Best locking pliers comparison

[MarvinBerry]

T(passed on probably 100 in worn out condition). I gave up a couple years ago and just started buying Strong hand and Stanley. The strong hand are just as good a clamp and the Stanleys haven't let me down. Stanley is at Walmart and SH is at my LWS. No more hoping I'll find a pair of pliers in okay condition.

Stanley & Irwin were punted out of wally world a few years ago. They carry Hart now which is TTI... think Ryobi.

I grabbed a couple Irwins on the blowout they've been perfectly fine. Will even say much better then some other brands...looking at you Kobalt. Jammed up right out of package totally unusable.

Favorites are the Milwaukee torque lock. Smooth easy to adjust & bite hard. They kinda built a better mouse trap.

 

[Mr_B]

Stanley improving the quality actually makes sense.
Stanley is highly concerned about “branding” and the Vise-Grip brand was likely considered valuable to them.
Stanley despite their reputation, does seem to be interested in quality, at least this seems to be shown in some of the other Project Farm tests.
Stanley is also large enough that they can large batches of steel of the correct alloy when needed, even from Chinese steel suppliers.

Current Stanley is nothing great.
Stanley bought the British MOLE Grip brand and ruined that to point brand never used anymore and Fatmax is the main marketed brand for Stanley locking pliers, Mole brand an even worse example of what rubbermaid/irwin did with visegrip brand .
early stanley was US made, British made and later Spanish sourcing (mainly found in UK/Europe) and the start of Grip-On Spain becoming a locking plier player worldwide.

 

[Iridium rand]

Best locking pliers are the Channellock Tog-L-Lok version. Why don't more manufacturers make their with the release lever on the outside where you can grip it easy? Also, if anybody has a set they would like to sell, let me know.

That exact design I’ve never seen elsewhere, but it’s pretty common on euro ones and all of the old craftsmans at my work actually have it too, for the unlock lever to go in that direction, but still usually in the normal position at the bottom of the handle. I also much prefer it to be like that, was surprised how much better they are than what I was used to

 

[qqzj]

The last couple years of the US production weren't that great either so we are talking about roughly 20 year old pliers. I have spent a lot of time in pawn shops and swap meets across the Rockies over the last 15 years and have bought all the Peterson vice grips in decent condition I have found which is like 10 pairs (passed on probably 100 in worn out condition). I gave up a couple years ago and just started buying Strong hand and Stanley. The strong hand are just as good a clamp and the Stanleys haven't let me down. Stanley is at Walmart and SH is at my LWS. No more hoping I'll find a pair of pliers in okay condition.

I recently bought a pair of NOS Irwin. Can you tell whether it's one of the last couple of years USA-made Irwin that are not very good? And is it a Peterson?

 

[Bubba Fett]

So were the Irwin’s Vise-Grips always this “not bad”, or has all the sh1t, piss, vomit, and rancid diarrhea, GarageJournal has dumped and rubbed over the brand for the past decade or two caused Irwin to actually focus on making their pliers somewhat decent and closer to the supposed quality of the original Peterson Vise-Grips?

Also, It’s nice to know the Malco Eagle-Grip pliers stand up quality wise, except the cutter performance.
Does anybody routinely use the cutters on locking pliers? I sort of figured the cutters were there “just in case”, or for moments were that was all you had at hand.

Lastly, I’m surprised the auto adjust pliers worked as well as they did.
I have a bunch, but just purchased them for quick clamping of soldering or welding jobs, were individually adjusting half a dozen or more individual pliers would get annoying.
I should probably point out, items being clamped together with the self adjusting pliers need to be tightly flush, since they auto adjust, and two items not completely flush like sheet metal will just cause the jaws to auto adjust to too wide an opening for a sturdy grip.

I feel like the Irwin pliers improved once SBD bought the company from Rubbermaid.

I'm a bit bummed that the Bremen pliers were not included. I feel like they are the best bang for the buck, as they are made in Taiwan, and operate a little better, IMO. The Malco's are clearly the best you can get, but they are quite expensive. In some cases, cheaper pliers may make more sense (i.e. when used as welding clamps).

 

[Mr_B]

I recently bought a pair of NOS Irwin. Can you tell whether it's one of the last couple of years USA-made Irwin that are not very good? And is it a Peterson?

