Pliers for opening split rings

[PH]

I have these two pairs of pliers but always battle to open split rings. It's quite possible that I'm stupid enough not to figure out how to use them.


Happened to have this old pair of wire bending pliers. I heated the one jaw and bent it through 90 deg. The end was then ground flat - like a screw driver
The other jaw was filed flat so that the split ring does not slip when pressure is applied.

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Much easier now to open split rings and apply hooks, or swivels, etc. to the split ring.

Long nose pliers will work better because they already have jaws with flat surfaces

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[Weedeater]

I also have a pair of split ring pliers, which don't seem to work too well. Not sure this is related to technique, but how hard can it be to replace a hook of a split ring?!

[shagnrelease]

These things are so frustrating, when the tools are not up to the job, the biggest issue is that most of them do not have a deep enough Tooth(no idea what else to call it), since the jigging industry evolved we have finally been able to buy these at a decent price and they work perfectly with now issues, there is no real technique the tools should just work!!

[PH]

I was trying to devise something that eliminates the need to slip the split ring over a jaw. This takes up space inside the split ring and makes it difficult (for me) to insert a hook, etc. Unless I'm not using it correctly.

[REEFMAN]

This is how I do it Pierre...

Larger split rings...

[REEFMAN]

Smaller split rings...

[PH]

Thanks very much, Reefz.

I think the main problem was probably the cheap stuff I had bought - especially the top one in my pic.
Notice the large gap between the bevelled tip of the one jaw and the other jaw.
The gap between the jaws of the pliers in your last pic is very small.

I usually use small split rings and the jaws on the other pair in my pic is a bit too thick for small split rings.

[REEFMAN]

Ya unfortunately you get what you pay for PH! About 4 years ago, I bought one of the newest Ocean Revolution split ring pliers for almost R1000!!! They're brilliant... everyone copied them, incudling the guys from Nomads fishing. They've come down in price dramatically now... would recommend you get a decent pair from Roy at JigStar.

But then if you're only using small split rings, then a standard pair of Rapala pliers will be fine... maybe R150??

[Fritz]

I have learned that on the tip pliers the front part that you use has to close up very snugly, othwise it does not work to well on the smaller split ring.

[Royboy]

Yebo Reefer... those were the days! (I am still using my OR Splitring pliers today - the grand a pop ones, Gold and Silver!!! Same as yours.... and except for the braid cutting blades they are as good as new!).

NB - We still have a few braid cutting blades left. Maybe 4 or 5 pairs.... so that's notice.

Interesting, when Ocean Revolution ceased to exist there was a sudden run on Asian manufacturers to provide the SAME SR Pliers. It didn't happen for most, if not all.

I think that is where the difference between INNOVATION and REPLICATION was clearly defined. Quality became history. A PRICE VICTIM. Have a look, they popped up all over the place even under big brand names here in SA!

We have LOADS of people contacting us DAILY for GOOD QUALITY SR PLIERS. We currently don't have any!

We WERE GOING TO SUPPORT FRICHY but they have not delivered....for half a year. Not going to happen. Goodbye Frichy.

Next week we are in Asia (meetings already in place with TOP Japanese AND TOP Taiwanese AND TOP Chinese Manufacturers.)  SR Pliers are on the agenda. Not unproven "cheapies" that need to be "tested" on a fishing community, everything we purchase HAS TO BE PROVEN.

For example, the DUO SR Pliers are pretty much the benchmark. They are also around 1k retail. That is big loot. Quality is the single biggest factor when you invest in them. Thing is, our market cannot support volume sales at that price-point. Yes, the cost is influenced by currency cross, and Markets. BUT this is SA. Things cost different prices in different countries. There are a number of premier manufacturers out there who are as selective as we are, and we are hoping to have a few deliverables from them when we come home.   

Cheers - RB 

[REEFMAN]

Interesting stuff Roy... ja I have seen the OR knockoffs all over the place... even locally! It's a cutthroat industry - It must be tough for you guys, with all the grey (and red) imports...

[Royboy]

Hi Tony - yup, it is interesting for sure. We pretty much have a 6-8 mth window of opportunity before the market starts getting flooded with "catch-ups". If only you could see the Poppers and Stickbaits (remarkably similar to Heru Darkstars and Starwalkers, but UNIQUE of course....) that have suddenly appeared on the web and in stores, it SHOULD be a concern! We thought it would be... but the numbers tell a different story!

Performance and Quality are still KING!!!!!

Sales haven't been negatively impacted, rather we are seeing a consistent growth based on PERFORMANCE - the beauty of the real thing is that it outperforms the copy! Consistently!

The only complaints I would have, would be on behalf of the customers who spend their money on something that "Looks like, but isn't".

They end up spending again for the real thing.

Dolce & Gabanna in Knightsbridge will offer something totally different to D&G downtown Beijing.

See you guys on Saturday - Cheers RB

 

[Homie]

Interesting stuff Roy... ja I have seen the OR knockoffs all over the place... even locally! It's a cutthroat industry - It must be tough for you guys, with all the grey (and red) imports...