to make the right choice, and seeing the responsed I got I'm glad that I did. Are they for everybody, no but I wasn't asking everybody, I was asking for opinions from those who have experience with them. They were a gift, one that I did not ask for and one that I do appreciate very much so please lighten up. As Pete said, there are a lot worse things to spend money on than fishing.

Pete, thanks for the info. I was just playing around with the 6" stainless ones and your very right about the cutter location. I think I'll probably go with the 7".

I appologize!

I have the 7 inch pair and would never want anything else...they are the best money can buy and will last me forever!:happy:

I have the 7 inch pair and would never want anything else...they are the best money can buy and will last me forever!:happy:

Ditto!

I have the 7 inch pair and would never want anything else...they are the best money can buy and will last me forever!:happy:
double ditto...

same here

I have been using the VS stainless for the last 8 months with no problems, the Ti are nice but my hands just can't get around them!

I have been using the VS stainless for the last 8 months with no problems, the Ti are nice but my hands just can't get around them!


Good to hear a real report on those pliers. Are you treating them like the Ti's, as in not washing them all season?

I bought a pair of the vs stainless steel pliers in August. Never washed them as of yet. No problems looks like new.