|
Slicker than ever, Rapala's new Stainless Steel pliers
| Date: |
3/8/07 |
| Tackle type: |
Tools |
| Manufacturer: |
Rapala |
| Reviewer: |
Zander |
Total Score: 8.41
Introduction:
It doesn’t matter if you
fish for trout, bass, or big game, chances are you not only know the Rapala
brand, but you already own a couple of their lures. While not yet as prevalent
as their immense lineup of lures, Rapala accessories and tools certainly have
become popular among anglers over the last few years. Their previous generation
pliers were among the best values on the market, and Rapala follows up on their
Pro-Guide series with a new set of stainless steel pliers that boast more
features and still manage the same great price point.
|
Rapala
Stainless Steel
Pliers
Specifications |
| Overall Length |
6
1/2"
& 8 1/2" (2 options) |
|
Material |
Stainless Steel |
|
Weight |
5.3oz (6 1/2") |
| Additional Features |
Split ring
tip, lanyard hole, crimp ridge. line cutter, ergonomic grip, center mounted
leaf spring, nickel/zinc corrosion resistant coating |
|
Price |
$9.99, $11.99 |
Impressions:
How many of you pulled out
pliers from your tool box at home and employ them for double duty as your
fishing pliers? That is exactly what I did when I started fishing, but quickly
changed over to actual fishing specific pliers once I started routinely fishing
artificial baits. I soon found fishing pliers worth their weight in gold when it
came to improved ergonomics when trying to dehook fish hurriedly, and features
like a split shot crimper and the split ring nose made it easier than ever to
properly configure and tune lures on the fly. Overall the new pliers not only
look a lot slicker with the fresh dark gunmetal finish, but sport many subtle
improvements over the previous generation model.
The new Rapala Stainless Steel pliers next to the
previous generation Proguide pliers
Real World Test:
This review will be
focused more on the features and operation of the new Rapala Stainless Steel
pliers, as the long term tests really will come after a full season of use. I
have come to rely on the previous generation Pro-Guide pliers for three seasons
now, and they have held up to plenty of abuse both in fresh and saltwater
applications. To test this new pair in the field we head straight for the
California Delta, with hopes of “unhooking” some fish.
The Stainless Steel Pliers are
coated with a corrosion resistant finish
Operation: In general
pliers are relatively simple to operate, and Rapala’s pliers are not simply
re-branded pliers but incorporate fishing specific features. The new Stainless
Steel pliers take fish friendly design to the next level. I found the new spring
far better than the old design. The SS pliers always rest in an open position
and the spring makes it easier than ever to do everything from dehook fish to
tune crankbaits.
The pliers are held open with a
center leaf spring
Like the previous
generation pliers the Rapala SS pliers feature a thick pair of jaws, this makes
it easy to apply firm pressure on objects. But unlike its older sibling the new
pair of pliers feels more precise. With the spring applying low levels of
counter pressure I found it was easier to grab small objects like split shot.
With the previous generation I had to use my other fingers to gently apply some
amount of counter pressure, they always felt as if they were either open or
closed, while the new pair makes it easy to address a wider range of objects
simply by closing in on the spring.
The pliers are loaded with a split
ring pick tip, crimps, and a cutter
The side cutter was sharp
enough to cut through any mono and fluorocarbon lines, but we really did have to
clamp down on the pliers to cut through heavier braded lines. The biggest
improvements to the pliers are the spring and redesigned ergonomic handle grips,
which are not only more comfortable, but help anglers achieve a firmer grip when
working out deeply hooked lures. A loop at the end of the grip makes it possible
to apply a wrist lanyard, though one is not currently provided.
A close-up of the grip and hole
provided for a wrist lanyard
Durability: Time
will tell, but from what we can see the new Rapala pliers are built with the
same high quality materials as the previous model and has some extra features
which will help it last longer. These include the new leaf spring which will
better maintain resistance over time than the original single sided spring.
A close up of the
nickel/zinc finish
The handles have been
vastly improved over the previous pliers both in terms or ergonomics and
durability. Any decent pair of freshwater pliers should last a long time under
normal operation. In fact more anglers lose their pliers by dropping them in the
lake than actually breaking them in actual fishing applications. With that said
every pair of pliers is subject to some wear and tear. The biggest problem areas
are the spring, the handles, and damage to the cutter (mostly due to anglers
attempting to cut through metal split rings, hooks, or heavy gauge wire.)
The pliers make short work of
split shot
Next
Section: Durability, Price and Ratings
|
