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west wind

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 3, 2012
Messages
109
Location
California
I've never used the sk's, but channelocks have always been solid tools. I'm usually a made in USA guy but once you go knipex its real hard to go back.
 
K

kts

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 9, 2012
Messages
158
Location
MD
I have a set of SK pliers and a set of Channellock pliers. I reach for the Channellocks first. They just feel better to me in my hands.
 
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rice rocket

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Joined
Mar 24, 2011
Messages
3,175
west wind said:
I've never used the sk's, but channelocks have always been solid tools. I'm usually a made in USA guy but once you go knipex its real hard to go back.
Click to expand...

Someone popped my Knipex cherry a few years ago, I haven't looked at any other brand since.
 
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bobcatdan

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Joined
Jan 4, 2011
Messages
9,948
Location
Kaukauna,WI
SK pliers are the same as craftsman, pretty sure they are made by wilde. Could be western forge, but pretty sure it wilde, I always mix the two up. Pliers are one of the few things I think craftsman does right so I wouldn't have a real problem with them. A person really can't go wrong with channellocks either. 100% personal choice to which is better.
 
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stonesfan68

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 19, 2012
Messages
2,758
Location
Houston, TX
bobcatdan said:
SK pliers are the same as craftsman, pretty sure they are made by wilde. Could be western forge, but pretty sure it wilde, I always mix the two up.
Click to expand...


The SK and Craftsman are made by Western Forge, a division of Ideal Industries.

If you're going to get the SK then just get the Craftsman for less money and an easier warranty.

Knipex makes great pliers without a doubt but there's nothing wrong with the Channellock pliers, either. It is all a matter of budget.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
T

tyndall

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 14, 2009
Messages
311
jdmstr said:
Im looking for a nice set of pliers.
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Neither are "nice". The two sets you listed wouldn't be good enough for my junkyard bag, except maybe the channellock cutters. That old, crappy style of t&g pliers should be shot and buried. Go Knipex if you want nice, or Irwin if you want acceptable and cheap.
 
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bobcatdan

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Joined
Jan 4, 2011
Messages
9,948
Location
Kaukauna,WI
In my opinion, knipex is over rated. The plier wrench is an awesome tool, I will say that. The cobras don't really do much for me. My SO side cutters are a hell of a lot sharper then my knipex ones. I don't know what knipex could do to make a needle nose better then my channellock ones. Their snap ring pliers do look to be an upgrade from from standard convertible snap ring pliers, but I never tried any. Also am I wrong, but I have never seen where knipex makes a good old slip joint pliers.
 
S

sberry

Banned
Joined
Jun 18, 2005
Messages
35,747
Location
Brethren, Michigan
The rest of them do not matter so much but the 440 Channelok is difficult to duplicate exact. The set needs another piece, a number 9 hi leverage side cutter.
 
F

Fedwrench

ALLIANCE MEMBER
Joined
Dec 9, 2007
Messages
14,951
Location
Valley of the sun
bobcatdan said:
In my opinion, knipex is over rated. The plier wrench is an awesome tool, I will say that. The cobras don't really do much for me. My SO side cutters are a hell of a lot sharper then my knipex ones. I don't know what knipex could do to make a needle nose better then my channellock ones. Their snap ring pliers do look to be an upgrade from from standard convertible snap ring pliers, but I never tried any. Also am I wrong, but I have never seen where knipex makes a good old slip joint pliers.
Click to expand...

You're not wrong about Knipex not making regular slip joint pliers and their snap ring pliers being an upgrade. Everything else though would be open to debate.:lol:

Back to the question at hand though, I've never been a fan of western forge made pliers or wilde for that matter. Channellocks are good but, I find their side cutters dull quickly but, that just makes the curved jaw 447s grip and remove cotter pins that much easier. Buy what you like and can afford. :beer:
 
C

Chuck122

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 17, 2013
Messages
490
Location
Québec, Canada
tyndall said:
Neither are "nice". The two sets you listed wouldn't be good enough for my junkyard bag, except maybe the channellock cutters. That old, crappy style of t&g pliers should be shot and buried. Go Knipex if you want nice, or Irwin if you want acceptable and cheap.
Click to expand...

Guess it is a question of preference but the push button knipex annoy the **** out of me. one thing I often use tongue-and-groove pliers is for moving hot things around while welding and cutting. I find that the push button style is harder to actuate with welding gloves than the CL that you just kind of whip around to adjust one-handed. It is probably just that I am used to the CLs, but for that application they seem superior to me.
On the other hand I agree that the knipex probably grip harder, have sharper tooths and more adjustments. perhaps i just need to get used to them...
 
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BFHtime

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 31, 2012
Messages
983
I would go with the Channel locks. I have some Knipex I really like the smooth jaw set that keeps the jaws parallel. They are great for aluminum fittings. The cobra type are nice for tight spots and with the push button adjust quickly without having to open them up. The Knipex do flex when you put a good grip on them, when a Channel lock set wil take much much more before they flex to the same degree. The Channel locks could be used as a hammer in an emergency situation, but the Knipex I don't think would survive nor be effective as they are pretty light (part of the advantage of the design, they are quicker, lighter, smaller). I think the channel locks would last longer, but I have not abused the Knipex yet and may not ever for fear of breakage. The channel locks are so solid they almost beg for abuse. They are both great tools.

