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You are here: Home / Tools Comparisons / 100+ Types of Pliers (With Pictures) [Updated]

100+ Types of Pliers (With Pictures) [Updated]

By Editorial Board 1 Comment

I bet you have pliers at home. One or two pairs are definitely there.

But how many different types can you immediately name?
3, 5, maybe 10.

Don’t answer that. There are more than 100 types of pliers.

We’ve collected all of them in this most complete guide. Let’s dive right in.


What Are Pliers?

According to the Encyclopedia Britannica:

Pliers, hand-operated tool for holding and gripping small articles
or for bending and cutting wire.
— Britannica

The anatomy of pliers consists of a pair of metal levers joined at a fulcrum
positioned closer to one end of the levers, creating short jaws
on one side of the fulcrum, and longer handles on the other side (Wikipedia).

Pliers drawing #1 from Patent No. 335,694 Thomas G. Hall February 9, 1886
← Pliers drawing #1
from Patent No. 335,694
Thomas G. Hall
February 9, 1886

Pliers drawing #2
from Patent No. 477,066
Sanford Obadiah Root
June 14, 1892
↓

Pliers drawing #2 from Patent No. 477,066 Sanford Obadiah Root June 14, 1892

In this guide, we have tried to collect all the types of pliers with names that meet this definition of anatomy.


Contents

1 Combination Pliers Content

1. Combination Pliers

2_Wire Strippers Content

2. Wire Strippers

3 Gripping Pliers _Content

3. Gripping Pliers

4. Circlip Pliers

{in progress}

5. Pincers

{in progress}

6. Cutting Pliers

{in progress}

7. Water Pump Pliers

{in progress}

8. Cable Shears

{in progress}

9. Crimping Pliers

{in progress}

10. Electronics Pliers

{in progress}

11. Grip Pliers

{in progress}

1300 Jewelry Pliers _Content

12. Jewelry Pliers

13. Other Pliers

{in progress}

…
…

1. Combination Pliers

100 Combination Pliers Header

Combination pliers are used in a wide variety of settings, from the home to the workshop.
They make it possible to grip, handle, and manipulate a variety of objects.

The shape of these types of pliers varies.  But generally, the main feature of the combination pliers
is the jaws with three or more sections for gripping, cutting, stripping, and other functions.

Okay, here we go to the types of combination pliers.

Combination Pliers
Combination Pliers
(the most traditional design)

Built-in functions (from tips to handles):

  • serrated gripping surfaces
  • pipe grip
  • cutters

Angled Combination Pliers
Angled Combination Pliers

Built-in functions (from tips to handles):

  • serrated gripping surfaces
  • pipe grip
  • cutters

High Leverage Combination Pliers
High Leverage Combination Pliers

Built-in functions (from tips to handles):

  • serrated gripping surfaces
  • pipe grip
  • high leverage cutters

Needle-Nose Combination Pliers
Needle-Nose Combination Pliers

Built-in functions (from tips to handles):

  • pointed jaws (needle-nose)
  • smooth gripping surfaces
  • serrated gripping surfaces
  • pipe grip
  • cutters

Combination Pliers with build-in socket
Combination Pliers With Build-In Socket

Built-in functions (from tips to handles):

  • smooth gripping surfaces
  • serrated gripping surfaces
  • pipe grip
  • cutter
  • socket wrench

.

Lineman's Pliers
Lineman’s Pliers

Built-in functions (from tips to handles):

  • cross-hatched gripping surfaces
  • high leverage cutter
  • crimping die for wire ferrules
  • serrated gripping surfaces

Lineman's Fish Tape Pulling Pliers
Lineman’s Fish Tape Pulling Pliers

Built-in functions (from tips to handles):

  • cross-hatched gripping surfaces
  • high leverage cutter
  • fish tape puller
.

