Anyone else like Crescent Tools?

[Jtels85]

Just picked up these long nose Crescent pliers from Home Depot. It appears they have changed the handle color from red to orange and the packaging has been updated. I feel like it was a pretty good deal for $16. They also had a pair of Crescent linesman pliers I’m going back to get this week to use for an electrical job at my girlfriends house this coming weekend.

I noticed a new Crescent 3/8” drive mechanic set with their new logo down at the Tractor Supply. I don’t really need anymore sockets but I kind of want it for the heck of it.

 

[Fedwrench]

I think the current Crescent tools are a budget version of Gearwrench. The combination wrench sets seem to have some pretty lobster claw looking open ends. What I have been wondering about lately, is where will Crescent fit in between Gearwrench and the recent launch of SATA tools?

 

[measuredtwice]

Here's one of my old crescent wrenches made in the USA by Crescent. Almost no wiggle at all in the jaw. Compares favorably to the quality wrenches from Irega Spain. Much thicker though. And the jaws don't open as wide.

 

[Jtels85]

I think the current Crescent tools are a budget version of Gearwrench. The combination wrench sets seem to have some pretty lobster claw looking open ends. What I have been wondering about lately, is where will Crescent fit in between Gearwrench and the recent launch of SATA tools?

I did see a set of Crescent combination wrenches at Tractor Supply and they appeared to have been there awhile judging by the amount of dust covering it. They look a little on the cheap side.

What are SATA Tools?

 

[Professional Tool User]

I honestly don't know what to make of crescent tools other than it's just a brand name apex tool group has. Besides adjustable wrenches, it's hard for me to identify them with anything.

 

[oak_park]

I think the current Crescent tools are a budget version of Gearwrench. What I have been wondering about lately, is where will Crescent fit in between Gearwrench and the recent launch of SATA tools?

I agree. You should get a side job as an analyst who covers the hand tool market.

 

[Professional Tool User]

I did see a set of Crescent combination wrenches at Tractor Supply and they appeared to have been there awhile judging by the amount of dust covering it. They look a little on the cheap side.

What are SATA Tools?

SATA tools are a brand name Apex tool group uses in parts of the world and is also the name of its manufacturing operations in China. They sell a lot of the same stuff as Gearwrench.

 

[Professional Tool User]

I think the current Crescent tools are a budget version of Gearwrench. The combination wrench sets seem to have some pretty lobster claw looking open ends. What I have been wondering about lately, is where will Crescent fit in between Gearwrench and the recent launch of SATA tools?

I don't even get why they would bother launching SATA in the US. Unless they maxed out the marketing potential of Gearwrench, it makes no sense.

 

[Jtels85]

SATA tools are a brand name Apex tool group uses in parts of the world and is also the name of its manufacturing operations in China. They sell a lot of the same stuff as Gearwrench.

Interesting! Thanks for explaining that.

 

[Jtels85]

I just looked up SATA tools on eBay. Are they green in color? They don’t look that appealing. Looks like something I’d find at Dollar Tree.

 

[Joebass]

I have a bunch of US made Crescent pliers that are nice I'm one of my boxes. Also at least a dozen US made Crescent adjustable wrenches up to 18". The new stuff is import.

 

[mrvm]

Like my old Crescent adjustable wrenches. Nothing outstanding on the newer Crescents.

 

[neophyte]

Some of the Crescent branded tools are interesting, but I basically preferred the brand when it consisted of quality USA made pliers.
I’ve seen a bunch of complaints that the Import stuff looks nice, but wears out quickly in use.

 

[Ford12508]

We have 15 or so older crescent sets that were us made. Went to buy a few new sets for the yard a couple weeks ago and say it was import stuff. I googled reviews and they didnt seem to positive. I do heavy construction and tools get destroyed and lost, so cheap is good, but I dont want to be working with **** when it's new.

Havent found a good all around USA made set yet

 

[Citation]

I have the Crescent branded roto ratchets and a set of combination metric wrenches. I like both and the seem to be great value for a shade tree mechanic. They are formed better than my Kobalt combo wrenches. I'm not sure if the forming of the actual jaws are better than those on my 90’s vintage Cman wenches. However the full polish certainty looks better than the raw forging look of the Cman wenches. For a while the set I have was $10 on Amazon. Heck of a value.

 

[mfewtrail]

I don't own any crescent stuff that I can think of, but it looks like it would be fine to use like almost any other import tool set w/ a name brand these days.

Eagle Tool Industrial Inc. in Taiwan makes at least some of the Crescent stuff: You can spot them coming down the line about 40 secs into this video and then being packed for shipping shortly after that(look when they're putting the sets in cardboard boxes and you can make out the crescent colors + logo).

<iframe width="964" height="542" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ihyAMz5BNYw" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[Robinson1]

USA made crescent was on par with Channel Lock as far as pliers go. Their adjustable wrenches were the best made.

The import stuff. It's about like Kobalt or Pittsburg Pro.

They have some small socket sets that are very nice for the money. I have a set of their bit sockets. Havent broke anything yet. I do not like their ratchets one bit.

If you want a cheap ratchet Gear Wrench all the way

 

[engineer2]

Crescent equivalent to Channel-Loks - Meh, made of bare steel so they rust easily.
Thumbs down on their flare nut wrenches -- very loose tolerances.
Thumbs up on their old adjustable wrenches.

 

[dr_clyde]

Old Crecent, yes. I have some really nice wrenches that are really nice quality.

Now that Apex owns them, hell no. **** Apex.

