Best quality pliers?

[sberry]

The low end plier is too expensive in the retail outlet, the vendors make something on this one, the numbers of units way less than common end wrenches. You cant buy a good one for 8$. A deal on a good one 20 and it last so much longer in rough environment. Say rodbuster who doesnt care about replacement of this one tool, willing to buy new when he wears one out, if he is old fart and takes time he doesnt need to abuse it, sometimes its a consumable and worth the price.

Put me in a place where time is high money and in a hurry dont care about how much wear I put on a pair of pliers.

 

[sensei_]

Rubbish; low-end Chinese for many years...

Once upon a time - in the 1970s and 1980s - Fuller pliers were sourced from Japan and were very good.

The only thing that Fuller makes anymore that is even worth a look are the "Made in Canada" screwdrivers. They can best be described as decent quality - not world-beaters, but quite respectable.

cool. at least i know where to throw the newer stuff (i have a bucket that is dedicated to scrap tools destined for the scrap metal heap)

i do have several that came from the 70-80s era, and on a recent visit to a local toolshed, they were still stamping them with the word "japan" so im not sure if they are still japanese made or offshored again to china.

 

[OldNoob]

Great thread. Doing some personal research in this area. I have a bad tendency to loose tools or inadvertently leave them a "Parting Gifts" in peoples cars or homes. The thought of spending $20 for a pair of pliers and then loose them is a bit unsettling. Any thoughts on a Very high quality, Hard metal adjustable plier under $20 (us)?

 

[rick carpenter]

For new pliers, I like my plain-dipped Channellock t&gs, linemens, longnose, and dykes (Code Blues look like barf!); Wilde-made Tekton slip joints; Knipex 10" pliers wrenches and 614 strippers; and Klein Kurve strippers. That pretty much will do me... except for maybe a 7" pliers wrenches in the near future. I have plenty of beater vintage pliers of different kinds.

 

[fm2176]

Great thread. Doing some personal research in this area. I have a bad tendency to loose tools or inadvertently leave them a "Parting Gifts" in peoples cars or homes. The thought of spending $20 for a pair of pliers and then loose them is a bit unsettling. Any thoughts on a Very high quality, Hard metal adjustable plier under $20 (us)?

For sheer availability and affordability, I'll add another Channellock recommendation. Home Depot has a fairly decent selection, from $42 sets down to $12-13 individual pliers. Lowes is cheaper on some (the 460 is about $2 less than at HD) but only carries about 6-7 different types. Most hardware stores, like Ace and True Value have an assortment, and even Wal-Mart sells a few types. In other words, if you invest in some, and like them, you won't have to travel far to replace them if needed.

Channellock is good quality, American-made, and has a good reputation among many people. The next time you misplace a pair, the person that finds them will know that a "pro" was at work; meanwhile, you're out well under $20 depending on the type. Besides, the handles are blue...

 

[Hlidskjalf]

Guys----'Ya know, I think we need to wake up.

The NWS pliers LOOK amazing...but not too long ago, a Fellow PipeFighter/Plumper posted a well written evaluation on a set of the Top-of-the-Line NWS pliers, and to be honest, they failed miserably.

Looks do count....as does design, but above all else-the life of the tool, for true USERS has Got to come first!

If a manufacture is going to ask me to pay $80 for a pair of pliers, it sure as hell better last.

If someone can find that thread, I'd like to see a link posted to this thread. At that cost, I, first and foremost, need tools that will last-my lifetime at least. I'm a true user.

http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=172179

That was my thread. Guess what? I am still beating up and thrashing NWS and Knipex pliers all day. When I get a picture I will post up some updated pictures for everyone to see.

In short, when they're new they work great. After I strip out the teeth they're pretty much useless.

 

[arz71]

I have the older Blue-Point USA made ones and Snap-On and the Witte are good steel.

The best pliers have a bit of flex to them, ones that are extremely rigid feeling are almost useless. I think it goes back to the quality of tool steel, ones that do not have any flex are useless.

Some of the channel lock are 'ok' but goes back to being rigid and clunky. Would prefer them over any china made junk.

 

[66354dream]

I love the way Snap On pliers feel and work but hate the way they stain or rust so quickly, Knipex or Channel lock gets my vote.