lets talk pliers

[unashamedlaborer]

Also how useful is the huge Channel lock the 480? I'm thinking about getting this


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Extremely. I use the 460 series because at the time the 480 "big azz" wasn't out. And I just haven't got around to picking those up. As stated its one of those tools that you look at and wander what the hell would you use that for? Until you have them then it's obvious. Stubborn oil filters, general pipe wrench duty, compressing spring loaded parts. Etc. they are an awesome tool to have.

 

[Westly]

It's pliers man, just get whatever.

j/k...sort of.

If you plan on using the Channellock style pliers, look for fat feeling handles, which make it much more effective. For the electronic style, if I really wanted to feel I had something special, I'd just get Klein.

Otherwise any brand will work - suitable pliers size and tip size is vastly more important than maker. So maybe you should buy them as you need them, by size, rather than as a set.

I have three or four electronics pliers that I will keep for the rest of my life and I don;t even know the make, except for one which is a MIJ Radio Shack "Archer" brand from years ago. Most of my professional work has been in electronics, and sometimes industrial electrical.

 

[CD1]

Upgraded my plier collection last night with 16" channellock CHA460 pliers.

Large pliers for a big job!

 

[MattPersman]

The 3 piece snap on set is fantastic. The 4 piece set adds a tongue and groove style plier that I don't really have much use for much rather use a set of knipex cobras.

I say start with the 3 piece snap on add on from there but just my opinion.

 

[richfinn]

Slip joint > Snap On

Circlip > Knipex

Combi/Needle nose/Side cutter > NWS

I used to have all Snappy but as I wear them out I just replace with NWS they are just the best value pliers in Europe.

 

[comedyman809]

yeah, i have some snap on, channel lock, sk, craftsman, proto, blackhawk, klein, and knipex. i just cannot be loyal to one brand.

 

[IndyGarage]

For every type I've tried, Knipex is the best I've used. I've used their needle nose, cable cutters, mini bolt cutters, pliers wrench and Cobras.

The Knipex Cobras beats Channel Lock any day in method of operation as well as in ergonomics. The only thing better about Channel Lock is the price.

As somebody said above, Irwin makes a pretty good copy of Knipex Cobras for about 1/3 the price.

 

[AV tinker er]

I have started not to comment on these types of threads, mainly if you ask 100 people you'll get 100 different opinions. That said I have three different sizes of knipex cobra pliers and I can honestly say I prefer them to any other style of comparable pliers. I have some knipex lineman pliers and they are equal to Klien.
Knipex excels at their mini bolt cutters, I don't think there is much that can even come close.

 

[Hpozzuoli]

I only use three brands of pliers...sk...snap on..channellock. Sk has the best diagonals...snap on has the best needle nose and reg pliers. Channellock has the best channellock. Snap on talon grips are the best grips. In all fairness I opted for the larger needle nose and reg pliers from snap on.

 

[mickeyone]

have klein,channelock,utica,snapon,kraueter,proto,knipex,sk,blackhawk,erem, knipex,craftsman,sargent,herbrand,fuller,mac,xcelite,crescent,witco,diamond,just get them all..garage sales are the way go.

 

[sberry]

If we go to the big job will see a bunch of hard azzed plumbers with 440 in their back pocket. Its a predictable known tool for general work and substitutes as a small pipe wrench. The jaws open wide and geared down it has a long enough handle to mean biz.

Its a tool like the vise grip and adjustable, the imitations and improvements to geometry are usually a gimmick. The old timers that perfect this are like the ones that tuned the 36 inch sleever bar and the number 9 Klien hi leverage side cutter.

To the OP,,, wont make any difference or very little. My MIL was standing there a couple mins watching me demolish something and the only tool I had was 9's, she knows I got everything but commented on,,,, I didn't know that one pair of pliers could do so many things. Cut wire, remove staples, pull nails, hammer, take out a couple lag bolts etc. She said,,, I would have had every tool.

 

[sberry]

I only use three brands of pliers...sk...snap on..channellock. Sk has the best diagonals...snap on has the best needle nose and reg pliers. Channellock has the best channellock. Snap on talon grips are the best grips. In all fairness I opted for the larger needle nose and reg pliers from snap on.

