Pliers; How Many Is Too Many?

[Outlawmws]

This is too many.

Pliers racks, man you can make your own.

Also, the Vise grips can mostly be "stacked" upright side by side no rack needed, High density and they hold each other up and you can group them by size/type mostly:

you just need some bread pans.

A good variant for racks!

 

[Mintgrun]

What pair is your pick of the crop or top 5 ?

The pair in blue make me happy. I like the oversized head.
(in the middle of the photos below)



Okay, I went up and picked out four more.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

What pair is your pick of the crop or top 5 ?

The pair in blue make me happy. I like the oversized head...[ ]...Okay, I went up and picked out four more.

Oh, man, I wish I didn't read this! I applaud Minty's decisiveness. It's an excruciating, Sophie's Choice level dilemma. Worse than desert island LP choices. I would drown at sea before I could decide.

 

[Outlawmws]

Oh, man, I wish I didn't read this! I applaud Minty's decisiveness. It's an excruciating, Sophie's Choice level dilemma. Worse than desert island LP choices. I would drown at sea before I could decide.

Some years back I made this response:

How can a guy with over 450 pairs of pliers, cutters, tongs, grips etc, have a "favorite"? (jeffmoss has it quoted)

Updated:

How can a guy with almost 800 pairs of pliers, cutters, tongs, grips etc, have a "favorite"?

I use what is appropriate to the job. and even with this big a selection, sometimes I need something different. just not as often... I've even made custom jaws for some tasks, and have a couple in planning.

 

[Mintgrun]

I felt that way too, but decided to play along. I don't usually play the favorite-game because the answer is constantly shifting. I reach for needle nose pliers most often. Yesterday, I added the taller section of 4" square tubing to the tray. This is the most efficient way I've found to store them, with maximum accessibility in a small footprint.



I have shared this before but it has evolved since then.

 

[Beerhippie]

Excellent storage technique! I'll be stealing that idea....

 

[Outlawmws]

Excellent storage technique! I'll be stealing that idea....

Me too!

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I felt that way too, but decided to play along.

I figured.

I don't usually play the favorite-game because the answer is constantly shifting.

That's the only way to play. Here are my 5 favorite by brand. Or here are my 5 favorite by type. Or here are my 5 favorite grips. Or here are my 5 favorite overall...today, and I reserve the right to change my mind tomorrow. HAHA. It does serve its forceful purpose in being more scrutinizing with your own preferences. Thanks for being the leader. I may follow. May being the operative word.

 

[Skyman]

The current storage arrangement for those that live in my basement workshop.



Precision pliers live in a drawer under the workbench. Garage pliers are mostly in roll-cab drawers. Others live in grab-n-go tool bags, vehicles, desk drawers, etc.

 

[oldpliers1]

The pair in blue make me happy. I like the oversized head.
(in the middle of the photos below)



Okay, I went up and picked out four more.

I fully get it to you it’s pattern and age and rarity.

 

[oldpliers1]

The current storage arrangement for those that live in my basement workshop.



Precision pliers live in a drawer under the workbench. Garage pliers are mostly in roll-cab drawers. Others live in grab-n-go tool bags, vehicles, desk drawers, etc.

The pair of pliers to the right ,next to the 91/2 lineman’s pliers facing down German pattern are they Bergs ? I have not seen the magnetic strip for sale in my part of the world.

 

[oldpliers1]

I felt that way too, but decided to play along. I don't usually play the favorite-game because the answer is constantly shifting. I reach for needle nose pliers most often. Yesterday, I added the taller section of 4" square tubing to the tray. This is the most efficient way I've found to store them, with maximum accessibility in a small footprint.



I have shared this before but it has evolved since then.

 

[Beerhippie]

The current storage arrangement for those that live in my basement workshop.



Precision pliers live in a drawer under the workbench. Garage pliers are mostly in roll-cab drawers. Others live in grab-n-go tool bags, vehicles, desk drawers, etc.

I wish I could use those mag strips in the shop, but they'd just disappear under a giant wad of metal dust and filings.

 

[oldpliers1]

I was genuine rather than playing games I do have a Top five pairs I would save in a fire,all of them are one off finds that have taken best part of forty years find. And to be subjective there are other pliers I really like that I have recently come to like in the Klein Bergs and channellock , Ranges , I’ll photo them when I get home from works Regards from Australia.

 

[Skyman]

The current storage arrangement for those that live in my basement workshop.



Precision pliers live in a drawer under the workbench. Garage pliers are mostly in roll-cab drawers. Others live in grab-n-go tool bags, vehicles, desk drawers, etc.

The pair of pliers to the right ,next to the 91/2 lineman’s pliers facing down German pattern are they Bergs ? I have not seen the magnetic strip for sale in my part of the world.

