These made-in-Japan pliers from Tsunoda seem like a unique problem-solver.
There’s a lot going on here. To start, it has ultra-thin angled jaws.
The pliers look convenient for accessing fittings and fasteners that might otherwise be difficult to reach with other pliers.
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I found this image, of the pliers tightening a threaded stem caster, to be particularly convincing.
The pliers also have a 3-position slip-joint design that lets it grab materials and objects of different widths.
The slip joint allows for greater jaw engagement when grabbing wider items.
Yes, adjustable pliers can do the same, but these also have thin jaws at an angle. I found it to be a good combination of features.
I didn’t realize it at first, but the pliers also have a wire cutter.
The handles are bare finished metal – meaning there’s no dipped or cushion grip – with a lanyard or tether hole at the end.
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I wasn’t familiar with the brand, and that further convinced me to give it a try. It might take some time for me to form an opinion, but in the meantime please let me know if you have any questions.
Tsunoda also offers these with straight jaws, and they also have standard slip joint pliers – I bought one of those as well.
Price: $21.55
Matt_T
The offset might work well for electrical locknuts. The 29 or 32mm capacity should definitely fit 1/2″ but might be a little too small for 3/4″.
Nathan
3/4 is 19mm give or take a bit. 1/2 being 13mm. Should be fine
Hunter
A 3/4” locknut has a OD of 1 3/8, so who it 35mm.
Nathan
completly forgot that was id.
MM
These look like a useful problem solver. I have a similar tool though it is not slip-joint, the Knipex angle head “cycle pliers”.
Jared
I’ve been happy with my Tsunoda pliers. I think you’ll like them.
That does look unique an useful. I think I might try a pair myself.
Nathan
I’ve always wondered why there aren’t more thin jaw pliers. Interesting
fred
From my teen years 1950’s bicycle kit – I still have a pair of Eldi #21 pliers that look very similar to these. The Eldi’s are 8 inches long and were billed as axle and cone nut pliers. The jaws are almost as thin as a cone wrench and have serrations. They presumably worked with various sizes of cone nuts – but were never as good as having a pair of cone nut wrenches that were sized for a correct fit. They gave credence to the old advice to never use a pair of pliers instead of a wrench on a nut. They tended to bugger up the nuts. I believe that they were made in Germany – and I still have them tucked away somewhere.
I have several Tsunoda soft-jaw pliers that seem well made and I use on occasion. I’ve seen some other specialty pliers form the brand as well – like these:
https://www.amazon.com/Tsunoda-CVP-225-Conveyor-Pliers-maintenance/dp/B07G6Y7YVW
frobo
Thanks for the link to the Tsunoda soft jaw pliers; I just ordered a pair. They seem like a better design than the ones I have seen at Harbor Freight (and they’re cheaper).
As for thin slip joint pliers, according to Alloy Artifacts they were fairly popular back in the 1930s and 1940s. They seem to have faded a bit since then. Like you, I’ve always felt that thin wrenches are a better choice if available.
Yadda
Crescent manufactured thin nose pliers as did Diamond. Crescent also made angle nose pliers similar to these.
fred
Diamond (as in Diamond Tool & Horseshoe) is a brand name that has faded into obscurity. With mergers and acquisitions over the years – they seemed to have gotten absorbed into what’s become Bain Capital’s Apex Tool Group. The Royal Kerckhaert Horseshoe Factory still seems to use the brand name on some farrier hammers.
The Crescent (sometimes hyphenated) brand name, on the other hand, is now being applied to many tools coming out of Apex – not just pliers, screwdrivers and wrenches. I guess the brand is thought to resonate better with consumers than ones like HK Porter, Lufkin, and Wiss
Robert
I have two different pairs of Igarashi soft jaw pliers for household use. Don’t need to use them often, but when I do they are life savers, non-marring and quite competent. And they have the ultimate stamp of approval, the wife’s.
fred
Their long slip joint pliers can also be handy:
https://www.amazon.com/Igarashi-Plier-straight-HLS-300-4953880166235/dp/B002PK0JOK?th=1
https://www.amazon.com/Igarashi-Plier-straight-HLS-300-4953880166235/dp/B002PK0JOU?th=1
Jim
I’ve used these pliers from Tsunoda to cut hundreds of cable tires in the last 3 or 4 years.
Tsunoda, KBN-125, Cable Tie Cutter (5-Inch)
If the pliers you show are similar quality they could be an excellent buy.
The design looks interesting
fred
I’ve seen this tool in use:
https://www.amazon.com/ACT-Fastening-Solutions-MG-1300-Ergonomic/dp/B004UHCI2M?th=1
But for just nipping the tie ends – the Tsunoda is almost half the price
https://www.amazon.com/Tsunoda-KBN-125-Cable-Cutter-5-Inch/dp/B07H3QL9JF
Bill
Like Fred, I’m a bit old school in this regard and I cringe at sight of pliers being used on a hex nut. There are plenty of thin and specialized, “proper” wrenches, for most any application.
Nathan
I do agree I avoid pliers mostly. There was a thin jaw adjustable wrench I’ve been meaning to get
fred
I have 2 (3 and 6-inch) of the Engineer brand ones that I’m happy with.
https://www.amazon.com/Engineer-TWM-03-Adjustable-Monkey-Wrench/dp/B000TGHOCW
Channellock (made by Irega in Spain) – sell wide mouth ones in 6 and 8 inch lengths:
https://www.amazon.com/Channellock-6-Inch-WideAzz-Adjustable-Wrench/dp/B00VBPY8Z6