That is good but still needs number 9 and 440. That is a good selection though, enough to get the work done, not too much to be confusing and lose focus with all the options, a guy usually doesn't need every one ever invented and most guys asking this type of question woudnt be able to wear any of them out anyway.

 

[Hpozzuoli]

That is good but still needs number 9 and 440. That is a good selection though, enough to get the work done, not too much to be confusing and lose focus with all the options, a guy usually doesn't need every one ever invented and most guys asking this type of question woudnt be able to wear any of them out anyway.

I just had the basics out. Here's the full channellock inventory I have. Don't have exactly the one you mentioned. I will look into them.

 

[sberry]

Ok, you got side cutters and another blue handle Channelok, that's all that was missing,,, hahahahaha
I bought a set of blue smaller sides on sale, with the little girly hook on the handle and they really are womens pliers. I wrecked them.

 

[Davefr]

For adjustables get Knipex Cobras.

But don't get Knipex needle nose - they're crappy.

For needle nose get Klein of SO.

For electronics/precision get SO, Swanstrom, Lindstrom, Erem or Tronex.

For cutters get Knipex, SO or Klein.

You won't go wrong with Channelocks either.

 

[sberry]

Diamond made a side cutter near as good as the Klien 9. There is a knockoff sold at cheap tool store and it has almost the perfect geometry,, they didn't fool with it but the cutting edge is not as durable as the real deal. Same for the hi leverage ****. Good for a while but doesn't stand much abuse.

 

[Hpozzuoli]

I started with channellock's back when we had the garage. Most of the stuff I have is newer and replaced my older stuff. Most of my sk stuff has been warrantied or replaced as well so just about everything is newer and not destroyed yet. I started with the snap on stuff because I have a driver that comes to my house. He showed me the talon grip stuff and I was sold. Bought some from him and some off Craigslist. I think lots of people over look pliers and think any old pair will do and that's not the case. I hate needle nose that flex, cutters that don't cut and pliers that slip. If you use the stuff enough its worth the investment just like sockets and wrenches.

 

[sberry]

Right there is where the rubber meets the road in at trade level. The rest of them I am not quite as fussy but if I was filling the gang box headed out for a job a trade guy could open it and find it sufficient.

 

[pauls_workshop]

For adjustables get Knipex Cobras.

But don't get Knipex needle nose - they're crappy.

For needle nose get Klein of SO.

For electronics/precision get SO, Swanstrom, Lindstrom, Erem or Tronex.

For cutters get Knipex, SO or Klein.

You won't go wrong with Channelocks either.

I would add one more cheap option. I just discovered new old stock Wirepro brand, available on Amazon or Ebay as closeouts. These were a division of Klein in the early 2000s for limited time. Very good US made linesman, cutters, strippers, needle nose made under Klein's watch. I just posted this over on hot deals for others to benefit. Little known brand. These go for $8 or less each right now. - Paul

 

[jeffmoss26]

Somebody cannot afford Knipex....

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.

I can afford Knipex, thanks very much.
I love their cable cutters and mini bolt cutters. Did not know how specific we were getting here.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with Craftsman pliers for general use.

 

[sberry]

Very happy with my craftsman pliers (black handle USA jobs).

somewhere I got a pair of Cman T&G and that one pair is as close to a Channelock as I have seen.

 

[jdmstr]

Agreed. Channellock out of these two for sure.

I made up my mind since i already have chanellock 440 slip joints and chanellock 369 high lev linesman pliers and love both sets to death. Im going to go with the chanellock roll. Knipex are nice and all but are rather pricey and have no lifetime warranty. If im going to drop big bucks on pliers i rather go snap on.

 

[pauls_workshop]

somewhere I got a pair of Cman T&G and that one pair is as close to a Channelock as I have seen.

2 or 3x now on the Craftsman pliers being good. I have an old 80's or 90's pair US made Craftsman 6" needlenose and a larger 12" channellock style, both excellent with the black handles. I don't know how to identify these exact ones I have or who made them, but these are very good. Not sure how they would compare to modern ones.

I also have several proper Channellock slide groove type pliers that are excellent. The Craftsman channellock version I have is about the same goodness as the proper Channellock I have for the same size.

