Craftsman professional pliers, any experiences?

[iandh]

I've been looking for a set of slip-joints, dikes, needle, and channellock pliers for my spare toolkit.

I don't want to spring the big money on Knipex like I did on my workbench tool set.

I went into sears the other day to pick up some stuff that was on sale, and noticed how nice these professional series pliers are. I'm not even kidding, they actually rival my Knipex in production quality. They are damn nice...

The machining, serration, joint precision, grip molding, all is absolutely top knotch.

I can get the set of four, USA made, what seems to be superb quality for $53 in store pickup. That's only $12 per set of pliers, which is half the price of Knipex, and less than Channellock.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00945770000P?prdNo=18&blockNo=18&blockType=

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00945771000P?prdNo=23&blockNo=23&blockType=



Can anyone give me a good reason not to buy these? I haven't really talked to anyone first hand who has used them, but nearly every online review I've read is glowing.

I've seen people here bash these once or twice, but I frankly can't come up with a single good reason to do so other than just plain Craftsman-bashing.

 

[MotoDave]

I like mine a lot, the only problem i've had was surface rust on a set I left out in the rain, and Sears replaced them, no question asked.

 

[wrenchr]

IMO, craftsman is very good stuff other than those ratchets.

 

[Merkava_4]

They had some excellent pliers when they were getting them from France. As it stands now, only the duck bills are appealing.

Just an opinion.

 

[wrenchr]

They had some excellent pliers when they were getting them from France. As it stands now, only the duck bills are appealing.

Just an opinion.

Well there are those german ones supplied by knipex

 

[SnowBlaZeR2]

I've been looking for a set of slip-joints, dikes, needle, and channellock pliers for my spare toolkit.

I don't want to spring the big money on Knipex like I did on my workbench tool set.

I went into sears the other day to pick up some stuff that was on sale, and noticed how nice these professional series pliers are. I'm not even kidding, they actually rival my Knipex in production quality. They are damn nice...

The machining, serration, joint precision, grip molding, all is absolutely top knotch.

I can get the set of four, USA made, what seems to be superb quality for $53 in store pickup. That's only $12 per set of pliers, which is half the price of Knipex, and less than Channellock.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00945770000P?prdNo=18&blockNo=18&blockType=

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00945771000P?prdNo=23&blockNo=23&blockType=



Can anyone give me a good reason not to buy these? I haven't really talked to anyone first hand who has used them, but nearly every online review I've read is glowing.

I've seen people here bash these once or twice, but I frankly can't come up with a single good reason to do so other than just plain Craftsman-bashing.

Go ahead and grab them. They are great and feel a lot better than my Channellocks. I've never had a problem with them and I actually keep my Channellocks in my trail box because I like the CMan Pro so much. Just stay away from the yellow handles and you are good.

I've learned that most of the CMan bashing from this site comes from people that probably don't know what they are talking about. They may have used one bad tool and now think they know everything. You said yourself they felt nice and I can tell you mine have held up as good as anything else will through the years.

 

[RbrtAWhyt]

I don't like the handles on them. They feel too bulky for me. I prefer the regualar craftsman pliers or channel lock pliers...

 

[Merkava_4]

Well there are those german ones supplied by knipex

That won't last long, you wait and see, it'll be just like what happened to the French pliers: the bean counters will all of a sudden say they're too expensive and they'll get discontinued.

 

[Teken]

My pliers are cheaper and a better value . . .

 

[fr0mastaj]

+1 on getting them. I have 6 (or 7) of the cman pro pliers and they are worlds better than the regular cmans. Although if you have smaller hands, the handles might be a bit too bulky for you..
________
ASIAN COOKING

 

[nissan_crawler]

I've been using them for 8 years at work so far, no issues with the new style, or the older black handled ones.

 

[Merkava_4]

I've been using them for 8 years at work so far, no issues with the new style, or the older black handled ones.

You haven't been using them professionally though have you? You're not supposed to do that; remember?

 

[iandh]

My pliers are cheaper and a better value . . .

Which would those be?

As far as I know, these are the only pliers in existence that meet all of these criteria:

Are made in the USA

Have a lifetime warranty

Have comfort grips (which I prefer)

Inexpensive

Have quality similar to Knipex



Knipex quality, USA, lifetime warranty, $12... I'm not sure how it's possible to achieve "better" value than that.

The only other comfort grip pliers in this price range are:

Greenlee: China and Ok quality

Irwin: China and meh-Ok quality

There's ideal, which is USA but not comfort grip... the linesmans have nice thick grips but I'm not in the market for those.

+1 on getting them. I have 6 (or 7) of the cman pro pliers and they are worlds better than the regular cmans. Although if you have smaller hands, the handles might be a bit too bulky for you..

I have large hands, standard dipped handles are painful for me. That's why I'm such a big fan of the Knipex.

Go ahead and grab them. They are great and feel a lot better than my Channellocks. I've never had a problem with them and I actually keep my Channellocks in my trail box because I like the CMan Pro so much. Just stay away from the yellow handles and you are good.

I've learned that most of the CMan bashing from this site comes from people that probably don't know what they are talking about. They may have used one bad tool and now think they know everything. You said yourself they felt nice and I can tell you mine have held up as good as anything else will through the years.

My entire toolboard is Knipex and Wera, I KNOW quality.

If I didn't feel abosolutely sure these Craftsman pro's were on par, I wouldn't say so.

It almost seems like Craftsman producing quality products among low quality products violates the laws of nature for some people.

