The main difference is the grip. With pliers you grip the handles using your entire hand. When using tweezers you use your thumb and index finger to press the tip of the tweezers together and open the split ring.
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Vintage 8" Pilling-Phila Stainless Medical Surgical Tweezers 1/1 on Ebay. See the pictures for the condition. For additional questions or pictures please reach out.
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