Anyone else like Channellocks?

[zer0cell]

I recently purchased the Channellock 349 Lineman's Pliers. In the picture it is shown laying next to the Kleins that I've had for about 6 years. I've mainly used the Kleins for cutting copper wire, which is their intended purpose, but I've also cut some nails with them as well on occasion. Ive been very pleased with the performance of the Kleins and really didn't need a replacement.

There are, however certain tools I like having a duplicate of for various reasons. After a fair amount of research I decided on the Channellock 349 model since I've heard they are the most durable lineman's pliers that Channellock makes. Based on the design and the great experience Ive had with the brand in the past I'd expect them to last a very long time. Channellock also sells the 369 model and variants which is priced significantly less than both of the pliers in the picture. I don't doubt the 369 is also good but the reviews I've seen indicate the 349 is the best. Time will tell but so far I'm pleased.

 

[magicrat]

Just got 460 today....don't know why I would need channel locks that big but I think it looks cool in my toolbag.

 

[stage20]

ive got prob 10 or 12 different pair, but my favorite is an old set of 407's. they still have the Champion DeArment on one side of the handle. use this set for just about any small to medium job.

 

[d.mcfarland]

Just got 460 today....don't know why I would need channel locks that big but I think it looks cool in my toolbag.

That's the problem I'm running into. They are certainly useful if you need them, but I don't have a purpose for them so I hate having them sit around. I'll likely end up listing it for sale here and letting someone else use these old things.

The smaller channellocks always have a place in every home and box. Very utilitarian.

 

[Gidge]

My favorite is this old pair of 420s :

 

[magicrat]

That's the problem I'm running into. They are certainly useful if you need them, but I don't have a purpose for them so I hate having them sit around. I'll likely end up listing it for sale here and letting someone else use these old things.

The smaller channellocks always have a place in every home and box. Very utilitarian.

I think i need them about once a year but that one time can be a killer.

 

[kctyphoon]

ive bought just about every pair of linesman plier's and 8" diagonal cutters anyone would consider buying with the intention of trying them all out for myself and to do a little video review on them.. ive since decided to actually bring them to work and use them for a while to see how they fair... the Channellocks performed great at home, and actually really suprised me at how well they cut compared to the Klein, Knipex, NWS, and a bunch of others.. however, once i brought them to work - the diagonal cutter lasted about 2 or 3 days, and the jaws are completely worn down to the point they are unusable.. the Knipex however are in perfect condition after much more use.. Ive just swithed over to using the NWS stuff now to see how they work.. im very disappointed with the Channellocks. .

 

[d.mcfarland]

the diagonal cutter lasted about 2 or 3 days, and the jaws are completely worn down to the point they are unusable.. im very disappointed with the Channellocks. .

You're going to have to provide proof. A word means nothing. Also provide pictures of what you were cutting.

Do I doubt you? Yes.

Can pliers be defective new? Yes.

At least prove to us you're right. After all, you are in a thread about liking Channelocks.

 

[kctyphoon]

i believe stainless steel cable ties are what did them in.. if you want pictures you'll have to wait till tomorrow as they are on my bucket truck at work.. trust me, im as suprised as you are since they were one of the best cutting pliers in the line of 10 or so brands and models i purchased.

what you should keep in mind, is unlike every other cutters on the market - channellock uses a cutter/anvil design, which means there is only one sharp edge of the jaw to begin with. just to clarify, these are the 338 model, and i also own the E338, (which i dont think is an improvement because it sacrafices alot for a little more leverage) the 369 XLT lineman pliers, (seems very nice, but they didnt see much use on the 2/3 days i used them) and the 9.5" GL10 pliers (i also prefer the knipex alligator's over these for a few reasons) - all brand new.. every pair of pliers and cutters i bought to test and try are brand new - i probably spent $300 on the same 2 tools.. i only bought the channellock gl10's BECAUSE i was so impressed with the cutters when trying them at home on various things. - i was actauly hoping everything would be equal to my Knipex stuff, so i could switch over, and wouldn't be pissed if something got lost since the Knipex is twice the price..

 

[Outlawmws]

So your first task is to see what they were rated for. Lineman's pliers and diagonals are generally rated for COPPER... Not SS... If not rated for more than copper use, of course they failed. My daughter took light electronics diagonals and destroyed them trying to cut SS welding wire for jewelry. Do I blame the tool, or the operator?

Here is the description of the 338's:

Not all cutting edges are the same -- only CHANNELLOCK® uses precision machined knife and anvil style cutting edges to ensure perfect mating and superior cutting edge life. The CHANNELLOCK® knife and anvil cutters ensure proper cutting edge alignment, resulting in a clean cut every time. Most manufacturers use two sharp edges which can become misaligned, losing their cutting effectiveness. Experience the difference for yourself.

