I chose by three things, the ring sizes they handle, a blade that cuts PE, and price, with the eye of a fishing instructor with 30 years of fishing. No. 1 is the Shimano MD Pliers. A new model released in September 2026, it handles #2–8 split rings, and its list price of JPY 3,900 (excl. tax) works out to JPY 557 per ring size. The light aluminum one is Daiwa's Aluminum Pliers α200H Lock LG at about 135g.
The Gear Nerd's Pick
The difference between pliers is set by the thickness of the tip. The ring numbers the ring-opener tip can handle are fixed for each model, and a large tip does not go into a small ring. So I first look at the ring numbers on the lures I already have, and take the one that covers the middle of that band.
Key points
- The MD Pliers handle #2–8 and cost JPY 557 per 1 ring size
- The aluminum α200H is 0.68g per mm, the Stencore 0.84g
- All six have PE-capable cutters
Pliers that cannot cut PE are still sold
Open the page for Daiwa's Pliers V, and the line cutter is listed as "for nylon and fluorocarbon line." The word PE is not there. A surprise.
On the other hand, all three Shimano models released in September 2026 carry PE-capable cutters. Even lined up under the same name "pliers," they differ down to the kinds of line they cut, so before choosing I always read the one sentence about the cutter.
How I chose
I looked first at the split ring numbers the ring opener handles. Next the blade. Then I divided the list price by the number of rings it handles.
What I hesitated over was the order of the MD and AD: the AD is cheaper but covers a narrower band. So No. 1 is the MD. I ranked these from the current models you can buy on Rakuten, looking at the official numbers.
Image: Rakuten Ichiba
Shimano MD Pliers CT-551Z
Lowest price on Rakuten: JPY 3,001 (as of Oct 14). Some stores go up to JPY 4,819. Prices change daily.
RecommendedSee it on Rakuten IchibaSee it on NaturumSee it on Yahoo! Shopping JapanThree things to choose fishing pliers by
- First look at the ring numbers on the lures you already have. #1–5 is a common size for sea bass and flounder lures
- If you use PE, shortlist only pliers with a cutter marked "PE-capable"
- If you care about weight, aluminum. Of the two Daiwa pliers, the aluminum one is 25g lighter
If the first slips, the other two lose their meaning. The order is the key.
Quick table of five fishing pliers and one out of the ranking
| Rank / model | Supported rings | Length | List price |
|---|---|---|---|
| No. 1 Shimano MD Pliers CT-551Z | #2–8 | 162mm | JPY 3,900 |
| No. 2 Shimano AD Pliers CT-541Z | #1–5 | 157mm | JPY 3,350 |
| No. 3 Daiwa Aluminum Pliers α200H Lock LG | #2–#7 | about 200mm | JPY 5,680 |
| No. 4 Daiwa Stencore Pliers 190H | #3–7 | 190mm | JPY 5,100 |
| No. 5 Shimano Power Pliers CT-561Z | #5–11 | 179mm | JPY 4,750 |
There are two ways to build a blade that cuts PE
PE is a line braided from fine fibers, and it slips between blades. Shimano's new models combine a "scissoring structure," where the blades rub past each other to sever the fibers, with serrated blades. The idea is to stop the slip with teeth and then cut.
Daiwa's Aluminum Pliers α200H cuts PE with tungsten blades. It goes in the direction of harder blade material. The aim is the same.
Price per ring size, and the lightness of aluminum
| Model | Rings it handles | Per size |
|---|---|---|
| MD Pliers | 7 sizes | JPY 557 |
| AD Pliers | 5 sizes | JPY 670 |
| Aluminum Pliers α200H LG | 6 sizes | JPY 947 |
| Stencore Pliers 190H | 5 sizes | JPY 1,020 |
| Power Pliers | 7 sizes | JPY 679 |
The aluminum α200H is 10mm longer than the stainless Stencore yet 25g lighter. Per mm, 0.68g against 0.84g makes it about 20% lighter (weight ÷ length). The more days you walk with it hanging at your waist, the more this gap counts.
Why this order
| Rank | Model | Reason for this rank |
|---|---|---|
| No. 1 | MD Pliers | Handles 7 sizes, #2–8, and JPY 557 per 1 size is the lowest of the 5 models. |
| No. 2 | AD Pliers | The list price is the cheapest of the 5 models, but it handles #1–5, at JPY 670 per 1 size. |
| No. 3 | α200H Lock LG | At about 135g, the light one of Daiwa's 2, but it comes to JPY 947 per 1 size. |
| No. 4 | Stencore 190H | Stainless, 25g heavier than No. 3, and also more per size. |
| No. 5 | Power Pliers | JPY 679 per 1 size is close to No. 2, but it is for large rings of #5–11 and picks its users. |
| Out of the ranking | Field Pliers 3 | At #00–#7 it has the widest range of all, but it is built only for split rings. |
No. 1 Shimano MD Pliers CT-551Z | #2–8 in one tool
The deciding point is the #2–8 band. A middle size between the AD and the Power, with a thicker plate than the AD for rigidity, it also suits removing hooks up to about #2/0. As a newer model, it is just right as pliers No. 1.
