Lee Valley NWS Straight & Offset Needle-Nose Pliers

The German firm NWS (Nöthen Werkzeuge Solingen) makes tools that are widely recognized in Europe for exceptional quality, innovation and performance.

Useful for detail work, these pliers have long, slender jaws divided into five zones, each suited to a different range of tasks. Starting at the tips, the toothed jaw section provides good grip, followed by smooth jaw surfaces useful for bending material with reduced risk of marring. A small gap in the middle of the jaws (sometimes called a “burner hole”) has toothed sidewalls for a firm bite on round materials.

Next to the hinge, the robust side-cutter has induction-hardened, double-bevelled edges capable of cutting wire or small nails and screws. The jaw recess opposite the side-cutter has a pattern of points and flats to engage nuts or bolts from 3/8″ to 3/4″.

The pliers are available in 6 3/4″ or 8″ lengths, with straight jaws or with offset tips that provide leverage for prying or clearance when working flush to a surface. The small pliers have 2″ long jaws tapering to 1/8″ at the tip, with a 2 3/4″ maximum opening. The large pliers have 2 7/8″ jaws that taper to 3/16″ and open to 3 1/4″.