channellock grip lock vs irvin groovelock

[GophersGarage]

my band of choice in pliers is channellock and visegrip and would like to add these type of pliers to my toolbox. I know kimpex etc makes to by I like to stick to the same brands I currently have. sorry I am OCD

I do own 10" irvin version which is nice but not used yet but since i like to get all 3 common sizes i was wondering to contnue to get the remaining pliers in irwin band or get the 3 pack from CL

your thought would be great

 

[maintguy]

I have both. I like the Irwin's better. I consider myself a huge channel lock fan. I still prefer the Irwin's

 

[d.mcfarland]

I believe the Channellock are just rebranded with the blue handle. Have heard a lot of positive comments about them.


EDIT: I was tired, and don't think I'm thinking correctly at all.

 

[Wamsutta]

My OCD goes out the window when it comes to tool brands. I get the best from each brand. I don't see any reason to suffer from a mediocre tool just because it matches my other brands. Knipex Cobra is the best in those type of pliers.

 

[WWheeler]

I have used both. The teeth on my Irwins got more worn of the two, but didn't really see much difference between them in use. I now have a set of Knipex Cobras and Alligators and they have been my go-to. If I had to choose between buying the Irwins or Channellocks I'd probably go with the latter just cuz 'Made in USA' vs 'Made in China to Irwin Specifications' and there is little to no difference in price IIRC.

 

[JBH]

Knipex Cobra is the best in those type of pliers.

I wouldn’t say that. VBW/Stahlwille Fastgrip and Gedore 142 10 ** are at least as excellent as Cobra, through Cobra/Fastgrip have sharper teeth than the Gedore.

Others like NWS Quattrogrip or Orbis Speedy. I haven’t used either of those, so no comment aside from the obvious (generally, both brands make outstanding pliers).

Cobra is available in many more sizes though, which is an advantage.

If one is stubborn about making sure US tool company MBAs get a cut of one’s tool outlay, I believe Klein rebadges Quattrogrip and others rebrand Cobra.

 

[Fbmoose48]

If you like to stick to the same branded tools then get rid of all you Channellocks and whatever other pliers you uave and replace them all with Knipex if you want the best.

 

[nmantas]

I believe the Channellock are just rebranded with the blue handle. Have heard a lot of positive comments about them.

Can't be due to Channellock being coo USA and Irwin being coo Asia plus the Channellock's are just modified versions of their tried and true tongue and groove design and doesn't have the knipex-style button that the Irwin is replicating.

 

[Blind1]

My OCD goes out the window when it comes to tool brands. I get the best from each brand. I don't see any reason to suffer from a mediocre tool just because it matches my other brands. Knipex Cobra is the best in those type of pliers.

I have both the knipex and the gridlocks. I agree that the knipex are a nominally "better" tool, but the mechanism doesn't like dirt/mud/grime/grass, which is a big negative for me when working outside where I mostly use pliers with teeth. I don't want to baby my stuff while working to be able to use it.

As a result, I find myself using the grip locks far more often, for a much wider variety of projects. I'm also not worried about using the grip locks as a hammer or prying tool if needed.

Functionally, they both bite equally well from what I can tell. The knipex is more refined, the griplocks more suited to daily, dirty use.

My BIL has the Irwins, they don't impress me over the griplocks.

 

[WWheeler]

I have both the knipex and the gridlocks. I agree that the knipex are a nominally "better" tool, but the mechanism doesn't like dirt/mud/grime/grass, which is a big negative for me when working outside where I mostly use pliers with teeth. I don't want to baby my stuff while working to be able to use it.

As a result, I find myself using the grip locks far more often, for a much wider variety of projects. I'm also not worried about using the grip locks as a hammer or prying tool if needed.

Functionally, they both bite equally well from what I can tell. The knipex is more refined, the griplocks more suited to daily, dirty use.

My BIL has the Irwins, they don't impress me over the griplocks.

Then the Knipex Alligator pliers sound more like what you want. They're basically the Cobras without the button. They adjust like the Channellocks do.

 

[Kasal]

I think the irwin might not be comfortable in the hand, I'm not a fan of those hilts.
The channellock feels very comfortable and that blue color has me in love.

 

[Fbmoose48]

The hardness of the steel teeth doesn't compare to Knipex. The teeth, and therefore the grip, on the Irwin and Channellocks will wear down long before the Knipex.

 

[koenbro]

Knipex Cobra. I have four of them. Life is too short for poor stuff.


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[Professional Tool User]

The Irwin ones are garbage. The teeth don't hold up. With Chanellock, you can at least expect the teeth to hold up. Knipex Cobras takes things to a whole new level with the adjustment mechanism, how thin the handles are, and other features.

 

[GophersGarage]

great info thanks guys.. can someone tell me why these are nicknamed water pump pliers?

 

[GophersGarage]

Just a little update

The 3 pack of CL are 41 bucks vs

Knipex at about 140 for 3 pack

I noticed knipex has 2 versions same price the cobra and alligator




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[Ji m]

Personally I avoid Irwin as much as humanly possible.

