Malco Eagle Grip pliers

[Pantsfall_McFixit]

I keep a text file of tool brands, here's my locking pliers section in no particular order, just numbered for number's sake with some notes. Make of it as you will.
It's possible there are more rebrandings sold under different manufacturer's lines, if you know of more, please reply. My goal is to list the main manufacturer and then who rebrands them.
Hopefully they can restart the Eagle Grip line!

Edit: November 26, 2022 - Added more info, updated with info from replies.

Locking Pliers
COMPANY - LOCATION - (NOTES)
---
1. Rennsteig - Germany
2. Gedore - Germany/Austria - (Edit 11/26/22: Confirmed not Bollman by drtyler)
3. Dolex - Germany - (France-owned VP Industries, made in Germany?)
4. Wezag - Germany - (Maybe doesn't make locking pliers anymore, can't find them. They make crimping tools now.)
5. Stahlwille - Germany - (Possible rebrand of: Wezag?)
6. Aigo - Japan - (Also makes Stainless Steel tools)
7. Grip-On - Spain - (Possibly rebranded as: Proto) (Edit 11/26/22: These may kind of **** according to this forum, and from tests like from ProjectFarm)
8. Scangrip - Denmark - (Unique designs, Possibly rebranded as: Turnus?. Maybe only makes LED lights now?)
9. Knipex - Germany - (Possible rebrand of: Rennsteig?)
10. Bessey - Germany - (France-owned VP Industries, made in Germany?)
11. Lockjaw - Unknown - (Unique designs)
12. Facom - France - (Unique designs)
13. Armstrong - Taiwan
14. Toptul - Taiwan - (Hard to get in USA, a few sellers (one?) still exist)
15. Malco Eagle Grip - USA - (RIP)

 

[RickyPetite]

I keep a text file of tool brands, here's my locking pliers section in no particular order, just numbered for number's sake with some notes. Make of it as you will.
It's possible there are more rebrandings sold under different manufacturer's lines, if you know of more, please reply. My goal is to list the main manufacturer and then who rebrands them.
Hopefully they can restart the Eagle Grip line!

Locking Pliers:
---------------
1. Rennsteig
2. Gedore (Bollmann/Wezag?)
3. Dolex
4. Wezag
5. Stahlwille (Wezag?)
6. Aigo (Stainless Steel)
7. Grip-On (Proto rebrands these)
8. Scangrip
9. Knipex
10. Bessey
11. Lockjaw
12. Facom
13. Armstrong
14. Toptul
15. Malco (Eagle Grip) - USA (RIP)

I have a set of Grip-On (Proto) needle-nose locking pliers and hate them. They twist and hold nothing well. Looking for a non-Taiwan/Chinese replacement. Can you comment on which brand in your list you would recommend? I found Gedore 7"/10" items (KR-7/KR-10) that would fit the bill and appear to be made in Germany. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[Mr_B]

I have a set of Grip-On (Proto) needle-nose locking pliers and hate them. They twist and hold nothing well. Looking for a non-Taiwan/Chinese replacement. Can you comment on which brand in your list you would recommend? I found Gedore 7"/10" items (KR-7/KR-10) that would fit the bill and appear to be made in Germany. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

I'd go good used USA vise-grips off eBay etc .
not found much better when comes to long nose locking pliers and not want taiwan .

 

[ecotec]

Bremen and Milwaukee killed Eagle Grip. Both are completely serviceable and cost 1/3 as much. Festool has a niche in that their stuff always has the best vacuum extraction. I don't believe that Eagle Grip had that unique feature.

That… and there are MILLIONS of pairs of Petersen Vise-Grips to be had for pennies on the dollar at garage and estate sales. And… they come in a huge variety of models/styles. For the price of one pair of Malco’s… you can get a whole drawer of vintage Petersens.

There are some tools that have not evolved that much over time. There is tonnage of it out there, too. Ball peen hammers and engineer hammers are a great example… but there are lots of examples. Why pay $20 for a ball peen hammer when you can find a lightly used one for a dollar. SAE tools… files (made in USA ones, too… find that in a store… they have been sourced to Mexico)…

There are new tools that are, absolutely, better than used/vintage… but not everything.

 

[drtyler]

Gedore are not Bollman. They are made in Austria by Gedore.

I keep a text file of tool brands, here's my locking pliers section in no particular order, just numbered for number's sake with some notes. Make of it as you will.
It's possible there are more rebrandings sold under different manufacturer's lines, if you know of more, please reply. My goal is to list the main manufacturer and then who rebrands them.
Hopefully they can restart the Eagle Grip line!