It's not clear to me who made them. I found them rusted and laying beside a street, so I have no idea of their origin other than that they appear to date back to the Cold War, given that the country of origin is West Germany. They appear to have been very well made, and after some rehabilitation are once again in serviceable condition. They pivot smoothly, but the cutting edges have clearly seen some rough use by a previous owner, so they don't cut so well anymore.




ges.gesch?

 

[Private Lugnutz]

ges.gesch?

Short for "Gesetzlich Geschutzt". That translates into "Legally Protected", but it's closer to trademark or copyright is my understanding. There are a couple different terms for different forms of patent markings seen on vintage German tools. "D.R.G.M." for "Deutsches Reich Gebraumeister" (older) and "D.R.P." for Deutsches Reich Patent (still used today).

I wonder if that applies to the shock-proof handles or the tool.

The "W-GERMANY" marking on the pivot - implying West or sometimes Western Germany, would be 1949 to 1990.

 

[Mintgrun]

I added this pair of Channellock pliers to the collection not long ago. Today, I added a little oil to the joint and they pivot like they should again. They'll be staying yellow (and brown) for now.

 

[oldpliers1]

I was genuine rather than playing games I do have a Top five pairs I would save in a fire,all of them are one off finds that have taken best part of forty years find. And to be subjective there are other pliers I really like that I have recently come to like in the Klein Bergs and channellock , Ranges , I’ll photo them when I get home from works Regards from Australia.

Here are the 5 it was a no brainer
the 1950-8 T from the 1950s ( black factory grips )
the 1950-6 with the shared war grade grips from the 40s
the 3800-6T picked up in 85
the 3800-7 T it took me 40 years of hard looking and found them 10 miles from home .
and the 3800-8 I ( insulated from the mid 70s ) orange Insulation Crestex found in NZ

 

[Private Lugnutz]

They'll be staying yellow (and brown) for now

Somebody didn't want them to be mistaken for someone else's or blend in with their surroundings or get left behind.

 

[Mintgrun]

Somebody didn't want them to be mistaken for someone else's or blend in with their surroundings or get left behind.

I don't either!

Electrolysis is my go-to rust removal method. In this case, it'd fizz the paint off too; but I suspect I'd be left with a fairly deeply pitted surface, once all the cRust was removed. When that happens, it can be fun to use files and abrasives to smooth it back out, like I did on the pair of Kraeuter pliers off to the right.



That's not the best example, but I had the photo handy. I recently got a "who made these side cutters?" email from my cousin, who was admiring some Kraeuter cutters he'd inherited. He said, "I've admired this tool that I have here. And it's in really good shape. Almost looks unused. It's still sitting on the table in front of me. Quality is amazing. The tolerances kinda blow mind." I find myself wanting to nurture his appreciation and send some more tools his way.

Speaking of tired old pliers, I pulled this pair out of the scrap bin thirty seconds after they'd been tossed in. (Along with a nice little pair of Craftsman "Channellocks" that I set out on the shelf for someone to buy). At first I thought it was weird that they'd used a tubular rivet in the pivot, but then I realized the pin was just missing. Box jointed pliers always seem special and this pair definitely has a hand-forged appearance. It will be fun to replace the pin and forge them back into shape. Poor little pliers.

 

[Levaughn]

Pliers racks, man you can make your own.

Also, the Vise grips can mostly be "stacked" upright side by side no rack needed, High density and they hold each other up and you can group them by size/type mostly:





A good variant for racks!

I did like you said and this is the result.

 

[Outlawmws]

I added this pair of Channellock pliers to the collection not long ago. Today, I added a little oil to the joint and they pivot like they should again. They'll be staying yellow (and brown) for now.

Man those are old! Love 'em! I agree -I'm generally in the "Clean the rust off" crowd, but these I'd be "how to stop the rust without stripping?"

It will be fun to replace the pin and forge them back into shape. Poor little pliers.

I've done this to rare snips and pliers in the past, -even replacing a dead flat shank bolt in slip joints.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Here are the 5 it was a no brainer

I admire the ease of your decisiveness!

While I have posted nearly all the pliers that I posted here on this thread on brand-focused threads before, I credited @MisterEd with prompting me to take a more circumspect view of my collection by type, which can be seen scrolling through pages 1 through 4. Similarly, I will have to credit you - and Minty, for prompting me to take a more circumspect view by personal valuation.

I will say up front that not only was the Top 5 Challenge not a no brainer for me, and not only that I largely failed, but that I hurt my brain while failing!

I literally just conducted a full and detailed inventory of all my pliers. I started out just looking through them casually and pulling out some of my favorites. It quickly led to a mess. So I pulled them all out and started from scratch.