Maybe they just don't want to admit that a $12 pair of Craftsmans are the same quality as their $50 pair of snap-ons. I suppose I wouldn't.

 

[wreckercologist]

I'd like to know who the OEM for those is. I wonder if it's Wilde? Anybody know?

They certainly look fine. I don't have a lot of experience w/ the Crafty pliers, but I can't imagine them being a pile of ****....

 

[Teken]

Just trying to save you a few dollars, doesn't matter to me either way. Pay more, be happy, pay less be happier . . .

http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=67776

 

[iandh]

They had some excellent pliers when they were getting them from France. As it stands now, only the duck bills are appealing.

Just an opinion.

Just out of curiosity, what is unnappealing about them for you? Just don't dig the looks?

These seem to be Knipex quality, made in the USA, and china prices... that's pretty damn appealing to me at least.

I'd like to know who the OEM for those is. I wonder if it's Wilde? Anybody know?

They certainly look fine. I don't have a lot of experience w/ the Crafty pliers, but I can't imagine them being a pile of ****....

When I first saw them in stock, I was very surprised at the quality. As I said, I have a whole toolboard full of Knipex, and these hang right with them.


They actually trade blows, some aspects are superior on the Knipex, some on the Cmans.

Just trying to save you a few dollars, doesn't matter to me either way. Pay more, be happy, pay less be happier . . .

http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=67776

Your prices are good for the Channellock stuff, that's what I'd be buying if I didn't prefer comfort grip.

 

[Fedwrench]

I'd like to know who the OEM for those is. I wonder if it's Wilde? Anybody know?

The current Craftsman Professional pliers are made by Western Forge. There's a little WF on each pair by the part number. They are an excellent value when on sale. I wouldn't say that their quality is on par with Knipex but, they are ok. The cutting sufaces on the diagonal cutters seem to dull quickly. The grips can develop a slimey feel when exposed to certain chemicals. Sears has an extra wide 10 1/2 pair of arc joint pliers that's very handy.

 

[iandh]

The current Craftsman Professional pliers are made by Western Forge. There's a little WF on each pair by the part number. They are an excellent value when on sale. I wouldn't say that their quality is on par with Knipex but, they are ok. The cutting sufaces on the diagonal cutters seem to dull quickly. The grips can develop a slimey feel when exposed to certain chemicals. Sears has an extra wide 10 1/2 pair of arc joint pliers that's very handy.

By Knipex quality I meant fit and finish, not longevity... that was one of the main reasons I made this thread, to see how they were longevity wise.

As far as the fit and finish goes, the comfort grips are some of the most accurately molded I've ever seen. They easily are superior in mold quality to the Knipex. Many times on Knipex pliers the two compunds in the grips don't always adhere perfectly to each other, so there are gaps between the red and blue areas. I'm not sure how the plastic compound itself compares.

The joints in the pliers are very precise, smooth, and uniform in movement. The grinding, finish, and formation of the serrations are all superb.

The serrations aren't quite as high quality as the Knipex, but in some ways the surface finish is. The Knipex (unless you buy the pricy chrome) come dipped in some kind of protective laquer that usually has drips in it here or there.

 

[Merkava_4]

Just out of curiosity, what is unnappealing about them for you? Just don't dig the looks?

These seem to be Knipex quality, made in the USA, and china prices... that's pretty damn appealing to me at least.

If you're happy with them then nevermind what I say. I'm just picky as hell when it comes to tools.

 

[Stuey]

I like 'em, but the needle nose are stiff. I returned a pair and checked the 4-6 that were still on the shelf. They were all very stiff too. Still haven't be able to loosen it up, so it's my backup pair.

 

[iandh]

If you're happy with them then nevermind what I say. I'm just picky as hell when it comes to tools.

Everyone's entitled to their opinion... was just curious if there was a specific reason, or if you didn't like them "just because", which is fine too.



Either way, I just pulled the trigger, I'll post a comparison thread with my Knipex tomorrow.

 

[Coach James]

One of my friends uses the regular C-man pliers and has no complaints at all.

Coach

 

[jcfields]

I think the Craftsman Professional pliers (or even the regular Craftsman pliers) are excellent. Their 6 3/4" slip-joints are my favorite slip-joint pliers. The molded grips are a bit much at first, but you get used to them. The dikes are good too, though I have to get the Kleins out if I have to cut something really thick.

 

[iandh]

One thing to note too is that the Cman pro's have flush nuts on the slip joints and groove joint pliers... very nice in low clearance areas.

I've gotten the slip-joint nut snagged on things more times than I can count.

 

[woody 73]

I like the pliers,sometimes when I get to much gunk on the handles they tend to slip out of my hands pretty fast.

 

[mrholeshot]

I like the C=M Pro but I don't like the bulky handles but other than that I thinnk they are great. I'm a stone cold Channellock man. Ive used them since I was a kid (50+years) and have no complaits with them. I also have some Kimpex and like those as well.

 

[Sterff]

I have a few pairs of the professional style and the older style. I really like them and they seem to take some abuse. The only pair of them that I broke were the dikes...the one whole jaw snapped off.

 

[psychoclaw84]

Majority of my pliers are Craftsman and they have served me well.

I am not a professional who uses tools every day, so I cannot attest to the longevity. As for a DIY person, they work well in my tool box.

The black handle tools are the ones I like, the pro series seem too bulky to use, although never used one.

The rivetless design is what I like about the Arc-Joint & Slip-Joint pliers.

Fedwrench has a point, the cutters edges do wear out faster and do not cut as well after prolonged use, even as a DIY user. I bought Klien for my cutter set.