📖 Related Reading: Our reviews of the best lineman pliers

 

Electricians' Pliers
Electricians’ Pliers

Built-in functions (from tips to handles):

  • serrated gripping surfaces
  • wire grip
  • precision wire stripping holes
  • wire cutter
  • crimping dies for wire ferrules

.

Pliers for Electrical Installation
Pliers for Electrical Installation

Built-in functions (from tips to handles):

  • clear-cut outside edge
  • smooth gripping surfaces
  • serrated gripping surfaces
  • pipe grip
  • crimping die for wire ferrules
  • wire stripping holes
  • cable shears

.

Flat Nose Pliers With Cutting Edges
Flat Nose Pliers With Cutting Edges — Precision Mechanics Pliers

Built-in functions (from tips to handles):

  • flat long jaws
  • smooth gripping surfaces
  • wire cutter

Snipe Nose Side Cutting Pliers (Radio Pliers)
Snipe Nose Side Cutting Pliers — Radio Pliers

Built-in functions (from tips to handles):

  • pointed jaws (needle-nose)
  • serrated gripping surfaces
  • wire cutter

Snipe Nose Side Cutting Pliers (Radio Pliers) With Angled Jaws
Snipe Nose Side Cutting Pliers (Radio Pliers) With Angled Jaws

Built-in functions (from tips to handles):

  • pointed jaws (needle-nose)
  • angled jaws
  • serrated gripping surfaces
  • wire cutter

Snipe Nose Side Cutting Pliers — Stork Beak Pliers
Snipe Nose Side Cutting Pliers — Stork Beak Pliers

Built-in functions (from tips to handles):

  • half-round long tapered jaws (snipe nose)
  • serrated gripping surfaces
  • wire cutter

Snipe Nose Side Cutting Pliers (Stork Beak Pliers) With Angled Jaws
Snipe Nose Side Cutting Pliers (Stork Beak Pliers) With Angled Jaws

Built-in functions (from tips to handles):

  • half-round long tapered jaws (snipe nose)
  • angled jaws
  • serrated gripping surfaces
  • wire cutter

Snipe Nose Pliers With Centre Cutter — Telephone Pliers
Snipe Nose Pliers With Centre Cutter — Telephone Pliers

Built-in functions (from tips to handles):

  • pointed jaws (snipe nose)
  • serrated gripping surfaces
  • center cutter for soft wire
  • smooth gripping surfaces

2. Wire Strippers

200 Wire Strippers Header

A wire stripper is a small tool that you can use to strip the outer insulation off of conductors.
It looks like a pair of tweezers and has one or more sharpened teeth which grab onto the insulation
to pull it off.

Most have several rows of teeth so they can grab several strands at once.
They are typically used for stripping wire or cable and removing the outer sheath
from communications cables or other metallic cables such as power lines.

Okay, here we go to the types of wire strippers (also known as stripping pliers).

201_Automatic Insulation Stripper
Automatic Insulation Stripper

Key feature — automatic adjustment to conductors with standard insulation.

206_Self-Adjusting Insulation Stripper
Self-Adjusting Insulation Stripper

Key feature — automatic adjustment to conductors with single-layer insulation.

205_Insulation Stripper With adapted blades
Insulation Stripper With Adapted Blades

Key feature — circular cut for tough, hard insulation materials (rubber, PTFE, silicone, radox, Kapton).

202_Insulation Stripper With Opening Spring
Universal Insulation Stripper

The perfect tool for NYM cable stripping.

Built-in knurled screw and lock nut allow adjusting pliers for stripping up to Ø 5.0 mm or 10 mm² conductors with plastic or rubber insulation.

211_Insulation strippers with cable shears
Insulation Strippers With Cable Shears

The improved version of Universal Insulation Stripper has built-in cable shears.

Built-in knurled screw and lock nut allow adjusting pliers for stripping up to Ø 5.0 mm or 10 mm² conductors with plastic or rubber insulation.

215_Wire stripping pliers, self adjusting
Wire Self-adjusting Stripping Pliers

Pliers have self-adjusting cutter hole for cutting a wire or stranded wires up to Ø 5.0 mm.

