Parallel Jaw Pliers - Who makes them?

[HanShotFirst]

I have some Parallel Jaw pliers that I use when I'm gunsmithing and they're just magnificent. I use them for many things beyond gunsmithing, and I'm wondering of any tool company makes truly useful parallel jaw pliers in various other sizes. These ones I have are very small (I think they're made by Grobet in Switzerland), but larger ones would be really great.

Craftsman RoboGrip pliers are pretty darned decent when it comes to larger parallel jaw. But what else is out there?

So the little ones are VERY well made and come in a wide array of styles. I have some smooth brass jaw pliers, some parallel steel serrated, parallel steel V groove, and steel smooth jaw. But they're also available in nylon jaw, versions with wire cutters; etc...I believe these were intended for jewlers, but they are indispensable for us gunsmiths.

Now as best I can tell Knipex seems to come closest to parallel pliers, or close enough that it doesn't matter.

So what do ya'll use and why?

 

[Fcvapor05]

Knipex Pliers Wrench.

You'll never go back. I own every size they make.

 

[928'er]

Knipex Pliers Wrench.

+ one.

 

[bcradio]

I agree on the Knipex pliers wrench

 

[IUEC Medic]

The knipex plier wrench might compel you to throw the robo grips away. Those other pliers, however, look like they could be very useful for holding things in place. I haven't seen many pliers like those.

 

[Farmall 1066]

The original Eiffel Plierench is still pretty cool too.
Love my Knipex also.

 

[driftpin]

I have a pair of Greater 6-1/2" p.j. pliers, ribbed jaws, wire cutter and crimp/stake function. They have thick flat jaw tips for more uses when working on low-profile fasteners. Made in the U.K. Great feel, finish, and utility. I got them at a yard sale with a bunch of other tools and a very decent price.

 

[Dave455]

The pliers you are referring to are 'Bernard's pattern' parallel jaw pliers! They were originally made by Willian Schellhorn in the U.S.A.

They are currently manufactured by Maun Industries in the U.K. and I believe by Sargent in the U.S. The two pairs in your photo with the blued jaws look like Mauns, and the chromed jaw looks like a Sargent.

You're dead right - these things are invaluable for gunsmithing, and a whole lot of other things beside. I have yet to find anything better for pulling pins, for example!

Maun make a huge range, with sizes down to about 4 inch for jewellers, up to about 8 inch, which I need to use two handed at their widest opening! Styles include regular, combination, snipe nose, and cutters, as well as the choice of smooth or serrated jaws, and sprung or closed handles!

You will find many specialised tools built along the same lines too. William Schellhorn made the original pliers for crimping .30 cal and .50 cal link!

 

[exmaxima1]

The original Eiffel Plierench is still pretty cool too.

I have a pair of those, and while the concept is indeed pretty cool, I find that you cannot get alot of leverage with them. They seem to open up when you most need them to be tight.

 

[Finky198]

Pliers wrench +1. They are impressive in the amount of clamping force they can generate its like 10:1 they grip flats like a pair of vise grips on something round. They are great for bending prying and adjusting any sheet metal as well as there intended plumbing uses and about a million more.

Your little pliers look similar to the hose clamp pliers by gearwrench the offer other sizes but
the jaws do pivot. http://www.sears.com/craftsman-hose-pinch-pliers-set-of-3/p-00947218000P

 

[Dave455]

Here are some of mine - 5 1/2 inch cutters, 6 1/2 inch pliers, 6 1/2 inch cutters and 8 1/4 inch pliers. These are all British made Mauns. The Sargent pliers are similar.

The current Maun pliers seem to have a riveted joint, rather than screw as on mine. Maun also manufacture a lot of items for other firms. Most of the jewellery tools I've seen are obviously Maun. The pliers grip square stuff better than anything else out there!

I really only use the big pliers on stuff like really crusty van and truck brakes. Nothing else needs that amount of yanking!

The second picture shows the jaw style you need for pins There is a v groove one side, and a flat serrated jaw the other! Work superbly!

 

[rlitman]

I've got this vintage pair of Penens parallel jaw pliers and never used them. $8 shipped if someone needs them.

