Pliers - Must Have Pliers & Brands?

[Iridium rand]

Knipex cobras and pliers wrenches are so damn good you’ll be glad you spent a few bucks extra, these are the kind of tools where as soon as you use them you’re shocked and regretful you’ve gone so long without them

unfortunately their glowing reputation doesn’t seem to extend to needlenoses, I’ve heard almost all negative about them but don’t own a pair myself. Though I have been through a myriad of different brands over the years and there’s one clear and surprising winner, gearwrench pivotforce. Picked up the bundle linked below intending to just buy the cutters initially, but the price difference was so small I figured why not. Turns out the cutters are fine, not impressive but the needlenose are fantastic! Didn’t expect that extra leverage to matter with this type of plier but it most certainly does and they’re beefy enough they don’t twist either. Heard snap on talon grips are excellent too but out of your price range sounds like.

also have tons of experience with various cutters, can’t go wrong with channellock but if you’re interested in a compound action (or mini bolt cutters) which I strongly recommend if you’ll ever be cutting anything tough and/or repeatedly, best all around and affordable is the wiha biCut. One of the less expensive options and the only pair I know of that allows you to switch off the mechanism allowing them to open twice as wide if needed. NWS fantastico is worth it too but a bit pricier.

GEARWRENCH PivotForce Compound Action Pliers Set (2-Piece) 82124 - The Home Depot

The GEARWRENCH PivotForce compound action pliers require 40% less effort to cut than regular pliers due to the unique pivot point design which delivers a more efficient transition of power from the handle

www.homedepot.com

 

[Davefr]

Alright so here is what I'm thinking of starting out with.

Looks OK but avoid those Knipex needle nose. They're light duty and have straight jaw serration patterns which render them nearly useless. Replace that plier choice with SO, Klein or even Doyle/Tekton. You can thank me later.

 

[GeeTeeOhh]

I have a mix of pliers. Most have been acquired gradually as I waited for deals. I did, however, buy the NWS pliers at retail to start out my needs.

I like the NWS angled head on the 4th from the left, bottom row. Do you find these handy and in what situations? I can envision some instances where these would come in handy

 

[LOW1]

I would double up on the needle nose and get one channelock and one knipex. The channelocks are tougher but the knipex are
more precise.

 

[Jeff]

I like the NWS angled head on the 4th from the left, bottom row. Do you find these handy and in what situations? I can envision some instances where these would come in handy

They're great for holding at a different angle or for grabbing in tighter areas.

 

[General Geoff]

Looks OK but avoid those Knipex needle nose. They're light duty and have straight jaw serration patterns which render them nearly useless. Replace that plier choice with SO, Klein or even Doyle/Tekton. You can thank me later.

The 26 12 200 pliers are special purpose with intentionally elastic tips and and straight serrations.

For general purpose needle nose from Knipex, you want 38 15 200 Mechanics' pliers, here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000X4MP0G/?tag=atomicindus08-20

It's true though, the Doyle pliers from HF are cheap and good to go. Unless Taiwanese origin bothers you, I highly recommend them and their Linemans pliers.

 

[CC268]

Looks OK but avoid those Knipex needle nose. They're light duty and have straight jaw serration patterns which render them nearly useless. Replace that plier choice with SO, Klein or even Doyle/Tekton. You can thank me later.

Like these? https://shop.snapon.com/product/Needle-Nose/8"-Talon-Grip™-Needle-Nose-Pliers-(Red)/96ACF

I just can’t stomach the price of Snap On for home use lol

 

[CC268]

The 26 12 200 pliers are special purpose with intentionally elastic tips and and straight serrations.

For general purpose needle nose from Knipex, you want 38 15 200 Mechanics' pliers, here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000X4MP0G/?tag=atomicindus08-20

It's true though, the Doyle pliers from HF are cheap and good to go. Unless Taiwanese origin bothers you, I highly recommend them and their Linemans pliers.