Nowhere does it say it's for cutting more than copper. The 437 or 447's are what you probably need, assuming the SS is of a size with the Piano wire specs they used as an example:

CHANNELLOCK® High Leverage Curved Diagonal Cutting Pliers provide powerful cutting capabilities on the job. Cutting capabilities include piano wire (0.056" min diameter - 0.091" max diameter), hard wire (0.047" - 0.091"), medium hard wire (0.047" - 0.091") and soft wire (0.162" max diameter).

 

[stage20]

So your first task is to see what they were rated for. Lineman's pliers and diagonals are generally rated for COPPER... Not SS... If not rated for more than copper use, of course they failed. My daughter took light electronics diagonals and destroyed them trying to cut SS welding wire for jewelry. Do I blame the tool, or the operator?

Here is the description of the 338's:


Nowhere does it say it's for cutting more than copper. The 437 or 447's are what you probably need, assuming the SS is of a size with the Piano wire specs they used as an example:

are knipex rated for more than copper? if they are both rated for copper and the knipex survives cutting stainless, then ill buy knipex.

 

[Outlawmws]

are knipex rated for more than copper? if they are both rated for copper and the knipex survives cutting stainless, then ill buy knipex.

Which Knipex? Google is your friend...

 

[MagnumForce]

I cut steel chain links and wire all the time with my 338's No issues. They don't do it as well as Knipex Dikes but they are half the price.

 

[stage20]

Which Knipex? Google is your friend...

whichever model he has. he said the channellocks bit the dust and his knipex are fine. if the ones he has are only rated for copper, then knipex makes the superior tool. if he is comparing knipex rated for steel vs channellock rated for copper, then its useless.

 

[Outlawmws]

That was exactly my point, if you are not comparing apples to apples, then the "testing" means nothing. In any case, the 338's are NOT rated for SS use...

 

[Youngguns]

whichever model he has. he said the channellocks bit the dust and his knipex are fine. if the ones he has are only rated for copper, then knipex makes the superior tool. if he is comparing knipex rated for steel vs channellock rated for copper, then its useless.

I think Typhoon runs these (at least):
http://knipex-tools.com/index.php?id=1023&page=art_detail&parentID=1367&groupID=1478&artID=2467

I recall a a hot deals post about them. Rated for much more than copper wire. But I'm sure he'll jump at the opportunity to buy adequate Channellocks (more tools) for comparison!

 

[kctyphoon]

So your first task is to see what they were rated for. Lineman's pliers and diagonals are generally rated for COPPER... Not SS... If not rated for more than copper use, of course they failed. My daughter took light electronics diagonals and destroyed them trying to cut SS welding wire for jewelry. Do I blame the tool, or the operator?

Here is the description of the 338's:


Nowhere does it say it's for cutting more than copper. The 437 or 447's are what you probably need, assuming the SS is of a size with the Piano wire specs they used as an example:

well - i can easily turn that around and say - nowhere does it say its even rated TO cut copper at all, and not plastic.. fact is - they dont tell you anything , but this is what is on the shelf next to $36 Knipex cutters and $15 Crescents..

listen - i plainly stated i bought about a dozen pair of different cutters and lineman pliers to TEST .. AND LET ME STATE - i have absolutely NO brand loyality here, as you can easily search and find me recomending the cheapest pairs as some of the best to use. if you check out channelllock's site, it simply says "laser heat treated edges last longer". the entire reason why i went ahead and bought all these were to use them all under the same conditions and compare them to see if any work better than others.. there are any number of threads where people ask what cutters, lineman pliers, "insert your choice of tool here", are better, and people always recomend their brand of choice, most having never tried the others out there. NO - i didnt put a ton of research into this - i just simply bought some of the cheapest to the most expensive 8" cutters to pin against each other.. ill be happy to produce pictures of the cutters and the straps that i think caused the wear.. fact remains - every pair ill try will be doing the exact same job, but so far these are the only ones to have failed at all regardless of what anything else was rated for.

what i can tell you - is ive also used Crescent compound diagonal cutters, which are among the cheapest ( and one of my favorites ) for a LONG time doing the same job, and multiple sets have never worn like these channellocks have. is it possible they are defective?? i suppose anything is possible... ill be sure to bring them home tomorrow, along with straps CATV and Telco compaines use to bind their cables to strand.

 

[Outlawmws]

Typhoon you are missing the point; you are using a cutter rated for COPPER use for SS...