I have those, except mine are marked Proto (I forget the model number). For $8, I'd love to have another pair. Shoot me a PM with your details...

However, just like the RoboGrip pliers in the OP, these are not parallel action. They have multiple jaw opening widths, like slip joint or groove joint pliers, but they are not truly parallel all the time.

As for the RoboGrip pliers, they are self adjusting, and try to stay as parallel as possible, but are still not truly parallel. The Kobalt MagnumGrip is a similar self adjusting mechanism that IS truly parallel action:

My personal opinion of these (I bought a set when they marked the price down) is that they're **** (though I'm strongly biased against any self adjusting pliers), but I keep them in a tool bag I want to keep light, and like them more than the RoboGrip version.

As for the other posts above:

Yes, the Bernard / Sargent pliers are great. I have several of them, most with the cutters, and some grommet setters in the same style.

The original Eiffel Plierench is another winner. The comment about them opening up when you need them tight is because the straight on design makes you end up using them backwards a lot. The angled head of the Knipex Pliers Wrench is such that you end up using them like you've learned to use Channellocks, and in that orientation they self tighten.

 

[davethorik]

I have a pair of Sargent parallel jaw pliers that have the cutter. They are handy for certain things but kind of clunky with the cutter on the side of the head.

 

[Cope]

I've got this vintage pair of 8" Penens parallel jaw pliers and never used them. $8 shipped if someone needs them.

Same tool in my box except labelled P&C.

 

[akalian]

I've got one that looks like the one pictured in the upper left hand corner. It's about 5-1/2" long and the only markings I can find on it are GFC England

 

[Fcvapor05]

Pliers wrench +1. They are impressive in the amount of clamping force they can generate its like 10:1 they grip flats like a pair of vise grips on something round.

That's the best part of that design.. the harder you pull them, the tighter they grip. Such a great tool.

 

[davethorik]

That's the best part of that design.. the harder you pull them, the tighter they grip. Such a great tool.

I love the 5"/125mm pliers wrench. I used to like using a 4" adjustable wrench for small sizes, but the baby pliers wrench is better.

Here pictured next to a pair of Sargent 102-8" i mentioned earlier.

 

[rlitman]

I love the 5"/125mm pliers wrench. I used to like using a 4" adjustable wrench for small sizes, but the baby pliers wrench is better...

It is! I love how thin the jaws are. And it's so damn adorable. Unfortunately, that last part is why my wife stole mine.

 

[rlitman]

Same tool in my box except labelled P&C.

Reunited...

 

[mowkep]

I got a pair of Knipex pliers for our shop. I got them for our tapping head which has narrow flats on the top to tighten the collets. Unfortunately the wrenches they give you are garbage and a regular combo wrench is too wide for the slot. That's were the Knipex steps in and does the job. I also bought three other pair for home. One for our bicycling tool kit.

 

[woody 73]

ritman I would kill to see your pliers in my story:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=265722

Farmall got you covered:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=269558

 

[Outahere]

.....The pliers you are referring to are 'Bernard's pattern' parallel jaw pliers! They were originally made by Willian Schellhorn in the U.S.A.

They are currently manufactured by Maun Industries in the U.K. and I believe by Sargent in the U.S.......

One shortcoming of true parallel jaw pliers is the relatively small jaw opening. I was looking at the 8-inch Sargent and the maximum jaw opening is only 41/64" or 16.3mm. Also expensive, around $75 on Amazon.

https://www.sargenttools.com/ToolsByTrade/PARALLEL_ACTION_FLAT_NOSE_PLIERS_1/

 

[seber]

Virtually any company that makes tools for the optics industry makes parallel jaw pliers. They also come with padded jaws for working with eyeglasses.

 

[macgee]

Good timing,

+1 on Knipex. I use mine all the time flattening and shaping thin shims and sheet metal, they work well for that. jaws close very evenly. The only thing is that the orientation is different to Schellhorn/Maun's.

I picked these up yesterday. They're Singer Treadle Leather belt pliers for sewing machines. Looks like it was made by Schellhorn? Unfortunately its missing some parts.