Miss the Pontiacs
Well-known member
The Klein 2000 series is the harder variety.
Not impressed with new Channellocks quality
- Thread starter dwasifar
- Start date
visionguru
Well-known member
I love my Channellocks (10 pairs): honest, no-nonsense, practical, American made crudeness.
I also have 5 pairs of Knipexes. In comparison to Channellocks, those German tools are "garbage" for the price and so so quality. If not attracted by the clumsy German design, I would not have purchased those. I do like my German car, German knives though, just not tools.
I also have 5 pairs of Knipexes. In comparison to Channellocks, those German tools are "garbage" for the price and so so quality. If not attracted by the clumsy German design, I would not have purchased those. I do like my German car, German knives though, just not tools.
Last edited:
mikehaugen
Well-known member
Just because this thread has gotten me curious enough, I checked the 2 most convenient to grab tongue and groove pliers... a pair of cl and a pair of ideal. Neither jaws lined up perfect but close enough.
Sent from my SM-G930V using The Garage Journal mobile app
Sent from my SM-G930V using The Garage Journal mobile app
I cannot BELIEVE I just read this entire thread. If anyone else is curious but doesn't want to read the whole thing, let me save you some time.
The original question seemed reasonable enough, asking whether a bunch of out-of-the-box blemishes on a brand new set of Channellocks was indicative of deeper quality issues.
The consensus seems to be, you get what you pay for, and since Channellocks are cheap, especially for being made in the USA, something obviously has to give. The point most make is that the Channellocks at least have it where it counts, using hard steel that lasts a long time and gets things done. The thing Channellock apparently chose to compromise on was the finish, so when using them, be sure to always wipe them off and oil them up after use if you want to avoid rust. In other words, apparently no, the issues with the finish are probably as deep as the quality issues go with Channellock, which seem to be backed up by many online reviews.
Along the way, there was a bunch of the usual COO and brand loyalist drama, some interesting manufacturing videos from the Channellock and Knipex factories, and some baseless accusations that the OP is a shill for.... well I'm still not sure who they were supposed to be a shill for, I guess for the generic made-in-China tool trade.
Sent from my Pixel 2 using The Garage Journal mobile app
The original question seemed reasonable enough, asking whether a bunch of out-of-the-box blemishes on a brand new set of Channellocks was indicative of deeper quality issues.
The consensus seems to be, you get what you pay for, and since Channellocks are cheap, especially for being made in the USA, something obviously has to give. The point most make is that the Channellocks at least have it where it counts, using hard steel that lasts a long time and gets things done. The thing Channellock apparently chose to compromise on was the finish, so when using them, be sure to always wipe them off and oil them up after use if you want to avoid rust. In other words, apparently no, the issues with the finish are probably as deep as the quality issues go with Channellock, which seem to be backed up by many online reviews.
Along the way, there was a bunch of the usual COO and brand loyalist drama, some interesting manufacturing videos from the Channellock and Knipex factories, and some baseless accusations that the OP is a shill for.... well I'm still not sure who they were supposed to be a shill for, I guess for the generic made-in-China tool trade.
Sent from my Pixel 2 using The Garage Journal mobile app
k1rodeoboater
Well-known member
First time out with my 911 cable cutters. This is what the one jaw looks like after 5 cuts of 10/3 romex. I'm incredibly disappointed, and embarrassed since I was teaching. Actually went back to a box cutter and diagonal cutters after I noticed this. To make it worse I suggested these be added to the student tool kits that are theirs to keep.....should have ordered the $17 Kleins when they were posted on tool drop.
Waiting to see what their customer service has to say. If they claim that's normal wear and tear I'm returning them and leaving a 1 star review on Amazon.
Waiting to see what their customer service has to say. If they claim that's normal wear and tear I'm returning them and leaving a 1 star review on Amazon.
Attachments
Finance Guy
Well-known member
redwrench60
Well-known member
Man, I like Channellock but that’s pitiful. I’ve sort of come to the conclusion Channellock makes good pliers but not so good cutters of any type. Every pair I see that has been worked looks chewed up like that. Dikes, linemans, cable cutters...doesn’t seem to matter. I even broke the tip off a pair of heavy duty dikes doing something well within their capability. To Channellocks credit they warrantied them. I was honest with them about what I cut and even included the offending item with the damaged pliers when I returned. I have come to prefer Klein and Snap on and Knipex for cutting pliers.
