Rapala Fishing Pliers

[Senob57]

I bought a combo set of Rapala fishing pliers with carrying case originally for pike fishing through the ice. The set up was nice and made it's way on to my boat because the clip on the case made it easy to hang on my center console windshield allowing access for who ever needed them. They are supposed to be made of stainles steel, however while taking a hook out of a blue fish (corner of jaw) one of the jaws snapped and went to the bottom. Anyone else had this problem and do you know how to ge them replaced under warranty. The Rapala web site does not give you the opportunity to contact them. They are not that expensive but I hate losing gear that a fish didn't even bite at. I got my lure back the old fashioned way, by hand. P.S. I can still count to 10.

[Capt.Sickdog]

I bought a combo set of Rapala fishing pliers with carrying case originally for pike fishing through the ice. The set up was nice and made it's way on to my boat because the clip on the case made it easy to hang on my center console windshield allowing access for who ever needed them. They are supposed to be made of stainles steel, however while taking a hook out of a blue fish (corner of jaw) one of the jaws snapped and went to the bottom. Anyone else had this problem and do you know how to ge them replaced under warranty. The Rapala web site does not give you the opportunity to contact them. They are not that expensive but I hate losing gear that a fish didn't even bite at. I got my lure back the old fashioned way, by hand. P.S. I can still count to 10.

I have had 2 pairs of them. they last one season, and they fall apart. Don't buy em again. I have had them replaced by going back to where I bought them, because they always break. good luck

[Ray]

Like the Dr. Slick pliers I use, they are practically disposable. I buy a pair or two nearly every year, but have never thrown a pair out because they were trashed.

The Rapala ones may be drop-forged and you got a bad one with an internal void. Making the jaws weak therefore leading to the failure.

[medburd]

same thing happend to my buddy...one jaw snapped right in front of the pivot point. I didn't think they were stainless though..his were cold forged & anodized. I picked up a pair of their nickel plated style..I'm finding them to be a lot less ridgid for this reason than the cold forged..I like the pouch set up and the forceps that come with the kit..but I think they just might be good ol' fashion P.O.S's....The saying goes you get what you pay for..but considering some of the asking prices of these tools they should last longer for sure....my bad folks...they are stainless steel.....but they're still pos's...I found these on basspro they look similar... http://www.basspro.com/servlet/catalog.TextId?hvarTextId=59733&hvarDept=100&hvarEvent=&hvarClassCode=11&hvarSubCode=5&hvarTarget=browse

[gerryg]

I also had a pair snap on me removing a hook, they were about 2 years old. I went and bought a pair of Craftsman long neddlenose that were SS and they are great. just my 2cents.

[JoeyM]

on a related note, i think i have gone through at least 6-8 pliers this year.

lost a few overboard on the boat, lost some in the sand at the beach, and some have rusted shut.

just have this to add, tried those calcutta Ti coated ones. they stink. those are the ones that rusted shut, even though i was pretty diligent about rinsing them off in fresh water afterwards.

the regular no-name chinese SS ones they sell at most tackle shops for $6 were better.

[Senob57]

Thanks to everyone for the advice. I guess this wasn't as unusual as I thought, because everyone hit it right on the head. They snapped at the pivot point and even though they are advertised as stainless, there is no way that they are after looking at the internal metal. I like the Craftsman idea at least they come with a lifetime warranty and you can get them any size or configuration. I'll just use Rapala's case. Thanks again.

[north coast]

FWIW, bought a pair of shamino stainless longnose pliers about five or six years ago. they have been USED to the max, and are still fine.the cutters don't work quite as well as when new but they are definately stainless.and still kickin'.will buy another pair when these go (if they ever do)

[bb1]

I broke my buddys Rapala pliers last year..they looked like cheap 'white metal' where they broke (right above the joint). Like everyone elses, one jaw of the pliers just snaps off!

Do not waist you money on these poorly made pliers...