Channel lock brand

[Jim C.]

I have four or five different, USA made, Channel Lock pliers. They're top notch, well made and get the job done. No problems. I like them for the price and will buy more as necessary.

 

[dankicksass]

The only Channellock tool I own I'm not in love with is a 6 in 1 screwdriver that came free with two pairs of Channellocks. It's a real POS. It was free but I wish they would have left it out. It makes you wonder

Those are Chinese screwdrivers, Channellock is supposedly happy with them. They've got a whole line of those things, nutdrivers too. I'm not a fan. If I want a Chinese screwdriver, I'll go with Stanley.

 

[D9H 90V]

All my pliers are Channellock, and most of my adj. wrenches are too,

Channellock's the only way to go

 

[gc427]

I bought many Channel Lock brand tools over the last few years.

Diagonal cutters, linesman pliers, big and small Channel Lock pliers and end nippers. All made in the USA and all ar rock solid and excellent quality.

I also bought some of their smaller 6" "Code Blue" adjustable wrenches. They are the best adjustable wrenches I have ever used. Precise adjuster and very slim head fits into tight spaces while the silicone grip gives you some solid power. All of my friends that try them out really are impressed. They are made in Spain, not USA but better than China.

Reasonable price, excellent feel, and high quality. Good stuff!

 

[Art From De Leon]

I agree with the quality and value of Channellock pliers, but the propensity of their tongue and groove pliers to pinch your fingers led me to replace mine with Knipex.

 

[HandyManny]

Been buying and using Channellock pliers for almost 40 years, great products, great company, very consistent, something Klein can't say...

TheGrooveking

I have to agree with the comments regarding the Klein . . .

I totally agree on this point as well. Klein's steel just isn't as tough as it should be.

 

[HandyManny]

I have no complaints about Channellock pliers, they're the only general-use pliers I'll spend my money on. Made in Meadville, PA, top quality for decades and they haven't offshored production of any pliers. Their adjustable wrenches are made in Spain. I do take issue with the quality of their licensed Chinese kits that you find in warehouse club stores and I feel those products devalue the brand but that's another day's rant. In my box I've got a dozen Channellock pliers for any other-brand plier in there.

I think that those licensed Chinese tools at Sams club is going to really hurt the Channellock brand if they continue doing this. Snap-On has been doing the same thing at Costco and Ace with certain things like flashlights etc. Not good, they really should not do it.

 

[HandyManny]

I also bought some of their smaller 6" "Code Blue" adjustable wrenches. They are the best adjustable wrenches I have ever used. Precise adjuster and very slim head fits into tight spaces while the silicone grip gives you some solid power. All of my friends that try them out really are impressed. They are made in Spain, not USA but better than China.

Reasonable price, excellent feel, and high quality. Good stuff!

Those adjustable wrenches are made by IREGA in Spain. Probably regarded as one of the worlds high-end adjustables. Snap-On has IREGA make theirs too. Spain is a European country that was at one time was very highly regarded for making the best steel used in the medieval making of weapons, armor, sword and cutlery, though that industry has diminished, the manufacturing of quality steel products is still deep rooted in their culture going back centuries long before we boasted about our steel products. Though this is not usually well known by many Americans these days. The public school syetem has sure failed to teach certain historical facts. Everyone thinks Spain is the same as Mexico.

 

[rockchucker]

Hmmm Interesting. Most of mine are Channellocks as well, various pliers spanning many years. Some as old as 40 years, some I bought in the 1980's and 90's, and a few I bought very recently made within the last one to three years. Only difference I've noticed is the permalock fastener used since the early 1980's and one of the oldest smaller slipjoints appears to be chrome or nickle plated. Most of the pliers I have from the 1970's through late 1990's are plain finished carbon steel and develope a slight patina from regular handling and use over the years. Those made within the last 10 years or so are still carbon steel finished but have what the company calls an electronic coating, which is just a clear coat varnish applied over the steel to protect it from rust which I think is unnessesary.

Only other difference I've noted is that many older tongue & groove pliers seem to have the top jaw milled thinner to match the the thin bottom jaw. The jaws on their T&G pliers just seem thicker today. At some point the company stopped stamping their brand name and product number into the tools and started faintly lazer etching it instead, and also removed Meadville, PA from the markings. Some older tools also have the patent number stamped on the reverse of the tool. Other than those slight modification I see no difference in quality at all and I use all my pliers pretty regularly too.

Very easily could just be in my head but I like the feel of the older ones over the Newer ones. Maybe just a little heavier? Thicker Handles that don't bend as much under load? I definitely like a brand new set with new Jaws for gripping stuff.


Either or... There is absolutely nothing bad to say about Channel Lock Pliers in my opinion. I didn't mean to come across wrong. Great Pliers for great prices hands down.


The handle re-dipping idea that somebody mentioned earlier is a sweet idea! Even if you had to pay for the process it would be worth it to get those grips renewed!

 

[HandyManny]

Very easily could just be in my head but I like the feel of the older ones over the Newer ones. Maybe just a little heavier? Thicker Handles that don't bend as much under load? I definitely like a brand new set with new Jaws for gripping stuff.


Either or... There is absolutely nothing bad to say about Channel Lock Pliers in my opinion. I didn't mean to come across wrong. Great Pliers for great prices hands down.


The handle re-dipping idea that somebody mentioned earlier is a sweet idea! Even if you had to pay for the process it would be worth it to get those grips renewed!

Oh no worries man. Wasn't trying to counter-act your opinion or observations or anything, just experessing my experience with the brand spanning 40 years. Other's have various observations and I'm not going to take that away from them.

 

[oak_park]

I think they make great pliers and their Irega adjustables are really nice. I also miss the little Champs, models 43 and 50. I think their plastidip handle covers have gotten thinner over the years. I liked the vinyl pouches they used to come in too. Made in the USA so I'm happy to support them.

Not sure where the marketing angle is with their code blue series of pliers, I don't see them around anywhere...seems like the same pliers with heavier grips.

 

[azchrisf]

I know this is an old thread, but I thought I would mention for those who mentioned getting them regripped, you can do this yourself with some Plastidip.

Just cut the old ones off with a razor, and dip them into the Plastidip, remove at the rate they specify on the can, let dry, repeat 2 or 3 times and walla - regripped Channellocks.