If you dont have split ring pliers, what is the best thing to remove split rings with?

Needle nose pliers.

You guys use pliers? I just use my thumbnail..

If one uses split rings that will handle trophy bass, it's pretty tough on the nails.  The best tool is a very good quality split ring plier.  I think Texas Tackle are excellent.  The cheap sheet metal ones simply don't work, or don't work well.

Wrong post

Anything you use other than split ring pliers is a compromise.  I mount and remove split rings hundreds of times per year since I build and repaint baits.  The Texas Tackle pliers are among the best and are worth the money.

6 hours ago, MickD said:

If one uses split rings that will handle trophy bass, it's pretty tough on the nails.  

Yep, if I tried to open the split rings that I typically replace the stock split rings with my finger nails, I would most likely be short at least part of my thumb nail!

Texas Tackle split ring pliers are the only way to go. The standard sized ones w the yellow handles cover all the baits I use so far. @ TW for 14.99

i use my finger nails, insert the nail between the ring, slide it away but keeping it in, you want the entrance or exit to be wedged up, slide the bait in or out of the split ring, remove your nil, now you just slide it out. much harder to explain than do

Texas tackle pliers,  only way to go. 

8 hours ago, CrustyMono said:

i use my finger nails, insert the nail between the ring, slide it away but keeping it in, you want the entrance or exit to be wedged up, slide the bait in or out of the split ring, remove your nil, now you just slide it out. much harder to explain than do

Buy some heavy duty ones, like for salmon, and report back.  :-)

 

In a pinch the nail file on a small swiss army knife works very well, it's thin, strong, and dull enough not to draw blood when you jam it into your palm.  

+1 to Texas Tackle.  I tried using my fingernails and needle nose pliers at first but when I decided to swap out the front trebles on a lot of my squarebills I got a pair of split ring pliers.  Never using anything else.

On 11/20/2016 at 2:27 AM, TxHawgs said:

Texas Tackle split ring pliers are the only way to go. The standard sized ones w the yellow handles cover all the baits I use so far. @ TW for 14.99

THESE^ I got a pair this year and they are awesome!

I used my fingernails for a long time but when you start using beefier split rings on larger baits and need to open them wide enough to get larger trebles on, you really do need pliers of some sort. 

In a pinch I've used a willow leaf spinner blade .

Texas Tackle

On 11/20/2016 at 1:27 AM, TxHawgs said:

Texas Tackle split ring pliers are the only way to go. The standard sized ones w the yellow handles cover all the baits I use so far. @ TW for 14.99

This is the correct answer to your question.

Buy the pliers..well worth it, otherwise I use my nail.

On 11/21/2016 at 1:06 PM, scaleface said:

In a pinch I've used a willow leaf spinner blade .

 

+1 Looks like I am going to have to order one from Texas Tackle.

Dikes....cut 'em off, they're cheap.

14 minutes ago, 2tall79 said:

Dikes....cut 'em off, they're cheap.

Not if you get high quality split rings, then they can add up.  Plus then you have to figure out how to put new split rings on, and the hooks on the split rings. So not only would that waste split rings, it would also mean putting both the hook and the eye on the split rings, instead of probably just having to put the hook on (unless your replacing the split rings anyway).

59 minutes ago, IndianaFinesse said:

Not if you get high quality split rings, then they can add up.  Plus then you have to figure out how to put new split rings on, and the hooks on the split rings. So not only would that waste split rings, it would also mean putting both the hook and the eye on the split rings, instead of probably just having to put the hook on (unless your replacing the split rings anyway).

 

I use to work with an old carpenter that told me that those slots they put in screws are for taking them out.

Fingernails or pliers if I can't get them open.

I got some good ones from the crafting store it's called Michaels out my way. I think they are for making jewelry.  These are way better than the fishing ones that I bought before plus cheaper.

http://www.michaels.com/10121254.html#q=Split+ring+remover&start=10

split ring pliers, I can manage it with needle nose but it is truly a pain after doing it with split ring pliers.