It USA made at Dewitt plant as got the roll pin in release lever .
It late/last of production as got the 3/8 hex drive in end of the thumb screw .
Main difference I found on late one is plating durability not as good and general fit and finish bit more variable .

 

[Mr_B]

I'm a bit bummed that the Bremen pliers were not included. I feel like they are the best bang for the buck, as they are made in Taiwan, and operate a little better, IMO. The Malco's are clearly the best you can get, but they are quite expensive. In some cases, cheaper pliers may make more sense (i.e. when used as welding clamps).

Bremen seems like top contender for and test or opinion.
They are pretty good, pretty cheap(silly cheap back when done the 3 item under 10bucks coupon) and available easily .
The welding style clamps in Bremen range are excellent option, Far better than Tekton and with Tekton the Welding/Fabrication clamps are different manufacturer and pretty poor effort .
One of my employees uses Bremen and they do pretty good, they also been so cheap they disposable cost in professional use .

 

[claymont]

it's called life experience and that started couple decades before youtube.
The point is don't take half arsed testing on youtube channels over a bit of gumption and personal experience .

So, how would you test these pliers? What tests would you like to see him perform? How many different plier types do you base your statement on? Personally, I find the tests informative to some extent; it's always fun/informative to see things tested to the max limits. For some of these tests, he has some serious money invested in some of the equipment used.
Not everybody has the "gumption and decades experience" that you have.

 

[Mr_B]

Personally, I find the tests informative to some extent; it's always fun/informative to see things tested to the max limits. For some of these tests, he has some serious money invested in some of the equipment used.

Yes it informative to some extent and fun at times & I do fully understand the time, effort and money he puts into it ...
Just seems to me to of people still benefit more listening and learning from themselves more than youtube reviews/tests .
Reality is the right/best tool tends be very much your own opinion .

 

[General Geoff]

Just seems to me to of people still benefit more listening and learning from themselves more than youtube reviews/tests .
Reality is the right/best tool tends be very much your own opinion .

PF's test videos are primarily aimed at budget-minded folks who are looking to purchase a tool that they do not already have, or do have and are dissatisfied with, and have no desire to buy multiple different types to try them all out to see what they like best. With the sheer multitude of different brands and even multitude of tools that accomplish the same task within a brand, it's great to see someone testing several popular tools against each other in an empirical way.

I found his utility/razor blade test video to be a valuable guide and purchased the Dewalt Carbide blades based on the results. No regrets.

 

[greg13]

In my opinion today nobody does it better than Malco. That’s why I bought the Snap-on version of the Malco. It used to be the Peterson/Irwin were the best now not the case as Irwin just shred the teeth. I’ve had my dealer warranty several pairs of the China Irwin ones. The worst ones I’ve found in todays time is Pittsburgh, Craftsman and Irwin. The best Malco/Snap-on, Bremen and Duralast. I think a lot of people on here would definitely agree with me on the Bremen. They do really well. And I use these professionally everyday.

My understanding from my Snap on rep. is that Snap on bought the old Vise Grip factory in Dewitt. The new Snap on grips are dead ringers for the old US made vise grips. And since they branded Snap on and not Blue point indicates they are made by Snap on and not an outside manufacturer.

 

[Mr_B]

My understanding from my Snap on rep. is that Snap on bought the old Vise Grip factory in Dewitt. The new Snap on grips are dead ringers for the old US made vise grips. And since they branded Snap on and not Blue point indicates they are made by Snap on and not an outside manufacturer.

Your snap-on man needs talking to .
Malco bought the dewitt plant and spent last few years equipping and staffing it to produce the eaglegrip pliers .
snapon is using Malco as odm supplier for the grips branded snapon and with a higher polish as snap-on guys love shiny finish ...

 

[Bubba Fett]

Yep. Malco makes Snap-On's locking pliers. Snap-On has no part in it, other than contracting Malco to make them.

 

[BombShelter]

I love the Project Farm, he's seems really open to suggestions, if you have some different testing standards I'd sent them over. When we did our senior engineering project we were doing all kinds of tests on rigged up equipment and some big-money equipment. It doesn't matter what his equipment looks like as long as the same test is applied to all of the samples.