Thanks for pointing that out. Had no idea. I’ll update my cart to the 38 15 200 pliers or to the 38 11 200s if I decide to go with dipped instead of comfort grip.

 

[CC268]

Now I am just torn on comfort grip vs dipped. Seems like the vast majority of people prefer the slimness of the dipped. That said, if I'm gonna pay for Knipex I'm leaning towards the comfort grips.

 

[dacan23]

Now I am just torn on comfort grip vs dipped. Seems like the vast majority of people prefer the slimness of the dipped. That said, if I'm gonna pay for Knipex I'm leaning towards the comfort grips.

I don't have cobras in the comforts, I have the 125-300 of cobras and pliers wrench in the standard grip. The cobras seem perfect, maybe comfort on the pliers wrench could be better but not sure. I do have the below set in comfort grip, while I like them there are times I wish the grip wasn't so thick. I have average hands, usually a L in gloves, perhaps hand size is a factor in peoples preference.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001094GLY/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[sparky 1971]

Alright so here is what I'm thinking of starting out with.

Prepare yourself to be disappointed in the needle nose. They are really flimsy, I have a pair and really haven't found anything they are good for yet. I have Channellock and Klein 8", they are equally great as far as quality goes. I don't care for the comfort grip style of handle you have picked out, but I am pretty sure both Channellock and Klein have a version of it.

 

[CC268]

I don't have cobras in the comforts, I have the 125-300 of cobras and pliers wrench in the standard grip. The cobras seem perfect, maybe comfort on the pliers wrench could be better but not sure. I do have the below set in comfort grip, while I like them there are times I wish the grip wasn't so thick. I have average hands, usually a L in gloves, perhaps hand size is a factor in peoples preference.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001094GLY/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I'm leaning towards the standard grip TBH. I have a large in gloves as well. The comfort grip may feel too large.

 

[CC268]

Prepare yourself to be disappointed in the needle nose. They are really flimsy, I have a pair and really haven't found anything they are good for yet. I have Channellock and Klein 8", they are equally great as far as quality goes. I don't care for the comfort grip style of handle you have picked out, but I am pretty sure both Channellock and Klein have a version of it.

I think someone above pointed out I had the wrong Needle Nose picked out. That said I can definitely choose the 8" Channel Locks if those are better. The Snap Ons look amazing, but I'm not sure they are $52 amazing.

I'm actually thinking I may go with the standard grip over the comfort grip btw.

What about the diagonal cutters I have picked out? Are those any good?

 

[B_Bimmer]

Snap on needle nose are at least $55 of amazing, making them an excellent value.

 

[PelicanPines]

I have about 100 pairs of pliers... specialized pliers are key to doing a job well.

 

[garfunkle24]

Now I am just torn on comfort grip vs dipped. Seems like the vast majority of people prefer the slimness of the dipped. That said, if I'm gonna pay for Knipex I'm leaning towards the comfort grips.

You kind of say that as if comfort grip are the more "premium" option, not surprising I suppose as they are typically a couple of bucks more and one would assume the opposite of "comfort grip" is"uncomfortable grip". I don't see it that way however and I don't think many people are choosing the dipped ones to save a couple of dollars on high-end pliers. I just don't like the feeling of comfort grips, the toolbox space they consume or the way they hold up in a shop environment. If you prefer comfort grips in general on other pliers etc or even better can handle some Knipex more power to you to pick whatever you prefer but I wouldn't get hung up on one being more "premium" than the other.

Also, Cobras certainly don't replace pipe wrenches but they are much better than the "standard" profile Channellock T + G pliers for gripping round stuff. Due to the angled teeth they bite in kind of like a pipe wrench even with pressure on just one handle. Plier Wrenches don't really fill any of my uses for locking pliers.

 

[sparky 1971]

I think someone above pointed out I had the wrong Needle Nose picked out. That said I can definitely choose the 8" Channel Locks if those are better. The Snap Ons look amazing, but I'm not sure they are $52 amazing.

I'm actually thinking I may go with the standard grip over the comfort grip btw.