NoahG
Well-known member
Just because this thread has gotten me curious enough, I checked the 2 most convenient to grab tongue and groove pliers... a pair of cl and a pair of ideal. Neither jaws lined up perfect but close enough.
Sent from my SM-G930V using The Garage Journal mobile app
I’m not positive but I think that generation of Ideal was made by Channellock, before Ideal acquired Western Forge.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
WittHay
Well-known member
Yeah thats bad. I have a pair of 911's for more automotive use. cutting large battery cables. They have stood up well. Made the mistake of cutting some overhead aluminum cable one time and forgot that there is a steel core in them. Nicked up the cable cutter a bit but i filed it out. Nothing like yours though.
Also have a 447 diagonal cutter for cotter pins and small screws. Also has stood up well. Both were bought about 4 to 5 years ago. Wonder if quality has gone down that much for Channellock in the last few years?
Last edited:
usdemt
Well-known member
The thing about cheap tools is it drives the quality tools out of the market simply by price. Channellock has been able to keep up with that trend and keep the jobs in America. I have had no blemish issues with my channellock pliers but I really dont look that close. They are made in the USA for a price that is competitive with those that arent. I dont look that close because I know they will work because tools arent meant to look good they are meant to work good.. Want the scratches to go away? Buy Knipex. I fricken love mine but they are twice the price. I buy what I want for the price I want from the people I want.
finn
Well-known member
I agree wit usdemt: I have several Channellock products, but I honestly couldn’t tell you if they have blemishes or not. I reach for them to do a job, and they just plain work, unlike the miriad of imported tools that I have acquired over the years.
They share the box with a few pair of the highly touted Knipex, but I can’t say the Knipex price premium provides a commensurate amount of improved utility to justify the cost.
For my uses, I would rather have five sets of Channellocks in strategic locations around the house, garage, and shop that three Knipex at the same price.
They share the box with a few pair of the highly touted Knipex, but I can’t say the Knipex price premium provides a commensurate amount of improved utility to justify the cost.
For my uses, I would rather have five sets of Channellocks in strategic locations around the house, garage, and shop that three Knipex at the same price.
k1rodeoboater
Well-known member
Yeah there is clearly something wrong with this one. I initiated a return with amazon. My options were find a place that stocks them and 1 for 1 exchange ( nearest one is 27mi away), mail them on my dime, or go the Amazon route. Should have the new set here on the 5th. I'll be testing them immediately as I have 8 disconnects to wire up over the next 2 weeks, and if they fail return both and buy the Kleins or knipex dual cutter ones.
Jim Pelosi
Well-known member
- Joined
- Nov 30, 2015
- Messages
- 79
I never thought of water pump pliers as a precision tool. I like CL pliers not because of fit and finish, but because they grip tight and don't bend. The steel is obviously of high quality and treated well. They are sloppy, and will still be sloppy in 50 years but still gripping just as tight. For homeowners what else could you ask for at the price point? It's literally a life time tool.
Sent from my SM-J337P using Tapatalk
Sent from my SM-J337P using Tapatalk
k1rodeoboater
Well-known member
JRas
Well-known member
Wow, I don't even think my set of harbor freights do that... note to self buy the Kleins for that tool.
dnschmidt
Well-known member
If you're a buy American kind of a guy then you've got to go with Klein and leave Channellock behind. If you don't care about COO the Doyle line at Harbor Freight is excellent for the money and if you don't care about counting pennies then Knipex or NWS. The world has passed Channellock by. Sad but true.
BarryWells
Well-known member
Here. Call these idiots and tell them their new shiit sux
https://studylib.net/doc/8467587/scott-t.-jonap-named-to-channellock--inc.-board-of-directors
https://studylib.net/doc/8467587/scott-t.-jonap-named-to-channellock--inc.-board-of-directors
k1rodeoboater
Well-known member
Honestly I'd probably pass on anything channel lock for cutting tools. Klein, knipex, or wiha is where is put my money. I may one day give them a shot with their pliers, but for now my 5pc SK set meets my needs/requirements. I do want to pick up a set of smooth jaw pump/channel lock type pliers for my finishing kit...but that's seriously light duty use for pushing in the bolt catch pin on AR-15/M4s.