I also picked up the GJ recommendation some time back for the two pack Irwin non US coo in the Knipex style channellocks, with the quick change button on them. I do like those too. If I'm doing something that can use quick and frequent changes, I like to grab those now for average work. But if I need strength, stiffness, and brute force with also precision and grip, I'll go for the Craftsman or the Channellock pairs as the Irwins are not nearly so strong as those options. I am curious for this thread if others like the Irwin ones and how much you are really losing with those vs. the "proper" Knipex in the same style. The Irwins are very much cheaper when a deal on sale. Neither is US Coo so on a purely functional goodness scale, if Knipex Cobras are 100%, where would you rate the Irwin ones? 80%? And why. THx!


This is a great thread - lots of great suggestions here! - Paul

 

[wmartin]

Was looking at the Wiha website this morning and I see they have a set of pliers half price. $124.98

These are some of those Wiha tools that are designed by Germans but actually made in Vietnam.

http://www.wihatools.com/special_18.htm

Not sure what that middle one is for...but it looks to be a good basic set of pliers.

Pity about the Vietnam thing.

They used to have a fairly full lineup on sale here:

http://www.wihatools.com/300seri/329_cutters.htm

But it's just down to the two pairs now.

The smoking deal that I expect everyone missed was the Amazon pricing (which didn't last super long) on the Swiss-made Wiha pliers set in a roll.

 

[Farmall450]

I can afford Knipex, thanks very much.
I love their cable cutters and mini bolt cutters. Did not know how specific we were getting here.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with Craftsman pliers for general use.

Those mini bolt cutters do rock.
I was joking, it was actually something someone else had commented when reading your post over my shoulder.

I made up my mind since i already have chanellock 440 slip joints and chanellock 369 high lev linesman pliers and love both sets to death. Im going to go with the chanellock roll. Knipex are nice and all but are rather pricey and have no lifetime warranty. If im going to drop big bucks on pliers i rather go snap on.

I agree, Snap-on has great pliers, and sometimes you see good deals on fleabay.

Channellock is my personal favorite all around though, cman prices w/ snappy/knipex quality.

 

[wmartin]

Looks like they 3 more here:

http://www.wihatools.com/special_17.htm

I'd be surprised if those were Hecho in Germany.

 

[Finky198]

I like

Klein for wire strippers
Knipex for insulated ( I like them for doing electrical work just in case) basic set screw drivers and lineman pliers for outlets and working in the panel at the shop doing breakers

Snap on for needle nose and duck bills and bent nose
Channel locks for tongue and groove

And a bunch of craftsmans for beating on and rusty ****
You can also never have enough vise-grips

 

[nanofrog]

Not sure what that middle one is for...

It's a wire stripper.

 

[kiatech]

All the red necks at my work have never seen/heard of knipex and always crack jokes at them. They think I laugh with them, when in reality i'm laughing at them. according to them if its not klien or channellock its garbage. I'm glad i'm not stuck in the 50's using tounge and groove pliers.

 

[plier_able]

Knipex.

 

[Bobhdus]

I'm a pipefitter and have been using snap on style channel locks given me by my company and hate them. The nut keeps loosening up and the jaws are deteriorating quicker than they should. Yrs ago, these things would last forever and get better with age...

I decided to replace them with some standard knipex pliers also supplied by our snap-on guy and love them. I've had Knipex in the past with previous employer and although pricey I think they last longer. I like the two piece forged pliers. There's no pivot screw/ nut to deal with.

 

[Blöckw@rt]

1.NWS
2.Knipex
3.VBW (Stahlwille group)
4.Orbis

 

[Eldogg]

#1 Knipex #2 Channellock

 

[franzdom]

radrush, the middle one is a wire stripper, Knipex has a similar one. I have some Wiha from Switzerland but I am passing on their Vietnam range.

 

[Westly]

1.NWS
2.Knipex
3.VBW (Stahlwille group)
4.Orbis

Nice collection.

Just curious, do things made in Germany for German use say Made in Germany in English?

 

[quattroJoe]

#1 Knipex #2 Channellock

+1. The Germans are about the only ones who consistently put out better tools on the whole than the good ole USA. My pliers are mostly Knipex, followed by Channellock, then Klein, and a few misc imports beyond that. Channellock makes some great pliers, but for any cutting or precision pliers I'll go Knipex. Klein are my favorite crimpers and strippers, though I've got a few of their needklenoses and they don't compare to Knipex.

