Plier modifying
 

Bought a nice pair of Sargent Sportsmate pliers (I think that's what they are called). Only problem is they don't come with a lanyard.

Would it be possible to drill a small hole in one of the handles to attach a lanyard or will I ruin a drill bit or the handle?

They look like OK boat ones. Tough call, wrecking the pliers or killing bits to walk a hole might not be worth it. Good bits are probably $20 and up so you have spent a lot more.

I would return and get something more appropriate. Something with the lanyard, holster, and less weight if you are in the suds.

Failing that, getting a good wrap of some strong line (not fishing) you might be able to wrap in a cable into one of the handles but it will still be a weak link....

The sargent sportmate I have had a hole thru the vinyl cover and steel handle. Love the pliers. Strong, cuts braid, 6/0 hooks and holds hard getting a hook out of a mean yellow eye.

I have been carryin 9" rapalas for years. Just gotta sand rust off em and oil em every once in a while.
For a lanyard i took a short length of parachute cord tied a loop with double figure 8 knots as a stopper knot. Wrapped the #^&#^&#^&#^& out of it with electrical tape to the handle and put an old land line phone cord on it tied to the sheath. Been fine for 10+ yrs
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Best for the job?
 

Love the Sergants, wrapped black elec. tape on the leash to hold it to the handle. Only plier I know will cut VMC's. Also great replaceable blades for cutting braid.

I designed those. I wanted a hole and lanyard but was overruled by the beancounters. Its not that difficult to do. Remove the grip by heating up with a heat gun or hairdryer. Prick punch about 3/8" from end. Drill with a small (1/8" or so) then open up hole with a 1/4" drill and deburr with cointersink or file. Heat up grip and slide back on. We use rubber cement to hold the grips on. Then put a hole through the grip with the 1/4" drill.
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Billy, the pair you have was modified by yours truly.
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Thanks for the tips....will modify mine thusly!

LOVE these pliars. Had a Tog on one hook, and a spro jig through my thumb. Pliars cut the spro hook like butter. (in case anyone cares, tog hit top hook while fluking mid july).

they look really heavy duty do they have mechanical advantage ?

I'll be getting on that for sure! I love the pliers and really don't want to see them fall to the bottom of the bay/lake/ocean from my yak because there was nothing to attach to it.

Would you recommend putting rubber cement on the grip when sliding it back on?

Thumbs down on these.So over-thought on mechanics and yet lacking a basic lanyard.The pair I had seized almost instantly after one trip in the salt.

For the price I paid why the hell should I have to bust out my own tools to modify these as there are much better pliers out there that require no mods?

Picked up a pair of Bubba Blade pliers for about half the price of the Sargents'.The Bubbas' come with a sheath and landyard...the grips are far superior to the Sargents.They really feel good in your hands.

Outside of the above for all I know they'll fail after the first outing.I will obviously let y'all know the outcome after some real world use.