Channel lock vs craftsman 16" pliers

[ken w.]

I was at Lowes yesterday and I was looking at the pair of Channellock # 460 16" pliers. They were $22.95 . I then went to Sears and looked at the Craftsman 16" big pliers for $44.95 . What do you think are the better set of pliers ? And have any of you have the big Channellock # 480 Bigazz pliers ?

 

[hickmlg09]

I like channel locks!!

 

[Buckgnarly]

I have the 460 and big azzz....like both. I would say the Cman and chlock are on the same level, so price would determine which to get.

 

[dirtydogintex]

Bought the CM 16" @ full price because of the warranty - I didn't want to explain how I managed to do that when in fact __________ happened.... and still be able to warranty'em out!!

In comparison the CM take a whole lot longer to feel/work as though they're 'broke' in...

 

[lametec]

I have a few Channellock pliers, including the Big Azz. Don't have the 460, though. I can't see any reason to pay more for Craftsman than Channellock.

 

[jeffmoss26]

Channellock

 

[jpickar]

I have the Channel lock, the Craftsman and older Blue Point in the 16".
I like the Channel lock the best. But all three are very good.

I hit pawn shops reguarly so I get some good deals I can't pass up.

John

 

[Jim C.]

I have several different Craftsman pliers and I like them. In the last few years, I've also bought several Channellock pliers. I like those too. I think both Craftsman and Channellock are still being made in the USA, so I guess I'd base my decision on price and which pair seemed easier to use, more comfortable to use, etc.

Jim C.

 

[sberry]

The blue, I have Cman in those and they are not the same tool, I have one old 12 inch cman that is almost as good as blue but the configured the jaw different on some sears. I recently bought used pair of blue at a mkt for 7$, the only thing wrong was a little finish and it will match the rest of them, most of that stuff the jaws are whipped but these were like new. Cost half a new pair and they get dumped in to general service pool anyway, could care less about perfect finish,,, everything about how well they work. I found a cheap pair on one of the carts the other day, I usually regard that about like not having any, a cheap vise grip about the same way.

 

[sberry]

I certainly wouldnt pay double for a warranty,, would have bought 2 blue instead. Only a plumber or oilfield redneck could wear a pair of that size out.

 

[SMKS]

That's a sizable price difference. I would definitely go Channellock.

I recently went through the same thing. I went with a cheap Husky 16" pair for $14 because I don't think I'll really use them very much.

BTW - The Channellocks are $24.97 at my local Home Depot.

 

[czr12x]

I certainly wouldnt pay double for a warranty,, would have bought 2 blue instead. Only a plumber or oilfield redneck could wear a pair of that size out.

i hear some of the funniest chit when im surfing this site..

 

[Monte]

Knipex Cobra

 

[zer0cell]

I would go for channellock personally.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

I certainly wouldnt pay double for a warranty,, would have bought 2 blue instead. Only a plumber or oilfield redneck could wear a pair of that size out.

Yup, this is the route I'd go if you're going to spend the money anyway, and I personally like the feel of the Channellock handles over CM.

Also, at the rate Craftsman is going, I wouldn't bet on these still being USA made in the next 5 years. You might end up with something different by the time you have to warranty them.

 

[Kev442]

Geez, I just got some CL 12" and thought those were pretty big. I'm suffering from small plier envy!

I think buying the Cman to take advantage of the warranty is a mistake. They will be chinese made inside of 2 years, so then you will be driving over to Sears to warranty them constantly.

 

[mooman]

I had the same dilema about a month ago. I used the 50% Ace Hardware coupon at Lowes and bought the CL #460 thinking it would be the same as my Craftsman 16" at home.
After comparing the two, I would say the the Craftsman is the better of the two. I like the way the jaws are larger. But for the $12 the CL cost me, I'm not complaining.

 

[matt1977]

Channellock gets my vote

 

[gatewaysysop]

Yup, this is the route I'd go if you're going to spend the money anyway, and I personally like the feel of the Channellock handles over CM.

Also, at the rate Craftsman is going, I wouldn't bet on these still being USA made in the next 5 years. You might end up with something different by the time you have to warranty them.