 

[lardy1]

I bought a set of Crescent 1/2" drive metric sockets cheap. I've never used them but visually, I'd say I got what I paid for.

 

[Wamsutta]

I liked Crescent when they were owned by Cooper Tools; not anymore. At the time, they had the best locking pliers known to man.

 

[Parrothead]

Their adjustable wrenches were the best made.

You clearly have different adjustable Crescent wrenches than I have. I'd say the really old inherited adjustable wrenches I received were "okay", and the pair of brand new USA made Crescent's I bought a couple years ago (thanks GJ! lol) are absolutely with out question the WORST adjustable wrenches I've used. The Channellocks annihilate them, the Craftsman USA Western Forge made were worlds better too. Heck, I've got a Brigade adjustable wrench I bought from Cripe that's way better as well. The 8" Stanley I bought at Walmart is better. The only adjustable wrenches I've found that are worse are the kind in the bins where you pick through the cheap tools. I really wanted to like the Crescent versions, the handles looked nice, with a decent thick handle, but the slop and ability to hold a setting was terrible. I'll sell them to a USA tool fan at some point.

Now, when Menards was still carrying the Crescent product, they were the best value out there. I bought some 1/2 deep sockets to keep in our cars with the breaker bars for removing tires. No issues.

 

[jeffmoss26]

I love the old US made Crescent and Xcelite stuff.

 

[CRTDI]

Crescent LMB14 and CMB16 sets.

 

[JR 42]

Apex can sit on it and twirl- Crescent is dead IMO. I like the older Crescent adjustables I've found, but I don't think they're best in class, just solid tools. There's always some slop/ wiggle in the jaw, but all mine were clearly used at least a little. Their old pliers and cutters are nice too.

CRTDI- very nice sets!

 

[Shed of tools]

Crescent was dead to me already and now Apex decided to ruin the reputation of more well known brands like Wiss and Lufkin by slapping the Crescent name on them. I believe in ten years Or less the the value of the name will be gone and they will be two more companies killed off by Apex.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

I value My older adjustable Crescent Wenches; but My older Proto, Diamond, Duro, and Snap-on adjustables are tighter. I bought up extra new USA made Crescents a few years back that got My "ok as useable", but were sloppy compared to their elders.

So for Me: the olden day Crescent Wrenches were a good 5th choice, and the Last USA were "ok" at best. As far as the "Chres-cent" wrenches currently peddled during sales at three for $10; I have no use for them. RIP USA Crescent.

 

[Ton ton]

I like the wire strippers pretty good.

 

[redwrench60]

Here’s an older thread. I rediscovered a NOS USA made 15” Crescent wrench in the bottom of a spare toolbox. It actually says manufactured by Crescent Tool Company Jamestown NY USA. I have several older USA made crescent wrenches that don’t say this so it made me wonder how old it is. It’s new and tight with excellent quality. Anybody know when the Jamestown plant actually closed?

 

[macgee]

Here’s an older thread. I rediscovered a NOS USA made 15” Crescent wrench in the bottom of a spare toolbox. ?

Redwrench,

Go to this thread, its much more current and will reach people who can help you answer your question:

"More than just adjustable wrenches, post up your vintage Crescent tools"
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=470557&page=2

 

[oldpliers1]

I like crescent tools and are looking to expand my collection,
the middle pair are by sidchrome made in Japan by Aussie company circa 2004 the crescents date from 1959 to 98

 

[XxToolAholicxX]

I love them if they are made in Jamestown NY USA

 

[oldpliers1]

I love them if they are made in Jamestown NY USA

I am after Jamestown items , 1950 series and 50 series
by the time I started in the trade production was in North Carolina , production eventually moved in part to Australia and they made Jamestown quality product. Originally sent castings to be assembled and finished then to full production of the 3800 series and 742 and a few others

 

[mainesailr]

I used all the Crescent double action pliers before I retired as a yacht sailboat rigger -Needlenose, lineman, dikes. Tho not super perfect-very very good. Doing lots of small work on small and large boat fittings required reliable alignment and gripping, good cutting leverage, share blades etc. PLUS spring return-saves the hands. The boxes and most everybody else carry the "reintroduced" versions-which are ****. I have just, fortunately, been able to find the original versions ( LIGHT BLUE/GREY HANDLE-not blue/red not navy/yellow) of all three-all old stock for sure) they'll cover the rest of my years just fine-glad to find them. BTW Crescent owns Apex which owns a bunch of former solo companies.

 

[oldpliers1]

I used all the Crescent double action pliers before I retired as a yacht sailboat rigger -Needlenose, lineman, dikes. Tho not super perfect-very very good. Doing lots of small work on small and large boat fittings required reliable alignment and gripping, good cutting leverage, share blades etc. PLUS spring return-saves the hands. The boxes and most everybody else carry the "reintroduced" versions-which are ****. I have just, fortunately, been able to find the original versions ( LIGHT BLUE/GREY HANDLE-not blue/red not navy/yellow) of all three-all old stock for sure) they'll cover the rest of my years just fine-glad to find them. BTW Crescent owns Apex which owns a bunch of former solo companies.

The light blue grey pliers in the 50-8 are available online even though they are Asian manufactured. The last of the real crescent pliers were Australian made, equal to the United States in steel and quality. Apex tools brings in the fake crescent tools from China which are junk . No comparison in longevity or performance. Maybe manufacturing will return to America. I think Klein and channellock keeping the American plier plants going is a smart move . I live in Australia and love American made tools , Swedish and German are great . And Japan makes good quality stuff . Regards