Best Bare Handle Pliers?

[spoon671]

I'm in search of a good, high quality set of pliers, bare handle, duckbill and flush cutting, preferably polished stainless, preferably from a country with ethical work practices. I'm a fan of German and Japanese tools, but the usual suspects don't have much listed for me. At least, not at first glance.

The reason I need bare handles is because the tools will be used in the assembly of components which will undergo hydrogen furnace brazing. A lot of the work is done in a clean room, but some of the set up work can be done right at the furnace. This is why I need tools with bare handles, in the case where a tool is forgotten in the furnace, the work will not be ruined by rubber/plastic contamination.

I can cut the coatings off of coated tools, if need be. But I'm not sure the finish is so nice underneath the rubber. I'd prefer some nicely polished options, if they exist somewhere other than Aven. Anyone have some good leads?

 

[spoon671]

Found these - https://www.excelta.com/home-products-laboratory-and-cleanroom-instruments-pliers

 

[RTM]

i use these guys for stuff I need to autoclave. Doubt it will hold up to your furnace.

Stainless Steel Pliers (all types)

Pliers

www.steritool.com

 

[Steve_P]

Stainless isn't a good material for cutting pliers, especially flush cut pliers, unless you're cutting plastic; it won't reach high enough hardness to last long in comparison to typical tool steels used by Knipex, etc. You probably know that, but just be prepared to change them regularly if you find a nice match.

 

[oldschoolcraft]

I would assume all pliers could be bare handle pliers if you cut the handle material off with a razor. I'm not sure if bare handled ones made that way would have more knurling on them then might be hidden underneath the plastic handles of regular pliers.

But, if you could cut off the handle, that opens the door to buying cheaper used ones that might be brand new below those handles you're cutting off anyway.

 

[cherrybomb]

I watched a tube video,a guy named Chris Cas,Tool Aficionado,he was testing IPS pliers from Japan,they had plastic handles,but under them the metal some how had the finger grips forged in the metal,might work for you!

 

[danielbuck]

I would assume all pliers could be bare handle pliers if you cut the handle material off with a razor. I'm not sure if bare handled ones made that way would have more knurling on them then might be hidden underneath the plastic handles of regular pliers.

But, if you could cut off the handle, that opens the door to buying cheaper used ones that might be brand new below those handles you're cutting off anyway.

yeah that was my first thought as well, remove the rubber/plastic/whatever surrounding the handles. And then polish them. That would probably open up the options for tools alot larger than strictly looking at pliers that don't have have grips.

 

[oldschoolcraft]

yeah that was my first thought as well, remove the rubber/plastic/whatever surrounding the handles. And then polish them. That would probably open up the options for tools alot larger than strictly looking at pliers that don't have have grips.

Interestingly, you want the underlying handles polished. I would think the opposite, that if I was using all steel handles with no rubber that I'd want the steel handles to be knurled for extra grip. Since smooth polished all metal handles would be slippery.

I would imagine that most pliers with rubber handles would be smooth underneath because its extra cost to machine knurling that will only be covered by the rubber anyway. Unless the underlying knurling is there to help secure the rubber with greater surface area.

Probably easier to grind down and polish a handle with knurling than it is to add knurling to a smooth handle so if you're willing to put in the work, any pliers should work. But I'd start looking on eBay for used Knipex pliers with damaged handles for cheap.

 

[danielbuck]

Interestingly, you want the underlying handles polished. I would think the opposite, that if I was using all steel handles with no rubber that I'd want the steel handles to be knurled for extra grip. Since smooth polished all metal handles would be slippery.

I would imagine that most pliers with rubber handles would be smooth underneath because its extra cost to machine knurling that will only be covered by the rubber anyway. Unless the underlying knurling is there to help secure the rubber with greater surface area.

Probably easier to grind down and polish a handle with knurling than it is to add knurling to a smooth handle so if you're willing to put in the work, any pliers should work. But I'd start looking on eBay for used Knipex pliers with damaged handles for cheap.

I don't think I would want smooth handles for me personally, but it sounds like the OP has a need for them, I'm guessing because they would likely stay cleaner or be easier to clean than something knurled.

 

[5ubtle]

... I can cut the coatings off of coated tools, if need be. ...

i can't help you either, but I'm not going to insult you by giving you an alternative solution that you've already identified.

 

[spoon671]

i use these guys for stuff I need to autoclave. Doubt it will hold up to your furnace.

Stainless Steel Pliers (all types)

Pliers

www.steritool.com

This is perfect, thank you! The tungsten carbide tipped linesman pliers are especially neat. $$$

#10116 - 8.5"(212mm) Stainless Steel Linesman Pliers. Tungston Carbide Cutters.

#10116 - 8.5"(212mm) Stainless Steel Linesman Pliers. Tungston Carbide Cutters.

www.steritool.com

Regarding the furnace, we routinely bake anywhere between 1000-2000C, and we aren't so worried about the tools making it as we are about introducing contaminants (which is why no rubber/plastic handles).

 

[RTM]

Regarding the furnace, we routinely bake anywhere between 1000-2000C, and we aren't so worried about the tools making it as we are about introducing contaminants (which is why no rubber/plastic handles).

our oven is / was 350°C, autoclave was 121°+C. Tinker toys compared to yours apparently.

 

[seber]

If you want the best, I'd look at Snap-on. I don't feel even Knipex measures up to them despite the abundance of hype they get here.

 

[Wamsutta]

If you want the best, I'd look at Snap-on. I don't feel even Knipex measures up to them despite the abundance of hype they get here.

Yeah! He said it!

 

[oldschoolcraft]

Just happened to come across a no coated handles set at Snap On

Snap-on Store

shop.snapon.com

It's called "no dip"

Did a quick search and I can't find any other no dip pliers, but it looks like they are using the "ND" modifier in the model name

PL344BCFND

 

[Pig_Pen]

Check out this pair from Tsunoda

Amazon.com