204_Electronics Wire Stripper
Electronics Wire Stripper

Designed for single, multiple, and fine stranded cables stripping up to Ø 0.1 up to 0.8 mm with plastic or rubber insulation.

Built-in knurled screw and lock nut provide step-less adjustment to the required diameter of the wire.

203_Electronics Wire Stripping Shears
Electronics Wire Stripping Shears

Designed for cutting and stripping solid, multicore, and finely stranded conductors.

Pliers have knurled screw and lock nut for step-less adjustment to the required diameter of solid or stranded wire.

208_Automatic Stripping Pliers
Automatic Stripping Pliers

Designed for multi-core cable stripping with uneven cross-section.

Extremely suitable for highly flexible TPE-U-pipes, PUR and PVC cable sheathing, rubber leads.

209_Wire Stripper for fibre optics
Wire Stripper For Fibre Optics

Designed to remove the primary and secondary coating of fiber optics.

210_Stripper for round sheathed cables
Stripper For Round Sheathed Cables

Built-in functions (from tips to handles):

  • round sheathed cable (e.g. NYM) stripping hole
  • precision stripping holes for single conductors

212_Diagonal Insulation Stripper
Diagonal Insulation Stripper

Built-in functions (from tips to handles):

  • diagonal cutter
  • precision stripping holes for single conductors

213_Precision Insulation Stripper
Precision Insulation Stripper

Designed for thin cables stripping.

214_Wire Stripper-Cutter for Solid & Stranded Wire
Wire Stripper-Cutter for Solid & Stranded Wire

Built-in functions (from tips to handles):

  • serrated gripping surfaces
  • stripping holes for single conductors
  • cable shears
  • bolt cutter threads

 


3. Gripping Pliers

3 Gripping Pliers Header

Gripping pliers are useful for holding cylindrical objects or flat material you wish to rotate,
such as nuts and bolts.

They can be used to add leverage during assembly, or even as a pincer-like tool
that allows you to lift heavier objects.

Gripping pliers also is great for crafts, maintenance at home, and travel.

Okay, here we go to the types of gripping pliers.

302_Flat Nose Pliers
Flat Nose Pliers

The most traditional design of gripping pliers.

301_Mechanic's Pliers
Mechanic’s Pliers

.

316_Mechanic's Pliers angled, half-round, long jaws
Mechanic’s Pliers With Angled Jaws

Designed for gripping spark plugs and round components.

303_Round Nose Pliers
Round Nose Pliers

.

321_Round Nose Pliers with cutting edge (Jewellers' Pliers)
Round Nose Pliers With Cutting Edge 

The improved version of Round Nose Pliers has a built-in wire cutter.

309_Halogen Bulb Exchange Pliers
Halogen Bulb Exchange Pliers

Has plastic-coated gripping surfaces for the wedge base bulbs installation.

304_Long Reach Needle Nose Pliers
Long Reach Needle Nose Pliers
— Assembly Pliers

.

305_Long Reach Needle Nose Pliers With transverse profiles_v2
Long Reach Needle Nose Pliers With Transverse Profiles
— Assembly Pliers

.

307_Telephone Pliers
Telephone Pliers

.

…

…

{in progress}


4. Circlip Pliers

[header picture]

Circlip pliers are also called buttonhole clippers or buttonholer pliers.

They are a particular type of hand tool designed for installing and removing small C-clips.
This mechanism is used in a wide range of equipment including car engines,
flashlight batteries, cameras, musical instruments such as pianos and guitars,
televisions, printers, copiers, toys such as Matchbox cars, and models kits.

The jaws of circlip pliers are designed to grip tight and not slip during
use so you will never have to chase C-clips when trying to remove them from a fastener area.

Okay, here we go to the types of circlip pliers.

