Channel Lock vs Klein?

[Blk88GT]

What is your experience and why? I need some new hand tools for electrical. Linesman, side cutters, needle nose etc.

Thanks in advance.

 

[awdblazer]

klein hands down
electrician by trade
just had to cut some cotter pins the other day, my side cutters were in the van and my co worker had some channel locks and it would not cut the cotter pin, got my kleins out and cut like butter and didnt damage the cutting edge
not sure what you do for a living but i work for hydro and we get a pretty good discount pretty much whereever we go
but i have had gotten good prices at dels (wall i believe) and westburne (keewatin or notre dame)
if i would buy again i would go with the journeymans series

 

[Stuey]

klein hands down
electrician by trade
just had to cut some cotter pins the other day, my side cutters were in the van and my co worker had some channel locks and it would not cut the cotter pin, got my kleins out and cut like butter and didnt damage the cutting edge
not sure what you do for a living but i work for hydro and we get a pretty good discount pretty much whereever we go
but i have had gotten good prices at dels (wall i believe) and westburne (keewatin or notre dame)
if i would buy again i would go with the journeymans series

Newer Channellocks (http://toolguyd.com/channellock-e-series-extreme-leverage-pliers/) have higher leverage pivots, so they might have fared better against that cotter pin.

I have Klein linemans pliers, Channellock diagonal cutters, and Channellock pliers. You might also want to look at NWS for cutters - they beat the snot out of my Channellocks.

 

[Blk88GT]

Thanks for the info. I had a hunch the Klein stuff was better but wanted to make sure.

 

[Gary S]

I have both Klein and Channellock pliers. Both are GREAT!!!!

 

[lugnut71]

I have been wanting to buy the channellock 909 and 911. one is crimper and other is battery cable cutter. Are the klein better? Both usa, I cant decide.

 

[shoturtle]

Klein has by the electrician first choice for years. But as of late, the quality has slipped a little. But still good for side cutter. The CL has gotten allot better with their side cutters. I actually prefer my CL side cutter then my Kleins. Like stu pointed out the newer design are high leverage cutters. But my goto are my Wiha. I used to work with big gauge cable 500 and 750mcm cables.

 

[Aceman]

I use Klein for everything but adjustable pliers, that vote goes to Knipex Cobra's.

 

[kbs2244]

I do not know anybody that is sorry they bought a Klein tool of any kind.

 

[shoturtle]

Both are pretty close in quality. More of a exercise in spliting hair if you compare them. If you want the high levage aspect the cl is the way to go.

 

[LXCam]

Well for what it's worth, I've got a tad over 30 years in the trade. My vote goes to Klein for most everything except their tongue and grove pliers. CL's actually fit better for both pipe and compression fittings then the K's. But also as someone pointed out, their quality has taken a nose dive over the last 10+ years. The cable cutters (doesn't matter what form) are very decent, but the screw drivers have really gone to ****. It's very disappointing considering the quality they once possessed 20-30 years ago.

 

[Dennis93]

Klein for screwdrivers and linemans. Channelocks for channelocks. Knipex for side cutters. Crescent for adjustables. Go with the brand that makes the best, nothing wrong with having the best if they are different brands. I just got some Knipex 10 diagonal cutters and they are far better than the kleins and stay sharper/harder longer. I still have some old kniper cutters from my dad.

 

[Exceller8]

Of the two choices listed, I'd go with Klein for anything with a cutting edge. I'd save $$$ by buying Channellock for everything else.

 

[canbug]

I'm a Klein man for 27 years. As stated above, CL for slip joint pliers and Cresent for adjustable. Worked with many different people over the years and some like thier CL's. You need to put them in your hand and feel which one fits you better. If this is for a long term job, you will get your chance to try both. You can always borrow someones linesman pliers or you will eventualy burn a hole in yours and then try the other make.

Tim.

 

[kiatech]

Nws/knipex

 

[jeffmoss26]

I have both. Have to agree with Dennis and canbug, though. Nothing beats the original Channellock 420/430/440 and a good US made Crescent adjustable.

 

[mrjaw14]

Take grips into account. for auto mechanic work the Channellocks have an advantage. automotive fluids will do a number on the Klien soft grips, where as the dipped grips of the CL's will last longer.

If you're a trade worker, Klien all the way, at least for linesman and side cutting pliers. Needle nose it's probably a wash.

 

[0.511MeV]

I really don't find enough of a quality or ergonomics or design difference between Klein and Channellock to justify the price increase for Klein.

My preference is Knipex.

 

[Chuck122]

Let's keep in mind that a mechanic's side cutters are much more than just wire cutters. They are used to pull out cotter pins, pull on drum brake springs etc. So durability, grip comfort are sometime even more important than cutting performance

 

[d.mcfarland]

CL Code Blue is the same CL tool with more hand friendly grips. Might be worth the few extra bucks if you like them that way, or use them very often!

 

[rburke65]

I would vote foe the Klein. Highly regarded by electricians and I have always been satisfied with them.

 

[marty_p]

I would vote foe the Klein. Highly regarded by electricians and I have always been satisfied with them.

The same here!

 

[SMKS]

I'm a Klein man for 27 years. As stated above, CL for slip joint pliers and Cresent for adjustable.

Klein for screwdrivers and linemans. Channelocks for channelocks. Knipex for side cutters. Crescent for adjustables. Go with the brand that makes the best,

Wow, if you guys think Crescent makes the best adjustable wrenches, then I'll have some of what you two are smoking.

Even before Crescent went overseas their quality wasn't good, IMO. All the newer Crescent wrenches I've handled have super sloppy lower jaws.

As far as I know, only two companies still make adjustable wrenches in the US in decent quantities: Klein and Western Forge. Klein makes them in-house and pretty much any USA adjustable you find that isn't Klein will be made by Western Forge. WF makes private label wrenches for tons of brands. I think the WF wrenches are good quality and the couple Klein wrenches I've had seemed good quality.

I've read some posts claiming Apex Tools will still offer some Crescent brand wrenches that are USA made for industrial customers, but all the ones I see now in stores are Chinese.

There are also some Spanish companies making good quality adjustable wrenches. Irega and Irimo are the two that come to mind.

 

[Keyrick]

Klein Linemans, Knipex dykes, needle nose, cobras, Wiha screwdrivers for me. No one brand has the best of everything, not even Snap-On. Buy quality but buy what feels good in your hands.