Best long nosed pliers?

[kenc184]

Guys,

I've lost my favorite pair of long nosed pliers (or needle nose if you prefer), used in my garage for general and automotive type work (rather than electrical where strength is not important). This old pair really resisted racking well and had a tight no gap fit between the jaws.

What would be a worthy successor to these? Am thinking about 7-8" length.

Klein d203?

Suggestions please. Must be USA, German, British (if they still make hand tools?) or some other non Chinese communist brand.

Hopefully these are the last of my favorite tools that has been "lost".

 

[isb cornbinder]

I bought a pair of SnapOn long nose pliers. This is my favorite. It is stable, no racking and the gap is perfect. I am sure it was expensive. I do not remember the cost because it works perfectly every time.

 

[seanb02]

Snap-on. Would be lost without mine for a lot of situations. I actually find more uses for the long bent nose version than straight, but you really can't go wrong either way.

 

[isb cornbinder]

I agree. I have the bent long nose also. I have had this set for maybe 30 years. I also have the long handle needle nose with straight, 45 degree and 90 degree. The long handle are used less often, but, it is nice to have them for that special occasion.

 

[d.mcfarland]

Snap-on 911ACF $70 and the absolute best you'll find.

 

[Skin]

Pro America (previously KAL) are good also. They can be found under Matco, MAC, Proto, Blackhawk.


You can see most of the styles here, all USA made.


https://bowerstool.com/pro-america-kal-tool/


If you don't mind the joint design like on the Snap-On in the post above WF makes a couple versions similar to that for SK as well.

 

[Wamsutta]

Pro America (previously KAL) are good also. They can be found under Matco, MAC, Proto, Blackhawk.


You can see most of the styles here, all USA made.


https://bowerstool.com/pro-america-kal-tool/

The best was the MAC P9S-G made by KAL, but it goes down in history as one of those lovely tools that gets discontinued for no logical rhyme or reason.

 

[matt_i]

Hard to live life with just one flavor of long nose pliers. I'm partial to the blue handled channellocks. The 338 is a good one, typical box jointed pliers. My opinion is to get out the catalog and buy one of everything because eventually you'll find a use

 

[Wamsutta]

I'm partial to the blue handled channellocks.

The problem with Channellocks is the handles are way too short unless you have a real small hand; same story with Klein.

 

[JBH]

Kleins are very good. Orbis Evotel is my overall favorite. NWS are beefier then most German needlenose pliers.

I’ve found finish quality of both (including under their own labels) to be a little variable, so probably best to buy from a rebrander with very high standards such as Phoenix Contact if you want “perfect” ones.

Snap on is an option if you want to pay too much for an ergonomically flawed tool with sub par build quality. Urrea makes a similar quality pair with slightly better ergonomics that’s much less expensive.

 

[bwringer]

Uuuuuuh... no one's going to mention German-made Knipex? That would be my pick.

Also, over in the Japanese tools thread, there are several instances of very high quality pliers in a couple of different brands. Some are downright jewel-like.

 

[M6erfan]

Snap-on Talon Grip

 

[tonyciambrone]

I don't like any of the Knipex needle nose I have bought. The only products of theirs I would not recommend. I like Channellock 317 and 738, which are the only Channellock products I would recommend.

I'm sure the Snap-On would be good too.

Don't really like modern Klein offerings

NWS and Gedore are good too

 

[rlitman]

Snap-on 911ACF $70 and the absolute best you'll find.

I have the 96ACF and 97ACF versions of those, and highly recommend them.

 

[anndel]

I have Snap-on, Channellock, Klein and Knipex and I like the SO, Knipex and Channellocks (3-way tie). When needing it, I grab the one closest to me.

 

[Brownsfan]

Snap on talon grips or Klein. I found Klein long nose pliers to ne almost as good as snap on. They are better than most other USA made needle nose and superior to the Knipex as well. Just my opinion on what I have used . For cheaper Taiwan made Carlyle are very good and surprisingly the new Doyle needle nose at Harbor Freight are really nice for the money

 

[NC Rick]

I’m interested in what the shortcomings of the Knipex needle nose pliers are? I have a set I used to replace old channel lock and craftsman pliers I have used since the 70s and I am very pleased with them. They are a fine point tool that I use to grab things and compress hose clamps that are made of spring steel. I’d hate to be missing something and am all about adding to my pliers collection! The Snap On pattern looks like it would be useful but I’m not buying those since we don’t have a truck.