Nice collection.

Just curious, do things made in Germany for German use say Made in Germany in English?

The German made Bessey clamps say made in Allemagne (French...?) and Germany on the tags, and have "Germany" cast into the metal. No mention of Deutschland anywhere. I just find it humorous that countries who produce quality tools stamp/etch/cast the COO into the tool, but how often do you see "China" anywhere besides the tag? Occasionally sure, but usually they try to hide that isht like no other. Compare the packaging of two identical Cman tools, one US and one China, and you know what I'm talking about.

 

[jmm]

What does anyone actually use the mini bolt cutters for?

I have a pair and I think they're really nice. I love Knipex tools, but these pliers leave me a little perplexed. I try to use them as often as possible, but opportunities are few and far between. Steel zip ties and band packaging are about the only uses I find for them in a diesel shop.

 

[Adam.C]

I too am underwhelmed by Knipex. I like the cobras for what they are, but I feel they are no substitute for proper slip joint pliers. Yes they are easy to adjust and have a wide grip range. But I NEED in line pliers to grab and twist stuff.

My personal favorites are Snap On 47ACP (discontinued), and my old Craftsman pro black handle duck bills. I know have KNIPEX duck bills and I'm looking to buy Snap Ons.

Tho expensive, I think the Snap On 3 pc set is the right place to start with pliers. I would add duckbills and some sort of channel lock. Cobra or traditional CLs, your choice. I love the Knipex plier wrench for round the house stuff. I agree that the forged Knipex snap ring pliers are awesome.

One more thing- customers complained about the older Snap On diagonals. Bear in mind, unlike other manufacturers, SO is face to face with customers weekly. And if they don't like it, they want it replaced. Snap On now uses some sort of differential heat treat process (induction hardening?) to harden cutter edges. That's pretty sophisticated and really gives their pliers an edge (no pun intended) over other manufacturers. I find KNIPEX particularly soft.

 

[decaf]

Go for knipex, i have a couple and they are pretty darn good...

 

[pauls_workshop]

I too am underwhelmed by Knipex. I like the cobras for what they are, but I feel they are no substitute for proper slip joint pliers. Yes they are easy to adjust and have a wide grip range. But I NEED in line pliers to grab and twist stuff.

My personal favorites are Snap On 47ACP (discontinued), and my old Craftsman pro black handle duck bills. I know have KNIPEX duck bills and I'm looking to buy Snap Ons.

Tho expensive, I think the Snap On 3 pc set is the right place to start with pliers. I would add duckbills and some sort of channel lock. Cobra or traditional CLs, your choice. I love the Knipex plier wrench for round the house stuff. I agree that the forged Knipex snap ring pliers are awesome.

One more thing- customers complained about the older Snap On diagonals. Bear in mind, unlike other manufacturers, SO is face to face with customers weekly. And if they don't like it, they want it replaced. Snap On now uses some sort of differential heat treat process (induction hardening?) to harden cutter edges. That's pretty sophisticated and really gives their pliers an edge (no pun intended) over other manufacturers. I find KNIPEX particularly soft.

What a great, knowledgable post!

With all the Knipex talk, I decided recently to try one via a deal on those two pack of Sears Craftsman rebadeged almost Cobras made by Knipex:

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-2-pc...0945433000P?prdNo=16&blockNo=16&blockType=G16

Just got them. Like you, I've used traditional Channellocks for a long time, Kleins for wire cutting also, and have a few Craftsman USA Pro pliers too, which I really like. Did Western Forge make those? Mine I think are from the 80's or 90's though. Question, Sears still sells US made pliers as a package set at a good price when on sale and with their annoying points system. Would these be any good? Comparing to those Craftsman Pro pliers from the past, which i think were top notch:

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-4-pc-pliers-set/p-00931799000P?prdNo=3&blockNo=3&blockType=G3

And who makes these now? Also Western Forge or someone else? While Knipex may be great, I can't afford and don't need their whole line. Would the above be good for the money? I do admit I like the Knipex adjustable pliers wrenches with the button features and might like one of those sometime to sit next to my old Proto adjustables. Thx- Paul