Channellock 548 or new Icon slip Joints?

[ForrestT]

Curious if you like your Channellock 548’s or the new Icon slip joints better?

 

[gmt]

Biggest difference is the Channellocks are a 2 position plier while the new Icons are 3 (like Snap on).
I have all three and like them all. Plus I don't think Channellock makes the 548 anymore.

 

[sparky 1971]

The Channellock 546, 548, and 5410 pliers were, in my opinion, the finest slip joint pliers made at the price point, at a minimum, the best I've ever used. I have one of each and two 5410's. I was actually at HF last week and had the Icon pliers in my hand. The first thing I thought of was that these are nice, but I like the 5410's better so I put them back. Unfortunately, Channellock made a brilliant move and dropped the 54 series pliers a few years ago.

 

[ItsNemo]

Knipex Twin Grips have entered the chat...

But I do like my 548's and 546's

 

[Gordon84]

The Channellock 546, 548, and 5410 pliers were, in my opinion, the finest slip joint pliers made at the price point, at a minimum, the best I've ever used. I have one of each and two 5410's. I was actually at HF last week and had the Icon pliers in my hand. The first thing I thought of was that these are nice, but I like the 5410's better so I put them back. Unfortunately, Channellock made a brilliant move and dropped the 54 series pliers a few years ago.

I got lucky and bought the last 2 new 546's on ebay...I also like the cancelled Little Champ series pliers and cutters for small intricate work. Luckily, I have a spare set of the Little Champ series pliers/cutters..... I don't what is up with Channellock dropping so many products lately.

 

[NoahG]

The 546/8/10 were truly the best slip joints made.

I’m really worried that Channellock isn’t doing well/is too focused on the big box market.

I don’t like the XLT end cutters either, they’re too narrow and I can’t pull nails with them like a wider jaw model.

 

[ForrestT]

The Channellock 546, 548, and 5410 pliers were, in my opinion, the finest slip joint pliers made at the price point, at a minimum, the best I've ever used. I have one of each and two 5410's. I was actually at HF last week and had the Icon pliers in my hand. The first thing I thought of was that these are nice, but I like the 5410's better so I put them back. Unfortunately, Channellock made a brilliant move and dropped the 54 series pliers a few years ago.

I did the same thing. Thought about and decided I’d rather keep my eyes open for another set of 548’s at the flea market this year.

 

[ForrestT]

The 546/8/10 were truly the best slip joints made.

I’m really worried that Channellock isn’t doing well/is too focused on the big box market.

I don’t like the XLT end cutters either, they’re too narrow and I can’t pull nails with them like a wider jaw model.

Noticed this as well.

 

[pavmentango]

I bought everyone of the new channellock pliers except the tongue and groove and every single one had a major issue that made me not use them, I searched all over ebay for new old stock and managed to find a full set of what I needed "stamped" and they're night and day difference. I have called them and they DO want to hear from you. Unfortunately they're not what they used to be.a

 

[B_Bimmer]

I don't know how I missed this thread when it started but I also believe the 548's are the finest pliers ever made. I have several of the snap on pliers icon is copying and I pick 548's every time. They are an amazing tool.

 

[F-22]

Guess it depends on what you're used to, but to me the standard fixed European combination pliers are just way nicer to use cause they don't have any wobble. The Twingrip from Knipex is probably very solid too just cause the pin is supported on both sides instead of just one (and especially cause they have positive engagement). If I need pliers that spread wider I rather use classic channellock tongue and groove pliers.

 

[pavmentango]

I did the same thing. Thought about and decided I’d rather keep my eyes open for another set of 548’s at the flea market this year.

In one year of shopping ebay for a pair I saw two and bought them both for a grand total of 80 dollars each.. good luck to you my friend.

 

[ForrestT]

Just got the Carlyle version from Napa on sale for $18.69 out the door. Still can’t believe Channellock is not making these. The 3 pair of Channellock 548’s I have were all landed on eBay. They go fast when on there.

 

[pavmentango]

Just got the Carlyle version from Napa on sale for $18.69 out the door. Still can’t believe Channellock is not making these. The 3 pair of Channellock 548’s I have were all landed on eBay. They go fast when on there.

I have the same version but rebranded for a tool truck. They're exactly the same, so are the cutters and groove joints, I almost feel like they sold them the rights to the design or They're just making there own tools in Taiwan under a different name..

 

[Steve_P]

I have the 526 and 546, along with plenty other CL pliers. The 526 and 546 have seen very little use, but the amount of wear that the teeth show is unacceptable IMO; yes, I know that they are a "consumable", but my Knipex twin grips still look new with similar use. Yes, the Knipex cost ~3X as much, but I doubt I'll buy another Channellock plier again. Chasing the low price point market is going to doom them at some point IMO; they're not going to be able to compete with China and Taiwan for long. Younger generations didn't grow up using their dad's CL pliers, CL won't have any name recognition with them, so they aren't going to be drawn to the brand.

 

[pavmentango]

I have the 526 and 546, along with plenty other CL pliers. The 526 and 546 have seen very little use, but the amount of wear that the teeth show is unacceptable IMO; yes, I know that they are a "consumable", but my Knipex twin grips still look new with similar use. Yes, the Knipex cost ~3X as much, but I doubt I'll buy another Channellock plier again. Chasing the low price point market is going to doom them at some point IMO; they're not going to be able to compete with China and Taiwan for long. Younger generations didn't grow up using their dad's CL pliers, CL won't have any name recognition with them, so they aren't going to be drawn to the

 

[pavmentango]

This is very, very true.. I bought an entire new set and I think that will be it for me.. They're basically for the kitchen drawer at this point.

