These might as well be renamed X-crap.  The pliers are junk, barely strong enough to crimp a split-shot, much less apply enough force to remove a hook from a fish.

What ones are you using?

That is good to know.  I have a pair still in the package in the garage.  I'll have to use them as a gag gift then.

Didn't the pliers win an iCast award a few years back?

I have no issues with mine.

Falcon

I had the ones that don't have the metal insert, so I was gripping the hook with the plastic. These ones are not well-designed (except for the line cutter which cut through braided line like nothing I've ever used).

I think the X-Tool pliers with the metal inserts look pretty functional. I just don't like how bulky they are.

($.01+$.01)