Older black handled craftsman pliers

[Ohmthis]

Who made those? We got to talking (a buddy of mine and I) about them. I still have some and really like them. I use channellock at work and with my electrical/HVAC tool bags. Would love to grab a couple more pairs if they are still made.

 

[Bubba Fett]

Mostly Western Forge. Might be hard to get unless you look at the used markets. Otherwise Channellock is still hard to beat. Wilde also makes various pliers, and may have been an OEM for Craftsman (I'm sure someone knows more than me.) The Tekton USA-made pliers are made by them.

Other options to consider: Klein, Knipex and NWS (which can get pricey).

 

[Jtels85]

There are still a couple black handle Craftsman USA pliers floating out there at Ace Hardware stores. They’re mostly gone now, but I did see a couple in my travels a couple weeks ago here in Ohio.

 

[Ohmthis]

Thanks guys, I haven’t shopped for craftsman tools in a good long time. I was just curious and thought I’d ask.

 

[TangoFoxTrot]

I have some Craftsman-branded Knipex pliers with black handles.

I thought it was the best of both worlds, Knipex quality and Sear's return policy. Plus they were on sale. This was around 10-15 years ago, obviously they're never going to be returned now.

If you want the best pliers money can buy, just go right to Knipex. Maybe you save $15 bucks going with a lesser brand? Well worth the premium imo.

 

[ron350]

The Craftsman pliers I have are all over 20 years old and have WF stamped on them. One pair has black vinyl coated handles and another has textured rubber like coated handles.

 

[Ohmthis]

I have some Craftsman-branded Knipex pliers with black handles.

I thought it was the best of both worlds, Knipex quality and Sear's return policy. Plus they were on sale. This was around 10-15 years ago, obviously they're never going to be returned now.

If you want the best pliers money can buy, just go right to Knipex. Maybe you save $15 bucks going with a lesser brand? Well worth the premium imo.

Everyone has their preference. I’ve been in the electrical/HVAC trades for more than 25 years. I’ve tried a bunch of different tools. TBH, knipex haven’t impressed me. I don’t like the linesman’s pliers I own, the adjustable pliers are nice, just too exp, and the snap ring pliers that I have break the ends off too easily. And yes, I’m using the correct pair for the size.

 

[Gila Monster]

Everyone has their preference. I’ve been in the electrical/HVAC trades for more than 25 years. I’ve tried a bunch of different tools. TBH, knipex haven’t impressed me. I don’t like the linesman’s pliers I own, the adjustable pliers are nice, just too exp, and the snap ring pliers that I have break the ends off too easily. And yes, I’m using the correct pair for the size.

Knipex is light years better than anything from Channellock or some random Craftsman pliers from the last 20 years. I've owned all of them.

The solid black handled Craftsman stuff was usually the cheaper line, the red and black handled was the pro line and decent. I really don't think the entry level is much different than the Chinese Craftsman stuff they now pump out at places like Ace Hardware.

People though are now paying stupid prices for post-2000, entry level USA Craftsman. It's really not that great. I have a tool box full of it.

 

[woody 73]

Yes indeed made by WF (western Forge) interesting I have two pair of craftsman pliers that were made in France of all places. (pictures of that somewhere on the GJ).

 

[Professional Tool User]

The black handled Craftsman ones were made by Western Forge. Based on word of mouth on the forum, quality has declined over the years when they were still in production. They may have been worth buying back in the day when Sears put them on sale for dirt cheap, but definitely not worth paying Channellock prices for. Channellock overall has much more consistent quality control.

 

[Professional Tool User]

Knipex is light years better than anything from Channellock or some random Craftsman pliers from the last 20 years. I've owned all of them.

The solid black handled Craftsman stuff was usually the cheaper line, the red and black handled was the pro line and decent. I really don't think the entry level is much different than the Chinese Craftsman stuff they now pump out at places like Ace Hardware.

People though are now paying stupid prices for post-2000, entry level USA Craftsman. It's really not that great. I have a tool box full of it.

I highly doubt you've owned every model that Knipex has released. Only certain Knipex models like the cobras and pliers wrench are worth paying a premium for. Channellock, Klein, and Knipex have all released their fair share of duds over the years. Among the Knipex ones are a certain needle nose plier with super weak tips and the Raptor.

 

[Fedwrench]

Many of the current SK plier offerings are the same as the Western Forge versions aside from the higher price and green grips.

The French made Craftsmans were probably long handled, long nose pliers from the days when Craftsman sold a bit of Facom tools.

 

[3baygarage]

I think the quality as far as pliers go was always good. The finish is the issue. If only they didn’t rust so easily with the markings getting difficult to see.

The older chrome ones are nice too.

 

[mitusa]

I have a pair of old craftsman 8" pliers.....model 45379.

Back when I helped build pole barns, they were what I carried. I liked the small grip hole that would hold a nail when the tin was super spongy. And the fact that it didn't have rivets on both sides was nice too.

 

[Jtels85]

You can also buy Ideal pliers at Lowe’s and Menard’s in the electrical aisles. Western Forge made and are identical to the Craftsman’s (same assembly line), but the textured grips are blue. Made in USA.

 

[dscheidt]

Many of the current SK plier offerings are the same as the Western Forge versions aside from the higher price and green grips.

The French made Craftsmans were probably long handled, long nose pliers from the days when Craftsman sold a bit of Facom tools.

my french craftsman pliers were small needle noses, with a right angle tip.

 

[stonesfan68]

The SK pliers are identical to the old Craftsman black-handled pliers that were made in the USA by Western Forge. They carry a much higher price tag now.

 

[M6erfan]

Delete

 

[M6erfan]

Many of the current SK plier offerings are the same as the Western Forge versions aside from the higher price and green grips.

The French made Craftsmans were probably long handled, long nose pliers from the days when Craftsman sold a bit of Facom tools.

my french craftsman pliers were small needle noses, with a right angle tip.

I have C'man Pro black handled end nippers I bought back in the early 2000's (I think). Made in France.

 

[Bubba Fett]

I have a pair of old craftsman 8" pliers.....model 45379.

Back when I helped build pole barns, they were what I carried. I liked the small grip hole that would hold a nail when the tin was super spongy. And the fact that it didn't have rivets on both sides was nice too.

Yeah, those are great pliers. They are very similar to Wilde Flush Fastener pliers, to the point that I think either Wilde made them or WF made a licensed version of them. I have both, and a pair of Proto pliers that are identical to the Wildes. The Craftsman version has some slight differences. Whatever the case, I prefer flush fastener over regular slip joint pliers. They are much more tool bag and pocket friendly, since they don't catch on everything.