I beat the heck out of my locking pliers, if I see vintage for sale I usually grab a few, I feel like they're in the cheap screwdriver catagory, you never use them properly and they take a ton of abuse but they get the job done. Most of the cheap new ones stink, the teeth are way too soft and they become worthless pretty quickly

AvE also does some cool stuff but listen with the volume down......

 

[ooba tooba]

Tiny

 

[CS454]

They're ultimately consumable. That's why I just keep warrantying my Mac (SBD) ones.

 

[dr_clyde]

My understanding from my Snap on rep. is that Snap on bought the old Vise Grip factory in Dewitt. The new Snap on grips are dead ringers for the old US made vise grips. And since they branded Snap on and not Blue point indicates they are made by Snap on and not an outside manufacturer.

LOL, Snap on reps LOVE to spin lines of BS like this. I think they're instructed not to tell customers that they occasionally contract other tool makers to make products for them.

About 15 years ago I ordered a Snap-On welding helmet for like, $500. I was VERY disappointed when a red SO badged Jackson NexGen helmet showed up. A NexGen was like, $300 then, so I basically was paying $200 for red paint and a SO logo. When I confronted my dealer about it, he told me "Snap on must make helmets for Jackson". HA.

I will NEVER trust what a SO rep says about who makes something on the truck, because either they don't know, or they'll just lie.

Malco makes these pliers for SO under contract. That's all there is to it. Anything else you were told is pure ****.

 

[seber]

I have 15 or twenty Petersons and a few Irwins. If there is a difference I really don't notice it. The Malcos however, do work better.

 

[JradM]

You need to use your critical thinking skills to get the most out of Project Farm videos. It's impossible for him to test every style or every scenario under which you'd use the pliers - but the things he does test are good data to consider when shopping.

I also don't believe Irwin's are nearly as bad as a search on this forum would suggest. It's possible though that maybe some earlier generation was worse than they are now. I'm perfectly happy using any of my Irwins.

I like my CH Hanson better. I see PF included these but not their data in the charts because of the different locking mechanism. I would have preferred he include them but mark it with an asterix or some such. I think they're pretty darn good - though it seems strange at first.

That automatic lock is a neat feature, they grip well and feel very robust. I think I'll keep an eye out for more.

I also have a collection of pretty trashy locking pliers. The basically no-name stuff sold at farm supply stores, for example. They have a purpose too though. I don't feel bad using them to hold something I'm heating with a torch, grinding very small or welding.

 

[dogdog]

Snap on must make helmets for Jackson". HA.

It is true, that is how all internet truth started.
The HF Bergman branded are not bad at all comparable with the old vise grip or Irwin one that I have. Better price too. But not a rare item to brag about, it just works when needed.

 

[dogdog]

You need to use your critical thinking skills to get the most out of Project Farm videos. It's impossible for him to test every style or every scenario under which you'd use the pliers - but the things he does test are good data to consider when shopping.

True that, you also need to stop and think about the test he does and check if it make sense. His video have a lot of good info, but on the flip side. I can easily program some one that don’t like to think, just spoon feed mentality. Remember those high pressure sales formats ?

 

[Iridium rand]

You need to use your critical thinking skills to get the most out of Project Farm videos. It's impossible for him to test every style or every scenario under which you'd use the pliers - but the things he does test are good data to consider when shopping.

I also don't believe Irwin's are nearly as bad as a search on this forum would suggest. It's possible though that maybe some earlier generation was worse than they are now. I'm perfectly happy using any of my Irwins.

I like my CH Hanson better. I see PF included these but not their data in the charts because of the different locking mechanism. I would have preferred he include them but mark it with an asterix or some such. I think they're pretty darn good - though it seems strange at first.

That automatic lock is a neat feature, they grip well and feel very robust. I think I'll keep an eye out for more.

I also have a collection of pretty trashy locking pliers. The basically no-name stuff sold at farm supply stores, for example. They have a purpose too though. I don't feel bad using them to hold something I'm heating with a torch, grinding very small or welding.

