Plier question

[bones741]

Hey another advice thread. Im looking to replace my pliers next. Im fond of sk tools, but ive read their pliers are the same as craftsman just with a different color grip and more money? Any thoughts? Also considering channellock as my go to brand. Idk just looking for input, you guys have been great insight everytime!

 

[davethorik]

I would take a look at Wilde and Channellock offerings. For a little more $, Klein makes very nice pliers as well. Then there is Knipex, very nice pliers but pricy, made in Germany.

 

[scoot86]

Can't go wrong with channellock

 

[JimRB]

Replace plier is like saying you want to replace your screwdriver. ;-) My toolbox has bought pliers and found pliers. Arc joint pliers. Diagonal (dikes) pliers. Locking pliers (ViceGrips). Needle nose pliers. Flat nose pliers. Linesman pliers. Circlip pliers. Wire stripping pliers. One tray in the toolbox filled with pliers.

Craftsman, Klein, Lexus, Channelock, Knipex are all found in my box. A third of my box is found pliers. Craftsman stuff is all 30 years old.

 

[Travisnd]

Channellock's all the way!

 

[CJM8515]

I like channel lock slip joints, but the wildes are nicer.

 

[Pumpman1968]

Channellock is the basic, no frills standard of the industry! Solid.....dependable....inexpensive......AMERICAN made.

 

[vartz04]

I really like the knipex stuff. Only thing they don't have that I wish they did is two position slip joint pliers. I've had all the junk out there and channel locks as well and in my opinion these are the best. That's a small sample size though as I've only had them a few months. The pliers wrench is awesome


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[Richard Cranium]

another vote for Channel lock

 

[jallyn]

Knipex are the best and you pay for it. ChannelLocks are stout, American made, more reasonably priced. Probably lots of others out there but those two are well known brands that aren't going anywhere so you won't go wrong with them.

I personally have decided Knipex are worth it. Off the bat they have smooth operation requiring no break-in. Everything lines up where it should. And the PliersWrench has no equal as an adjustable wrench and all-around handy to have tool.

 

[Brownsfan]

Don't limit yourself to just one brand. I like Klein needle nose and cutters/crimpers. Knipex slip joints. Snap on needle nose are the best I have used. But Klein is a very close second for less.

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

I couldn't imagine having only one brand of pliers, or screwdrivers, or most other tools. I buy sets but I don't worry that the handles on my small needle nose don't match the handles on my large linesman pliers. I have Channel locks, Craftsman, Klein, Stanley, Pittsburgh, Vice grip and who knows how many other brands in the same drawer and they get along just fine.

 

[espyking83]

Pliers are the most rebranded tools out there, even companies like Knipex. There are some exceptions, but keep companies like Wilde and Pro America in mind. SK pliers are nice, but yeah, not worth the price when compared to others. Just my opinion though.

 

[Monte]

Knippex

 

[zkling]

Do a search, especially for Davefr, has been discussed many a times.
For the best performance for the money you are going to want to piece a set together from multiple different brands both US and euro.

 

[DBendr]

IPS, Merry, Asahi, 3 peaks Top, Asahi, Engineer.
No. You won't hear much around here.Toys R Us and trucks don't have them .
Have a look at some

 

[B_Bimmer]

Yet another vote for channellock. I've strayed in the past, but I always come back to their model 548. Stronger than any other normal pliers, with a narrow jaw that fits lots of places. It's the kind of tool you want in your pocket at all times. Fabulous well priced American quality.

 

[oldldh]

You might try Tekton...

They're USA made by Wilde...

I've got them, and they're worth what they're asking...

Amazon's the "main point" of purchase...

 

[anndel]

Snap On, Channellocks, Tekton, Knipex, Klein - all good brands

 

[Fedwrench]

yeah, SK pliers are made by Western Forge so, they're basically Craftsman quality pliers with green grips that cost more.

I know a lot of people here love some Wilde pliers but, I'm lukewarm towards them. They're ok but, nothing to write home about. I think you can do better.

For not a huge investment, one can get a decent selection from Channellock that will serve you well for many years.

I also like Knipex and other German brands like NWS too.

Snap on probably has the best grips of all brands but, that's an individual preference..

 

[77Mini]

I am a fan of Klein but as others have said it may be better to pick the pieces you like best from each manufacture. You won't have a matching set but you may end up with a nicer set of tools. My pliers are a mismatch of all kinds of stuff.

 

[ssdave]

Pick what you like for the style and type the maker has. My personal brand preferences are Channelock, Klein, Knipex and Snap on for stuff I can buy easily today. I have older stuff in Proto, Craftsman, Utica, Excelite, Wizard and Mac that I've picked up used and am happy with. Also have dozens of other unknown names that I've kept because they were a particular style I didn't have otherwise.

Pliers, like someone said before, are like screwdrivers. You can use a lot of different ones. I have about equal numbers of each; the screwdrivers and the pliers each take up a full drawer in my tool box, as well as racks on my pegboards.

 

[d.mcfarland]

I'd vote channellock and snap on. Both are recommended for the obvious reasons.

 

[anndel]

Another good one I just got and tried on a rounded bolt was Vampliers, made in Japan. It removed a rounded rusted bolt though I sprayed it with Kroil first. If that didn't work then the good old standby Vise Grips.

 

[Vortaku]

Do a search, especially for Davefr, has been discussed many a times.
For the best performance for the money you are going to want to piece a set together from multiple different brands both US and euro.

Snap On 196 NCF

Knipex Cobra

Klein Dikes


this is what DaveFr has said to get from multiple threads. It is a small but powerful group

 

[General Geoff]

Channellock for reasonably priced, dependable pliers.

Knipex if you want the best, price be damned.

 

[ecotec]

linesman's- Klein D2000
dykes- Klein D2000 or Knipex 10" high leverage
needle nose- Knipex
arc joint- Knipex Cobras
slip joint- I have not found a pair I love (I have the Tekton Wilde's). If I used slip joints more, I would look at the Talon Grips from Snap-on. I will probably use the Tektons for the rest of my life.
damaged fastener pliers- Engineer PZ-58
wire strippers- Klein Curve

bonus round-Knipex Pliers-Wrench (smooth jaw pliers that replace adjustable wrenches)

 

[four.cycle]

bones, I think you can figure out from the comments that the consensus is "no one brand is the only one to use."
if money is no object: Knipex/Klein
more bang for the buck: Channellock, Wilde, Proamerica
all good. all US-made (except the Knipex)

 

[ChrisPace]

Can't go wrong with Snap On. I was pretty amazed at the quality of the western forge craftsman stuff. Especially the professional version. One of my favorite grips.


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