Pliers; How Many Is Too Many?

[Outlawmws]

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

Roughly 6 decades, maybe a bit more I think I started in the 3rd grade

I'd be interested in percentages/proportion by type, if you recorded that. I'm curious about that.

Here you go lugz -
These do not represent the "Water pump" (channellock and the like - >100) or Visegrips and similar. (>100)

77 Slip Joint
3 Offset Slip joints
2 Mutlitool Pliers
70 Lineman's
1 Clamping Pliers (Spring loaded)
103 Dykes
107 Needle Nose
11 bent Needle Nose
31 Duck Bills
18 Nippers
11 Blacksmith Tong's -Nippers
7 Blacksmith Tongs
4 SM Tongs
9 Hose clamp
2 Hose Cutters
18 Wire Forming
4 Aviation Wire
1 Piano Wire
1 Strap cutters
8 Cable Cutters
1 Ratchet Cable Cutters
10 Crimpers
17 Wire Stripper
10 Battery Pliers
5 Gas Pliers
6 Fence Pliers
2 Clecos's
6 Snap Ring
2 Hog Ring
39 Special
6 Parallel Grip Cutters & pliers

 

[oldpliers1]

My official spreadsheet count is at 790

153 different brands

In the 350 range not counting circlip ,Crimpers , conduit cutters , Weiss snips and fencing or the junk bin

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Here you go lugz -

Thanks. Very helpful.

Similar, proportionally, to my collection, but I see that you tend to pick up more dykes than combination slip-joints and lineman's. What's interesting about that is that it seems to be consistent with your tendencies, because you have a lot of nippers and cutters. (I don't keep nippers and cutters or crimpers with pliers and I didn't include them in my count. If they are true pliers - meant for holding, gripping or pulling, that also happen to have cutters or crimpers, I do. Otherwise, no. But if I had, my proportion of those is smaller than your proportion.)

Another interesting observation: like most men our age, you're probably categorizing all pliers with long tapering jaws as needle nose. Don't take that the wrong way. Until I started collecting GMTK tools, I did not pay much attention to the distinctions, either. Unless you actually have 107 needle nose (terminating in a fine point) pliers, I suspect some of them might be more technically defined as round nose, flat nose (not the same as duckbill), and chain nose.

These do not represent...[ ]...Visegrips and similar. (>100)

I also excluded mine. I tend to group them with clamps and hand vises.

 

[Farmer J.]

Unless you actually have 107 needle nose (terminating in a fine point) pliers, I suspect some of them might be more technically defined as round nose, flat nose (not the same as duckbill), and chain nose.

What!!!!?? Oh heck, I didn't know that!
Now I need to rename some of them...

Nobody has mentioned it on this thread yet, but I suppose it is 'normal' to call each of your pliers by name? I usually name mine after friends and relatives, mostly depending on the shape of the nose..

 

[Farmer J.]

Anyway, I can't do that 'top 5' palava...
These are my all time favourites: Snap On 137 with a 1980 date code, which I have had since new and nobody else has touched since then.
I'm not telling their name over the internet, it's a secret between us..

 

[Outlawmws]

I suspect some of them might be more technically defined as round nose, flat nose (not the same as duckbill), and chain nose.

I'll have to look those terms up but you are right; for me they have been needle nose or duckbills... Won't even get into the specials the electronics industry gets into... For me it's "whatever works"

What!!!!?? Oh heck, I didn't know that!

Me either!

it is 'normal' to call each of your pliers by name? I usually name mine after friends and relatives,

I don't have 800 friends or relatives... So no...

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Nobody has mentioned it on this thread yet, but I suppose it is 'normal' to call each of your pliers by name? I usually name mine after friends and relatives, mostly depending on the shape of the nose..

That's hilarious.

I'm not telling their name over the internet, it's a secret between us..

I'm guessing "Shiny."

I'll have to look those terms up but you are right; for me they have been needle nose or duckbills...

For most people, probably, but the catalogs of all the major pliers mfgrs (Klein, Utica, etc) are very clear and very consistent about distinguishing long nose, chain nose, round nose, flat nose, and needle nose in the 1940's, and I have gone back and forward from there, and that holds true from the 1920's through at least 1960. I have no interest in anything past that, so I don't know when it stopped, if it ever stopped being the technically correct nomenclature.

Here, page around and you'll see what I mean...