Funny, when I was done, and I came back here to find the prior quotes, and I searched on "top 5", I noticed that I had already used the "Top 5" expression, before @oldpliers1, twice!

Here, where evidence of my equivocation is already on display...

Antique pliers don't excite too many collectors, but these unusual Red Devils are probably in my Top 5 finds of the year so far.

And here, where my fondness for a pair of O-ring-clipped French fondue specials was so strong I foolhardily threw any sense of caution to the wind...

These are top 5 favorite pliers in my collection,

Interestingly enough, both made it pretty far in my maddening, independent inspections and down-selection process, which I shall report toot sweet, just as soon as I gather my thoughts and a few photos.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

First, an overview. I am a spreadsheet guy, which was very useful for tabulating.

I have 186 total pliers. That's not counting the Waldes-Truarc snap ring pliers or any of the various brake spring pliers I have, both of which I consider peculiar special purpose design and action. It's also not counting any nippers or pure crimpers or ignition pliers that are inside ignition sets. Also not counting users, which are in the garage.

By type, I have 42 combination slip-joint pliers, 24 lineman's/side-cutters, 23 various noses (needle, round, chain, etc), 18 dykes, 15 water pumps, 10 battery, 6 angle heads, 3 gas & burner, and then 40+ hard to classify special combos (fence, buttons, etc) or oddballs.

By brand, I have 20 Schollhorn (BERNARD), 18 Champion DeArment, 10 J.P. Danielson, 10 Vacuum-Grip, 8 S&H Red Devil, 8 Crescent, 8 PEXTO, 6 Klein, 5 Utica, and then it drops off to lots of onesy-twosy brands after that.

 

[oldpliers1]

I admire the ease of your decisiveness!

While I have posted nearly all the pliers that I posted here on this thread on brand-focused threads before, I credited @MisterEd with prompting me to take a more circumspect view of my collection by type, which can be seen scrolling through pages 1 through 4. Similarly, I will have to credit you - and Minty, for prompting me to take a more circumspect view by personal valuation.

I will say up front that not only was the Top 5 Challenge not a no brainer for me, and not only that I largely failed, but that I hurt my brain while failing!

I literally just conducted a full and detailed inventory of all my pliers. I started out just looking through them casually and pulling out some of my favorites. It quickly led to a mess. So I pulled them all out and started from scratch.

Funny, when I was done, and I came back here to find the prior quotes, and I searched on "top 5", I noticed that I had already used the "Top 5" expression, before @oldpliers1, twice!

Here, where evidence of my equivocation is already on display...

And here, where my fondness for a pair of O-ring-clipped French fondue specials was so strong I foolhardily threw any sense of caution to the wind...

Interestingly enough, both made it pretty far in my maddening, independent inspections and down-selection process, which I shall report toot sweet, just as soon as I gather my thoughts and a few photos.

The reason behind the thought top 5 was I could not pick just 1 pair , and as you are all men who appreciate quality tools you all would have your own personal take. I put up stuff that I bought as a teenager apprentice and had a emotional connection,as well as things I searched and coveted for 4 decades.After I posted i looked at my collection and their was a lot of worthy items that could easily be a top item, ( berg , Ahrems, Klein , Channellock, Bahco , knipex , Elliott Lucas ) But it started with Crescent which fuelled the addiction,and Also my trade,Electrical supply stores always had the latest and greatest on the counter. I love seeing other people’s stuff as it is mostly unseen like Utica , S&H ,Red devil ,Billing’s , IDEAL , like the 420 design patent and the Diamond caulk Diamalloy. It also makes you appreciate the toolmakers ,just how clever the were. Regards from Australia.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Yes, there's no accounting for all the machinations (function, form, looks, feel in the hand, personal connection, etc) that goes into it. It's not the selecting that's hard, it's the leaving things out!

I got clever and decomposed them into various topics, giving me more than 5! HAHA.

Here is my Grip Pattern Desert Island 5...



Top to bottom: Utica, Champion DeArment / Channellock, Smith & Hemenway, Steelcraft (yes! Steelcraft! I love the knuckles), and BHM.

Had a very hard time leaving out Vacuum-Grip, Kraeuter, and these two...



Other Champion DeArment / Channellock and Unknown.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Here is my Brandings/Logos/Markings Desert Island 5...



Left to right: PEXTO ME-KAN-IK, script "Red Devil", Boker "Weathervane", script Mephisto, and CTCO MoToR KiT.

Many, many hard to leave out, especially...

 

[oldpliers1]

First, an overview. I am a spreadsheet guy, which was very useful for tabulating.

I have 186 total pliers. That's not counting the Waldes-Truarc snap ring pliers or any of the various brake spring pliers I have, both of which I consider peculiar special purpose design and action. It's also not counting any nippers or pure crimpers or ignition pliers that are inside ignition sets.