Last edited:
Dumber than lumber
Well-known member
- Joined
- Dec 19, 2015
- Messages
- 1,872
You make an interesting observation - in sociological terms there is a special word for this condition, but I can't recall it just now.
Anyway, the theory is frequently illustrated by pointing out that the majority of congresspersons, or public schools really ****. Except "the school that my kids go to", or "my representative." There is some kind of self-validation going on.
Another way of putting it is, "well, of course these tools/schools/fools are good ones", because they are the ones WE have.
In the final analysis, the buyer has some choices in our market and economic system. In certain countries you have fewer to no choices.
redwrench60
Well-known member
It’s hard to beat the general utility of a pair of plain ol Channellock pump pliers or slip joints for grabbing, holding, turning and twisting ****. I mean really, if you’ve never needed a regular old common pair of Channellocks then you truly are living a sheltered life.
I bought some Wiha Diagonals off Amazon and was dissapointed to see they were made in Vietnam IIRC. they work fine so far but still....
For smooth jaw check out the Soft jaw Tsunodas
bobemmerich
Well-known member
This!!!!!!!! Absolutely! They seem to care and take pride in the fact that they (Channellock) keep food on families tables by keeping people employed! To get on topic, I have a few pliers: CL, SO, K-D, No-Names and C-Man. I prefer my CL's or K-D's. They function well, and I've never had an issue with them.
I have probably 15 pairs of channel-locks from years of yard sales/flea markets. A few months ago I bought my first pair of Knipex cobra pliers for work and now I resent channel-locks. I will at some point get some for at home, a little more pricey, but a far superior product.
k1rodeoboater
Well-known member
Got the Klein cable cutters in. They passed the test with flying colors. I would tell you if you're in the market for cable cutters skip channel lock and pay the extra $5-7 for the Klein's. These happen to be their journeymans version. The handles are noticeably more comfortable. Didn't get the hype of the ergo handles before (I'm a bit of a cheapskate at times). Now I'm a believer.
Attachments
shamrock12
Well-known member
Yep, I have a few pair of Channellock pliers however only the tongue and groove type jaw pliers. Being an electrician in my earlier days I have a pair of Klein cable cutter and they have always worked well for me. But I wouldn’t recommend using this good pliers for demolition work. One day I was at a job site removing old electrical circuits while the building was undergoing renovation. I went into another room to talk with the foreman and while I was there he asked me to cut down just one 208v three-phase circuit overhead in the room since I was taller than him and could reach it without needing to drag in a ladder. I told him I’d need to go back to my other room to grab my tools and he was like nah, just use mine and handed me over his 25 years old Klein cable cutter. So just before I started cutting, I asked him if he has verified that the circuit is dead. He was like umm, yes. I’m like, you sure? He looked up at it and said, yep. So I started squeezing his cable cutter and sure enough, the sparks started flying. I immediately dropped the pliers as soon as possible and when I reached down to pick it back up I saw a nice little hole in middle of the cutter when closed. Needless the foreman wasn’t too happy about it but he knew it completely was his fault.
Did the foreman still have a job after almost getting someone killed?Yep, I have a few pair of Channellock pliers however only the tongue and groove type jaw pliers. Being an electrician in my earlier days I have a pair of Klein cable cutter and they have always worked well for me. But I wouldn’t recommend using this good pliers for demolition work. One day I was at a job site removing old electrical circuits while the building was undergoing renovation. I went into another room to talk with the foreman and while I was there he asked me to cut down just one 208v three-phase circuit overhead in the room since I was taller than him and could reach it without needing to drag in a ladder. I told him I’d need to go back to my other room to grab my tools and he was like nah, just use mine and handed me over his 25 years old Klein cable cutter. So just before I started cutting, I asked him if he has verified that the circuit is dead. He was like umm, yes. I’m like, you sure? He looked up at it and said, yep. So I started squeezing his cable cutter and sure enough, the sparks started flying. I immediately dropped the pliers as soon as possible and when I reached down to pick it back up I saw a nice little hole in middle of the cutter when closed. Needless the foreman wasn’t too happy about it but he knew it completely was his fault.