What about the diagonal cutters I have picked out? Are those any good?

I also have the Knipex dykes and personally, I don't like them. The handles have two different curves to them. Being right handed, I can only hold them comfortably one way. There are times when I need the cutter to be facing the other direction or change hands and that curve is just plain wrong. I will give them props in the cutting department, they cut as well as anything. I've used 8" Klein 2000 series since they came out, and other than my week long experiment with Knipex, that's all I've ever used since. When I first started doing electrical work 28 years ago, I used Klein, but they were the red handled original style. They cut copper wire great, but nails chip the jaws. That problem is taken care of with the 2000's.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000302WR/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[woody 73]

The op is not going to like my answer...

Several mom-and-pop garage sales in my area have used Channellock pliers for sale at really good prices, so I say buy them whenever you go out and about. (Ask me how many I have, (well don't ask because I lost count)).

Of course, you are not going to find used German Knipex pliers at these garage sales, so you will have to pay full retail price for them.

Just my two cents.

 

[Ton ton]

The op is not going to like my answer...

Several mom-and-pop garage sales in my area have used Channellock pliers for sale at really good prices, so I say buy them whenever you go out and about. (Ask me how many I have, (well don't ask because I lost count)).

Of course, you are not going to find used German Knipex pliers at these garage sales, so you will have to pay full retail price for them.

Just my two cents.

Best piece of advice yet.

 

[CC268]

I also have the Knipex dykes and personally, I don't like them. The handles have two different curves to them. Being right handed, I can only hold them comfortably one way. There are times when I need the cutter to be facing the other direction or change hands and that curve is just plain wrong. I will give them props in the cutting department, they cut as well as anything. I've used 8" Klein 2000 series since they came out, and other than my week long experiment with Knipex, that's all I've ever used since. When I first started doing electrical work 28 years ago, I used Klein, but they were the red handled original style. They cut copper wire great, but nails chip the jaws. That problem is taken care of with the 2000's.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000302WR/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Thanks well maybe I will keep the Knipex Cobra and Knipex Plier Wrench and go with the Klein needle nose and those Klein diagonal cutters. Any specific recommendation on which Klein needle nose?

 

[CC268]

You kind of say that as if comfort grip are the more "premium" option, not surprising I suppose as they are typically a couple of bucks more and one would assume the opposite of "comfort grip" is"uncomfortable grip". I don't see it that way however and I don't think many people are choosing the dipped ones to save a couple of dollars on high-end pliers. I just don't like the feeling of comfort grips, the toolbox space they consume or the way they hold up in a shop environment. If you prefer comfort grips in general on other pliers etc or even better can handle some Knipex more power to you to pick whatever you prefer but I wouldn't get hung up on one being more "premium" than the other.

Also, Cobras certainly don't replace pipe wrenches but they are much better than the "standard" profile Channellock T + G pliers for gripping round stuff. Due to the angled teeth they bite in kind of like a pipe wrench even with pressure on just one handle. Plier Wrenches don't really fill any of my uses for locking pliers.

Yea with my hands (which are pretty average sized) I may be best off with the normal grips anyways

 

[CC268]

Snap on needle nose are at least $55 of amazing, making them an excellent value.

They are tempting for sure. Although I’ve read a lot of people have had bad experiences ordering those pliers online and getting a bad pair

 

[sparky 1971]

Thanks well maybe I will keep the Knipex Cobra and Knipex Plier Wrench and go with the Klein needle nose and those Klein diagonal cutters. Any specific recommendation on which Klein needle nose?

I use these but without the striping hole in the cutters. I had a pair with it, but it really ***** when trying to cut. I'm probably on my 5th pair.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000CEORW6/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Edit: I found the right pair.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000302WQ/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[matthew]

for needle nose especially I would handle them before buying, if possible.

I bought a set of Channellocks that i’ve very seldom used because they just don’t fit my hand very well. I like my 6.25” NWS, which is one of my most used tools so the $30ish price tag may not have been cheap, but has been good value for getting a lot of use. But my second fave pair is an inexpensive store brand.