By type, I have 42 combination slip-joint pliers, 24 lineman's/side-cutters, 23 various noses (needle, round, chain, etc), 18 dykes, 15 water pumps, 10 battery, 6 angle heads, 3 gas & burner, and then 40+ hard to classify special combos (fence, buttons, etc) or oddballs.

By brand, I have 20 Schollhorn (BERNARD), 18 Champion DeArment, 10 J.P. Danielson, 10 Vacuum-Grip, 8 S&H Red Devil, 8 Crescent, 8 PEXTO, 6 Klein, 5 Utica, and then it drops off to lots of onesy-twosy brands after that.

I do not have any battery or gas burner pliers nor nut busters , items that you do not see in this part of the world ,plumbers and gas fitters all use Rothenberger & Rigid grips and wrenches ,and it’s nearly all cooper lines. I have amassed a collection maybe I should count it . Cheers

 

[Private Lugnutz]

The second hardest was the House On Fire 5...

 

[oldpliers1]

Here is my Brandings/Logos/Markings Desert Island 5...



Left to right: PEXTO ME-KAN-IK, script "Red Devil", Boker "Weathervane", script Mephisto, and CTCO MoToR KiT.

Many, many hard to leave out, especially...

Here is my Brandings/Logos/Markings Desert Island 5...



Left to right: PEXTO ME-KAN-IK, script "Red Devil", Boker "Weathervane", script Mephisto, and CTCO MoToR KiT.

Many, many hard to leave out, especially...

How great is that workmanship on the handles, pride of workmanship was their ethos. I have only found less than 5 pairs with the decorative handles over the years obviously not for export. Thanks for the post they look great .

 

[oldpliers1]

The second hardest was the House On Fire 5...

They look great how old are they ? And the never slip are something special

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Thank you, sir! The Eifel-geared Plierench and the Neverslips (with replaceable cutters) are from the 20s, the spade-headed cobblers (Wirminghaus & Funcke) from Germany are much older, and trench pliers are WWI. "Newest" of the bunch are the Elliott-Lucas gas burners from the 50s. At risk of having my Red Blooded 'Merican card taken away from me, I don't have too many better made pliers than these or the other pair of Elliot-Lucas (lap joint dykes) I have. And all my Swedish Bergs could easily compete to squeeze everything else out in quality.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

The absolute hardest 5 I attempted (and failed) was the Post-Apocalyptic Utility Kit 5! I just couldn't do it. Best I could do based on all-around utility was nine (9). I'd have to find a bigger haversack or just use the last bullet for myself.



The AMPCO's are very interesting. Not just because they're BeCu, but multi-purpose. Combination lineman's, burner jaws, Button cutters, with a driver and punch handles. XL reach needle nose are Champion DeArment. Tiny Vacuum-Grip, Hugoniot-Tissot, Champion DeArment ignition, duckbill Utica, JPD angles, and Schoolhorn sappers flanking bent nose Klein.

Trust me when I say there were several rotations, only by type, but length and brand, and maybe only two or three common to several optional groupings. No sooner was I done with this, that I thought, "Dang, how could I leave this or that out!"

Two of those were these...

10-inch Utica (branded Herbrand) most robust satisfying combos I have, another do-it-all combo lineman's, Button, gas/burner with punch/reamer and driver handles from Red Devil, and XL Vacuum-Grip chain nose.

 

[Outlawmws]

So Lugz, how many pairs spanned more than one group?

 

[Private Lugnutz]

That's actually a good question! None. But there easily could be. I think I may have been subconsciously spreading the love/peanut butter/wealth as wide as possible. That unique super combo Red Devil could easily go in the Utility, Markings, and House Fire 5, for example. It's one of my favorite pliers. There are others like that.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I have amassed a collection maybe I should count it .

I'd be genuinely curious. Same goes for anyone. Not in a competitive way. I'm sure there are guys with more. I'm just wondering how nuts I am, or maybe not nuts at all. And let's face it - quantifying "many" fits the thread.

 

[Outlawmws]

My official spreadsheet count is at 790

153 different brands

 

[Snapdragon]

N + 1, where N = current # of pliers.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

My official spreadsheet count is at 790

Yikes! That kind of number is too enormous to make comparative sense of, for me, especially because I know you don't separate users from collectibles or make distinctions between vintage and modern and they're all distributed in your shop, vehicles, and kits, while my count is only vintage collectibles, but I'd be interested in percentages/proportion by type, if you recorded that. I'm curious about that.

 

[oldpliers1]

My official spreadsheet count is at 790

153 different brands

That’s substantial how many years of collecting does it represent ?