Locking Pliers:
---------------
1. Rennsteig
2. Gedore (Bollmann/Wezag?)
3. Dolex
4. Wezag
5. Stahlwille (Wezag?)
6. Aigo (Stainless Steel)
7. Grip-On (Proto rebrands these)
8. Scangrip
9. Knipex
10. Bessey
11. Lockjaw
12. Facom
13. Armstrong
14. Toptul
15. Malco (Eagle Grip) - USA (RIP)

 

[American Locomotive]

That… and there are MILLIONS of pairs of Petersen Vise-Grips to be had for pennies on the dollar at garage and estate sales. And… they come in a huge variety of models/styles. For the price of one pair of Malco’s… you can get a whole drawer of vintage Petersens.

There are some tools that have not evolved that much over time. There is tonnage of it out there, too. Ball peen hammers and engineer hammers are a great example… but there are lots of examples. Why pay $20 for a ball peen hammer when you can find a lightly used one for a dollar. SAE tools… files (made in USA ones, too… find that in a store… they have been sourced to Mexico)…

There are new tools that are, absolutely, better than used/vintage… but not everything.

I really want to know where all these millions of garage and estate sale petersen vise-grips are. I hear this argument brought up many times, but in my experience it doesn't reflect reality.

I haven't seen any at a garage sale ever, most everyone I know have junk no-name locking pliers. I see a handful of Petersen vise-grips at the local yearly swap meet, but they're usually beat up and worn out to the point of being useless.

 

[tyyost]

I really want to know where all these millions of garage and estate sale petersen vise-grips are. I hear this argument brought up many times, but in my experience it doesn't reflect reality.

I haven't seen any at a garage sale ever, most everyone I know have junk no-name locking pliers. I see a handful of Petersen vise-grips at the local yearly swap meet, but they're usually beat up and worn out to the point of being useless.

Add to that when I do find them in the wild the teeth are often dull, or beat up from years of neglect. Rusty, filthy, and good to add to the welding clamp pile but not often for the intended use.

 

[GeoBruin]

I really want to know where all these millions of garage and estate sale petersen vise-grips are. I hear this argument brought up many times, but in my experience it doesn't reflect reality.

I haven't seen any at a garage sale ever, most everyone I know have junk no-name locking pliers. I see a handful of Petersen vise-grips at the local yearly swap meet, but they're usually beat up and worn out to the point of being useless.

I agree, plus it's completely ridiculous to suggest that the availability of a bunch of wore out old vice grips that may or may not exist at estate sales would affect the average consumer's decision to purchase a new pair off a store shelf, regardless of price.

 

[KnurledNut]

If you want to buy new ones, have at it. There are good options.
If you have the time and sources available to seek used ones, have at it.
Everyone comes out happy.

 

[four.cycle]

"...MILLIONS of pairs of Petersen Vise-Grips to be had for pennies on the dollar..."

If there were indeed a glut of these items in the second-hand market, to be had for such a pittance, then it would logically follow that ebay listings would be rife with listings of original Petersen Vise-Grips at bargain basement prices.

That is simply not the case. You are lucky to be able to find a pair of 5WR pliers for less than $30 bucks on ebay right now.

 

[ecotec]

If there were indeed a glut of these items in the second-hand market, to be had for such a pittance, then it would logically follow that ebay listings would be rife with listings of original Petersen Vise-Grips at bargain basement prices.

That is simply not the case. You are lucky to be able to find a pair of 5WR pliers for less than $30 bucks on ebay right now.

That is not how it works. Tool resellers do not sell at the price that they bought them for. Bargain basement prices are when you beat me to the garage/estate sales.

Once a tool reseller/flea market seller has them… I don’t want them any more. I want to pay what he paid. That is the game.

I am cheap… I am picky… I buy barely use… almost unused… for as little as possible…

If you buy ****… you will have a collection of ****. You want the best for as little as possible…

 

[ecotec]

At least 15 of my 70-80 pairs came right out of the packaging.

None of my **** is worn out…

No chrome loss… light or no previous use.

If you collect ****… you will have a collection of ****.

Look in working class areas of industrial cities. Even better… the nicest streets in working class areas. The guy who can afford all the tools… but he can also afford to pay people to do all his manual labor. Stay the hell away from farms. Farm tools are worn out.

 

[dnschmidt]

Many appear to value their time far less than I do. I have a Home Depot 3 miles away and a Harbor Freight 1.5 miles away. I'm not going to garage sales to save a penny on what might not be there to begin with and what's likely used up **** if it is there. There also seems to be this, I'm not so sure belief, that the original Peterson were god's gift to mankind verses Milwaukee or Brennen. As a distributor I bought TOPTUL vice grips super cheap and have a lifetime supply of them. They work fine for me. According to Eric O. they work fine for him. I think Peterson Vice grips are like dead rock stars. They only became legends after they died.

 

[GeoBruin]

At least 15 of my 70-80 pairs came right out of the packaging.

None of my **** is worn out…

No chrome loss… light or no previous use.

If you collect ****… you will have a collection of ****.

Look in working class areas of industrial cities. Even better… the nicest streets in working class areas. The guy who can afford all the tools… but he can also afford to pay people to do all his manual labor. Stay the hell away from farms. Farm tools are worn out.

The fact that you have dozens of pairs of vise grips, and the fact that you still have unopened pairs, makes you a collector. You obviously enjoy collecting them to the point where you have developed a strategy about the best places to find them, and I'm sure you enjoy the thrill of finding some for a great deal. But surely you can see how all of that is irrelevant here. You do not represent the majority, or even a small fraction of vise grip buyers. Telling someone who just needs some vise grips for a job to go hunt for them at estate sales is like telling someone who needs a gallon of milk to just go track down a cow. It's not practical for most people to invest the time and effort.

 

[ecotec]

Petersen was made in America by Americans.

I do not even like the ones made in America by Irwin… it is not the same to me. Irwin is a soulless conglomeration owned by the Petersen family/American Tool Corp.

You either believe or you don’t.

The fact that you have dozens of pairs of vise grips, and the fact that you still have unopened pairs, makes you a collector. You obviously enjoy collecting them to the point where you have developed a strategy about the best places to find them, and I'm sure you enjoy the thrill of finding some for a great deal. But surely you can see how all of that is irrelevant here. You do not represent the majority, or even a small fraction of vise grip buyers. Telling someone who just needs some vise grips for a job to go hunt for them at estate sales is like telling someone who needs a gallon of milk to just go track down a cow. It's not practical for most people to invest the time and effort.

Absolutely… to a point… I leave behind tonnage of perfectly functional Vise-grips. They are at almost every single estate sale, in varying conditions, if you can get to the toolbox first.

First… fill your needs… then get picky and cheap… I would suggest this method for any kind of collection.

I am at the point where I don’t even get excited about huge quantities of tools. I am looking for unusual things like pre area code tap and die wall charts and vintage drill bit stands. Unused USA drill bit sets get me excited. Clean Snap-on, MAC, Matco, Cornwell, Bonney, Wright, SK…

No owners marks, no chrome loss, light wear.

My friends have been gifted LOTS of Vise-Grips and other tools… as have past apprentices… and I donate a lot of tools. I do not resell anything.

As I said, there are Vise-grips at almost every sale with a toolbox.

 

[dutchgray]

Petersen was made in America by Americans.

I do not even like the ones made in America by Irwin… it is not the same to me. Irwin is a soulless conglomeration owned by the Petersen family/American Tool Corp.

You either believe or you don’t.

Absolutely… to a point… I leave behind tonnage of perfectly functional Vise-grips. They are at almost every single estate sale, in varying conditions, if you can get to the toolbox first.

First… fill your needs… then get picky and cheap… I would suggest this method for any kind of collection.

I am at the point where I don’t even get excited about huge quantities of tools. I am looking for unusual things like pre area code tap and die wall charts and vintage drill bit stands. Unused USA drill bit sets get me excited. Clean Snap-on, MAC, Matco, Cornwell, Bonney, Wright, SK…

No owners marks, no chrome loss, light wear.

My friends have been gifted LOTS of Vise-Grips and other tools… as have past apprentices… and I donate a lot of tools. I do not resell anything.

As I said, there are Vise-grips at almost every sale with a toolbox.

Irwin is owned by Stanley black and decker nowadays.

You almost never see a pair of Petersen vice grips in the UK
Used you find a lot of cheap rubbish, some Irwin's and Mole grips (bought by Stanley and offshored) they are worth picking up if in good order but whilst decent quality are not as user friendly as modern designs.

 

[Pantsfall_McFixit]

I have a set of Grip-On (Proto) needle-nose locking pliers and hate them. They twist and hold nothing well. Looking for a non-Taiwan/Chinese replacement. Can you comment on which brand in your list you would recommend? I found Gedore 7"/10" items (KR-7/KR-10) that would fit the bill and appear to be made in Germany. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

I wish I could try them all, because yeah I've encountered needle-nose pliers that twist and bend too.
So far, I would recommend any German brand, also Facom which is made in France.

So maybe: Gedore, Facom, Rennsteig. I beleive the Knipex ones are rebranded from Rennsteig.