No, I don't think they will do well. That DOES NOT mean they are bad or defective. The 4XX series cost more for a reason. More expensive materials, and more expensive process... Compare apples to apples, or your testing means nothing.

 

[kctyphoon]

are knipex rated for more than copper? if they are both rated for copper and the knipex survives cutting stainless, then ill buy knipex.

channellock doesnt give you any real info what they are rated for, from what ive found on the website.. the Knipex are rated for piano wire, and i have both the 8" and 10" pairs that are sold on the shelf in sears (i did buy mine through amazon since my sears was always out of stock) the 8" and 10" are the same tool just with longer handles.. i thought i would prefer the 10", so i bought those first, but i found them just a bit too cumbersome and heavy to use all the time..

to be fair - the normal price of the channellocks are about $20, vs $36 for the knipex.. but on sale, ive seen the channellock's as low as $14, and the knipex as low as $26 - which can place them in them in roughly the same price range if you find the Knipex on sale..

of course - i paid full retail for eveything i bought, and then they went on sale about a month later.. i also own the Knipex 10" alligator pliers which are great, and better than the channellock GL10's IMHO - and the Knipex 8" mini bolt cutters which are nothing short of amazing.. they are strong enough to cut small chain links, but fine enough to still cut plastic tie wraps..

 

[kctyphoon]

Typhoon you are missing the point; you are using a cutter rated for COPPER use for SS...

No, I don't think they will do well. That DOES NOT mean they are bad or defective. The 4XX series cost more for a reason. More expensive materials, and more expensive process... Compare apples to apples, or your testing means nothing.

honestly, im just testing whats on the shelves in the stores, regardless of what they are rated for, and regradless of price.. i didnt set out to buy the best models of everything to compare against each other, just what a normal person would be able to buy in the stores. are my $9 cresecnts rated to cut SS?? i have no idea, probably not - but they have been doing it without issue for a long time.. also - this isnt a scientific test - this is just a real world thing.. if you own the channellocks and come across a strap or ANYTHING that needed to be cut cause it was in the way, are you gonna leave the job and go buy a different tool first, or are you just gonna use the tool in your hand? its not like im out cutting nothing but SS - i used the pliers for 2 days, on a few staps.. maybe half a dozen of them, IF that.. wouldnt you have rather known they would wear so quickly, and been able to buy a better model to begin with?? but the 338's is whats on the shelves next to the knipex and other stuff.

thats the whole point of this - is helping the NEXT guy buy a better set to begin with, cause you never know what you might come across, and for anohter $5 wouldnt you rather buy something that will hold up to whatever you MIGHT come across?? now someone that reads this has a reason to consider buying the knipex over the channellock if he has to goto sears - or wait and order a better set from Channellock if that the brand they want...

also - im not being easy with these things, and this isnt "tool abuse".. in a professional setting, this is how stuff gets done. im using them like i use every other cutters i own.. im not approaching these things and trying to give them a gentle "snip" im using the cutting edges to tear a multi layered strap apart - just like i do with the $36 Kipex, just like i do with the $15 Crescent pivot pro's, the $9 Crescent compound cutters, the Milwaukee's, the Kliens, Jonards, and now the NWS sets that are in my belt. im just providing my feedback from real world professional use.

edit: I have no probelm trying another set of channellocks. but this is what i have on hand, and its gotten espensive enough just to do this much. donations are more then welcome if you wanna send over a pair, but had they made a straight cutting pair of 8" in the 4 series i probably would have bought them, as every pair im trying are 8" cutters.

 

[Outlawmws]

Typhoon I know you mean well, but flawed testing is flawed testing.

I own 54 pairs of lineman's pliers across 24 different named brands. I own 58 pairs of dykes across 27 named brands.

If I know I'm likely to be cutting other than copper, I use the tools rated for it. anything else is a waste of a tool. I have some really heavy dykes then are MEANT for the abuse of your real life testing and probably beyond. That pair happens to be... Drum roll... Channellock No. 308; AFAIK, discontinued.


Using the wrong tool for the job and griping "They don't hold up"... is not productive at all regardless of your intent. The 448s; rated for piano wire, cost less than $4 more than the ones you used in your test, yet you are comparing those 338's to cutters rated for piano wire...

At a minimum, if you REALLY believe this is useful information, do full disclosure. and guess what? if you don't tell all, people will point it out. Getting mad helps nothing.

I get that you want to be heard. as someone else pointed out, this is not a "comparison test thread"; as you pointed out, there have been numerous threads doing such comparisons. Nothing wrong with that. So I suggest you start a thread for this topic and stop derailing this one from its stated purpose.

