Which USA made Linesman Pliers do you prefer?

[Dzmax77]

We have some decent manufacturers all though I think some of these are the same and rebranded.

Klein
Channellock
Ideal
Southwire
Williams
SK Tools
Snap On
Proto
Pro-America
Wilde

 

[General Geoff]

I have no experience with new ones but I have a pair of Kleins dating back to the 60s, passed down from my grandpa who was an electrician. The cutters are still sharp but the gripping jaws are worn nearly smooth. They work OK but these days I mostly use a pair of Knipex at home and a HF pair under the Doyle brand in my road kit. Both of those still have sharp cross hatching and are better at holding wire than the old Kleins. No fault of the tool, just comes from decades of honest use.

 

[ecotec]

Klein D-2000 series.

 

[redwrench60]

Klein J2000-9NECRTP

 

[Ton ton]

.

 

[richpa]

I have both the Klein and the Snap-On linesman pliers and they are both equally as good and it is just a matter of which tool box I happen to use as to which pair I pick up.

 

[Kscardsfan]

I use the Kleins more than any other. But I’ve got some Channels and a pair of maybe craftsman? I can’t remember which. But in actual use I can’t tell enough difference between any of them to matter.

 

[Rinspeed]

Klein.

 

[bsaint]

I like my Snapon ones the best. Better than any of my Klein

 

[Jlanciani]

Klein D2000-9NE here, been using them professionally for 30 yrs. I get about 3 yrs of daily use out of a pair before they're ready for replacement.

 

[JradM]

Klein is the default. Channellock is the best deal.

If you're using them daily as an electrician, it's probably worthwhile to go with Klien. Channellock is great too though and is typically half the price.

 

[Miss the Pontiacs]

Klein D213-9NE just like the one you have posted is my preferred use.

 

[exmaxima1]

I bought my Kraeter pliers from EJ Korvette over 50 years ago, and are still my favorite.

 

[Ilikeike]

I actually use the Fish Tape gripping part of my Klein's for hard pulls, not sure if the others have that option.D213-9NETP

 

[Steve_P]

I don't have any of the other choices, but I like my Channellock linesman- this is the only Channellock style that I prefer over Knipex and NWS. The proportions on the Channellock are just better to me. Pro America definitely makes some pliers for Proto, or did a few years ago. Whenever I see the handle grips with the "stripes" at the top I think Pro America, but I'm not saying no one else does that.

Wow, EJ Korvette, I haven't heard that name mentioned in a while!

 

[JradM]

I don't have any of the other choices, but I like my Channellock linesman- this is the only Channellock style that I prefer over Knipex and NWS. The proportions on the Channellock are just better to me. Pro America definitely makes some pliers for Proto, or did a few years ago. Whenever I see the handle grips with the "stripes" at the top I think Pro America, but I'm not saying no one else does that.

Wow, EJ Korvette, I haven't heard that name mentioned in a while!

I like my NWS-made Irwins the best, but I think there's something to be said for the Klien/Channellock ones depending on how you use them.

I have a buddy who insists on using his linesman pliers as a hammer - NWS is too light for that and you will ruin the fancy coating.

 

[Banjorear]

Kleins. That said, they take a while to "break in", meaning the jaw joint is pretty stiff while new. I like them to be able to open while holding one handle. They eventually get there, but you need to work and oil them to get new ones to that point.

Like someone else posted, I have a pair of vintage ones from my dad when he worked for Ma Bell. This particular pair is my go to.

 

[Bubba Fett]

Klein J2000-9NECRTP. Handy for cable pulls, and grabbing fish tape. I also use them to trim the drop-ceiling suspension wires, which can get in the way, and cut you. I've also cut chain-link fencing, and nails with no problem.

I also have a pair of Pro-America pliers, which are OK, as well as a Pro-Fix brand that's made in Canada. They look a lot like Channellock's version. I also have an old pair of Utica pliers that are worn out, but they belonged to my dad, and maybe his dad.

 

[Handyandy23]

As someone that's not in the trade and just needs them for general use, I have the Channellock based on the cost to quality ratio. They'll last me my whole life unless I do something stupid with them. I can't say they're the "best", but possibly best value?

 

[AA/FC]

I like my Klein linesman the best..... However, I would really like to try the SO linesman pliers one of these days. I have several other styles of SO pliers and I really like them so I'm sure their linesman are pretty good, too.

