Plier set recommendations

[kythri]

Buy once cry once. Knipex really changes the way you think about pliers.

Hasn't for me.

I've got 8 or 10 Knipex pieces. They're incredibly nice, to be sure, but I've only bought them when they've been on crazy discount, and I've only bought so much to try to figure out what the hype is.

They're great tools, but I can't qualitatively say that they're any better than Channellock, which, to me, are equally great, and FAR, FAR cheaper.

Channellock is where it's at, quality and price-wise. Really can't be beat.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

A quick suggestion to anyone looking at Channellock, which are the majority of my pliers, instead of the standard 317 for long nose or the 3017 for the same without the cutter, get the E318. The tips are just as strong, but thinner and have a longer reach. The difference they make is outstanding.

Agreed. I switched to the E318s and couldn't be happier. The "pipe grip" jaws are great for pulling fuel, vacuum and heater hoses without cutting or damaging them.

 

[rick carpenter]

The Knipex Alligators are great pliers.. they "in essence" are the same as channellock pump pliers, just with a different (better) joint design. You'd use them for the same tasks no matter the brand. The upgrade from the alligator is the cobra.

I prefer the good old tongue & groove Channellock or Crescent pump pliers because of their simple and robust t&g in both regular jaw and v-jaw, the Knipex Alligator or Cobra adjustment mechanisms are too finicky for me for regular adjustable pliers use. That being said, I really like my 10" Pliers Wrench -- even with the cobra mechanism -- but they are more wrench-ish than pliers-ish.

 

[kctyphoon]

The advantage of the Knipex are 4 things. (Alligators vs Channellock pump)

1 - the joint offers MUCH more adjustability. You're not having to settle for a "good enough" fit
2- the joint has absolutely no slop in them, and they cannot get jammed or come loose.
3- the jaws are thinner. Admittedly, this won't make a difference in every application, but it does with some
4- if you compare the v jaw channellock to Knipex, fully closed the opening of the Knipex v jaw is smaller. For me - that make a big difference in what I use them for.

As far as the cobras - the adjustability is only easier. Just about everyone has a set of pliers based off that design now. I prefer the Alligators only because there is no lip or edge that can get caught putting them back into a tool pouch on my belt.

 

[shelbysguns]

I prefer the good old tongue & groove Channellock or Crescent pump pliers because of their simple and robust t&g in both regular jaw and v-jaw, the Knipex Alligator or Cobra adjustment mechanisms are too finicky for me for regular adjustable pliers use. That being said, I really like my 10" Pliers Wrench -- even with the cobra mechanism -- but they are more wrench-ish than pliers-ish.

Too finicky? have you tried useing the ratchet mechanism to go down thats what I do. Just close the handles and squeeze the jaws then maybe one more click. Always get a good bite and the handles are never too far open. Way easier for me than t&g.

 

[rick carpenter]

The advantage of the Knipex are 4 things. (Alligators vs Channellock pump)

1 - the joint offers MUCH more adjustability. You're not having to settle for a "good enough" fit
2- the joint has absolutely no slop in them, and they cannot get jammed or come loose.
3- the jaws are thinner. Admittedly, this won't make a difference in every application, but it does with some
4- if you compare the v jaw channellock to Knipex, fully closed the opening of the Knipex v jaw is smaller. For me - that make a big difference in what I use them for.

As far as the cobras - the adjustability is only easier. Just about everyone has a set of pliers based off that design now. I prefer the Alligators only because there is no lip or edge that can get caught putting them back into a tool pouch on my belt.

I pretty much knew that's what you'd come back with, and I'm glad you did. My job and my life don't depend on the tool tolerances that yours do. This is all good for the OP to know.

BTW, I have jammed a pair of Alligators.

 

[packet]

My favorites:

NWS, Knipex, Wiha.

NWS and Knipex are cheapest on Amazon.de, but still fairly expensive.

