LEWS KVD Split Ring tool eval

[Columbia Craw]

I recently purchased the new Lews KVD split ring pliers/cutters and figured I’d share my thoughts on it.  At 9.99 it’s a fairly well built tool with good tolerances.  The grips fit the palm nicely are no slip, textured and give good control. There is a lever to lock the jaws closed.

 

There’s three key functional features. There is an elongated opening that would allow you to straighten out bent hook. There is a cutter edge with the beveled edge having fine serrations.  The cutter works well on mono, flourish and braid as long as the braid is under tension.

 

The split ring wedge is sharp and nearly an 1/8 of an inch wide.  It worked well on size 3 split rings but the bulk of the tips are too large to effectively work in the confines of a smaller size split ring.  There is a nice curve to the jaws, left to right of the wedge is on the top. The tool is alloy and the pivot screw well designed.  The tension spring is just right.  The tool has enough leverage to crimp lead weights or hollow wire connectors.  The cutters would get through fine wire hooks but I have no doubt that will damage the cutter edges.  I’m happy with this tool and it’s a good value.  If you need to work on smaller rings and hook changes a finesse snap ring tool will have to come into play. This is a good tool for in the boat.

 

CC

[throttleplate]

my unknown brand of cheap split ring pliers is an adventure to use. I wear glasses when using it to avoid getting an errant ring shot into my eye. There are a few rings laying arond the living room floor that took off on me and will find them with the vacuum cleaner one day.

[plawren53202]

13 minutes ago, throttleplate said:

my unknown brand of cheap split ring pliers is an adventure to use. I wear glasses when using it to avoid getting an errant ring shot into my eye. There are a few rings laying arond the living room floor that took off on me and will find them with the vacuum cleaner one day.

Same here...I can't remember what brand I bought but I know it was cheap. It's awful. It is especially incompetent at working on the smaller split rings on baits like a Vision 110 Jr. I'm surprised I haven't ended up in the ER from one of those hook changing sessions.

[garroyo130]

Taxas Tackle or nothing

 

[MN Fisher]

The KastKing pliers I got have been working just fine for me.

[J Francho]

I have 43 different sets of split ring pliers.  For some reason I keep buying them, yet continue to use my thumb nail.  ?

[Columbia Craw]

photo would help

[moguy1973]

These Xuron 496 split ring pliers are the best I've ever used.  They are about $12 on Amazon.  They have a little groove in the not piercing jaw that holds the ring where it needs to be to split it.

 

[jimmyjoe]

     The Rapala split ring pliers aren't bad, and they're available most places that I've seen.    jj

[J Francho]

1 hour ago, moguy1973 said:

These Xuron 496 split ring pliers are the best I've ever used.

44 pairs now.

[DSTN]

Man, split ring plier monkey has a real hold on you, haha!

[J Francho]

Just a guy tryna  save my thumbnails

[whitwolf]

Good synopsis Doug!  

 

@J Francho  This applies: There's no such thing as having too many fishing baits and /or accessories! lol

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[throttleplate]

4 hours ago, Columbia Craw said:

photo would help

those look exactly like the one i bought for $5.00 at fleetfarm, i now believe these are mass marketed and many companies stick their name on it and kvd just stuck his name on them for the $$$.

[KDW96]

Im using either the Xuron, or a Cabelas stainless set ive had for years.

[J Francho]

On 1/22/2021 at 2:42 PM, moguy1973 said:

These Xuron 496 split ring pliers are the best I've ever used.  They are about $12 on Amazon.  They have a little groove in the not piercing jaw that holds the ring where it needs to be to split it.

 

Just got mine.  I can recycle the other 43 pairs.  Well, I'll keep the Texas Tackle ones, but these are much better.  Thanks @moguy1973 for the bird dog on that one!

[moguy1973]

13 hours ago, J Francho said:

Just got mine.  I can recycle the other 43 pairs.  Well, I'll keep the Texas Tackle ones, but these are much better.  Thanks @moguy1973 for the bird dog on that one!

[ChrisD46]

On 1/22/2021 at 1:50 PM, garroyo130 said:

Taxas Tackle or nothing

 

*Texas Tackle must be good if patented !

[garroyo130]

2 minutes ago, ChrisD46 said:

*Texas Tackle must be good if patented !

 

Not good enough to check spelling on their products apparently ...

[J Francho]

https://www.hiyoooo.com/

[rtwvumtneer6]

On 1/22/2021 at 2:13 PM, Columbia Craw said:

photo would help

Grip changed a bit but I have the same thing, branded as Mustad.  The cutters worked reasoably well for braid for a few seasons and the split ring tool will work in a pinch, though I prefer Texas Tackle. 

[Johnbt]

From the Q&A on amazon re: Taxas Tackle...

 

"

Question:

Are all the Texas Tackle split ring pliers on Amazon counterfeit?

Answer:

I received one of the pairs from Amazon that is marked "Taxas Tackle" on the pliers themselves. They seemed authentic outside of this. I emailed the manufacturer and they confirmed that these are legit. The "Taxas" misspelling was a mistake on a recent production run. 
By Kevin on August 27, 2020

"

[J Francho]

If you are ordering from Amazon, get the Xuran splitters.  They're better than Texas Tackle.

[Columbia Craw]

Well the Lews for larger rings/hooks has worked really well but are too bit large for small stuff.  My old set flexes sooooooo i ordered a set of Xurans. 

[Johnbt]

The Xuron tools are carbon steel, so keep them dry if you take them out of the house.

 

My tools have to survive being mistreated on the boat and the beach.