 

[Lasu]

Some tool brands have also sold locking pliers made / assembled by Bollmann (Nickel, Zinc, Powder coated)

I once bought through the Knipex brand with nickel coating, (later available with zinc coating) But another brand sold identical with a nickel coating.

 

[bob15]

Petersen was made in America by Americans.

I do not even like the ones made in America by Irwin… it is not the same to me. Irwin is a soulless conglomeration owned by the Petersen family/American Tool Corp.

Not quite.

1884 - Charles IRWIN purchases rights to solid center auger bit
1885 - The IRWIN Auger Bit Co. is formed
1924 - Bill Petersen granted basic patent for locking pliers
1934 - Petersen Manufacturing Co. formed to manufacture and market Vise-Grip locking tools
1938 - First official Vise-Grip tools plant opens in an old DeWitt, Nebraska drug store with a staff of 37
1945 - First National Hardware Show; Vise-Grip tools are there
1957 - Modern-design 10WR Vise-Grip locking pliers go on the market with curved jaw and wire cutter
1962 - Petersen Manufacturing opens a plant in Cumberland, Wisconsin for manufacturing twist drills
1978 - Petersen Manufacturing workforce expands to 637 people
1979 - Gorham, Maine plant opens, manufacturing Hanson and IRWIN branded tools
1985 - American Tool Companies, Inc. is formed by the Petersen family and acquires Petersen Manufacturing
1993 - American Tool acquires The IRWIN Tool Company, a revered manufacturer of power tool accessories and cutting tools
2002 - Newell Brands acquires American Tool
2002 - American Tool name officially changes to IRWIN Industrial Tool Company
2008 - Irwin announced the closing of its DeWitt, Nebraska plant
2017 - Irwin and Lenox are bought by Stanley

 

[redwrench60]

Sounds like I’d love to go garage sale/flea market/estate sale hopping with ecotec.

Lightly used or new USA made Vise-Grips turn up occasionally here so between that and all the ones I bought while the Dewitt plant was still rockin I have enough.

I do notice that lots of desirable old tools like USA made vises, presses, and equipment came from people who moved down here from industrial areas in the north and northeast.

 

[ecotec]

Red wrench, I rarely buy anything at the flea market… as I said… I want to pay what the dealer bought it for.

It has to be something I really want, and a good deal.

I could not leave this behind…

 

[redwrench60]

Red wrench, I rarely buy anything at the flea market… as I said… I want to pay what the dealer bought it for.

It has to be something I really want, and a good deal.

I could not leave this behind…

Yeah I’m that way as well. Pawn shop deals have dried up. The fleas here have a mix of dealers and individuals selling. The deals are with individuals. My son has become quite a shop rat and tool hound himself (go figure) so we like to go see what we can dig up together. Mostly the funs in the looking but sometimes a screaming deal can be found on something hard to find.

 

[neophyte]

Not quite.

1884 - Charles IRWIN purchases rights to solid center auger bit
1885 - The IRWIN Auger Bit Co. is formed
1924 - Bill Petersen granted basic patent for locking pliers
1934 - Petersen Manufacturing Co. formed to manufacture and market Vise-Grip locking tools
1938 - First official Vise-Grip tools plant opens in an old DeWitt, Nebraska drug store with a staff of 37
1945 - First National Hardware Show; Vise-Grip tools are there
1957 - Modern-design 10WR Vise-Grip locking pliers go on the market with curved jaw and wire cutter
1962 - Petersen Manufacturing opens a plant in Cumberland, Wisconsin for manufacturing twist drills
1978 - Petersen Manufacturing workforce expands to 637 people
1979 - Gorham, Maine plant opens, manufacturing Hanson and IRWIN branded tools
1985 - American Tool Companies, Inc. is formed by the Petersen family and acquires Petersen Manufacturing
1993 - American Tool acquires The IRWIN Tool Company, a revered manufacturer of power tool accessories and cutting tools
2002 - Newell Brands acquires American Tool
2002 - American Tool name officially changes to IRWIN Industrial Tool Company
2008 - Irwin announced the closing of its DeWitt, Nebraska plant
2017 - Irwin and Lenox are bought by Stanley

Newell is likely the issue here, since Newell has been debasing the quality of their pencil brands for decades.

 

[four.cycle]

I don't care. I'm going to buy a few pairs from Jori and give 'em to friends for Christmas.

 

[mikew13]

Here is what killed Eagle Grip: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwauk...-Kit-20-Piece-48-22-2710-48-22-3690/320163354

I hate TTI more than anything in the whole wide world and its just a crying shame that Eagle Grips didn't work out.