– – –

Circlip Pliers For internal circlips in bore holes

Circlip Pliers For internal circlips in bore holes with 90° angled jaws

Circlip Pliers For internal circlips in boreholes with 45° angled jaws

– – –

Circlip Pliers For external circlips on shafts

Circlip Pliers For external circlips on shafts with 90° angled jaws

Circlip Pliers For external circlips on shafts with 45° angled jaws

– – –

Circlip Pliers For external circlips on shafts

Circlip Pliers For external circlips on shafts with 90° angled jaws

Circlip Pliers For external circlips on shafts with 45° angled jaws

– – –

Precision Circlip Pliers For internal circlips in bore holes

Precision Circlip Pliers For internal circlips in boreholes with 90° angled jaws

Precision Circlip Pliers For internal circlips in boreholes with overstretching limiter

– – –

Precision Circlip Pliers For internal circlips in boreholes with overstretching limiter with 90° angled jaws

Precision Circlip Pliers For external circlips on shafts

Precision Circlip Pliers For external circlips on shafts with 90° angled jaws

– – –

Precision Circlip Pliers for external circlips on shafts with overstretching limiter

Precision Circlip Pliers for external circlips on shafts with overstretching limiter with 90° angled jaws

…

 

{in progress}


5. Pincers

[header picture]

Pincers are a type of hand tool that has two jaws, or prongs,
designed to grip and lift or hold objects. They may be composed of a set of clamps,
or a pair of tongs joined by an axis of mutual elbow joint.

Pincers are often forged from steel and fitted with sharpened teeth that allow them to
grip objects securely.

Pincers can be used for a variety of purposes such as opening bottles,
lifting heavy items, turning doorknobs or locks, pulling weeds, and many more.

Okay, here we go to the types of pincers.

– – –

Carpenters’ Pincers

Hammerhead Style Carpenters’ Pincers

Potters’ Pincers
(Brick Pincers)

– – –

Glass Breaking Pincers

Glass Nibbling Pincers

…

{in progress}


6. Cutting Pliers

[header picture]

Cutting pliers are designed for the cutting of wire or cable.
They are smaller and thinner than general-purpose pliers with a strong jaw
opening that enables you to dig into tight spaces of crimping and cutting cables,
including wire rope.

Some cutting pliers have serrated jaws. Serrated cutting edges allow to cut wire
by pushing them away from the head instead of pulling them toward it.
They allow you to cut through tougher materials more quickly, without dulling the
tool’s edge as quickly.

Okay, here we go to the types of cutting pliers.

– – –

Diagonal Cutter

High Leverage Diagonal Cutter — Power Side Cutter

Bolt End Cutting Nipper High Lever Transmission

– – –

Electronics Oblique Cutting Nipper

Electronics End Cutting Nipper

High Leverage End Cutting Nipper

– –

End Cutting Nipper

End Cutting Nipper For Mechanics

Compact Bolt Cutters

– –

Bolt Cutter

Concrete Mesh Cutter

…

– –

Diagonal Cutter For Plastics

Diagonal Cutter for plastics 45° angled blades

Diagonal Cutter for plastics 45° angled blades ver.2

– –

High Leverage Centre Cutter

Cable Cutting Pliers

Curved Jaw Cable Cutter

– –

End Cutting Long Reach Pliers

Lever Action Top Cutters
— Lever-action End Cutter

…

– –

Long-Reach Diagonal Cutter

Long-Reach End Cutter

…

{in progress}


7. Water Pump Pliers

[header picture]

Also known as tongue-and-groove pliers.

They are primarily designed to hold nuts or turn bolts in place.

It consists of two pairs of clamps that can be fitted over each other to grip objects
of various shapes, including the odd-shaped bolt head.

In addition, it is possible to rotate objects while holding them in one position
using this pair of pliers.

Okay, here we go to the types of water pump pliers.

