Snap On or Channelock side cutters?
- Thread starter Hammell
- Start date
Brownsfan
Well-known member
I have both and prefer snap on. The handles are the BEST I have ever used. And they will cut through just about anything. 87cf is a great all around diagonal cutter. The 388cf are awesome high leverage cutters. Great now I am going to buy more.
Fireball027
Well-known member
I have knipex, channel lock and snap on side cutters.
My go to cutters are the snap on or knipex ones.
I just bought 2 more pairs of the snapon ones as of right now you can buy the snap on 388cf pliers online for under 20.00
androy
Well-known member
i have both , snap-on all the way
Farmall450
Well-known member
Channellock 337 or 338. Tough, sharp, and comfortable to use. Also very inexpensive.
d.mcfarland
Well-known member
My old Channellocks still cut copper electrical wire with ease.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Snap-on-High-Leverage-Diagonal-Cutters-Vinyl-Grips-7-3-4-Long-Pliers-/231111804401?pt=Motors_Automotive_Tools&hash=item35cf5645f1
Here you go. Offer $20 and he should take it. I just bought 2 pairs.
Greyson
Here you go. Offer $20 and he should take it. I just bought 2 pairs.
Greyson
knipex or snap on if your not worried about price. They are better I have all three and the channellocks still look new because they just don't get used like my knipex or snappy's. Cutting piano wire for hinges with the channellock's is borderline painful unlike the snappy or knipex.
This is not true due to the "Power Edge" gap. Snap-On said they were finally going to get rid of it which is great news but if you get a pair that has it they fail completely to cut soft plastics and anything braided (wire/rope). I dumped every single pair I had that has that edge after trying to use them. Worthless. Using an 8" pair of Matco (rebranded Knipex) and they work great.
Farmall450
Well-known member
No more baby blue fans eh?
ken w.
Well-known member
I just offered them $15.00 and got it.
I'm a SO all the way guy , but I have a few pair of channelocks that I've used at home and in my road box that I've used for 20 + years without a problem. Their a bit loose but so are my SO's.
I hit him at $12.50 see if that is good enough. I have a smaller set of them but not the high leverage yet. I am like you my box is 99% snap on but I do have a pair of pliers from Channelock that I find superior, definitely my go-to the 5410 model. One heck of a useful set.
nicksnothereman
Well-known member
What the heck ya cutting?
If it's anything that ******** you should probably be using something else like say...bolt cutters of snips. I just use cutters for thin wire and some random other stuff. Maybe people use them on smaller machine screws or bolts, I don't know. I'll just use needlenose pliers to hold the head and cut them with a smaller pair of bolt cutters. Different strokes for different folks.
ianguilly
Well-known member
I like channellocks. I noticed back when I use to buy snap on pliers they liked to stain and a few developed surface rust.
neonnblack
Well-known member
Love my channellocks.
I've got both brands in question. The Snap On serve me for work use, and the Channel Locks have made their way home. Both are great tools, but i feel the build quality and cutting ability goes to the Snap On. The grip is much more comfortable on the Snap On as well. I don't regret the purchase of my Channel Locks side cutter or any other tools of theirs i bought. Both are excellent choices, you cant go wrong either way.
Fireball027
Well-known member
I notice the staining really bad on some of my channellocks. My whole drawer is full of them at work and some of the metal on them looks as if they are 10 years old, when they are under a year.
usdemt
Well-known member
I am a big SO fan but I will agree with some of the earlier comments that the SO are a much more comfortable handle but the CL are so much easier to open and close. I have both but the CL are my go to. Both cut the same for the 12 gauge and smaller wire I typically use them for. FYI I install automotive electronics so I use them alot, if that makes a difference.
the knipex 6 1/4" cable cutters will change your life. They cut wire much cleaner than side cutters ever will (along with fingers). I wire airplanes quite a bit, different wire same results tho. Well worth it for 20 bucks. Klein probably offer some too.
Most of my tools are Snap-On, but I have several brands of side cutters.
I have a pair of Snap-On, Klein, Ideal and Channelock diagonal side cutters.
Yea, the Snap-On have the cushy handles, but I always find myself using the Kleins the most.
The Kleins are not as bulky as the Snap-on and cut very well.
I have a pair of Snap-On, Klein, Ideal and Channelock diagonal side cutters.
Yea, the Snap-On have the cushy handles, but I always find myself using the Kleins the most.
The Kleins are not as bulky as the Snap-on and cut very well.
Brownsfan
Well-known member
I have ZERO issues with my snap on cutters. In fact they work as advertised. The tip cuts thin stuff with ease while the back cuts thick stuff easily. I personally like the design
PowerGenGuy
Well-known member
Klein!
Another vote for Klein! I've cut a lot of tig wire with mine!
Carves
Well-known member
Depends on what you're cutting ...
Take some material samples with you, to the store/truck .... and trial the cutters.
Brownsfan
Well-known member
The blue handles ones are tough as hell. Will cut just about anything. 2000 series I believe
crewchief888
Well-known member
i've used channelock dykes for 30 years working on const eq.
3 or 4 years ago i picked upseveral sets of mac pliers, and a pair of knipex dykes in a trade.
my worn out channelocks were replaced with the new knipex.
the mac belong in the scrap bin...
last trip to HD, the wife was looking at some dykes to cut wire for her artistic projects.
i bought her a pair of channellocks
3 or 4 years ago i picked upseveral sets of mac pliers, and a pair of knipex dykes in a trade.
my worn out channelocks were replaced with the new knipex.
the mac belong in the scrap bin...
last trip to HD, the wife was looking at some dykes to cut wire for her artistic projects.
i bought her a pair of channellocks
Brownsfan
Well-known member
i've used channelock dykes for 30 years working on const eq.
3 or 4 years ago i picked upseveral sets of mac pliers, and a pair of knipex dykes in a trade.
my worn out channelocks were replaced with the new knipex.
the mac belong in the scrap bin...
last trip to HD, the wife was looking at some dykes to cut wire for her artistic projects.
i bought her a pair of channellocks
Depending on what series Mac cutters you have they may have been Channellock with red handles. Mac even has the CL part number in theirs example-M337G= Mac and 337=Channellock. Any of the others are china made.
Gregg33
Well-known member
Klein is damn good, we beat the **** out of them at work! But the other brands mentioned on here are all more than adequate. Channellocks are cheapest and most readily available, so most of my pliers are Channellock.
Hpozzuoli
Well-known member
I absolutely love the talon grips on the snap on. After using them it almost makes regular grips feel small. Prior to the snap on's I would only use sk pliers. I still use them every now and again and think they are great. The sk have a large angled cutting head which I like. The sk and snap on's both cut steel coat hangers very well. If you could put the talon grips on the sk plier line up I would be happy.
dirtydogintex
Well-known member
Bryanthegreat
Well-known member
I will praise the Knipex as well. I cut almost anything with them. I have had them at least five years and they cut as well as the day I got them. I do use them daily.
Brownsfan
Well-known member
Those are the ones I was talking about. They are absolute beasts. When I need to cut something more than wire these are the pair I grab. And the linemans version.
4xdog
Well-known member
Lindstrom IS Snap-on, isn't it?