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Anyone else like Channellocks?

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metaldad

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Aug 2, 2011
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nw indiana
wow! 79 pages of channey!
just sped thru the whole shebang
we bought a ton of blue!
i was guilty of keeping up with the pack.
i bought alot, both as working items, and, tool box display - dont you ever touch them! -
pieces/sets.
i'm retired now.
we're going to downsize. i have waaaaay too many tools.
im going to put up for sale the (i thought they're) collectables.
in the 'for sale' thread, beginning tomorrow.
and, @Travisnd need new pics of that blue toolbox.
seems they are unavailable.
i should have bought the stack, back then
 

GX460DIYguy

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Texas
Did old channellock pliers come with bare handles? Found some old 420s today with bare handles. I figure they probably just came off at some point.
 

AreBeeBee

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Wisconsin
Did old channellock pliers come with bare handles? Found some old 420s today with bare handles. I figure they probably just came off at some point.

As Outlaw says, the blue handle ones came later. See the Champion-DeArment page at Alloy Artifacts: http://alloy-artifacts.org/champion-dearment-tool.html

It's interesting that the company got a trademark (1,536,106) for the blue plastic covers in 1989, but it appears they were using the blue as early as December 1957. It could be that it took them that long to get the trademark accepted.

For cleaning grease-stained plastic handle covers, I've used Goop hand cleaner; sometimes a couple of applications of it are needed.
 
Last edited:

impactims

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Nov 24, 2011
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So, what is better...

Channellock or Snap-on?

2 comparable tools made for doing the same thing

Not talking about comparing apples and oranges
 

Andres26tnt

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May 11, 2018
Messages
994
So, what is better...

Channellock or Snap-on?

2 comparable tools made for doing the same thing

Not talking about comparing apples and oranges

Snap-on has better designs, except for the pump pliers. CH has mostly stuck to it's traditional design, you know they basics. They don't really have to change anything as they Know where they fit in the market.

CH has tried to update the line, but I think they made some missteps with their new Speed grips. The grips are large and cumbersome, and the first release was very limited in option( flat/ V Groove). Great attempt with easy fixes.
 

four.cycle

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So, what is better...

Channellock or Snap-on?
Wilde.

(on anything over 6 inches.)
Better product than Channellock.
About one-fifth the price of Snap-on.

Under 6 inches: Vampire, Merry, Tsunoda, Engineer.
(ProAmerica makes some nice miniatures, but the Japan-made stuff is actually a lot nicer and more user-friendly.)
 

impactims

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Wilde.

(on anything over 6 inches.)
Better product than Channellock.
About one-fifth the price of Snap-on.

Under 6 inches: Vampire, Merry, Tsunoda, Engineer.
(ProAmerica makes some nice miniatures, but the Japan-made stuff is actually a lot nicer and more user-friendly.)
Thanks for the comments, but I don’t see how that is an answer to the question you quoted.
 
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four.cycle

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I know.
You didn't ask the right question. ;)

That said, I would concede there are a few models in the Snap-on line for which there seem to be no American made equivalents - their tapered-nose slip-joint models being one. I believe "ICON" made a knock-off of that particular model, but I can't comment on either of those other than to say that particular design isn't available from any other maker.

Wilde is unfortunately a grossly underrated product. I suppose if they spent as much time and money on advertising as one of their competitors (as opposed to simply continuing to make a good product and service their many private-label accounts) they might be able to invest resources in that area.
Maybe they could consider making vacuum cleaners? :unsure:
 

AJHD

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AZ
Wilde is unfortunately a grossly underrated product. I suppose if they spent as much time and money on advertising as one of their competitors (as opposed to simply continuing to make a good product and service their many private-label accounts) they might be able to invest resources in that area.
Maybe they could consider making vacuum cleaners? :unsure:

Yeah, the problem with Wilde is no one really knows they exist.
Despite rebranding for a dozen other companies. But other than a common style of pry bar, slip joint pliers and some punches, I have no idea what they manufacture. And the only reason I know about those three is they seem to be the most popular rebrands found everywhere from Tekton to Walmart.
 

impactims

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Nov 24, 2011
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I know.
You didn't ask the right question. ;)

That said, I would concede there are a few models in the Snap-on line for which there seem to be no American made equivalents - their tapered-nose slip-joint models being one. I believe "ICON" made a knock-off of that particular model, but I can't comment on either of those other than to say that particular design isn't available from any other maker.