– – –

Water Pump Pliers

Hightech Water Pump Pliers

…

– – –

Siphon and Connector Pliers

Siphon and Connector Pliers With Exchangeable Plastic Jaws For Sensitive Surfaces

…

– – –

Pipe Wrench 90°

Pipe Wrench 45°

Pipe Wrench S-Type

– – –

Mini Water Pump Pliers With Groove Joint

Oil Filter/PVC Pipe Pliers

…

{in progress}


8. Cable and Wire Rope Shears

[header picture]

Cable shears are used for cutting soft copper and aluminum cables in electrical construction.

It can cut single conductors up to 6 mm thick and multiple stranded cables up to 10 mm wide.
Also suitable for cutting plastic coated copper wire, stainless steel cable,
braided nylon fishing lines, and many other flexible twine materials.

Okay, here we go to the types of cable shears.

– – –

StepCut Pliers

Cable Shears

Cable Shears With Twin Cutting Edge

– – –

Cable Shears With Opening Spring

Cable Cutter (Ratchet Action)

Bowden Cable Cutter

– – –

Wire Rope Cutter Forged

…

…

{in progress}


9. Crimping Pliers

[header picture]

Crimping pliers are essential for any electrician, mechanic, hobbyist, or handyman
who needs to join two pieces of metal or components.

These pliers are easy to use — simply slide them under the prongs of the tool and squeeze,
forming a tight seal between the two pieces of metal or components-no ratcheting required.

They work with a variety of materials including aluminum, stainless steel, copper, and brass.

Okay, here we go to the types of crimping pliers.

– – –

Crimping Pliers

Crimping Pliers For Two-hand Operation

Crimping Pliers For Scotchlok™ Connectors With Side Cutter

– – –

Crimping Pliers For Wire Ferrules

Crimping Pliers For Wire Ferrules ver.2

Crimping Pliers For Wire Ferrules With Front Loading

– – –

IDC Connector Crimping Pliers

…

…

{in progress}


10. Electronics Pliers

[header picture]

Electronics pliers are small hand tools, similar to normal pliers except for their smaller size
and additional features like spring-loaded jaws, wire cutters, cell phone grips, and more.
This enables you to work with smaller parts and components like cell phones, mp3 players,
or other electronic devices without damaging them.

Using electronics pliers can reduce stress in your hands because of the smaller size
which can lead to less pain in the long run when working with different devices.

Okay, here we go to the types of electronics pliers, and their uses.

– – –

Electronics Pliers

Electronics Pliers With 45° Bent Half-round Jaws

Electronics Pliers With Long Trapezoidal Jaws

– – –

Electronics Pliers With Long Trapezoidal 45° Bent Half-round Long Jaws

Electronics Mounting Pliers

Electronics Diagonal Cutter

– – –

Precision Electronics Diagonal Cutter

…

…

{in progress}


11. Grip Pliers

[header picture]

The grip pliers are designed to hold objects firmly in place and clamp them securely.

Ideal for holding pieces together while gluing, screwing, or welding, they are also strong enough
to grip rough wood and plastic shims without crushing them.

Okay, here we go to the types of grip pliers. (not the same as gripping pliers)

– – –

Grip Pliers — Locking Pliers

Long-Nose Grip Pliers

Long-Nose Grip Pliers With 70° Angled Jaws

– – –

Welding Grip Pliers

Welding Grip Pliers With hHgh Webs up to 40 mm

Grip Wrench

– – –

Blacksmith’s Tongs

Blacksmith’s Tongs With Wolf’s Jaw

…

– – –

Seaming Pliers

Seaming Pliers With Angled Jaws

…

– – –

Balance Weight Pliers

Wide Jaw grip Wrench

Conduit Locknut and Reaming Pliers

– – –

Slip-Joint Pliers

Slip Joint Pliers Hose Clamp

Fencing Pliers

– – –

Ironworkers Pliers

Adjustable Pliers

…

{in progress}


12. Jewelry Pliers

1300_Jewelry Pliers Header

These pliers are ideal for those who make jewelry regularly and want to increase
their efficiency without compromising on the quality of workmanship.