k1rodeoboater
Well-known member
Yep, I have a few pair of Channellock pliers however only the tongue and groove type jaw pliers. Being an electrician in my earlier days I have a pair of Klein cable cutter and they have always worked well for me. But I wouldn’t recommend using this good pliers for demolition work. One day I was at a job site removing old electrical circuits while the building was undergoing renovation. I went into another room to talk with the foreman and while I was there he asked me to cut down just one 208v three-phase circuit overhead in the room since I was taller than him and could reach it without needing to drag in a ladder. I told him I’d need to go back to my other room to grab my tools and he was like nah, just use mine and handed me over his 25 years old Klein cable cutter. So just before I started cutting, I asked him if he has verified that the circuit is dead. He was like umm, yes. I’m like, you sure? He looked up at it and said, yep. So I started squeezing his cable cutter and sure enough, the sparks started flying. I immediately dropped the pliers as soon as possible and when I reached down to pick it back up I saw a nice little hole in middle of the cutter when closed. Needless the foreman wasn’t too happy about it but he knew it completely was his fault.
Wow...thankfully I rarely work of live stuff.
Lisamelting
Well-known member
You didn't check the circuit for yourself? That's cause for termination where I'm from. Lockout/Tagout...ever heard of it?
shamrock12
Well-known member
It was on a 30 or 40 amps circuit breaker so it tripped instantly. I also was cutting with just one hand while keeping my other hand behind my back. No, it still should not have happened, but I was prepared for it.
Yes, we are familiar with LOTO however as mentioned earlier the building was undergoing renovation (for the entire building) so about a third to half of existing circuits were being removed which wasn’t practical for LOTO, just like in new constructions. The building was not being utilized during that time.
I was just sharing a side story as to why you would not want to use a good pair of pliers for demolition.
Yes, we are familiar with LOTO however as mentioned earlier the building was undergoing renovation (for the entire building) so about a third to half of existing circuits were being removed which wasn’t practical for LOTO, just like in new constructions. The building was not being utilized during that time.
I was just sharing a side story as to why you would not want to use a good pair of pliers for demolition.
AreYaSerious
Well-known member
I do like Channellock, but the last pair a bought wasn't the same as the ones in the past.
I do have some tekton pliers, I do highly recommend them.
I do have some tekton pliers, I do highly recommend them.
k1rodeoboater
Well-known member
I needed a new set of diagonal cutters as my old ones have loosened up to the point where I can't stand it anymore. So I went to the Home Despot and was really tempted by the Klein's, as that brand has yet to fail me, BUUUUUT I decided to check out the Milwaukee and CL offerings as I wasn't to excited to spend $30 today. I held both the CL and Milwaukee versions, I liked both, but being from PA originally I decided to give them another try. Figured maybe the 2 sets of 911's were just a fluke.
I get back to my hotel room and once they're out of the package the freaking side I couldn't see has some rust and staining, and the sides also exhibit some staining as well. I know this isn't a big deal but talk about disappointing to pay full retail for what should be a blem/seconds. The milled edges are also pretty dang sharp, noticed this with the 911's as well. Guess taking the little extra time to knock those down doesn't fit into their pricing/profits matrix. Hopefully they'll loosen up with use...right now they're stupid tight. Borderline unusable tight and they keep getting tighter with use. Shame too, they fit my hand really well, in fact that's why I bought them over the Milwaukee's.
<ETA> been sitting here opening and closing them since my post. They're finally loosening up some and getting smoother. Using 30+ yr old worn in tools can spoil you. So that should be resolve itself in short order. The real test will come tomorrow when I try cutting some romex. I'm hoping they last longer than 20 cuts of 10/3 like the 911s
I get back to my hotel room and once they're out of the package the freaking side I couldn't see has some rust and staining, and the sides also exhibit some staining as well. I know this isn't a big deal but talk about disappointing to pay full retail for what should be a blem/seconds. The milled edges are also pretty dang sharp, noticed this with the 911's as well. Guess taking the little extra time to knock those down doesn't fit into their pricing/profits matrix. Hopefully they'll loosen up with use...right now they're stupid tight. Borderline unusable tight and they keep getting tighter with use. Shame too, they fit my hand really well, in fact that's why I bought them over the Milwaukee's.
<ETA> been sitting here opening and closing them since my post. They're finally loosening up some and getting smoother. Using 30+ yr old worn in tools can spoil you. So that should be resolve itself in short order. The real test will come tomorrow when I try cutting some romex. I'm hoping they last longer than 20 cuts of 10/3 like the 911s
Last edited: