Icon slip joint pliers

[mpro323]

These appear to be new from Icon and much like the flush cuts I have, appear to be a very close, if not direct copy of the Snap On 3 position slip joint pliers. I’m curious if anyone here has got their hands on them and if anyone has anything to report on them. I was going to buy a set to compare against my Snap On pair but they are sold out near me.

8 in. 3-Position Slip-Joint Pliers

Amazing deals on this 8In Slip Joint Pliers at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

 

[ForrestT]

Fedwrench got a pair. He posted them in the new arrivals thread. I went looking for them today at my local HF. They have not gotten them in yet. I’m looking forward to getting a pair.

 

[KnurledNut]

Local store is supposed to get them tomorrow, Tuesday, according to the manager. None of the regional stores here have them yet.

 

[craftsman creep]

I like my craftsman ones

 

[mpro323]

I got my hands on a set today. This isn’t a direct comparison as my Snap On are the HJ47ACP instead of the 47ACP but close enough to get an idea. I have posted the flush cuts for comparison before but figured I’d do them again. With both pairs of pliers, it honestly appears that the dimensions are exactly the same and they are so similar, I’m a bit surprised there hasn’t been more chatter about them. Interestingly enough, the finish on the sides of the Icon appear to be superior to the Snap On. Fedwrench mentioned that the top of the Icon pliers weren’t flush in the center position and likewise, the Snap On are not either.

 

[qqzj]

The finish of Snap On is actually better! Why it is made once during forging. The Icon one seems to be machined after forging. So at least I like the kind of finish on Snap On more.

You need a picture to show the exact meaning of 'the top of the Icon pliers weren’t flush in the center position'. I am confused. Also it would be nice to have close-up pictures on the tip from top and from side, because in some pictures the jaws of the Icon seem misaligned, but in others they look fine. I am also interested whether when the jaws are closed, the separating line is exactly horizontal.

 

[mpro323]

Icon left, Snap On right. I wasn’t suggesting that the Icon is of superior quality, I just feel that the finish looks better than the Snap On. I do appreciate the information regarding the difference in the manufacturing process.

 

[Steve_P]

Nice pics, thanks for posting them. The Icons look really nice to me; it'll be interesting to see how well they hold up once they see a few months of daily use.

Both brands are machined/sanded after the forging process- this finishing is required. I don't really see any major difference between the two- the SO looks a little nicer in some areas, as does the Icon. Obviously, the Icon is the "winner" based on price, but the durability is still an unknown at this point.

 

[Fedwrench]

I know Harbor Freight markets their Icon tools directly against Snap on, which I feel is a mistake but, I think each Icon tool needs to judged on its own merits. No one can possibly think they're getting a snap on quality tool for Icon money. However, as I've said many times before, not everyone needs Snap on service nor quality. These three position slip joint pliers were a no brainer for me. Where else are you going to get a set of three position slip joints on sale for $13.99? I like the pair I picked up. They have aggressive teeth on the jaws, are nicely finished, have comfortable grips, have some heft to them and appear to be quite sturdy. Do I expect a $14 pair of pliers to perform as well as a $70 pair of Snap ons? Hell no but, I think they will give my Wilde, Channellock, Proto, US made Craftsman a run for their money and serve me well Time will tell

 

[KnurledNut]

I know Harbor Freight markets their Icon tools directly against Snap on, which I feel is a mistake but, I think each Icon tool needs to judged on its own merits. No one can possibly think they're getting a snap on quality tool for Icon money. However, as I've said many times before, not everyone needs Snap on service nor quality. These three position slip joint pliers were a no brainer for me. Where else are you going to get a set of three position slip joints on sale for $13.99? I like the pair I picked up. They have aggressive teeth on the jaws, are nicely finished, have comfortable grips, have some heft to them and appear to be quite sturdy. Do I expect a $14 pair of pliers to perform as well as a $70 pair of Snap ons? Hell no but, I think they will give my Wilde, Channellock, Proto, US made Craftsman a run for their money and serve me well Time will tell

Ive been putting the long nose to the test and they are performing great so far.

 

[Dakotadadv8]

KnurledNut give us feedback how they perform a year from now to get an idea how durable they are. If they fail I would throw them away since they costs only $13.99, may look into it as a backup to the Snap on plier set.

 

[Maxcustody]

KnurledNut give us feedback how they perform a year from now to get an idea how durable they are. If they fail I would throw them away since they costs only $13.99, may look into it as a backup to the Snap on plier set.

Interested as well and think I may pick up a pair. I think they have a lifetime warranty, so no sense throwing them away, you can get a new pair........................

 

[m6z]

They've got a pretty decent selection of pliers now.

Pliers - Harbor Freight Tools

Mechanics, plumbers, electricians, and technicians will find the exact plier or plier set to meet their needs, and all our hand tools are backed by a lifetime warranty.

www.harborfreight.com

 

[mpro323]

I am really interested to see if they come out with a pair like the LN47ACF.

 

[lardy1]

I am really interested to see if they come out with a pair like the LN47ACF.

I would be in for that, as well.

 

[Bubba Fett]

Are these made in Taiwan?

 

[KnurledNut]

Are these made in Taiwan?

Yes.

 

[Garcky]

I'm curious about the differences in the design of the lower part of the jaws. The Icon looks pretty traditional as slip-joint pliers go, but the Snap-On has a very different opening in the lower part of the jaws. I'd be interested to hear what the function of that design on the SO pliers is. I can't quite see how it would function and when it would be of benefit.

Frankly, slip-joint pliers are about the least used hand tools in my box. I never seem to find a reason to reach for them, frankly.

 

[mpro323]

The package reads "Designed by Icon Tools in the USA - Manufactured in Taiwan."

 

[Ton ton]

I use slip- joint pliers regularly. Thank you for sharing, everyone.

 

[mpro323]

I'm curious about the differences in the design of the lower part of the jaws. The Icon looks pretty traditional as slip-joint pliers go, but the Snap-On has a very different opening in the lower part of the jaws. I'd be interested to hear what the function of that design on the SO pliers is. I can't quite see how it would function and when it would be of benefit.

Frankly, slip-joint pliers are about the least used hand tools in my box. I never seem to find a reason to reach for them, frankly.

The Snap On that I posted are a bit different as they are their "FlankJaw Pliers." The idea is that they can grip a hex bolt without damaging it. Snap on does offer a pair that have the same serrations in the lower part of the jaws like the Icon, I just don't have them. I hope this is what you were referring to.

 

[Garcky]

The Snap On that I posted are a bit different as they are their "FlankJaw Pliers." The idea is that they can grip a hex bolt without damaging it. Snap on does offer a pair that have the same serrations in the lower part of the jaws like the Icon, I just don't have them. I hope this is what you were referring to.

Yes, that was what I was referring to. I guess that explains it. How well do those Flank Jaw Pliers work? I heard my father say, "Put those damned pliers down!" so many times as a young guy that I have a physical reaction if I even think about using pliers on any hex head fastener. I just can't do it.

 

[ForrestT]

KnurledNut give us feedback how they perform a year from now to get an idea how durable they are. If they fail I would throw them away since they costs only $13.99, may look into it as a backup to the Snap on plier set.

If they fail, go back and warranty them.

 

[mpro323]

Yes, that was what I was referring to. I guess that explains it. How well do those Flank Jaw Pliers work? I heard my father say, "Put those damned pliers down!" so many times as a young guy that I have a physical reaction if I even think about using pliers on any hex head fastener. I just can't do it.

Truthfully, I haven't used them much for hex fasteners. I think they will work better than serrated jaws but nowhere near as well at the correct socket/wrench.

 

[Ton ton]

I think my brother has the 6" flank jaw snap on pliers. I should measure them to make sure. They work just fine on skid loader bolts. They did tarnish rather quickly though. Just something to keep in mind.

 

[Steve_P]

The package reads "Designed by Icon Tools in the USA - Manufactured in Taiwan."

Haha, yeah, I'm sure they have an entire design team in the USA ; meaning not even one person. They see what is the hot tool to copy, I'd bet they have someone monitoring forums for this purpose (their "designer") , and then they send that tool to various mfgs in Taiwan and China for quotes to duplicate it 98%. It's not difficult to copy hand tools, and if it's Snap On you can undercut them on price by >50% manufacturing in Asia since you cut out the huge SO dealer markup, the CEO pay, expensive US labor... A private company could copy SO and make it in the US and sell it online for about half what SO does and still make $.

 

[Steve_P]

I know Harbor Freight markets their Icon tools directly against Snap on, which I feel is a mistake but, I think each Icon tool needs to judged on its own merits. No one can possibly think they're getting a snap on quality tool for Icon money. However, as I've said many times before, not everyone needs Snap on service nor quality. These three position slip joint pliers were a no brainer for me. Where else are you going to get a set of three position slip joints on sale for $13.99? I like the pair I picked up. They have aggressive teeth on the jaws, are nicely finished, have comfortable grips, have some heft to them and appear to be quite sturdy. Do I expect a $14 pair of pliers to perform as well as a $70 pair of Snap ons? Hell no but, I think they will give my Wilde, Channellock, Proto, US made Craftsman a run for their money and serve me well Time will tell

Well, when you 98% copy a Snap On tool, you can directly compare to them in your ads As far as a $20 pair of HF pliers vs $70 SO pliers, I agree that the HF probably won't be as good, but there's no reason that they can't be as good- it's a pair of pliers. Cut out the dealer markup, the CEO pay, the publicly held company needs to increase profit 10% a year.... and even including the design and tooling, the SO pliers have to cost less than half of their list price to manufacture. Now copy that design (literally a few hours labor- scan the part, PMI test to determine the material, hardness tests...) and with Asian steel and labor at each less than half the US cost you get a $15 pair of pliers.

 

[qqzj]

Haha, yeah, I'm sure they have an entire design team in the USA ; meaning not even one person. They see what is the hot tool to copy, I'd bet they have someone monitoring forums for this purpose (their "designer") , and then they send that tool to various mfgs in Taiwan and China for quotes to duplicate it 98%. It's not difficult to copy hand tools, and if it's Snap On you can undercut them on price by >50% manufacturing in Asia since you cut out the huge SO dealer markup, the CEO pay, expensive US labor... A private company could copy SO and make it in the US and sell it online for about half what SO does and still make $.

Not half. 25% works. I can’t imagine why people would hand their hard earned money to Snap On as if they get it from a windfall

 

[benny27]

After reading this thread I am felling like I may be the odd one out. I do not have any slip joint pliers any more. It just always seemed to be the wrong tool for the job when I would use them.

 

[Ilikeike]

I am really interested to see if they come out with a pair like the LN47ACF.

I like those,
off to eBay I go...

 

[65k10]

Haha, yeah, I'm sure they have an entire design team in the USA ; meaning not even one person. They see what is the hot tool to copy, I'd bet they have someone monitoring forums for this purpose (their "designer") , and then they send that tool to various mfgs in Taiwan and China for quotes to duplicate it 98%. It's not difficult to copy hand tools, and if it's Snap On you can undercut them on price by >50% manufacturing in Asia since you cut out the huge SO dealer markup, the CEO pay, expensive US labor... A private company could copy SO and make it in the US and sell it online for about half what SO does and still make $.

It doesn't even have to be another company making them. Back in mid 2021 I was buying rebranded 47acf pliers through Caterpillar for about $29. I think the price has increased since then, but I do not know by how much.

I've been interested in the Icon copy of these pliers since the closest Cat dealer is fairly far from me and having the dealer ship to my house adds cost that kind of kills the deal. The Icon pliers being more convenient to order and cheaper from the start makes me want to get a set and see if they are a viable alternative. Same goes for the new Icon needle nose.

 

[M635_Guy]

Are these made in Taiwan?

I think all of the Icon tools are MiT

 

[Bubba Fett]

I'll check 'em out. Lord knows I don't need them, but they might come in handy.

 

[Meursault74]

I got my hands on a set today. This isn’t a direct comparison as my Snap On are the HJ47ACP instead of the 47ACP but close enough to get an idea. I have posted the flush cuts for comparison before but figured I’d do them again. With both pairs of pliers, it honestly appears that the dimensions are exactly the same and they are so similar, I’m a bit surprised there hasn’t been more chatter about them. Interestingly enough, the finish on the sides of the Icon appear to be superior to the Snap On. Fedwrench mentioned that the top of the Icon pliers weren’t flush in the center position and likewise, the Snap On are not either.

They jaws can't be lined up in the center. The center position is not in the same plane as the two outside positions.

 

[Wolley]

Wow a triple slip joint pliers. Who knew? What's next, a run on the near infinite amount of double slip joint pliers at every yard sale ever.

 

[mpro323]

I like those,
off to eBay I go...

You might just want to buy them straight from Snap Ons website. It seems they bring a premium on ebay from what I’ve seen.

 

[Ton ton]

After reading this thread I am felling like I may be the odd one out. I do not have any slip joint pliers any more. It just always seemed to be the wrong tool for the job when I would use them.

Slip- joints are for farmers to keep in their pocket or throw in the tractor toolbox. Sure there is better tools but sometimes you have to get by with good enough. Just my worthless 2 cents.

 

[M635_Guy]

You might just want to buy them straight from Snap Ons website. It seems they bring a premium on ebay from what I’ve seen.

If Snap On didn't charge onerous shipping ($23 for something like that...), that might be a good idea.

 

[mpro323]

If Snap On didn't charge onerous shipping ($23 for something like that...), that might be a good idea.

Good point. Unfortunately, it seems that for what people want on ebay, it’s still a bit cheaper too buy them from Snap On with $23 shipping. I do agree though, that is ridiculously overpriced shipping.

 

[johninct]

I use to buy HF for a proof of concept test to see if I liked it and it did what I wanted it to do. If it passed, I would then buy the Snap-On but with HF prices kind of high, I sometimes just go for the Snap-On.