 

[1982fxr]

Newell is likely the issue here, since Newell has been debasing the quality of their pencil brands for decades.

Wal mart strong armed Rubbermaid. Vise grips went to Asia in the fall out.

Rubbermaid trusted wal mart with way too much of their business and it almost put them out of business.

 

[four.cycle]

Tuesday Dec. 6 2022 10:45 PST

I have it on good authority that if you have been considering purchasing a pair of these, you would be wise to stop vacillating and act now.
I was told they have "a few dozen" left currently.
YMMV

MALCO Eagle-Grip from Harry J. Epstein

 

[Junkdrawer Dog]

I think Peterson Vice grips are like dead rock stars. They only became legends after they died

That can be said of many legacy brands.

 

[afazz]

Tuesday Dec. 6 2022 10:45 PST

I have it on good authority that if you have been considering purchasing a pair of these, you would be wise to stop vacillating and act now.
I was told they have "a few dozen" left currently.
YMMV

MALCO Eagle-Grip from Harry J. Epstein

If the "in stock" numbers on their website can be trusted, this is accurate and they have 114 total in stock across the entire range.

The Snap-on website also shows "in stock" or "back ordered" based on how many are available. Shopping cart quantities cut off at 999, but it looks like they have at least 999 of each size in stock as of today 12/6/2022.

 

[woody 73]

I do not know about finding used vise grips for pennies on the dollar, but just today I paid $3.00 dollars for a nice, mid-size vise grip model at a garage sale.

 

[four.cycle]

"If the "in stock"..."

"... pennies on the dollar, ...

I'm not a welder, and I don't need 47 pairs of Vise-Grips.
When the Malco units arrive, I'll put my old Petersens on ebay and sell them for $40 bucks a pair and make a killing.

Any other complaints out there?

 

[Dzmax77]

Has anyone attempted to buy out the factory so production can continue?

It seems like there’s an opportunity there.

 

[GeoBruin]

Has anyone attempted to buy out the factory so production can continue?

It seems like there’s an opportunity there.

It sounds like they were losing money, or at least not making money fast enough to cover their investment. Doesn't really scream "opportunity" unless the buyer got a big enough discount that short term negative cash flow with the prospect of future profit (after some cost cutting or other optimization) offered a compelling upside.

There may be other reasons why someone would want to purchase the factory (Snap On purchasing it to ensure its supply of locking pliers is my only example) but that seems far fetched.

 

[vssjim]

It is still a shame what has happened I bought a number of these and never even knew they had C clamp style and thin jaw sets until this thread showing they were ending production really poor marketing that people that buy a lot of tools and bought their pliers as soon as available didn't know what they sold

 

[GeoBruin]

It is still a shame what has happened I bought a number of these and never even knew they had C clamp style and thin jaw sets until this thread showing they were ending production really poor marketing that people that buy a lot of tools and bought their pliers as soon as available didn't know what they sold

Sheetmetal God dropped the initial post that Malco was ending production of the Eagle Grips in the "New Snap On Locking Pliers" thread on September 10, 2022. The slim models didn't even show up on the market until November. I feel like they were probably mid stream on production of the slim jaw versions when the hammer fell, so it makes sense that they never got advertised (never even made it on to the Malco website).

 

[pizza]

still hoping for the opportunity to pick up extra pairs at liquidation prices. probably won't happen tho.

 

[dnschmidt]

still hoping for the opportunity to pick up extra pairs at liquidation prices. probably won't happen tho.

Unlikely as they've now become collector's items. Sort of like the stupid prices people pay for **** Craftsman on EBay.

 

[Fly YX]

I hate TTI more than anything in the whole wide world and its just a crying shame that Eagle Grips didn't work out.

Are the hand tools a not part of the TTI contract or just power tools ?

 

[qqzj]

I bought two. One is a 7'' curve jaw regular one. The other is a 10'' slim profile curve jaw. Both come in plastic bags. I am a bit disappointed. I saw others got them in paper boxes. I much like that option. So is there any pattern to this? Have I got less desirable ones?

 

[GeoBruin]

I bought two. One is a 7'' curve jaw regular one. The other is a 10'' slim profile curve jaw. Both come in plastic bags. I am a bit disappointed. I saw others got them in paper boxes. I much like that option. So is there any pattern to this? Have I got less desirable ones?

I was speculating in another thread about the timeline of the release of the slim jaw pliers versus the announcement that they were going to close up shop. I have a feeling they're not putting a lot of energy into their packaging at this point. Especially if they're legitimately trying to just clear out their remaining inventory. Are you planning to save them as a collector's item? Or use them? If the latter, obviously the package won't matter.