Wiha tends to have sales on most of their pliers throughout the year and they usually run ~$25 per pair. I've put mine through hell and back and they're awesome.

 

[kctyphoon]

At Home I have all channellock I use now.. I upgraded from the Kobalt and Husky pliers i had just cause the pump pliers were **** in the cheaper brands, and I honestly just started feeling embarrassed and annoyed when I used them. I felt at 40 it was time to stop buying stuff like I did at 20. For like $200 and eBay, you can put together a very complete channellock set that are reliable and will do whatever ya need.. I have no complaints with them at Home, which is why I recommended them here. I have a lot of Milwaukee's pliers too, and anyone that frequents the forum knows I'm a huge Milwaukee guy. Unfortunately their price point is too close to Channellock, and Channellock just makes better pliers for the money. They are similar to Klein but for less money..

My choice in Knipex for work is specific. My diagonals go through hell at work, and channellock just doesn't hold up. Cutting stainless steel clamps ruined a brand new set in 2 hours. I even bought some v groove channellock to try also, but I use pump pliers to help finish the wraps on dead ends, and the Channellock opening is just too big even when closed for the small wraps. I wanted the v grove cause the wraps are round, like a pipe, so the more areas of contact just make finishing the wraps easier. The Knipex just gives me the feeling I can put more trust in them without worry.

Channellock is a good brand, but Knipex are just better. Doesn't mean that everyone should run out and buy Knipex though.

Good video comparison here - but owning both I still say Channellock is the better buy for most people.

 

[kctyphoon]

A quick suggestion to anyone looking at Channellock, which are the majority of my pliers, instead of the standard 317 for long nose or the 3017 for the same without the cutter, get the E318. The tips are just as strong, but thinner and have a longer reach. The difference they make is outstanding.

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

They are available with pipe grips incorporated into the jaws as well, above the cutters.. those are the ones I picked up..

 

[joe_pinehill1]

I have a collection of Channel Locks, Crescent, Craftsman. I recently bought long reach pliers from HF, and their long hose pliers, both are worth the money.

 

[davethorik]

I prefer the good old tongue & groove Channellock or Crescent pump pliers because of their simple and robust t&g in both regular jaw and v-jaw, the Knipex Alligator or Cobra adjustment mechanisms are too finicky for me for regular adjustable pliers use. That being said, I really like my 10" Pliers Wrench -- even with the cobra mechanism -- but they are more wrench-ish than pliers-ish.

I don't mind Channellocks much, the only thing that bugs me about them is when you have to keep resetting them in the correct groove to hold the workpiece (usually in a tight space). That is where the Cobra shines, imo, since they hold the setting. That being said, I only have 2 pair...the 10"/250mm, which I use probably more than any other pair of "water pump" style plier, and the XXL 22"/560mm as it is bigger and opens wider than the largest Channellock.

Echoing what kctyphoon says, Channellock side cutters simply do not hold up as well as Knipex or Klein 2000 series. If all you use them for is to cut zip ties, the Channellocks are fine. But if you have to cut metal, get Knipex or Klein 2000.

 

[kctyphoon]

Yea anything plastic, soft metal like wires, most automotive stuff - you're golden with channellock cutters. Anything that's real hard just doesn't agree with them, despite them being rated for piano wire.
And I'll let ya in a little secret, despite what you will probably read over in the Channellock thread, with the exception of the new E458 (I bought those too and just haven't used them yet), there is no difference in the hardness of the jaws between ANY of the Channellock cutters. They all use the same metal, same hardening methods. The only difference lies in the length of the cutters and the type of joint used in said pliers. There are no heavy duty cutters in Channellock's lineup, except the description given for the lastest model - which remains to be seen. And they are center cut diagonals, meaning the jaws are actually in the center of the head on both sides, instead of being off to one side like all other traditional types.. I bought them just to see what was different, and still haven't had a chance to test them out yet..

 

[Ton ton]

Go to your local do it best or other local hardware store. They should have channel locks on display. Enough said.