 

[kctyphoon]

i believe i am doing "full disclosure." . i told you the model, i said what i think caused the wear on the jaw.. i said i was testing "whats on the shelves".. also - channellock doesnt make a straight jawed 8" cutter in the 4xx series, and honestly i dont think there is any box store (that ive seen) sell the 4xx series on the shelf. i basically went out and bought almost every 8" cutter you CAN buy from HD, Lowes, Sears, and Walmart (only "premium" named tools) nothing was special ordered, (except the 338E cause i wanted to see what they changed, and see if it was a worthwile imporvement, and I , personally - as a lineman with 15 years experience dont think they are, and some people might be interested why). i think your taking offense because you feel I'm bashing your brand.. im not - as i stated they were among the best cutters until i brought them to work..

you need to take into consideration that this isnt a scenerio for you i suppose.. its a " im going to the store, these are what my choices are" - and this is what held up, and what didn't test... im not "mad" at anything.. am i surpised the jaws wore down so quick after so little use? yes - like i said it was half a dozen straps, if that.. if the outcome was different and i said they held up great to cutting SS straps, - then why bother compromising to get a 4xx 7" model or have to go with an 8" curved jaw model cause thats all they make, if you only deal with the ocassional piece of SS to cut. likewise, i can bring in some 20+ year old, made in china, "Turbo" branded cutters i was given as a kid, and cut half a dozen straps to see if they wear any better - but this isnt about that..

i can go around and post what every pair of cutter i bought is "rated" for, and what they arent - but like i said, this isn't about that.. do i undertand your point? of course i do - but the 4xx series isnt sold anywhere where 90% of people shop, and thats my point.. regardless, it might be interesting to see if my $9 cutter held up just as well as my $50 pair, despite what anything is rated for..

 

[neophyte]

i believe i am doing "full disclosure." . i told you the model, i said what i think caused the wear on the jaw.. i said i was testing "whats on the shelves".. also - channellock doesnt make a straight jawed 8" cutter in the 4xx series, and honestly i dont think there is any box store (that ive seen) sell the 4xx series. i basically went out and bought almost every 8" cutter you CAN buy from HD, Lowes, Sears, and Walmart (only "premium" named tools) nothing was special ordered, (except the 338E cause i wanted to see what they changed, and see if it was a worthwile imporvement, and I , personally - as a lineman with 15 years experience dont think they are, and some people might be interested why). your taking offense because you think im bashing your brand.. im not - as i stated they were among the best cutters until i brought them to work..

you need to take into consideration that this isnt a scenerio for you i suppose.. its a " im going to the store, these are what my choices are" - and this is what held up, and what didn't test... im not "mad" at anything.. am i surpised the jaws wore down so quick after so little use? yes - like i said it was half a dozen straps, if that..

i can go around and post what every pair of cutter i bought is "rated" for, and what they arent - but this really isnt about that.. do i undertand your point? of course i do - but the 4xx series isnt sold anywhere where 90% of people shop, and thats my point.. regardless, it might be interesting to see if my $9 cutter held up just as well as my $50 pair..

My local Big Orange usually has either the Channellock 446 or 447 cutters. I don't know how widely this applies to other Home Depots though.

 

[kctyphoon]

My local Big Orange usually has either the Channellock 446 or 447 cutters. I don't know how widely this applies to other Home Depots though.

it might be the 6".. which, to be honest, i would have overlooked anyway cause i was more focused on 8" pairs that would fit in my lineman pouch, and place the leverage on an even playing field. . i actually just looked to see if the HD by me stocked the 7" so i could grab them, but they are an online only deal. i should have specefied that i was refering to the 7" straight jaw or 8" curved jaw model.. in that situation i would have to pick the 7" anyway, the curved jaw wont work for me..

 

[Outlawmws]

Typhoon, I'm not upset, nor is Channellock necessarily my favorite brand (How can a guy with over 450 pairs of pliers, cutters, tongs, grips etc, have a "favorite?...; You didn't give the "full disclosure" until prompted, and not just by me.

My only issue is misinformation, as without that full disclosure someone coming along later is likely to come in, read that one post, and go "Jease! what junk! I'll never buy "x" again (Or ever)!

Which is stupid. Unfortunately there are a LOT of people that refuse to do due diligence before making buying/use decisions, and will make a decision based on "I saw it on the internets! it MUST be true!"

We have all seen it.

Seen the PVC for air line threads? Sheesh!


You made a strong initial statement and how many people EVER read an entire thread for full context? if you had laid out the entirety of the full disclosure in post 1, I'd probably not been so emphatic. I might have made the point that it was in fact apples to oranges if it wasn't clear, but those little facts are important to any comparison test.