I really don’t think they were ever anywhere close to as bad as they’re made out to be, just like how vintage craftsman was never anywhere near as good as it’s made out to be. When there’s any significant change made to a well known and loved product people tend to act like it’s completely ruined and that the old version was the best thing ever made

Really the biggest difference in my experience is newer/non-vintage ones have a tendency for that piece that rests against the set screw to jump out of the handle when you release them (minor inconvenience), jaws are a little less durable but if used daily they were a semi-consumable back then and still are now.

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

My Snap-on Malco made ones started peeling chrome today after about the 3rd use since I’ve had them. Kinda upset. That’s why I think it would be better if these pliers weren’t chrome plated. They are amazing quality just the chrome plating will give issues. I’m sure my dealer will take care of it though. But paying the high price you would think it would last longer. So that’s one thing to watch out for if you get these. Otherwise they are amazing. These and Bremen and Tekton are my favorite modern locking pliers.

 

[Dzmax77]

I thought Knipex had the best locking pliers but they’re not on Malco’s level. Malco is much better all the way around.

 

[qqzj]

That's why you need objective test. Knipex is not even close. Even it's bolt cutter is worse than Capri's.

 

[tarbellb]

Most would agree that Knipex locking pliers are not great, ok at best especially given the price.

Malco look nice, I havent put hands on one yet but everything points to quality.

My money would still go to Facom- quality is as good or better then Malco, and offers a huge range of styles

 

[m6z]

The last time one of these threads popped up I hopped on Ebay and found a pair of NOS Petersen C-clamp pliers for $25.

 

[American Locomotive]

Just resurrecting to say that we really put my Malco Eagle Grips to test the other day. We were doing a bunch of work on my friend's truck, and have to remove the hitch that's been on the truck for 18 New England winters. Obviously the bolts and nuts were just spinning together, and would not separate. The nuts all rounded over. We ended up putting the Eagle Grips on the nuts, and the big 1/2" Milwaukee impact on the bolt (the 1000+ lb ft one).

The impact was hitting hard enough to actually break some of the those 1/2" bolts holding the hitch on, and the Eagle Grips held strong. With the help of the Eagle Grips we were able to either break or remove all of the hitch bolts without much issue. It was super, super impressive.

The Eagle Grips escaped largely intact - some slight damage to some of the teeth. But I would consider vise-gripping a nut with a bolt attached to a 1000 lb-ft impact to be probably about the absolute worst possible scenario for these tools.

 

[qqzj]

Great. This just confirmed that the PF tests are able to tell the tools that are expensive and good from those that expensive and average quality.

 

[SRSemenza]

Even though that PF video is pretty new, I notice that the Tekton pliers tested are not the current version. Besides a different lever they are now made in Taiwan. The ones in the video are China. Maybe the new ones are better?

Seth

 

[809]

I didn't want to create a separate thread for this question, but am I the only one that thinks that locking pliers aren't really a need-to-have or essential tool?

For regular gripping, regular pliers like Cobras, Alligators, and Channellocks work well enough. For grips requiring locking, welding F-clamps work better. For removing rusted bolts/nuts, pliers like CL Nutbusters or Knipex Raptors would work better. The Raptors especially can go in spaces where clearance is an issue.

Locking pliers, to me, seems like a tertiary tool. It has lots of moving parts, meaning more points of failure. **** can get stuck in crevices in outdoor conditions (not that it can't be cleaned out). The jaws and handle assembly is so big that everything being accessed requires lots of clearance. I'm not that experienced so I could be wrong, but I bought a 3 piece set of locking pliers 5 years ago, but have yet to use them.

 

[matthew]

I didn't want to create a separate thread for this question, but am I the only one that thinks that locking pliers aren't really a need-to-have or essential tool?

There is a saying that Vise Grips are the wrong tool for every job. That is actually saying two things, although many people only pick up on the first:
1. Whatever you’re doing, they are not the right tool
2 They can be used for any job

If you’ve got every other tool, there’s no need. But if you’ve ever had to adapt, adjust, makeshift, then they are often useful.

 

[CR888]

It USA made at Dewitt plant as got the roll pin in release lever .
It late/last of production as got the 3/8 hex drive in end of the thumb screw .
Main difference I found on late one is plating durability not as good and general fit and finish bit more variable .