 

[sparky 1971]

Channellock 548 and needle nose of your choice in size will get you through 99% of tasks that require pliers. Not that I will give up any of my "extras" that make some jobs easier.

Unfortunately, Channellock has let us down. Two or three years ago they discontinued the 546, 548, and 5410. I didn't know it was coming when about a month earlier, I bought a pair of each. I'd been rocking a pair of 5410's since 1995 and they were showing some wear (actually, the grips were all but gone). I didn't even know the 546 and 548 existed up to that point, so I'm glad I got them when I did.

 

[B_Bimmer]

Unfortunately, Channellock has let us down. Two or three years ago they discontinued the 546, 548, and 5410. I didn't know it was coming when about a month earlier, I bought a pair of each. I'd been rocking a pair of 5410's since 1995 and they were showing some wear (actually, the grips were all but gone). I didn't even know the 546 and 548 existed up to that point, so I'm glad I got them when I did.

I email them regularly to update them on the ebay value of used pairs to make sure they know just how dumb the person who made that decision is, but they are still the best pliers ever made, and well worth the effort to find.

 

[sparky 1971]

I email them regularly to update them on the ebay value of used pairs to make sure they know just how dumb the person who made that decision is, but they are still the best pliers ever made, and well worth the effort to find.

I agree. The finest slip joint pliers ever made. Do they ever reply to your emails?

 

[B_Bimmer]

No, total silence, but to be fair I am not the most gentle in my criticism...

 

[sparky 1971]

They also screwed up when they redesigned the 420's and made them thicker. That decision helped drive me to the Alligators, which eventually led me to Cobra's.

 

[CC268]

Unfortunately, Channellock has let us down. Two or three years ago they discontinued the 546, 548, and 5410. I didn't know it was coming when about a month earlier, I bought a pair of each. I'd been rocking a pair of 5410's since 1995 and they were showing some wear (actually, the grips were all but gone). I didn't even know the 546 and 548 existed up to that point, so I'm glad I got them when I did.

Have you tried Channellocks needle nose or diagonal cutting pliers?

 

[sparky 1971]

Have you tried Channellocks needle nose or diagonal cutting pliers?

I have. I have some in my toolbox at home 8" for both needle nose and dykes, and another pair of 7" dykes. There is nothing wrong with them at all. The handle shape is a little different than what I am used to (Klein), so they don't feel quite right when I use them. If I'd used Channellock for over 25 years, Klein would probably feel a little off too though. I'm not sure about the cutters on the Channellock dykes, whether they are as good as the Klein 2000 series. They cut wire just fine, but I don't know how well they would hold up against nails.

As far as "bang for the buck" Channellock wins the pliers category, hands down.

 

[Rkcubed]

Another US made quality pliers is Wilde.

Pliers | Wilde Tool

www.wildetool.com

 

[sparky 1971]

Have you tried Channellocks needle nose or diagonal cutting pliers?

Where do you live? If you're in the Midwest, Menards carries both Channellock and Knipex versions of everything you are interested in. You could actually go lay hands on the tools to see what you like best. Home Depot carries Klein (located in the electrical department) and a limited selection of Channellock. I don't go to Lowes very often, I know they carry Channellock, but I don't know how large the selection is. I also think that almost any hardware store has a pretty good supply of Channellock also.

 

[CC268]

I have. I have some in my toolbox at home 8" for both needle nose and dykes, and another pair of 7" dykes. There is nothing wrong with them at all. The handle shape is a little different than what I am used to (Klein), so they don't feel quite right when I use them. If I'd used Channellock for over 25 years, Klein would probably feel a little off too though. I'm not sure about the cutters on the Channellock dykes, whether they are as good as the Klein 2000 series. They cut wire just fine, but I don't know how well they would hold up against nails.

As far as "bang for the buck" Channellock wins the pliers category, hands down.

