English Hackle Plier

I've collected a number of hackle pliers over the decades.
Yet, my English style pliers are the ones I use most, by far. So, here I am looking to obtain some more.

Pliers cutting dubbing loops, feathers, flash and whatever through sharp edges. The worst are the bent punched flat spring steel ones with very sharp edges.
If necessary rubber tube pieces work to minimize damage to materials.

Unfortunately, those same rubber, dip additives reduce the finesse English hackle pliers bring to the vise. As does using vise grips to hold them open.

Stoning/filing the edges of hackle pliers reduces sharp edges. Stoning/filing the plier tip surfaces flat greatly aids their ability to grip effectively.

What matters most is ensuring the plier tips are parallel and flat to each other. That they grip evenly. Well, that and grip strength of the pliers. Sometimes, the tips must be separated and spread apart to maintain a pliers strong grip.

If one insists on using rubber cement or dip-it on plier lips, unhook the plier lips and let the pliers spread out, then apply and let dry. Don't use vise grips!

I've seen nothing on the market for hackle pliers that grip like the English style. But the other reviewers are correct about how the grip can slice off the stem of a feather, especially near the tip. Years ago, I partially solved this problem by coating the gripping surface with Barge cement and lodging a thin pencil or dowell between the jaws until the cement dried, which took about a day. After awhile, the Barge cement would wear off and I would have to re-treat the pliers. Later, I glued a snippet of a rubber band to one jaw for an even better grip, but it slipped off after awhile. The best answer to date has been a thin plastic or rubber tube glued to the jaws. I've used the plastic insulation from wire, plastic sleeve from flylines, and thin surgical tubing. Choose tubing that has some elasticity and has a diameter smaller than the jaws. Then stretch it over each jaw. A little cement on the jaws helps to keep the tubing in place. Oh, it's quite a chore working the tubing over each jaw while trying to keep the pliers open. Try Vise-grip pliers to keep the hackle plier open while you work the tubing over the jaws. This is a simple DIY project, which provides you with truly effective hackle pliers. I've read of pliers on the market that have such tubing on the jaws. But why spend money on something you can provide easily yourself?

I really like these pliers. I did not find them to be over tight for use. They definitely do not slip off whatever I have attatched them to. I highly suggest putting them in line with feather stems and items vs. a right angle to the item you clamp with these. Also I highly recomend placing them a half inch or so from the feather tip.