Three Cheers for the Vic Pliers!

[Barry Rowland]

Probably the most misunderstood, underrated tool in the Vic lineup is this tool right here.  While it's not the tool you're going to primarily use to build the Golden Gate, it makes a great pair of hobbyist pliers or even forceps in a bind.  I've used mine for everything from retrieving a tiny item to removing a heater grate.  Once, in a bind, I used a combination pair from my older Swisschamp and my Workchamp to remove the battery clamps on my garden tractor.  They're more capable than they might appear.

What's your opinion?  I'd love to hear how you've put yours to use!

[nate j]

Probably the most misunderstood, underrated tool in the Vic lineup is this tool right here.

Let’s see…

I use mine for personal grooming.  The tips are so precisely ground that they can easily grasp a single human hair.  Some claim the Vic pliers are large/glorified tweezers.  While they are capable and useful in that capacity, it is by no means the limit of their utility.

I’ve used them for ripping out heavy duty staples.  They will take a good amount of force or torque, if you’re smart about applying it in a dimension where the pliers are structurally strong.

They will handle any nut or bolt that will fit in their jaws.  I’ve used them (in conjunction with my PWII as needed) to assemble/disassemble various bolted connections.  Once at the fair, my MIL had some new feeders that required a handful of nuts and bolts to assemble.  Folks were impressed when I whipped out a PWII and a Deluxe Tinker and put them together.

Likewise, they will take care of anything else with wrench flats that their jaws will accommodate.  I’ve used it to loosen jammed up chain connecting links.

The Vic pliers are great anytime you need to get a good grip on something small and or in a tight space.  I’ve used them on multiple occasions to pull and replace automotive fuses.

If one thinks about the Spartan as the base, and asks the question, “If I were willling to add a third layer, what would provide the most utility?”  Many people would say “Scissors.”  If we then ask, “OK, given the Climber, if we were willing to go to four layers, what’s the next most useful tool?”  Some might say “wood saw”; others the inline Phillips/mag glass layer; IMO, there’s a strong argument that the answer is “pliers”.

[Barry Rowland]

I agree 💯. 

[BPRoberts]

If one thinks about the Spartan as the base, and asks the question, “If I were willling to add a third layer, what would provide the most utility?”  Many people would say “Scissors.”  If we then ask, “OK, given the Climber, if we were willing to go to four layers, what’s the next most useful tool?”  Some might say “wood saw”; others the inline Phillips/mag glass layer; IMO, there’s a strong argument that the answer is “pliers”.

Fish scaler.

The pliers are nice though. Just used the Wenger ones today.

[Barry Rowland]

I actually like the Wenger pliers even more. That slip joint is ingenious.

[SteveP]

I thought the "most misunderstood, underrated tool" was the fish scaler?   

The pliers are really handy though, for everything from super-tweeer work to actual pliering. And they're always with me as part of my SAK.

I added a pair to an Explorer a while back and really liked that combo, but then decided the SwissChamp was a better fit for me.

The Champion is still a great SAK, but I've got to have my pliers!

[Barry Rowland]

I was trying to remember who did that mod.  Steve that was a great mod!  I actually used the scaler for the hook remover once.  I heard it was a good idea to put the body of the knife in a plastic bag so it wouldn't get gummed up.  It worked, as well as the hook remover but there's easier ways.  I like using the scaler for the ruler on it now.  It also does a bang up job as a team bag remover too ☕😁

[ThundahBeagle]

Barry, how are you?  Hope all's well.

I've got a set of plyers on my Vic Deluxe Tinker I got in 2012 or so.  I like them, and carry that Deluxe Tinker quite a bit but I also carry a Leatherman Rebar.   As good as these plyers are, they are no Rebar plyers, so I default to the Rebar.

Maybe I should leave it home for a day or a week and see how the Vic plyers do...

[Barry Rowland]

Hey Andrew!  You're carrying a great pair of EDC powerhouses.  The Vic/Wenger pliers are definitely not going to replace the Rebar, but they're just right for so many tasks.  I think you'd be surprised.  The cutters on the SAK pliers aren't that hot, but the crimpers pack a lot more punch than you might imagine.  I'm tempted to do a SAK Pliers challenge just to see how it goes. 

[nate j]

I'm tempted to do a SAK Pliers challenge just to see how it goes.

I think that would be an interesting one.  Personally, I only rarely carry a PBMT anyway, but I would be curious to see how it goes for folks that more regularly use (or at least regularly carry) larger pliers. 

Of course I would be willing to participate in the challenge as well, even if mostly for moral support.

[Farmer X]

I no longer have a Victorinox with pliers. But I did use those on Barry's SwissChamp to finish the ends of a few paracord projects.

[Barry Rowland]

They're great for that kind of work aren't they?  For the sort of things I'm doing now, a small pair of pliers like that fit the bulk for me perfectly! 

[Farmer X]

I'm still giving some thought to putting them in a Pioneer X. If DLT Trading and/or Knife Center keep theirs around for a while, I probably will have that done. But acquiring a bunch of backup Alox Bantams is higher priority.