The most important thing to know about price is that the lower the price the more variation there can be in manufacture of the plier. That means that the pliers with the one $ symbol can have a fatter or thinner tip from plier to plier. If you are using the plier on the edge of that pliers capability you may want to start with a $$ plier.

To determine the maximum size we recommend for a plier a person with moderate hand strength opened and closed rings. The pliers were held in the same way in which they would be used while weaving. (as opposed to a way that maximizes their force on one loose ring) A larger inside diameter ring is easier to open than a tight ring. For example a 14g 1/2" ring is considerably easier to open compared to a 14g 1/4" ring. We used common, mid-sized ID's for our testing. The following is the list we used

Stainless 12g 1/2", 14g 3/8", 16g 5/16", 18g 3/16"

Copper 14g 3/8", 16g 5/16"

Bronze 14g 3/8", 16g 5/16", 18g 3/16"

Aluminum 12g 7/16", 14g 3/8", 16g 5/16", 18g 3/16"

Remember the size listed is the MAX size we recommend. This means while you can weave this size using the plier as noted you will find that if you want to weave a very large project that going to plier where the size you are weaving is less than the max will be easier.

For example you can weave 16g stainless using our brand wide nose plier BUT you will find it a lot easier with any of the flat nose pliers that have a max of 14g.

Please also keep in mind that regardless of recommendation here in some cases you will simply need a plier to close a ring in a weave when that plier is not the best for the job. For example if you are closing a ring in a tight spot in a weave you may need to use a chain nose to be able to get at the ring - even if the ring is 16g stainless.

Please keep all of these factors in mind as you read the data shown. Someone with great hand strength and skill can use an unsuitable plier to open a strong large ring - that isn't the point of this data.

ROUND NOSE PLIERS: the test was to make a loop at the end of a piece of wire.

NYLON JAW PLIERS: these pliers are useful on soft materials in thicker sizes only. Harder materials will damage the plier. The tip is too fat for smaller rings.

BENT NOSE PLIERS: these pliers can be used like a chain nose as well as like a wide nose (with more plier making contact with the ring). These tests were done with more jaw in contact with the ring. The best use of these pliers is in your off hand with a wide or chain in your primary hand.

The limiting factor for this piece of data is the tip size of the plier. In certain weaves you will always need a finer tip to get into the weave. The data shown here is for a middle ring in a byzantine weave. This is a very forgiving weave in most cases but if you need to get into the weave to say touch up a closure your pliers tips need to fit.

The following is the list of ring sizes used for the byzantine weave tip test:

18g 5/32", 19g 9/64", 20g 7/64", 22g 3/32", 24g 5/64"

As with the max thickness test, a skilled mailler can use a fat jawed plier to close a tiny ring in a weave, but again that is not the point of this data. We tested with average skill in mind.

Also as with the max test if you intend on doing an entire project in the minimum size listed you will find it easier to use pliers that are rated with a smaller minimum. The minimum listed is the edge, not the easiest.

12g = 0.1' = 2.4mm = 12g SWG = 10g AWG

14g = 0.08' = 2.0mm = 14g SWG = 12g AWG

16g = 0.63' = 1.6mm = 16g SWG = 14g AWG

18g = 0.48' = 1.2mm = 18g SWG = 16g AWG

19g = 0.4' = 1.0mm = 19g SWG = 18g AWG

20g = 0.32' = 0.8mm = 20g AWG