Pliers help needed...

[MAC]

what size hook are you trying to cut to break the manleys? I don't believe you will find a single pair of pliers to do everything you want. It is kind of like buying a rod and expecting it to throw 5/8 oz bombers up to 6 oz jigs.

[Mr. Sandman]

I feel your pain. Been down this road and have a a number of dead ones. There are two schools of thought on this, go cheap and get something like a oil encased holder...which works well but does not address the braid cutting ability. OR, go expensive. But let me tell you all expensive pliers don't cut braid all that well. I have a pair of donmars which are great a rigging tool, don't rust and stand up to severe abuse but once you cut wire it will not cut braid. However, this spring I went to a fishing event that had a blind auction and I bid 60 bucks on a pair of Accurate offshore pliers. I won, let me tell you this is the best tool I have ever used. Cuts everything like butter and it is completely replaceable (fixable) should something wear out. Really a great pair of pliers, very lightweight but very strong. I have been using these all season and so far so good. The bad news it lists for 165 and then you need the sheath and lanyard. You really need the lanyard, you don't want to drop these overboad. But I still have 3 pair of $17 shimano pliers in a oiled sponge holder and these do a good job on board but don't cut braid very well after a few uses. That is my 2 cents.

OH, for cutting heavy hooks, I keep a pair of heavy cutters just for this purpose, I rarely use them but they are in the bottom of the console seat should they be required. I think it is a bit much to ask that your rigging pliers cut a shark hook but you should have a tool on board to do it. I think the accurates could cut a smaller hook but I don't know how the cutters would hold up.

[justplugit]

I know your not going to believe this, but for cutting braid, keep a pair of good, $3.00 blunt nose kids scissors in a plastic bag in your waders.Just make sure they have large enough holes for your fingers. Go ahead and laugh, but they work and won't poke holes in your waders.

[gone fishin]

Ok - I found the cheapest and best tool for cutting braid. My pliers gave it up after cutting wire and I reached in my pocket for the tiny Swiss knife that I carry on my keychain. The scissors on that knife handles braid easily. I now carry one on my hooksharpener and pick chain. Cheapo pliers on the belt.

[NEXT2NUN]

Dr Slick Barracuda pliers.

[jim sylvester]

van staal
last pliers you will buy

can cut hooks if need be it, you'll just have to replace the cutting blade

[eelman]

IMO , The van stall are way, overpriced...On Steves recomendation I went with the Acurate Pirahna pliers, made of the same stuff as the VS and just as good ....half the price, I paid $150