Klein Tools : Pocket Tool Guide No. 50 : Revised January, 1954 : Mathias Klein & Sons : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

92 p., illus., 16.7 cm, trade catalog

archive.org

Utica Tools Catalog 67 : Utica Drop Forge & Tool Division : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

32 p., illus., 27.7 cm, trade catalog

archive.org

And I posted these before just as representative differences. Once you realize, and you look at them, it's quite obvious that the common name ("needle") really makes no sense. There are only one pair of needle nose pliers in this picture.

 

[four.cycle]

Diamalloy 7-inch diagonal cutters


Diamond HL110P 10 in groove joint pliers (patent 3739664)

Craftsman 94770 8 in hose clamp pliers

 

[Pexto]

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.

Hey, Lugz, I think a typo might have crept in on DRGM - it stands for "Deutsches Reichs Gebrauchsmuster"; Gebrauchsmuster being a type of utility patent. Just wanted to clear that up in case anyone is looking for appropriate search terms.

 

[oldpliers1]

Diamalloy 7-inch diagonal cutters
View attachment 2174456

Diamalloy 10-inch angle-jaw pliers

Diamond HL110P 10 in groove joint pliers (patent 3739664)

Craftsman 94770 8 in hose clamp pliers

Who actually patented the diagonal cutters , Diamalloy, Klein Crescent , channellock and numerous other makers use the pattern in 7 & 8 inch , was it a S&H or Utica as it would be very close to a 100 years old. It is a great design.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I think a typo might have crept in...

And a really doozie! Then again, I am a German beer master.

Thanks. I'll have to go recheck all the other threads where I have posted it.

EDIT: Phew. Previous entries are all, um, er, sober.

 

[Squez]

 

[Outlawmws]

Good selection there Squeez!

BTW SG works great getting the collected crud off the plastic handles.

 

[Skyman]

Thanks for the SG recommendation. I hadn't thought to try it.

And, it's comforting to know that there are others out there whose Tool Jones is even worse than mine. Way worse, in more than a few cases it would seem.

 

[AreBeeBee]

Good selection there Squeez!

BTW SG works great getting the collected crud off the plastic handles.

I've also had good results from Goop, which I typically use when dealing with old hand tools ( = ancient grease & crud).

As an added note, I have loosened pliers that are locked with rust or simply hard to open by small squirts of Ronsonol or other lighter fluid into the joint to get them moving. Wipe and repeat. Then it's just a matter of which runs out first — the rust in the joint or your patience.

 

[LesserSon]

Here’s my contribution to The Great Pliars Count of 2024:
“Bell System”-marked 7
Bridgeport 2 (more may be counted under “other brands,” below)
Bonney 30
Channelock 8 (gave the rest to LesserDottir2 when she bought her first home)
Craftsman 38 (mostly “nested-diamonds” grip - count does not include my ‘80s/‘90s black plastic grip users)
Crescent 25
Eifel 7
FSP/SO 40
Diamond 7
Harrold 13
Klein 25
Kraeuter 12 (first brand I intentionally “collected,” but quickly swore off because of the staggering volume and variety of production)
Kronk 3
Pexto 13
RedDevil 17
“US” mil/gov-marked 4
Utica 159
Winchester 4
other brands 65 (includes European but not Asian brands; also does not include small numbers of Duro/Indestro and Barcalo, which are in deep storage)
These are what came to hand this evening. I did not include locking pliers like ViseGrips. I did include dikes and nippers. I don’t have a spreadsheet, so they are grouped as I have them physically stored - mostly by brand. There could be more, but not lots more, so I think the total is more than 470, but less than 500.

 

[LesserSon]

This lineup was my first pass at “5 favorite.” Not for beauty, nor scarcity, nor unusualness… just within easy reach, so most often used in my home workshop. Missing is “Big Blue,” my only named pliers, a pair of Channelocks that have moved on to live with LesserDottir2, having performed admirably in dozens of household plumbing operations.
I will get back to the Klein linesmans.
The Red Devil slipjoints usually work with an almost-identical twin, or sometimes with a CeeTee of the same size. They’re still in their probationary period. Part of their charm is the specific curve to their grips, which I tweaked into their current position to best fit my hand.
The diagonal cutters are, AFAIK, identical to the pair Lugz showed, with a basketweave grip pattern. I have spotted one other pair, which was stamped “Made in USA” - heartening, but not casting much light on which company manufactured them.
The Cornwells are flat, and sometimes that’s just what you need.
The Lindstroms are smooth-jawed and comfortable to hold. They bend wire without marring it with tooth marks. I made some of these with them.
The Lindstoms are one of the few things I have refused LesserDottir2.