Sadly, this is probably true. For what it's worth, I have some of the black handled pliers from Craftsman and also some dupes from Channel Lock at this point. Without a doubt, I like the Channellock branded versions better. I certainly would never pay more for Craftsman, that's for sure. The Crafty versions are not bad tools by any means, but given the direction the company is headed, if you seriously think you'll need a warranty in the future, I'd go with Channellock over Craftsman. My $.02 anyway.

 

[geologist]

I'm 99% sure the Craftsman's are rebranded Channellock with a different grip. I made a post on this last year. I prefer the traditional Channellock myself...

FIERCELY MADE IN MEADVILLE, PA

 

[jeffmoss26]

No, they are definitely different.
Channellock has an exposed fastener and Craftsman has a smooth one. Craftsman pliers are made by Western Forge.

 

[jbertrand]

Channellock gets my vote.

 

[mrjaw14]

I have both, and the Craftsman will rust on you over time. The channellock's I've got seem to be coated and aren't rusting in the same toolbox in the garage. I try to keep them lubed up, but the craftsman just don't seem to be finished as well.

Go channellock and don't look back

 

[theamcaddict]

Channellock

or

SK 7520 20" pliers

I got mine new in 2010 for $44 + shipping from tooltopia.com

 

[SMKS]

I'm 99% sure the Craftsman's are rebranded Channellock with a different grip. I made a post on this last year. I prefer the traditional Channellock myself...

FIERCELY MADE IN MEADVILLE, PA

I don't think so. The Craftsmans are made by Western Forge.

If you look at the pics in the first post, they aren't the same.

 

[genevabuck]

Channellock

 

[redwrench60]

Channellock.
The teeth on the Craftsman are too soft.

 

[ken w.]

I was leaning towards the Channellock's myself.I do have a pair of Blue Point 16" and can't complain about them.I just needed a pair for my truck tool box. That is quite a bit of price difference between them tho.

 

[camarotoolman]

According to a bumper sticker in S. Ohio, its oil feild Trash not oil field red neck. Please make a note of this.

 

[oilfieldtrash4]

I think he meant oilfield roughneck not redneck. Although I have run across many a toothless gentleman. lol

 

[TwoInch]

I don't think so. The Craftsmans are made by Western Forge.

If you look at the pics in the first post, they aren't the same.[/QUOTE

correct.

look at the joints. the pliers are totally different animals. i prefer the craftsman style, but own mostly channellock because of price. i also use knipex, so the price thing....

 

[shieldcracker]

Both are good choices. The one striking difference between brands is that cman does not have a pivot screw and nut. cman uses a solid rivet joint that sits flush on the pliers side, they also have this feature on the slip joint pliers.

 

[mikebramel]

Not much difference between those. Maybe you could look at Wilde through Harry Epstein

I would be getting the Knipex from german-hand-tools.com

 

[ken w.]

I just found a new pair of the Channellock's on Ebay for $19.95 with free shipping.You can't beat that price.

 

[metaldad]

I'd go blue!

 

[geologist]

I don't think so. The Craftsmans are made by Western Forge.

If you look at the pics in the first post, they aren't the same.

I'm thinking of the split-ring pliers.

 

[kngelv]

Channellocks all day long. Better than Knipex too. I own both, and I don't think I've used the Craftsman in at least 15 years. They just take up space in my garage. I use 440's multiple times nearly every day. 460's a few times a week. I still have and use my original 440's from the start of my electrical apprenticeship in 1996. Very durable. A key thing that's almost never mentioned about Channellocks. By far the easiest of this type of plier to adjust with one hand.

James

 

[jpickar]

Channellocks all day long. Better than Knipex too. I own both, and I don't think I've used the Craftsman in at least 15 years. They just take up space in my garage. I use 440's multiple times nearly every day. 460's a few times a week. I still have and use my original 440's from the start of my electrical apprenticeship in 1996. Very durable. A key thing that's almost never mentioned about Channellocks. By far the easiest of this type of plier to adjust with one hand.

James

You are right on that one hand deal. I was an electrician for 14 years and a pair of 420's were indespensible.
John

 

[Vin]

I have the chanellocks and they have never let me down

 

[Brownsfan]

Channellock all day. I would not worry about ease of warranty. You wont need it with Channellock. I am pretty sure Lowes HD and Sears all can warranty Channellock if needed. In those type of pliers Channellock is band aids or xerox. When someone asks for them no matter what brand they will be reffered to as Channellock so why not go with the original