Channellock vs. Snap-On slip joint pliers

[FastKat]

I have used a set of Snap-On 47CF 8" slip-joint (straight) pliers and they are absolutely awesome. I can squeeze on them with everything I've got and they still feel solid. Does Channel Lock make a set of straight slip joint pliers that compare to the Snap-On ones? I looked at their website and the Channel Lock 548 seems pretty similar.

Snap-On (Repaired link)
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?item_ID=87460&group_ID=24484

Channel Lock
http://www.channellock.com/548-Slip-Joint-Plier.aspx

Anybody have both that can share their opinion? (BTW, Channellock makes a couple different models of straight slip-joint pliers in each size.)

 

[HandyManny]

Channellock makes some of the best quality pliers around. They are one of the few USA tool makers still making a high quality hand tool and selling it for a fair price. In addition most of their tools are readily available to anyone. I do have a few pliers from Wilde (various private brands), Knipex, and Cman. But Channellocks are mainly what I have ever owned and when I need a new or special pair of pliers I always turn to Channellock first. Just peek in any tradesmans tool bag and 9 out of 10 times they have Channellocks.

I have a very similar version of those 8 inch Channellock pliers, except mine have a hose clamp recess milled out into the nose. They are a great tool to have. But I also own their basic regular 6 inch and 8 inch slip-joints.

 

[bradleykd]

i'd give three pairs of snap-on pliers for one pair of channellocks

 

[FastKat]

Thanks for the info guys. I like buying Channellock pliers too, for the reasons stated above. I was really impressed by this particular set of Snap-On pliers, and I want to make sure the Channellock ones will be as good or better.

 

[FastKat]

Anybody else?

 

[Butters]

I just bought a USA made 3 pack set of Channellocks about 6 months ago. It stays in my tool chest and the 430 has a disturbing amount of surface rust on it - still functional, but really bad rusting. The other two pairs, which sit in the same drawer are fine. Maybe an aberration, but I'm pretty disappointed. That two pack of Knipex I got during that Lowes deal is still looking and working great though. Hate to bash one of the last US made tools, but the Knipex is made a whole lot better.

That being said, I imagine I can pretty easily get a warranty replacement and be happy.

 

[CHRIS LUCKYMAN]

Snap on definitely. I have both, but use the SO all the time.

 

[NastyNate]

sold all my snap on pliers and bought channel lock.

 

[PowerGenGuy]

Use both brands, happy with both!

 

[fatfillup]

Both are great brands. I give the quality edge to Snap on because I think the steel is better and the jaws will stay sharper longer. The Channellocks will certainly do the job so to me the question is pro vs non pro. I think the SO are pro tools and the Channellocks are not quite as good, but they certainly are great tools.

 

[canuckian]

In slip joint I only have SO at the moment and they work great. I do have channel lock pliers in different forms and they work great as well so I can only assume their slip joint pliers would be the same.

 

[gluckmysock]

i just sent a pair of 430's in for warranty. Im talking the ones Before the blue handles. look like i dug them up from 50 years of dirt. the "tongue" was broken. Along with a pair of brand new 338 that had a chip in the cutting edge. Both were replaced within about 2 weeks. I'm a PA boy, and Channel locks are made in Meadville, PA. So I like supporting my local brothers.

Oh Yeah. I have an 8" pair of SO that I keep in my tool box in my work car. Only use when I have too. They seem a little bulky to me. Just my cents.

 

[bobcatdan]

SO in the main box, Channellock in the roadbox. Both do the same work with no problems. I would have no problem having all Channellock pilers, as long as I could have one 3 postion SO slip joint.

 

[greasemonkey44]

the snapons open 1/2 again as much( 3 holes for the pivot instead of 2)
i have the channellocks and i use them alot; they are a great and durable product but i would replace them with snappys if i had a dealer

 

[TheFarmer]

Use both brands, happy with both!

Same here. Have a wide variety of both and they are both fantastic.

 

[shampoop]

90% of my pliers are a mix of SO and Channellock. I really like both but I LOVE these combination pliers.
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...9&group_ID=749&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

And as for the rust comments, I once stored my tools for a period of time at my friends humid garage, and my SO pliers started to rust at least as much as my channellock ones. It was VERY humid in there though and I did not properly oil them.

 

[GoBlue]

I think the Channellock is a higher quality tool.

 

[Rusty32]

I have both and like both but refuse to buy any with laser etching on them. I like the name and numbers stamped for some reason.

 

[Tarheelgarage]

Neither can compare to Craftsman slipjoint pliers made by western forge.

 

[Jim C.]

I like Channellock.

Jim C.

 

[bmxr4life87]

I have a set very similair to the channel locks but mine are gearwrench and I love them. I've used the channelock ones before and they are a very solid tool. I think snap ons pliers have a slightly softer jaw material most of the time compared to channelock but both are of high quality

 

[binkcat16]

i use both but mostly so