You set yourself up as the arbiter. That means IMO you assumed an obligation, whether you wanted it or not. Any comparison test takes with it that responsibility, at least if you want to have it taken seriously.

We've probably beat this to death. Carry on.

 

[Outlawmws]

ps: Walyworld has the 447 available for $19 free shipping to the store.

 

[jeffmoss26]

Hey Outlaw, check out my sig

 

[Outlawmws]

Oh sure,,, rub it in!

 

[kctyphoon]

there is no "mis-information" posted, and the only Walyworld ive ever heard of is part of a Chevy Chase movie. my first post, was part of a discussion. my "responsibiliy" as you put it - was aimed towards helping the next guy that walks into a store needing some cutters.. i know this is an internet forum, and theres always gonna be the guy who complains about someone that didn't wear safety glasses, and "abused" his tools cause one got wet.

this wasnt a test on what things were rated for - as i keep saying, its a test of what they CAN do exposed to what i encounter at work cause this is what i can provide as a REAL WORLD experience for several different models and brands. im not writing a thesis listing every model and what they are "rated" to do, as commom sense dictates there are more than one model available from any line, advertised or not - and i am OBVIOUSLY not covering them all. still my crescent compound cutters which are NOT rated to cut SS or piano wire, have cut these same straps for years without wearing the jaws down. same with the pivit pro's i used briefly.

also - the 437's are not a high leverage cutter, i just realized i have an older pair in my basement, and it takes two hands just to cut through coat hanger sized wire lens protectors for a halogen light stand, i cant imagine what piano wire would be like.

and actually, misprint or not - the 338's are advertised as being able to cut piano wire / spring steel per amazon.

The 338 can cut piano wire (0.063- to 0.091-inch thick), hard wire (0.047- to 0.091-inch), medium hard wire (0.047- to 0.091-inch), and soft wire (0.162-inch maximum diameter).

338 8-Inch Diagonal Cutting Plier

At a Glance

Cuts piano wire, hard wire, medium hard wire, and soft wire
Knife and anvil style cutting edge to ensure perfect mating and superior cutting edge life
Laser heat-treated cutting edges last longer
Constructed of high-carbon C1080 steel for superior performance
Iconic blue handle is comfortable and easy to spot in your tool bag
Made in USA

 

[Outlawmws]

Walyworld =Walmart

 

[Youngguns]

How can a guy with over 450 pairs of pliers, cutters, tongs, grips, etc. have a favorite?

Is there a link where I can view this collection in its entirety?

 

[Outlawmws]

Nope, but most of the CL's are in this thread somewhere... except for the ones I've added since then.

you could also peruse three years of GS threads, and see a lot of them...

 

[Youngguns]

Nope, but most of the CL's are in this thread somewhere... except for the ones I've added since then.

you could also peruse three years of GS threads, and see a lot of them...

Trust me, I've probably seen most of them from the Garage Sale thread(s), that's why I added, "entirety!"

 

[kctyphoon]

as promised.. new pair of 338's after light use in line work.. from my best guess, this is one of the SS straps used by cable tv that did the jaw in.

 

[Robinson1]

The 13 pairs of channellock pliers on my service truck. You can tell which ones get used the most.

 

[Youngguns]

The 13 pairs of channellock pliers on my service truck. You can tell which ones get used the most.

How do you like the linesmans on the end?

 

[Robinson1]

How do you like the linesmans on the end?

I'd say they are every bit as good as Klein. I've got a pair of Kleins too but seem to always grab the Channellocks. The crimper is really handy and I like the handle material better.

 

[kctyphoon]

I'd say they are every bit as good as Klein. I've got a pair of Kleins too but seem to always grab the Channellocks. The crimper is really handy and I like the handle material better.

the 369's come in the XLT version also.. i have them, but havent used them much.. quality seems good but they are a bit stiff.

 

[Youngguns]

the 369's come in the XLT version also.. i have them, but havent used them much.. quality seems good but they are a bit stiff.

My brother had a pair of the 909 crimpers that were pretty stiff. He insisted they would loosen up, but after a year they didn't. He warrantied them without problem.

 

[kctyphoon]

My brother had a pair of the 909 crimpers that were pretty stiff. He insisted they would loosen up, but after a year they didn't. He warrantied them without problem.

i left them with sewing machine oil soaking in the joint, really didnt help.. the Knipex and NWS are very free moving... the NWS has absolutely no resistance at all.. the XLT channel ock does offer a smaller rivet and does give you some more leverage - but it certainly isnt a "night and day" difference.