 

[Grokew]

I love my channellock 369 they are fast to break-in (took less than 10 minutes), cuts smoothly with low effort, and are affordable. The only thing I dislike is the constant battle with rust (high humidity environment).

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

If I had to choose it would be Snap-on because in my opinion Snap-on has the best grips. I’m not a fan of any other grips. Second probably be SK or Channellock.

 

[Ton ton]

I love my channellock 369 they are fast to break-in (took less than 10 minutes), cuts smoothly with low effort, and are affordable. The only thing I dislike is the constant battle with rust (high humidity environment).

I like my channel lock 369 too.

 

[JradM]

I also have an old pair of Utica pliers that are worn out, but they belonged to my dad, and maybe his dad.

Restoration time! Well, that's what I would do anyway. I realize some people prefer to preserve the "patina", but I'd rather put them back into service.

Tighten up the rivet, bust out the needle files and sharpen the teeth, take your time on the cutting edges, etc.

 

[engineer2]

I like my classic Kleins.

I also have a Southwire with more features like a crimper and a stripper, but the jaws are too small to twist wire and the jaws are now misaligned.

 

[dgstarr]

We have some decent manufacturers all though I think some of these are the same and rebranded.

Klein
Channellock
Ideal
Southwire
Williams
SK Tools
Snap On
Proto
Pro-America
Wilde

I started in the trade in 1968, 99% of the lineman I have worked with use Klein's. Ones with hardened jaws are best.

 

[Dzmax77]

I need to spread the love. I have Klein and Channellock 9” linesman pliers, now I need to buy 1 of the other USA made brands to add to collection.

 

[BTJHP]

Klein D2000-8

 

[Steve_P]

I was YouTube-ing today and there is a Project Farm video on this. I found out that my 10-year-old Channellock have been replaced- they moved the pivot closer to the cutter. The Channellock did extremely well and IIRC cut copper wire, etc, easier than the Klein; but failed at a lower force. Of course he cuts nails, screws.... to destroy everything. I only cut copper wire with mine and they still look new, as they should with home use a few projects a year. So for home use, USA, I don't think you can beat Channellock for the $.

 

[metaldad]

channeys and kleins

 

[Bubba Fett]

Restoration time! Well, that's what I would do anyway. I realize some people prefer to preserve the "patina", but I'd rather put them back into service.

Tighten up the rivet, bust out the needle files and sharpen the teeth, take your time on the cutting edges, etc.

I did get all the rust off, but the blades have a big enough gap that they will never cut. Right now, they are more decorative/sentimental. I may modify them into a totally different type of plier.

 

[Gummi Bear]

Klein for me. I put on their "Klein-Koat" grips still. I have some HF and others in different tool kits.

 

[jrsavoie]

My current fav is 2 pair of old compounds - like bolt cutters - that I picked up at an auction. A little shorter, but more power.

 

[cmandp]

My favorite are a old pair of PW&S 8" I have. The joint is not loose but they will just drop open from gravity. I also have a pair of 9" Klien but I find them to be very heavy and bulky. I only use them when I can't find the others or have a lot of 12AWG wire to twist together before wire nutting them.

 

[Juiced06GTO]

Klein's that I have had since I was in voc tech hs back in the late 90's. I have a few newer sets, but always default to those. I don't work in the trade anymore, but defaulted to them when I was just wiring up my barn!

 

[rick carpenter]

I have a pair of Klein D213-9NE's and and a pair of Channellock 369's. I prefer the Kleins but use the Channellocks if I'm in muddy or dirty conditions.

Check out #6 reply...

Channellock 369 Linesmans

Just got these this evening. My old trusty pair has apparently been donated. What is the "step" ground into one side of the jaws? What is the electronic coating on them?

www.garagejournal.com

 

[dnschmidt]

Of course I like Knipex but you did specify American made. In that case it's Klein. I don't like Channellock Linesman pliers because they don't have hardened edges on their cutters. Fine for copper but failed for anything made of steel like piano wire. The better Klein's can handle that with no issues.

 

[Jtels85]

I know it wasn’t listed, but I prefer my Craftsman USA linesman pliers.

It wasn’t long ago when Craftsman actually had quality pliers. I don’t know how anyone could call the current Craftsman pliers at Lowe’s “tools”. They’re trash. Laughable trash.

 

[jeffmoss26]

Klein!

 

[toolmutt]

Klein J2000-9NE. That's what I carried in my bunker pants pocket most of my career. Used, abused, never failed.