Mr.B is right about the details like that little roll pin that signifies a lot, the lever seems to work better on the older roll pin ones. Also how the chrome flakes on the newer ones is what I have noticed too. Very hard to beat the old Petersons, they were made with a level of pride back then as I believe the family owned/created original patent. It wasnt just about 'price point' & profit. I think it was one of the tool offshore sins that number crunchers made when they offshored ViceGrip. Up untill the day the factory closed it was making a reasonable profit with all the benefits of being a USA made tool.

 

[RickyPetite]

My old Chinese locking pliers work fine but the Malco's are just better in every way. Heavier steel, no slop, sharp teeth, much better screw mechanism. Night and day although I got by with the vast assortment of cheapies for many years and never missed a beat. On the other hand, I have two sets of Proto long-nose locking pliers that are made in Spain. Absolute junk. They bend and twist and are miserable to work with. Bought them because they weren't made in China...live and learn.

 

[Mr_B]

My Snap-on Malco made ones started peeling chrome today after about the 3rd use since I’ve had them. Kinda upset. That’s why I think it would be better if these pliers weren’t chrome plated. They are amazing quality just the chrome plating will give issues. I’m sure my dealer will take care of it though. But paying the high price you would think it would last longer. So that’s one thing to watch out for if you get these. Otherwise they are amazing. These and Bremen and Tekton are my favorite modern locking pliers.

Yeah thick chrome plating has no place around high load contact points like jaws .
Jaws shouldn't be plated ideally.
Snapon and it's obsesion for mirror like jewellery chrome, satin and chemical finishes are a lot better option in most tool scenarios .

 

[Mr_B]

My old Chinese locking pliers work fine but the Malco's are just better in every way. Heavier steel, no slop, sharp teeth, much better screw mechanism. Night and day although I got by with the vast assortment of cheapies for many years and never missed a beat. On the other hand, I have two sets of Proto long-nose locking pliers that are made in Spain. Absolute junk. They bend and twist and are miserable to work with. Bought them because they weren't made in China...live and learn.

I guess the Spain ones will be grip-on which have a love/hate relationship on here, I never found them be very good, long nose highlighting the facts as easy twist jaws up .

 

[redwrench60]

If you’ve lived a sheltered life around new machines with perfect hardware and everything in your favor you’ll never understand the need and love for Vise Grips.

They are a tool of last resort to get you out of a jam and help fix fucked without lots of extra effort. That hopelessly rounded flare nut that you’re going to fix if you could just get the old one off? Vise Grip.
That pipe ****** broken off in that expensive pump with only 1/8” sticking out? Vise Grip.

 

[American Locomotive]

I really don't think the CL "Nut Busters" or Knipex Raptors work better, at all.

Locking pliers have two huge benefits:
1) They do the clamping for you. Try and hold onto a nut with a pair of channellocks with an impact wrench on the other end, or even just a big wrench. It's a huge hassle. With vise grips, you clamp on to the nut, leaving you to focus on and work with the other end of the fastened assembly.

2) You can easily work things back and forth (this really goes with #1, but important enough to be its own point). For example, I was removing a broken stud from an exhaust manifold. I clamped on to the stub of the stud, while I applied heat with my torch. This allowed me to easily work the stud back and forth to unscrew it from the manifold. Trying to do that with a pair of pliers would have been terrible.

2) The "cam-over" mechanism of locking pliers gives them a MUCH higher clamping force than traditional pliers. A pair of 10" channellocks might be able to squeak out ~800-900 pounds of force at the jaws if you squeeze the handles with everything you have. A pair of locking pliers can hit over 5000 pounds of clamping force.

Should you be using locking pliers on brand new shiny hardware? Absolutely not. But there are tons of things locking pliers do so extremely well, that it's ridiculous to say they're necessary. Like the job I did a couple of days ago. The only other way those bolts were coming out, is if they were cut off.

 

[seber]

As far as clamping force, they are definitely not my go to. If I need to get some serious torque on a worn nut, I go for a parrot beak pliers. And just to piss off a few of you tool snobs, the best parrot beak I have came from Harbor Freight.

 

[Dakotadadv8]

Looking at the snap on locking 10" locking pliers and cutters. Does anyone have it? Ready to add it to the Christmas list.