 

[Ton ton]

I bought the Carlyle version of the 548 channellock pliers. Like them so far.

 

[isb cornbinder]

Curious if you like your Channellock 548’s or the new Icon slip joints better?

I will never know. I like my Channellock pliers and I will never shop at HF.

 

[pavmentango]

I guess a side question for those with the older channellocks. Would you take those home and use the newer stuff at work or the other way around? Currently in aerospace

 

[isb cornbinder]

I guess a side question for those with the older channellocks. Would you take those home and use the newer stuff at work or the other way around? Currently in automotive

Yes

 

[dnschmidt]

I know that we're all suppose to love Channellock since their American Made and all of that but these guys haven't invented a new pliers in the last fifty years whereas Knipex comes out with about one a week. And we wonder why America is falling behind.

 

[pavmentango]

If it ain't broke

 

[Wamsutta]

For slips joints I like the Wilde 10-inch.

 

[Ton ton]

I guess a side question for those with the older channellocks. Would you take those home and use the newer stuff at work or the other way around? Currently in aerospace

I like the older channellocks. The steel seems to be higher quality. Probably I would take the older channellocks to work unless you are worried about coworkers stealing them. In that case I would take the newer channellocks to work.

 

[pavmentango]

I like the older channellocks. The steel seems to be higher quality. Probably I would take the older channellocks to work unless you are worried about coworkers stealing them. In that case I would take the newer channellocks to work.

They most definitely rust differently, I have a stamped meadville set, a stamped usa set and a new laser edged set. All three "feel" differently

 

[Steve_P]

I know that we're all suppose to love Channellock since their American Made and all of that but these guys haven't invented a new pliers in the last fifty years whereas Knipex comes out with about one a week. And we wonder why America is falling behind.

Yep. It took Channellock ~10 years to introduce a "Welper" style plier once the Japanese version gained a little traction in the US. I've said this before, but CL could double sales if it followed the HF model of producing basic copies of the Snap On, etc, specialty pliers and made them from a premium alloy steel instead of their lesser choice of high carbon steel. Ten+ years ago, even SK sold ~11" long specialty pliers similar to SO; I guess Channellock is still working on the drawings for their first pair They could even have them made in Taiwan if they don't have the capacity. Yes, I know... but if they're going to survive, they are going to have to sell something more than the same old **** they've been selling for 50 years.

 

[pavmentango]

Yep. It took Channellock ~10 years to introduce a "Welper" style plier once the Japanese version gained a little traction in the US. I've said this before, but CL could double sales if it followed the HF model of producing basic copies of the Snap On, etc, specialty pliers and made them from a premium alloy steel instead of their lesser choice of high carbon steel. Ten+ years ago, even SK sold ~11" long specialty pliers similar to SO; I guess Channellock is still working on the drawings for their first pair They could even have them made in Taiwan if they don't have the capacity. Yes, I know... but if they're going to survive, they are going to have to sell something more than the same old **** they've been selling for 50 years.

They did start making some knipex copy, just nobody likes them.. they even have new combination plier in 8" and 6" and there new needle nose.. the handles come off everytime so they're useless to me even though they work very well

 

[neophyte]

I know that we're all suppose to love Channellock since their American Made and all of that but these guys haven't invented a new pliers in the last fifty years whereas Knipex comes out with about one a week. And we wonder why America is falling behind.

Channelock has been refining their plier designs for the last two or three decades.
Mostly the design refinements are subtle things, like adding crimpers to the linesman pliers, and moving the pivot points for better leverage.

After the Cobra pliers started becoming popular, Channelock made water pump pliers with a similar jaw shape, but using the traditional Channellock tongue and groove adjustment mechanism.
They now produce a couple of push button adjusting pliers.
They also have a couple different rescue tools.

One issue, is likely, Channellock doesn’t want to discontinue tools that are still routinely used and liked.
Another issue, is certain standard government and military kits probably have specs that prevent “new” designs, so it’s safer to keep certain models in production, since they probably get large orders occasionally for those items.

 

[M6erfan]

They did start making some knipex copy, just nobody likes them.. they even have new combination plier in 8" and 6" and there new needle nose.. the handles come off everytime so they're useless to me even though they work very well

Seriously? Hard to believe CL hasn't solved for decent grips

 

[KnurledNut]

Could always get the new chinese SK “TwinGrips”.
Also noticed they released a Pliers Wrench, a quick adjust groove joint plier, and an electrical multi-use long nose.
They copied Knipex, Bahco and Klein in one shot.

 

[M635_Guy]

I pretty much hated my Channelocks - found them fiddly and annoying. I'm far happier with the Knipex/Icon pliers that have mainly replaced them after donating them to Habitat.

 

[Tynee]

Tekton seems like they may be an option for this tool too. 6", 8", 10" made in USA, $15-$19:
https://www.tekton.com/8-inch-slip-joint-pliers-37123

Available on Amazon if you don't order from Tekton enough to fiddle with their rewards points and don't want to pay shipping.

 

[lardy1]

I wish Tekton offered the flush rivet. Only because I don't have any.

 

[Tynee]

I wish Tekton offered the flush rivet. Only because I don't have any.

I can see that being more desirable.