 

[LesserSon]

These three are my heritage pliers, having at one time belonged to my grandfather. Most of his tools were broken or incomplete.

 

[Outlawmws]

Missing is “Big Blue,” my only named pliers, a pair of Channelocks that have moved on to live with LesserDottir2

"The man with a full set of tools, has no children!" <- Kitchen magnet

The Lindstoms are one of the few things I have refused LesserDottir2.

But ya gotta know your limitations! (And thiers...)

 

[LesserSon]

Surprise! Recreational pliers! These cheap, stainless Walmart fishing pliers have saved piscine lives, particularly greedy hook-gulping largemouths and crappies. I have lost them overboard and recovered them, aided by swim goggles (and MrsLS, who is a better swimmer). In fact, searching for them led me to recover a pair of Rapala-branded ones that weren’t even mine. Thus they have paid for themselves. Seriously, if I could only have one pliers in a long-term outdoor survival situation, I think it would be these.

 

[LesserSon]

The truth is, I don’t have five favorite pliers. Just one, and it’s these 8” Klein linesmans. These have done more work for me in more situations than any others, because they are so versatile. Only a too-small space or a too-large object causes me to try something else first.

 

[oldpliers1]

This lineup was my first pass at “5 favorite.” Not for beauty, nor scarcity, nor unusualness… just within easy reach, so most often used in my home workshop. Missing is “Big Blue,” my only named pliers, a pair of Channelocks that have moved on to live with LesserDottir2, having performed admirably in dozens of household plumbing operations.
I will get back to the Klein linesmans.
The Red Devil slipjoints usually work with an almost-identical twin, or sometimes with a CeeTee of the same size. They’re still in their probationary period. Part of their charm is the specific curve to their grips, which I tweaked into their current position to best fit my hand.
The diagonal cutters are, AFAIK, identical to the pair Lugz showed, with a basketweave grip pattern. I have spotted one other pair, which was stamped “Made in USA” - heartening, but not casting much light on which company manufactured them.
The Cornwells are flat, and sometimes that’s just what you need.
The Lindstroms are smooth-jawed and comfortable to hold. They bend wire without marring it with tooth marks. I made some of these with them.
The Lindstoms are one of the few things I have refused LesserDottir2.

Are they the 7 inch Klein ? ( I agree they are a nice plier) the bottom photo looks very interesting can you please elaborate? Thank you. Got your later post 8 inch , I have the 7&9 in the 2000 series and have them as the go to tool on the farm the 213-8 are not as well balanced.

 

[LesserSon]

Are they the 7 inch Klein ? ( I agree they are a nice plier) the bottom photo looks very interesting can you please elaborate? Thank you. Got your later post 8 inch , I have the 7&9 in the 2000 series and have them as the go to tool on the farm the 213-8 are not as well balanced.

I don’t know the model number (probably 213) as they were bought used and it’s pretty worn away. They are my favorite because I’ve used them so much. I have the 213 9” with bare handles, a bit more leverage, but won’t fit where the 8” can.
The lower picture in that first post is a towel/robe hook I made from a fork. MrsLS drew my attention to some similar articles at a craft show and I said I could make them, so then I had to prove it. Silver plate cutlery is relatively cheap, especially orphans, and when the base metal starts to show isn’t fit for the table.
I just annealed the tines (not the whole piece) with a propane torch, cooled them and twisted them into quirky shapes with the Lindstroms. (My first attempt with regular toothed chain nose pliers showed me what I really needed to use.)
I drew the shank between two large wood dowels (my memory is hazy about this) to get the desired curve.
I have in mind to try something more sculptural (and probably creepier) by stacking forks (maybe soldering them) to make multi-tentacled “creatures.” Suggested by the slotted screws looking a bit like eyes.

 

[Skyman]

"Inventory" here grew again today.



These two are stamped ARTISAN and WARDMASTER, and look to me as though they might be from the same factory:



Grips on the same two:



Two that are certainly Crescent Jamestown, one private labeled Fisher Supply Company:



Grips on the same two:



Small Barcalo Buffalos, seemingly of modest quality:



Unmarked, but has distinctive grips that should permit a more knowledgeable person to identify:



Grips:

 

[Private Lugnutz]

The lower picture in that first post is a towel/robe hook I made from a fork.

Very nice handiwork, LS.

The diagonal cutters are, AFAIK, identical to the pair Lugz showed, with a basketweave grip pattern.

They are.

I have spotted one other pair, which was stamped “Made in USA” - heartening, but not casting much light on which company manufactured them.

Maddening.

