*New* Channellock (Wilde) Pry Bars and Tri Lobe Screwdrivers

[JRPAviator]

Ordered the 3pc set from Home Depot today. Only because they give me a decent discount. Otherwise HJE has the 3 piece set as well. They are a slightly darker blue than the Home Depot photos (HJE has photos of the actual bars). They are just blue Wilde bars with Channellock logos. I like the blue better than red so here we are. They have all Wilde sizes from 8” to 45”.

I also noticed they are coming out with some new Tri-lobe USA blue screwdrivers including some striking cap models. I wonder if these are similar to Tektons Tri-lobes but blue. May be worth a look.

Prices looked to be the norm and are not unreasonable.

 

[Fedwrench]

Not similar to Tekton's trilobal screwdrivers but, the Channellocks appear to be a blue version of Mayhew's.

Mayhew | Screwdrivers | U.S.A Screwdrivers | Mayhew USA Screwdrivers Sets - Mayhew Steel Products

Mayhew’s new made in the USA screwdrivers feature an tri-lobular handle design and high alloy steel blades with a durable black oxide finish. Made with a custom heat-treat and temper process and tips precision machined to industry specifications.

mayhew.com

 

[wolfinator]

I bought a pair of the demo screwdrivers with metal strike caps and square shafts. So far I really like them.

One interesting feature is that the metal strike caps have a 1/4" square receiver for use with 1/4" drive tools. I hadn't seen that before, it's kind of a cool feature.

The demo drivers at least are not related to anything Tekton sells.

 

[AJHD]

Interesting timing. "Last Best Tool" put out a video on these tonight. Overall I agree with his conclusions.

I still have 2 of the Hyper Tough version pry bars I bought for home use and I had a set of the Craftsman version several years back before upgrading to Snap On... Far as I know, all these and others are all the same manufacturer and made exactly the same minus handle color and brand.

 

[JRPAviator]

Interesting timing. "Last Best Tool" put out a video on these tonight. Overall I agree with his conclusions.

I still have 2 of the Hyper Tough version pry bars I bought for home use and I had a set of the Craftsman version several years back before upgrading to Snap On... Far as I know, all these and others are all the same manufacturer and made exactly the same minus handle color and brand.

Snap-on is too steep for me on pry bars other wise I would maybe go for them. I refuse to buy chinesium. I wish he reviewed the larger sizes. The 17” is kind of the worst flex example for Wilde. The 8&12 are stiff and the 25 gets much stiffer than the 17.

 

[gmt]

Not similar to Tekton's trilobal screwdrivers but, the Channellocks appear to be a blue version of Mayhew's.

Mayhew | Screwdrivers | U.S.A Screwdrivers | Mayhew USA Screwdrivers Sets - Mayhew Steel Products

Mayhew’s new made in the USA screwdrivers feature an tri-lobular handle design and high alloy steel blades with a durable black oxide finish. Made with a custom heat-treat and temper process and tips precision machined to industry specifications.

mayhew.com

There is also a version from Wright that is a darker blue.

 

[dallastide]

Not similar to Tekton's trilobal screwdrivers but, the Channellocks appear to be a blue version of Mayhew's.

Mayhew | Screwdrivers | U.S.A Screwdrivers | Mayhew USA Screwdrivers Sets - Mayhew Steel Products

Mayhew’s new made in the USA screwdrivers feature an tri-lobular handle design and high alloy steel blades with a durable black oxide finish. Made with a custom heat-treat and temper process and tips precision machined to industry specifications.

mayhew.com

Are these the "poor man's" snap on? They look almost exactly like an instinct handle.

 

[JRPAviator]

There is also a version from Wright that is a darker blue.

Thanks for that heads up. That is a great looking blue!

 

[AJHD]

Snap-on is too steep for me on pry bars other wise I would maybe go for them. I refuse to buy chinesium. I wish he reviewed the larger sizes. The 17” is kind of the worst flex example for Wilde. The 8&12 are stiff and the 25 gets much stiffer than the 17.

They are definitely expensive, more so now, especially the larger sizes.
But I love them. I've used the hell out of them. Strong enough for daily use on automotive and heavy equipment.

A few months ago, I had a pry bar slip smashing and fracturing a finger, but it was my fault not the pry bar.

 

[BrandonV]

There is also a version from Wright that is a darker blue.

Dang. The Wrights are good looking color.

Now to order the 10pc set!

 

[Fedwrench]

Are these the "poor man's" snap on? They look almost exactly like an instinct handle.

Probably not because, they lack the dual material handle and they're not exactly cheap.

I think the Channellock handle could benefit greatly from some texture or graining like the old school MAC red rectangular handled screwdrivers. Each flat of the Channellock has something stamped in it. One is a face with safety glasse on and the words WARNING DO NOT STRIKE. One has the CHANNELLOCK banner logo on it, and the last one has a MADE IN USA flag with the part number on it. The edges of the trilobal handle are quite smooth and slippery.

 

[wolfinator]

I think the Channellock handle could benefit greatly from some texture or graining like the old school MAC red rectangular handled screwdrivers. Each flat of the Channellock has something stamped in it. One is a face with safety glasse on and the words WARNING DO NOT STRIKE. One has the CHANNELLOCK banner logo on it, and the last one has a MADE IN USA flag with the part number on it. The edges of the trilobal handle are quite smooth and slippery.

I agree, that's my only criticism so far with my pair. I really like the handle shape and material. But they're a bit smooth and slick if you get anything wet or oily on them. Just some slight pebbling in the mold would be perfect.

 

[KnurledNut]

I think the Channellock handle could benefit greatly from some texture or graining

My biggest complain with the red Tekton hard handles...too slippery.

 

[Snaparxon]

The screwdrivers look like the made in USA option Cornwell is selling on the truck. I thought Cornwell's foriegn made screwdrivers looked and felt much better for the money. The USA ones felt cheap, like the screwdriver availble at the $1.00 store

 

[milky2k]

Interesting timing. "Last Best Tool" put out a video on these tonight. Overall I agree with his conclusions.

I still have 2 of the Hyper Tough version pry bars I bought for home use and I had a set of the Craftsman version several years back before upgrading to Snap On... Far as I know, all these and others are all the same manufacturer and made exactly the same minus handle color and brand.

Guy buys 3/8" stock pry bar for $20 and complains its not as beefy as the 7/16 stock pry bar for $71. Kinda like when I buy a 12oz beer and complain its not as much as the 20oz beer.

 

[65k10]

Guy buys 3/8" stock pry bar for $20 and complains its not as beefy as the 7/16 stock pry bar for $71. Kinda like when I buy a 12oz beer and complain its not as much as the 20oz beer.

I have a number of those Wilde pry bars around and while I understand most of his complaints, in practice I haven't really noticed any of them to be much of an issue. The handles have never been much of a bother. Usually by the time the flex could be a problem on the 17", I need more leverage than a 17" bar can provide and I'm moving up to a 26" bar or larger. That said, the only other handled pry bars I use are the black rubber handle Mayhew Dominators, which seem to perform similarly. Maybe if I got a few of the more robust Snap On bars, I'd feel differently about my Wilde and Mayhew pry bars.

If I have an issue with the Channellock version of this pry bar, it would be that it unless a person wants the blue handle, $20 for just the 17" bars is not a great price. If there is a Menards close by you can buy the Wilde 3 piece pry bar set for $25.

 

[nadogail]

I bought an assortment of Harbor Freight pry bars about 25 years ago, they have earned me some really good paychecks.

 

[metaldad]

If there is a Menards close by you can buy the Wilde 3 piece pry bar set for $25.

+11% rebate