Insight, experiments and philosophy video
On this page and on the text in this article are factors already mentioned on my feel on
the pliers. It depends on experience and environments. In general you do not need much strength to remove a hook from a fish. A good grip and a small twist/push and guide are all that is needed in general. The wide tip on the SwissTools is helpful because
you have some surface to use. When a hook has gone through bone then you need to use some force and push. The extra surface on the tip area is very helpful then. Some prefer the needle nose on small fish. If you are experienced then you can do a lot
with any plier.
The problem is when you must use the plier for mechanical task and needs that require harder use. On nuts and bolts you may need both strength and strong pliers! The extra width
on the tip is also helpful when you must use that area on a screw, nut or bolt or when you must bend materials that require force. It is as always a matter of feel and what people prefer. The use they need it for and so on. There are advantages and disadvantages
in different philosophies and designs. For light bending tasks the needle nose are very good, for tougher use it is not. For mechanical tasks you may need two pliers!
The
key with a multi-tool plier is to find the average or type that can be used on almost anything. The hybrid may be the best so far.
Check out my video below on my philosophy on needle
nose and the hybrid Victorinox SwissTools plier in an “over all use” sense. I like both needle nose pliers and the SwissTools pliers. There is an advantage with a hefty design. The Swisstool pliers are one of the best in the world because it is
a kind of hybrid. Such designs and hybrid types can be found on a few other tools in the world. The SwissTool is the most successful.
The needle nose does have a weakness
that is important to remember.
There are a few other modifications done on the SwissTool pliers in history as well with the design and forces working on a plier in motion. It is not uncommon
that there is some play in the SwissTool pliers and this you do not need to worry about at all.
For twisting and bending of materials you can use different technics that may make the strain
on a needle nose plier less. But for sure in some situations you must have a stronger plier design no matter what. It is sometimes comfortable to grip and use force when turning a device. If you learn a tactical philosophy then the combination of two
tools may be the best. I any situation a backup is smart.
The SwissTool pliers are the most successful plier in the history of multi-tools
so far.
The plier jaws are riveted and the forces working on the plier will dispense. The forces on a needle nose plier vs the rivet and construction will flex. On a needle nose it is
very easy to disrupt the balance at the nose /tip section. This mean as I see it that the tip must flex in more than one direction at the same time during grip and twist motion, not well. That balance is very difficult to make. With the hybrid you will get
stability at the nose/ section.
Average use and abuse are two different things and the size of the pliers is a guide for what uses it is intended for. Proper use is important to know.
I have tested a few knives the last years. I am basically a collector and normal user. I have tested a few things as well for knowledge.