Buying the best locking plier brand (vicegrip), then turning them into a cheap copy of itself put the company in a bad light for me.

Why not just buy a single pair of the Knipex to see if you like them and will use them as much as you think?

I use the conventional straighter jaw Channelock style when I use this type of tool,
I haven't bought any of the V-groove style like that because they look like they're made to grab hex nuts with,
and that's what combo wrenches are for.

What do you plan to use them for?

 

[Wamsutta]

great info thanks guys.. can someone tell me why these are nicknamed water pump pliers?

Because they resemble the handle of an old fashioned hand operated water pump that people used to use to pump water out of their wells. You've probably seen one in an old western movie.

 

[Kasal]

Because they resemble the handle of an old fashioned hand operated water pump that people used to use to pump water out of their wells. You've probably seen one in an old western movie.

Really??
I always thought it was because it is a typical tool of a plumber.

 

[Kasal]

By the way, in my country they are known by the name:
Parrot beak.

 

[MTNSleder]

By the way, in my country they are known by the name:
Parrot beak.

There called monkey grips were I work.

 

[tonyciambrone]

Knipex Cobras. I have Channelock GL, NWS Quattro, Knipex Alligators.

3 Pack from Zoro, when used with a 20%, 25% or the Blue moon 30% code, is unbeatable.

 

[WWheeler]

Because they resemble the handle of an old fashioned hand operated water pump that people used to use to pump water out of their wells. You've probably seen one in an old western movie.

https://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn.lehmans.com/images/category_586_8346-min.jpg

I don't think this is correct. My grandfather explained to us when I was just 6 or 7 yrs old that they're called water pump pliers because they can be used to hold a pump hub or pulley while loosening an engine-driven fan fan like used to be prevalent on domestic cars and equipment. IIRC he also explained that Channellock was the first design and 'water pump pliers' became the generic term for them. Then again, I could be wrong but that man imparted a lot of wisdom on us grandkids and I can still count on one hand the things he said that I later learned turned out to be wrong.

 

[rick carpenter]

If you're looking for v-jaw t&g's with "pipe wrench" type of self-tightening grips, then these two would do. However, personally I don't the half grooves on these CL's nor do I like the cobra-type mechanism.

Crescent has Grip Zone v-jaw t&g's with full grooves, they look to be halfway between regular t&g and griplock/groovelock as for grip. Probably made in Taiwan if that matters to you. I haven't used any of these. CL has Nutbusters (parrot beak, battery post, etc) that are not true v-jaw but they have a self-tightening grip like your choices. They also don't have as deep jaw capacity as your choices either. I have some old nutbusters but I don't remember when I used them last.

My t&g Crescent regular v-jaws and t&g CL regular v-jaws are what I use until I have to go full-on with pipe wrenches.

 

[Alaniho]

Knipex Cobras. I have Channelock GL, NWS Quattro, Knipex Alligators.

3 Pack from Zoro, when used with a 20%, 25% or the Blue moon 30% code, is unbeatable.

Interesting you mention the NWS as I can get a good deal on the NWS Quattrogrips here. Is there a noticeable difference with the Knipex Cobras in quality and in usage to the Quattrogrips ??

 

[SilverDeck]

Knipex Cobra is the best in those type of pliers.

I couldn't agree more!

 

[GophersGarage]

For straight jaw type I collected the CL version

But now in the market for v style

Will give the cobra a try since your feedback is very positive


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[Tonyuk]

Just a little update

The 3 pack of CL are 41 bucks vs

Knipex at about 140 for 3 pack

I noticed knipex has 2 versions same price the cobra and alligator




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The cobra uses the button to adjust, there's more settings to them and they lock in place unless you press the button.

The alligators adjust more like the channellocks.


I have the alligators and had a pair of the channellocks, the knipex are the ones to go for if you can, the teeth on my channellocks dulled after a few months of use. Never tried the irwins.

 

[tonyciambrone]

Interesting you mention the NWS as I can get a good deal on the NWS Quattrogrips here. Is there a noticeable difference with the Knipex Cobras in quality and in usage to the Quattrogrips ??

NWS quality is very similar. Fit and Finish are excellent. My NWS pliers seem to have slightly softer teeth than my Knipex.

The Quattro water pump pliers, in my experience, have a less useful jaw design, and more coarse adjustment. I prefer Cobras

 

[scubadoober]

Since we are here.
German 250mm/10in Push-Button Slip-Joint Pliers Showdown

 

[JBH]

Since we are here.

German 250mm/10in Push-Button Slip-Joint Pliers Showdown

I didn’t even know Hazet had waterpump pliers. Wow those are expensive, though at least unlike many of HZ’s overpriced pliers these are still German-made.

It would’ve been nice to see a VBW/Stahlwille in there too, maybe instead of the wickedly overpriced Hazet. Regardless, interesting test even though I like the Gedore ones better than he does.