If you want to compare lightness by the numbers, look at No. 3, at about 135g.
No. 2 Shimano AD Pliers CT-541Z | JPY 3,350 with eye tuners
Cheap. And it has two eye tuners that fix the eyes of bent lures, and even handles crimping sleeves. A stainless plate, and the maker claims cutting close to dedicated PE scissors.
The point to watch is rings over #5. It does not reach them. It suits people who mainly use sea bass and flounder lures.
Image: Rakuten Ichiba
Shimano AD Pliers CT-541Z
Lowest price on Rakuten: JPY 2,577 (as of Oct 14). Some stores go up to JPY 4,340. Prices change daily.
RecommendedSee it on Rakuten IchibaSee it on NaturumSee it on Yahoo! Shopping JapanNo. 3 Daiwa Aluminum Pliers α200H Lock LG | about 135g of aluminum
About 135g. Light. 25g lighter than the stainless No. 4. The tip is stainless and the cutter has tungsten blades. The lock is built for easy thumb operation, and for people who wear it at the waist this lightness counts.
The so-so part is the price: JPY 947 per 1 size is about 1.7 times No. 1. It is the pick (1) for people who can pay for lightness.
Image: Rakuten Ichiba
Daiwa Aluminum Pliers α200H Lock LG
Lowest price on Rakuten: JPY 4,374 (as of Oct 14). Some stores go up to JPY 6,321. Prices change daily.
RecommendedSee it on Rakuten IchibaSee it on NaturumSee it on Yahoo! Shopping JapanNo. 4 Daiwa Stencore Pliers 190H | stainless with a carbon grip
A sturdy stainless body with a carbon grip and trigger. The fluorine coating resists rust and wipes clean.
Heavy. About 160g, 25g heavier than No. 3. It suits people who want a solid feel in the hand.
Image: Rakuten Ichiba
Daiwa Stencore Pliers 190H
Lowest price on Rakuten: JPY 3,809 (as of Oct 14). Some stores go up to JPY 4,945. Prices change daily.
RecommendedSee it on Rakuten IchibaSee it on NaturumSee it on Yahoo! Shopping JapanNo. 5 Shimano Power Pliers CT-561Z | big, for #5–11
A ring opener with its angle changed in two steps, it slips into big rings easily and holds the open state easily. With a spring hinge. For big fish offshore and from rock shore.
It is weak with small rings. Rings smaller than #5 are not covered. It is the pick for people who use big lures for jigging and casting.
Image: Rakuten Ichiba
Shimano Power Pliers CT-561Z
Lowest price on Rakuten: JPY 3,655 (as of Oct 14). Some stores go up to JPY 5,557. Prices change daily.
RecommendedSee it on Rakuten IchibaSee it on Yahoo! Shopping JapanOut of the ranking: Daiwa Field Pliers 3 130H | #00–#7
2 ring openers cover #00 to #7, at JPY 2,840. For ring width alone, the widest. It also has a cutter for PE, nylon and fluorocarbon.
I left it out of the ranking because it is built only for split rings. It is one to carry as a second pair.
Whichever pliers you cut with, knowing the thickness of the line keeps your choice of blade steady. I compared strength by # number in the PE line #0.8 ranking.
Which pliers fit? How I split them
- One tool from sea bass to shore jigging: the No. 1 MD. A new model of September 2026, and the width of the band across 7 sizes is superb
- Smaller lures, and you also want to adjust the eyes: the No. 2 AD
- Walking around with it hanging at your waist: the α200H at about 135g
If you mainly jig with big lures, you can also start from the Power Pliers. I compared the tool for reading the water in the polarized sunglasses ranking.
If you mainly bait fish and do not touch split rings, the difference between ring openers gets small. If your current pliers cut PE and the ring numbers fit, you can keep using them.
FAQ
Aluminum or stainless: which should I pick?
For lightness, aluminum. Of the two Daiwa pliers, the aluminum α200H was about 135g and the stainless Stencore 190H about 160g.
Can ordinary pliers cut PE?
It depends. The cutter on Daiwa's Pliers V is for nylon and fluorocarbon. If you use PE, choose one that supports PE.
Which split ring number should I match?
The number of the rings on the lures you already have. For sea bass and flounder, #1–5 is common, and the MD's #2–8 covers #2–5 of that.
Gear in this article
Ads and images: Rakuten IchibaSources
- Shimano official: MD Pliers CT-551Z
- Shimano official: AD Pliers CT-541Z
- Shimano official: Power Pliers CT-561Z
- Shimano official: new product special site, 2026 AUTUMN & WINTER
- Daiwa official: Aluminum Pliers α200H Lock LG
- Daiwa official: Stencore Pliers 190H / 220H
- Daiwa official: Field Pliers 3
- Daiwa official: Pliers V