Grips

I have never seen that pattern before, but I'd have to call them something like "Open Books"

 

[Skyman]

I'm moderately surprised that you've not seen that pattern before, Lugz. I was thinking you'd be among the folks who'd seen a number of them. That suggests they're rather rare, although that probably doesn't imply any great $ value, which is not of much interest to me anyway. They were included with the others in the batch, and I was chiefly interested in the two bent-nosed Crescents. I like the "Open Books" description.

 

[four.cycle]

@LesserSon -

 

[d42jeep]

"Inventory" here grew again today.


Small Barcalo Buffalos, seemingly of modest quality:



Unmarked, but has distinctive grips that should permit a more knowledgeable person to identify:



Grips:

How did you make the determination that the Barcalo pliers were of “modest quality”? Ad from 1919.
I haven’t seen the pliers with the odd grips either.
-Don

 

[Private Lugnutz]

The interesting thing about the Septopusses depicted in 4.c's photo is that they're technically not. The two species, largest in the Atlantic, have an eighth tentacle tucked under their eyeball, believe it or not, used in reproduction.

"Why are you looking at me like that, honey?"

 

[four.cycle]

^ @LesserSon's curlie-cue fork tines made me think of that rock she carved - I could play around with it and perhaps come up with something, although it might involve part of a spoon for a head.
(As though I really need to conjure up another art project in my head.)

 

[Skyman]

How did you make the determination that the Barcalo pliers were of “modest quality”? Ad from 1919.
I haven’t seen the pliers with the odd grips either.
-Don

Just my evaluation based upon overall finish. Not inferior by any stretch, but I'd call them middling for vintage Made in USA slip-joints. I won't be discarding them.

 

[oldpliers1]

I don’t know the model number (probably 213) as they were bought used and it’s pretty worn away. They are my favorite because I’ve used them so much. I have the 213 9” with bare handles, a bit more leverage, but won’t fit where the 8” can.
The lower picture in that first post is a towel/robe hook I made from a fork. MrsLS drew my attention to some similar articles at a craft show and I said I could make them, so then I had to prove it. Silver plate cutlery is relatively cheap, especially orphans, and when the base metal starts to show isn’t fit for the table.
I just annealed the tines (not the whole piece) with a propane torch, cooled them and twisted them into quirky shapes with the Lindstroms. (My first attempt with regular toothed chain nose pliers showed me what I really needed to use.)
I drew the shank between two large wood dowels (my memory is hazy about this) to get the desired curve.
I have in mind to try something more sculptural (and probably creepier) by stacking forks (maybe soldering them) to make multi-tentacled “creatures.” Suggested by the slotted screws looking a bit like eyes.

Thank you great job .

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Long reach flat nose, no side cutter, with a martial "U.S." marking on the pivot. The polished jaws and the black handles look postwar to me.

 

[d42jeep]

These came out of the household tool drawer today during a screen door repair. The Cee Tee pliers are early with one handle ground for use as a screwdriver. The others are early Danielsons.
-Don

 

[Etchase]

These came out of the household tool drawer today during a screen door repair. The Cee Tee pliers are early with one handle ground for use as a screwdriver. The others are early Danielsons.
-Don

Why did I think you would have something far more exotic. I have a Cee Tee in the kitchen as well. I wish people would stop walking thru the screen door.

 

[d42jeep]

It was Thomas the Tank that knocked out the screen in a fetching frenzy. He belongs to a neighbor.
-Don

 

[LesserSon]

One of the signs of advanced Barkour training.

 

[LesserSon]

@d42jeep I thought I could keep silent about the CeeTees, but OCD begs to differ: you have the nut/bolt reversed. Is that on purpose? Does that particular pair work better that way?

 

[d42jeep]

I checked back and it looks like that particular pair of pliers were some I found in 2018. They were probably a flea market or garage sale find and with the screwdriver handle they are too early to be WW2 Jeep or GMTK correct. The bolt was reversed when I found them and it doesn’t seem to affect their operation at all. I have collected dozens of Cee Tee pliers looking for perfect wartime examples for various sets and they all seem to have their nuts and bolts installed as designed.

Other Cee Tee pliers. Too many?
-Don

 

[LesserSon]

@d42jeep
After looking carefully at your examples, and assuming they are WWII-era, would you judge both the yellow-boxed and the red-boxed pliers correct, or only the red-boxed ones? The difference I see (disregarding the finish) is in the typeface design: the “C” in the red-boxed pliers is circular, while the corresponding “C” in the yellow box has slightly flattened sides.