Well I think I’ve settled on my final order:

Klein D203-8 Needle Nose
Klein D2000-28 Diagonal Cutters
Knipex Plier Wrench 10”
Knipex Plier Wrench 7”
Knipex Cobra 10”
Knipex Cobra 7”

I imagine this would cover most of my needs. Would probably look at Klein/Channellock for anything else going forward (pliers)

 

[CC268]

Where do you live? If you're in the Midwest, Menards carries both Channellock and Knipex versions of everything you are interested in. You could actually go lay hands on the tools to see what you like best. Home Depot carries Klein (located in the electrical department) and a limited selection of Channellock. I don't go to Lowes very often, I know they carry Channellock, but I don't know how large the selection is. I also think that almost any hardware store has a pretty good supply of Channellock also.

I live in Arizona. I’ve noticed a lot of Channelock at the Home Depot’s. Not much Knipex anywhere, even at the Lowes’

 

[sparky 1971]

I live in Arizona. I’ve noticed a lot of Channelock at the Home Depot’s. Not much Knipex anywhere, even at the Lowes’

Lowes hasn't carried Knipex in years. Another place you might try is an electrical supply house. Of the five places I have accounts with, at least two of them have Knipex.

Well I think I’ve settled on my final order:

Klein D203-8 Needle Nose
Klein D2000-28 Diagonal Cutters
Knipex Plier Wrench 10”
Knipex Plier Wrench 7”
Knipex Cobra 10”
Knipex Cobra 7”

I imagine this would cover most of my needs. Would probably look at Klein/Channellock for anything else going forward (pliers)

That should take care of most of your needs. You might consider two pair of the 10" Cobra's though. If you were to try to install a pipe or something like that, you need a pair to hold one side still while you crank on the other. I have three pair of the 7" Cobras, and honestly, they are more for looks than anything else. I can't think of one time that I used them where the 10" wouldn't have worked.

 

[CC268]

Lowes hasn't carried Knipex in years. Another place you might try is an electrical supply house. Of the five places I have accounts with, at least two of them have Knipex.

That should take care of most of your needs. You might consider two pair of the 10" Cobra's though. If you were to try to install a pipe or something like that, you need a pair to hold one side still while you crank on the other. I have three pair of the 7" Cobras, and honestly, they are more for looks than anything else. I can't think of one time that I used them where the 10" wouldn't have worked.

Hmm yea I was wondering if it would be better to get a pair rather than different sizes. Is it still a good call to get the 7” and 10” Plier Wrenches though?

I can change my order to two 10” Cobras if fhat

 

[sparky 1971]

Hmm yea I was wondering if it would be better to get a pair rather than different sizes. Is it still a good call to get the 7” and 10” Plier Wrenches though?

I can change my order to two 10” Cobras if fhat

I have a 10" pliers wrench and I don't think I have ever used it. Some people swear by them, but I find myself going past it and getting the right sized wrench instead. I also have six adjustable wrenches hanging on my garage wall. I only use one and that's to change the propane bottle on my barbeque grill.

 

[gatewaysysop]

You kind of say that as if comfort grip are the more "premium" option, not surprising I suppose as they are typically a couple of bucks more and one would assume the opposite of "comfort grip" is"uncomfortable grip". I don't see it that way however and I don't think many people are choosing the dipped ones to save a couple of dollars on high-end pliers. I just don't like the feeling of comfort grips, the toolbox space they consume or the way they hold up in a shop environment.

Could not agree more, on all counts.

 

[CC268]

I have a 10" pliers wrench and I don't think I have ever used it. Some people swear by them, but I find myself going past it and getting the right sized wrench instead. I also have six adjustable wrenches hanging on my garage wall. I only use one and that's to change the propane bottle on my barbeque grill.

I guess the other option is forget Knipex all together and just get like two Channellock 420s lol. I suppose it’s not as elegant as the Cobras and Pliers Wrench though.

So if I went the Knipex route…2 10” Cobras and maybe the 7” Pliers Wrench…hmm