Hi,
I'm also having problems with ringing pliers. I'm not old enough to have a pair of original Lambourne pliers, now much lauded by older ringers and worth much more second hand than new pliers. The first pair I had were described by several older ringers as the only pair of that style they had ever tried that were good - closure on rings was consistently good. However, the other weakness of modern production came into play - steel quality. Steel from Asia just doesn't cut it compared with what used to be produced here or in Germany. I ring a lot of birds, and after a few thousand I couldn't get closure. The A hole became so worn they closed too far over an open AA ring eventually making it impossible to get a bird's leg in through between the jaws holding the ring. I used the B hole enough for closure to become a problem too.
Next pair I got is stamped THE and A2-70. These too have given consistently good closure. When I thought they were starting to get worn I spoke to BTO about this, to find that they were actively trying to source better pliers. They even sent me a pair of blanks to ask a local machinist (who has a well earned "can-do" reputation) to see if he could machine the holes. Unfortunately the answer was no.
So BTO have sourced new pliers branded Porzana, Made in Germany. I have now tried three pairs and found the same issue to varying degrees with all of them. For the B hole in particular after the final closure the ring can stick in one half of the pliers - and you have to get it out with the bird's leg through the ring. It is awkward, and I've never had an issue for the bird but ... When I first reported this BTO said they hadn't had any other complaints on this problem. It hasn't got better with use, and trying to squeeze less hard tends to end with poor closure. I have now tried more pairs (as above) and reported back to BTO and am awaiting response. Because of the precise hole size and shape I am wary of trying to do something myself, but might think about trying to polish as the surface in the holes is not smooth. Whatever else, I hope durability will be better if these are made in Germany - they tend to use home made raw materials.
At the moment I am using Porzanas for all sizes (A-E) except B and use the THE pair for those, hoping I wont wear the THEs too quick in the meantime.
Which "new" BTO pliers do you mean ? BTO have used different sources through the years and it may be the comments you read are not directed at the latest, maybe I have a bad technique or been unlucky if no-one else has this particular problem.
If you are not ringing much, don't buy until you need to ring independently. Maybe Porzana pliers will be more polished (in every sense) by then.
Regards, Mike.
P.S. Just spoke to BTO and the issue with rings sticking in the B hole of pliers has now been reported quite widely though is by no means universal. This issue is being referred back to the manufacturer.
