New Channellock SpeedGrip?

[victor252]

Just saw a commercial on Youtube for this:

Speedgrip - Channellock, Inc.

channellock.com

$21 on Amazon for a USA made Channellock version of Knipex Cobras. I think this is a good move for CL. They are definitely competitively priced. Now you don't have to buy Harbor Freight versions of Cobras to save money over Knipex. If I need more water pump pliers, I would try these over another pair of Cobras.

I love how CL makes affordable USA made tools. What do you guys make of it?

 

[Fedwrench]

They aren't in the same league as Cobra's or Alligator's for that matter. The speedgrip jaws are straight so, maybe a lower cost plierswrench I think the speedgrips are bulky and heavy. I've fondled them and don't particularly care for them but, that's just me. I own lots of Channellocks and I'll stick to my Knipex.

 

[Meursault74]

They look fine. I have some Irwin with a similar mechanism but the jaws are not the same. I also have plenty of actual Channellock and others with the traditional tongue and groove and 90 deg teeth. The cross hatched teeth look like a good idea for something really stuck. I'd have preferred they did their traditional dip for the handles. But it looks like they're trying to modernize. If I needed them, I'd probably get some, but I seem to have that tool area covered.

 

[d.mcfarland]

They have their downfalls including jaw opening width is not as large as you would expect and the jaws themselves are smaller length wise.

 

[sparky 1971]

If they had the normal dipped handles that Channellock is famous for I would buy some without even holding them in my hands. I hate the comfort grip style handles, so I'm out.

 

[BarrelRoll]

Looks like they are using snapon talon grip style jaws with a Knipex cobra adjuster. I'm happy enough with my knipex that I don't really see the need to try these. $20 for made in USA isn't a horrible deal if I needed another pair.

 

[jeffmoss26]

they have been out for a few years, I have a pair and they are fine.

 

[bwringer]

They look fine. I have some Irwin with a similar mechanism but the jaws are not the same. I also have plenty of actual Channellock and others with the traditional tongue and groove and 90 deg teeth. The cross hatched teeth look like a good idea for something really stuck. I'd have preferred they did their traditional dip for the handles. But it looks like they're trying to modernize. If I needed them, I'd probably get some, but I seem to have that tool area covered.

Agreed -- that crosshatching looks like just the ticket for getting a good strong bite on something. Of course, it will also damage anything you use it on, so it's not the right tool in some situations.

If they had the normal dipped handles that Channellock is famous for I would buy some without even holding them in my hands. I hate the comfort grip style handles, so I'm out.

Same. I loathe, hate, abhor, despise, and detest those useless, bulky, stupidly greebled "(dis)comfort" handles crapping up too many otherwise fine tools.


Still, as others have stated, I love seeing quality made in USA stuff at reasonable prices. If I had a need for these, I'd certainly get some. If they put out a dipped handle version later, I'd very likely jump in.

My Knipex versions have serrated jaws, not cross-hatched, dipped handles, and are lighter and more compact while still being incredibly strong. They were also a LOT more expensive...

 

[190Octane]

I have the 420 and 440 that stay in the house for when I don’t feel like walking all the way out to the garage for something. The jaw design is nice because they’re like a pliers wrench for something you don’t care about marring.

Been using mine to pull out finish nails lately while redoing our baseboard and casing and they’re working well for that.