Wilde is unfortunately a grossly underrated product. I suppose if they spent as much time and money on advertising as one of their competitors (as opposed to simply continuing to make a good product and service their many private-label accounts) they might be able to invest resources in that area.
Maybe they could consider making vacuum cleaners? :unsure:
Comparable product to comparable product

Snap on vs channellock

Apples to Apples

Who wins?

FYI - Not talking about Wilde here…
 

Outlawmws

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Those types of questions and discussions generally just lead to mudslinging and opportunities for trolling. And the question is off topic to the stated topic of this thread. Start a new thread.
 

neophyte

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Yeah, the problem with Wilde is no one really knows they exist.
Despite rebranding for a dozen other companies. But other than a common style of pry bar, slip joint pliers and some punches, I have no idea what they manufacture. And the only reason I know about those three is they seem to be the most popular rebrands found everywhere from Tekton to Walmart.
Wilde is mostly an OEM supplier, and likely makes tools that fill out a large number of US Tool brands.
From what I’ve seen, Wilde made tools for SK, Armstron, Proto, Ridgid, and a number of other brands, or at least forged steel components that got put into company specific handles.
 

neophyte

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I know.
You didn't ask the right question. ;)

That said, I would concede there are a few models in the Snap-on line for which there seem to be no American made equivalents - their tapered-nose slip-joint models being one. I believe "ICON" made a knock-off of that particular model, but I can't comment on either of those other than to say that particular design isn't available from any other maker.

Wilde is unfortunately a grossly underrated product. I suppose if they spent as much time and money on advertising as one of their competitors (as opposed to simply continuing to make a good product and service their many private-label accounts) they might be able to invest resources in that area.
Maybe they could consider making vacuum cleaners? :unsure:
There is one or more Japanese manufacturers of “tapered nose” slip joint pliers.
 

CHI_Tool&Die

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Jul 20, 2021
Messages
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Location
Chicago, IL
Wilde.

(on anything over 6 inches.)
Better product than Channellock.
About one-fifth the price of Snap-on.

Under 6 inches: Vampire, Merry, Tsunoda, Engineer.
(ProAmerica makes some nice miniatures, but the Japan-made stuff is actually a lot nicer and more user-friendly.)
Tekton sells Wilde pliers and you get the Tekton warranty. That is how I purchased the full set of tongue and groove pliers. I do like the Wilde style over the Channellocks.
 

Hootbro

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Dec 8, 2011
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Delaware
Seems like they'll put "Channellock" on anything these days.

Reminds me of this scene

What is ironic is that Mel Brooks had a Gentlemen's agreement with George Lucas permission to parody the Stars Wars franchise as he saw fit (minus a few exceptions) but he was not allowed by Lucas to officially merchandise the Spaceballs movie. Any Spaceballs merchandise you see today is unofficial third party tribute stuff.
 

Meursault74

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Southern California
What is ironic is that Mel Brooks had a Gentlemen's agreement with George Lucas permission to parody the Stars Wars franchise as he saw fit (minus a few exceptions) but he was not allowed by Lucas to officially merchandise the Spaceballs movie. Any Spaceballs merchandise you see today is unofficial third party tribute stuff.
I don't have a picture of this, but you'll get it.

In our office at work, we have a small refrigerator and there's a small microwave placed on top of that fridge. One day one of the younger guys brings in a drip coffee maker. A "Mr. Coffee" drip coffee maker. He puts it on top of the microwave. Me and my co-worker (similar age and a Spaceballs fan) promptly took the label maker and put labels of "Mr. Microwave and Mr. Refrigerator." I still get a chuckle out of it. The younger folks have no idea about it.
 

JimDon

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Joined
Jan 23, 2007
Messages
602
Jeff, that knife has all the earmarks of Camille’s as the maker. Do you know the brand? Camille’s made some very nice collectible knives.
 
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