 

[Davefr]

I’m interested in what the shortcomings of the Knipex needle nose pliers are?

The cutters close before the jaw tips. They're weak (too much flex). The straight serration pattern is very ineffective at gripping in all directions.

Even the HF Doyle pliers are superior to Knipex needle nose but in this case it's worth buying SO.

 

[Sbchevy1]

I own both Cornwell and Snap on ,but I always pick up the Snap ons

 

[rlitman]

The cutters close before the jaw tips...

I own a LOT of pliers, and largely work at a bench where I can store them all. For this reason, I really try to avoid needle nose pliers that have integrated cutters. It's just a feature that causes me trouble.

If I were looking for something for a tool belt, or just a multitasker for field work, then that might be a different story.

 

[bwringer]

The other beef I've seen against Knipex needle nose is that most models are skinnier and thus weaker than other brands.

I chalk this up to a cultural difference; Americans expect any tool they pick up to be able to withstand a 200 pound gorilla reefing on them.

Germans would say this pair of pliers is a precision tool intended for use in small spaces and you obviously misused the tool by applying too much force.


But overall, when you get into the "good" brands, it's pure personal preference and usage. Whether you're an electrician or a mechanic is going to make a difference.

Try 'em out and see what you like.

Another one to throw in the ring is Tekton; many of their pliers are made in the US of A.

 

[NC Rick]

I very much appreciate the comments. I also take the points. I only own channel lock, Klein and Knipex. For me the Knipex are the best because they are fine pointed and tight. I have no problem with the cutters touching before the tip. The serrations seem to go the right way as I am never twisting stuff with them, I am squeezing, gripping and pulling. These statements are not in anyway critical of anyone else’s use of needle nose pliers.

I will say that the serrations on the Knipex are showing wear. Just because of the comments here, I am buying another set of some yet to be determined brand which I do not yet own! I have small Snap On needle nose pliers which I love. They are so precise I use them to pull slivers out of my hands.

I am in agreement with the cutters integrated into LNP to be unnecessary. Knipex diagonal wire cutters are fantastic, I have a set which I use cutting 0.040 spring wire for light production so they have done hundreds of cuts with no visible wear.

 

[Jsf721]

I have a pair of Knipex I like. I don’t work them too hard but they never let me down quality wise.

 

[eschoendorff]

My all time favorite long nose pliers are the old school (French made) FACOM. They fit my hand better than any other pliers. Just for clarity, these pliers:

http://www.discountwarehousetools.c...piano-wire-8-long-nose-10-multi-plier-france/

 

[rlitman]

...I chalk this up to a cultural difference; Americans expect any tool they pick up to be able to withstand a 200 pound gorilla reefing on them.

Germans would say this pair of pliers is a precision tool intended for use in small spaces and you obviously misused the tool by applying too much force...

Could be. In the spirit of GJ, I own and use both types.

For gorilla use, I reach for my Snap On, Craftsman (WF), PEXTO and my personal favorite are my Kraeuter M1910 pliers that were made for cutting barbed wire fences in WWI.

And for more delicate use, I've got my Kraeuter and Utica needle nose pliers, and other smaller stuff. Actually, Snap On makes some fantastic "electronic" pliers that fall in this category too.

 

[Davefr]

The other beef I've seen against Knipex needle nose is that most models are skinnier and thus weaker than other brands.

I chalk this up to a cultural difference; Americans expect any tool they pick up to be able to withstand a 200 pound gorilla reefing on them.

Germans would say this pair of pliers is a precision tool intended for use in small spaces and you obviously misused the tool by applying too much force.

Actually the SO Talon Grips can get into some very tight spaces because the tips are beveled. And once they get in they apply the "gorilla like" grip because they're so stout and have the hardened diamond serration pattern.

I like most Knipex tools, but needle nose pliers aren't one of them.

It's pretty impressive when the SO Talon Grips can pick up a 40 AWG magnet wire.

Knipex doesn't stand a chance:

 

[Coach James]

I recently bought a pair of Harbor Freight's new Aardvark brand long nose pliers. Best I ever used.

Coach

 

[davethorik]

I recently got my 1st pair of Knipex needle nose combination pliers and the hang tag advertises "twist proof" jaws. They are on the small side but I like them so far. And yes, the cutters touch before the jaws.

Edit: favorite overall are Klein. I also have Channellock, NWS, Blackhawk, Snap-On and Erem. Variety is good.

