keyring pliers

Raukodur · **on:** July 23, 2013, 01:24:44 AM

What have people found works best for a keyring set of pliers?

There are the obvious LM squirt models and Gerber equivalents, but have people found suitable alternatives from the PLIERS point of view?

stealth007s · **Reply #1 on:** July 23, 2013, 01:30:55 AM

I really like the Sebertool M4.

neillcurrie · **Reply #2 on:** July 23, 2013, 02:33:06 AM

The standard on the SeberTech tools has definitely slipped since a few years ago. I own a few T10's, an M4, an older "T10" (from when I think they may have been made in the US ??). Also an American made SwissTech keychain pliers, which is pretty well made.
However, I think it's very, very hard to beat the combination of tool density, quality of construction, and overall sensible tool-loadout offered by the current Leatherman PS4. Just keep it in a custom electrical shrink-tubing "condom" though, otherwise those handles will lose their jewel-like finish ;-)

Rs217 · **Reply #3 on:** July 23, 2013, 02:35:24 AM

How about the Leatherman Style PS? I don't have one per-se, but I do have the Style CS and I think it's excellent.

I've also heard that the Micra is excellent, but doesn't have pliers.

captain spaulding · **Reply #4 on:** July 23, 2013, 03:12:29 AM

The Style PS is one of my favorite keyring size pliers. It's tool layout works well for me and it's small enough to carry anywhere. It is also TSA compliant so you can just about carry it anywhere. I can't think of a place you couldn't carry it. I don't use the PS's pliers for any heavy work. I normally just use it for small bending or grabbing tasks which it does very well for me.

AimlessWanderer · **Reply #5 on:** July 23, 2013, 03:13:34 AM

Leatherman Style PS for me is actually quite good from a purely pliers perspective. The biggest failing is the scissors spring keeps crapping out on people, and I have been a victim of that too despite very infrequent use.

The Swiss+Tech pliers with the assorted Phillips and flat drivers for arms aren't too bad, though the arms can start shifting away from where you need them sometimes, and the IDL T7 (or T5 if you don't need the smaller drivers) are far superior to use

Personally I am a big fan of the Wenger Traveller SAK, and have found the IDL T7 to be an excellent companion tool. It covers both pliers function in an impressive way for such a small pliers tool, but also adds full 3d Phillips drivers

For more function, I'd step up to the Gerber Dime. Unfortunately they have adopted a similar dog turd of a scissor spring, but the rest of the tool I find to be much better than a Leatherman Squirt

If you're ONLY talking pliers though and don't really care about additional tools, there's only one choice. Leatherman Mini Tool. Little dinky keyring sized box opens up into an excellent full size pair of pliers ... and the other tools on it are too pathetic to bother mentioning

Lynn LeFey · **Reply #6 on:** July 23, 2013, 06:25:51 AM

The cheap generic Sheffield 12010 I have is actually a pretty decent little pair of pliers.

The Gerber Dime's are pretty good. The swiss-tech thing i have has a great plier head RUINED by bad handle design.

I have to say for keychain size, the Style PS is the best, IMO. Same plier head as the Squirt PS4, but better ergonomics in plier configuration.

However, if weight isn't as big a factor as cost, the Gerber Clutch/Mini Suspension P/Bear Grylls Mini Multitool has a nice plier head.

Here's a small test I did comparing some small plier based tools.
http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,44247.msg715082.html#msg715082

nate j · **Reply #7 on:** July 25, 2013, 05:57:12 AM

IMHO, LM reigns supreme in the keychain-size pliers-based multi-tool division at the present time.

That said, I actually like the discontinued P4 better than the current PS4, because the LM designers sacrificed the very useful small flat screwdriver of the P4 for a pair of mediocre scissors on the PS4.