I have not tried the SK pliers. I do like the Snap-On pliers wrenches.

I think the Channel locks are cheaper than the Knipex.
 
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NoahG

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 24, 2013
Messages
1,050
Location
Detroit, MI
I'm so picky the sets just don't do it for me. I like 8" slip joints, especially the older USA Crescent ones. Wilde makes good slip joints as well.

Channellock I like for their 8" long nose pliers. Their classic tongue and groove work well. However, I'm also a fan of the Knipex cobras.

Klein makes my favorite diagonal pliers, and side cutters

And then there are some things Western Forge does just fine, like long reach needle nose and duck bill pliers, and their bent tip needle nose pliers, because the bend isn't as extreme as Channellock's bent tip needle nose.
 
G

ganymede

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Joined
Nov 29, 2012
Messages
2,332
Location
New England
I don't think the SK set pictured is the same as Craftsman.
They (Crafty) have a recessed pivot unless they changed the design.
They and Channelock are both nice. The Craftsman are a little thicker n heavier.
The only SK pliers I've used were from the 60's so I can't say anything relevant .
 
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bobcatdan

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Jan 4, 2011
Messages
9,948
Location
Kaukauna,WI
ganymede said:
I don't think the SK set pictured is the same as Craftsman.
They (Crafty) have a recessed pivot unless they changed the design.
They and Channelock are both nice. The Craftsman are a little thicker n heavier.
The only SK pliers I've used were from the 60's so I can't say anything relevant .
Click to expand...

After going and looking at several different pictures, SK pliers appear to be a mixed bag of craftsman style pivots and traditional style. I know the new wide jaw channellock style plier SK and craftsman have out are identical. Wilde is also offering craftsman style pivots.
 
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techenthusiast

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 20, 2014
Messages
486
Also how useful is the huge Channel lock the 480? I'm thinking about getting this


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bobcatdan

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Joined
Jan 4, 2011
Messages
9,948
Location
Kaukauna,WI
techenthusiast said:
What is everyone's opinion on the 3 piece snap on set?


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Click to expand...

I kinda went on a buying binge of SO pliers and just about everyone. My opinion, 3 spot slip joint is the greatest pliers ever made. Side cutters are fine, pretty sharpe and seem to hold their edge. Their tounge and groove are clunking junk, buy channel lock. Needle nose are fine, but are nothing special.
 
J

jeffmoss26

Well-known member
Joined
May 25, 2011
Messages
12,851
Location
Cleveland, Ohio
Just my opinion:
Tongue and Groove - Channellock
Diagonals - Klein
Linesman - Klein
Long nose - Klein or Craftsman
Slip joint - Craftsman or Wilde
 
R

Ruger_556

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 8, 2013
Messages
4,005
Talon-Grip SO slip joints are beyond awesome... Ever needed to pull on a hose? These are the pliers to have.
 
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Farmall450

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 23, 2011
Messages
13,354
Location
Marengo, Illinois
jeffmoss26 said:
Just my opinion:
Tongue and Groove - Channellock
Diagonals - Klein
Linesman - Klein
Long nose - Klein or Craftsman
Slip joint - Craftsman or Wilde
Click to expand...

Somebody cannot afford Knipex.... :lol_hitti

I'd go with Channellock or Knipex on all of those, cman probably wouldn't even get in the top three...unless it's cman professional. :D
 
R

Richard Cranium

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 22, 2011
Messages
18,552
Location
central Washington
Until this weekend I would of said the western forge being a craftsman fan for many many years, but I picked up a set of snap-on pliers at a yard sale for 2.00 And I have to say these are the best feeling pair I have every held...Rich
 
G

ganymede

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 29, 2012
Messages
2,332
Location
New England
bobcatdan said:
After going and looking at several different pictures, SK pliers appear to be a mixed bag of craftsman style pivots and traditional style. I know the new wide jaw channellock style plier SK and craftsman have out are identical. Wilde is also offering craftsman style pivots.
Click to expand...

Right, I forgot about Wilde with recessed pivot. I wonder who originally made it Wilde or Western Forge.
A google patent search for a rainy day.
 
B

Brownsfan

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 16, 2012
Messages
5,974
Location
Cleveland Ohio
I will give you my opinion on the 2 sets you listed and not recommend products more expensive than you asked. I prefer the channellock over the SK. I have a couple SK pliers and HATE the grips. They are too slippery. Even when dry they are slippery. The Channellock while they look like they may be slippery but they are not. Look at it this way. Mac and Cornwell both use Channellock as their USA made pliers. I have many different pliers from many brands but the ones I own the most of and have lasted the longest have been Channellocks.
 
Z

zkling

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 23, 2007
Messages
16,939
Very happy with my craftsman pliers (black handle USA jobs). They are probably the best bang for the buck in a pliers set. Only one I'm not so happy with is the diag cutters. I'd go channellock or Klein on those. SK pliers are overpriced for what they are IMHO.
 
9

92integra

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 11, 2013
Messages
857
if you want something like knipex cobras check out irwin groove lock pliers damn good for price and easily available / warrentyable
 
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