 

[DFB]

I recently bought a pair of Harbor Freight's new Aardvark brand long nose pliers. Best I ever used.

Coach

Aardvark?

 

[Davefr]

Aardvark?

I was scratching my head too. Never heard of Aardvark pliers. I wonder if he means HF Doyle pliers. If so, those are excellent pliers.

The Doyles are almost as good as SO but the jaw serration isn't as hardened as SO.

 

[ATC]

Guys,

I've lost my favorite pair of long nosed pliers (or needle nose if you prefer), used in my garage for general and automotive type work (rather than electrical where strength is not important). This old pair really resisted racking well and had a tight no gap fit between the jaws.

What would be a worthy successor to these? Am thinking about 7-8" length.

Klein d203?

Suggestions please. Must be USA, German, British (if they still make hand tools?) or some other non Chinese communist brand.

Hopefully these are the last of my favorite tools that has been "lost".

What were the ones you lost?

 

[kenc184]

They were an old Proto pair. Must have had them for twenty years at least. Maybe thirty or more? Good as new, but now gracing someone elses tool box.

 

[giants]

Snap-on 911ACF $70 and the absolute best you'll find.

Thanks. I'm also in the market for good needle nose pliers. Please tell us what you like and anything you dislike about this pair.

Someone mentioned Tekton. Here's one I'm interested in. What's the difference between the Snap-on and the Tekton?

https://www.tekton.com/7-inch-long-nose-pliers-pgf10007

 

[MetricTech]

I really like these IPS long nose slip joint pliers on the right. I have the SO needle nose in long straight and long 45 as well. I’ve put a lot of miles on the snap on long straight and they’ve always been great.


Metric Tech

 

[Davefr]

Thanks. I'm also in the market for good needle nose pliers. Please tell us what you like and anything you dislike about this pair.

Someone mentioned Tekton. Here's one I'm interested in. What's the difference between the Snap-on and the Tekton?

https://www.tekton.com/7-inch-long-nose-pliers-pgf10007

Those Tekton's look identical to 7" HF Doyles. (both are made in Taiwan and likely from the same factory).

The Doyles are nice but the serration is not as hardened as SO.

Here's a Doyle jaw after a few weeks of average use.

Here's a SO jaw after many, many years of use and abuse:

My conclusion is that SO heat treats the jaws better and they will hold up better over time.

 

[Steve_P]

Another to consider is NWS. they have long slender jaws that touch at the tips, and they have heavy serrations. they'd be closer to Knipex than Snap On as far as shape. As said, it depends on what you want to do with them. The SO have a lot of fans here but they are kind of a hybrid as compared to a true needlenose like everyone else makes . And they're $70

 

[DFB]

I was scratching my head too. Never heard of Aardvark pliers. I wonder if he means HF Doyle pliers. If so, those are excellent pliers.

The Doyles are almost as good as SO but the jaw serration isn't as hardened as SO.

I'm going to have to take a look at these Doyles.

I need a really decent pair of the really long needlenose similar to those 11" Pittsburgh they always sold.

I had a pair of those cheap ones I didn't break or ruin the teeth but I did twist the jaw tips out of alignment using them for a long reach to pull hairpin clips under my yard tractor to release my mower deck one day

For the shorter ones I'm good, I have several different USA Craftsman and Channelock among others

 

[ATC]

They were an old Proto pair. Must have had them for twenty years at least. Maybe thirty or more? Good as new, but now gracing someone elses tool box.

If you liked them so much, you should probably look at them again

 

[NC Rick]

I ordered some NWS!

I was unwilling to pull one in the name of science but my Knipex will grab a single hair on my head which is close to equivalent to the 40 g. Wire. At the same time the jaws are parallel. I’m not defending the Knipex particularly and I suspect the fine point could bend. I’d love to have both those sets of Snap On pliers also.

 

[JBH]

They were an old Proto pair. Must have had them for twenty years at least. Maybe thirty or more? Good as new, but now gracing someone elses tool box.

These are Mexican Protos.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/URREA-8...rs-Side-Cutting-High-Leverage-2292G/202797812

There’s also a dipped handle version (that’s what I have).

They are similarly built as the Snapons people around here seem to love even though they’re horrid, but priced closer to reasonable for the quality offered. That means don’t expect proper joint machining, etc. At least Proto/Urrea didn’t wishbone our the handles though.