The tips of the jaws have been carefully chamfered to provide a comfortable
grip when closing small rings or clasping bracelets or necklaces.

Jewelry pliers feature a lightweight design that reduces hand and wrist fatigue while working.

Okay, here we go to the types of jewelry pliers, and their uses.

1303_Half Round Pliers (Ring Bending Pliers)
Half Round Pliers —
Ring Bending Pliers

One of the jaws has a half-round cross-section for ring curving and forming.

1304_Round Nose Jewellers Pliers
Round Nose Jewellers Pliers

Pliers are great for bending loops and curves in metal sheets and wire.

1305_Flat Nose Jewellers Pliers
Flat Nose Jewellers Pliers

Pliers are great for gripping wider surfaces, bending angles in metal sheets and wire, and for opening and closing jump rings.

1306_Snipe Nose Jewellers Pliers
Snipe Nose Jewellers Pliers

The main uses of these pliers are bending metal sheets and wire in awkward to reach places

1307_Double Nylon Jaw Flat Nose Pliers
Double Nylon Jaw Flat Nose Pliers

Key feature — nylon jaws that protect the wire from scratches and dents, when opening and closing large jump rings or when using wire wrapping techniques.

1308_Snipe Nose Precision Jewellers Pliers
Snipe Nose Precision Jewellers Pliers

The main purpose of these pliers is for opening and closing jump rings, wire wrapping techniques, bending metal wire, and sheet metal.

– – –

1301_Flat Nose Parallel Pliers

Flat Nose Parallel Pliers

…

1302_Snipe Nose Parallel Pliers

Snipe Nose Parallel Pliers

…

1322_Round and Concave Nose Parallel Pliers

Round and Concave Nose Parallel Pliers

…

– – –

Double Nylon Jaw Flat Nose Pliers

Snipe Nose Precision Jewellers Pliers

Stone Setting Pliers

– – –

Crimping Jewellers Pliers

Wire Bending Pliers

Loop Rite Pliers

– – –

Square Rite Plier

Hollow/Round Nose Piers

Hooked Jaws Dimple Pliers

– – –

Metal Hole Punch Pliers

1-Step Looper Pliers

Coil-Cutting Pliers

– – –

Jump Ring/Loop Closing Pliers

Reshaping Rings Jewelry Pliers

Split Ring Pliers

– – –

Round and Concave Nose Parallel Pliers

…

…

{in progress}


13. Other Types of Pliers

[header picture]

And finally, let’s find out the other types of pliers, and their uses.

– – –

Piston Ring Pliers

Piston Ring Pliers ver.2

…

– – –

Screw Extraction and Lineman’s Pliers

Screw Extractor VamPliers

Revolving Punch Pliers

– – –

Tile Breaking Pliers

Spark Plug Socket Pliers Milled Jaw

Spark Plug Socket Pliers Long Jaw

– – –

Trim Clip Pliers

…

…

{in progress}


 

References

1. Pliers Tool. Encyclopædia Britannica.
2. Pliers. Wikipedia.
3. United States Patent and Trademark Office.
4. DATAMP — Directory of American Tool and Machinery Patents.

Table of Contents

  • What Are Pliers?
  • Contents
  • 1. Combination Pliers
  • 2. Wire Strippers
  • 3. Gripping Pliers
  • 4. Circlip Pliers
  • 5. Pincers
  • 6. Cutting Pliers
  • 7. Water Pump Pliers
  • 8. Cable and Wire Rope Shears
  • 9. Crimping Pliers
  • 10. Electronics Pliers
  • 11. Grip Pliers
  • 12. Jewelry Pliers
  • 13. Other Types of Pliers
  • References

Filed Under: Editorials, Hand Tools, Tools Comparisons Tagged With: Definitive Guide, Pliers

Comments

  1. judi online says

    at

    Hi, just wanted to say, I enjoyed this article. It was practical.
    Keep on posting!

    Reply

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