Price difference between two sets of ChannelLock pliers?

[qqzj]

Channellock 9.5 in. and 6.5 in. Tongue and Groove Pliers Set GS-1

A convenient assortment of popular CHANNELLOCK tools. A perfect gift for people that know what real work is all about. The CHANNELLOCK Straight Jaw Tongue and Groove Plier is the tool every home and garage

www.homedepot.com

Channellock GRIPLOCK 9-1/2 in., 6-1/2 in. Tongue and Groove Plier Set (2-Piece) GLS-2

A convenient assortment of popular Channellock tools. A perfect gift for people that know what real work is all about. Get even more leverage from the ergonomically designed offset head of the GRIPLOCK.

www.homedepot.com

I don't understand why the 1st set ($30) is significantly more expensive than the 2nd set ($23). Any help? Thanks!

 

[RTM]

First set is the age old design, will end up working forever. Dates back to the 40s? 50s?

No idea what the second set will have for a product lifetime. Trying to get more people to buy cheap $hit?

 

[qqzj]

The 2nd set is also made in USA

 

[metaldad]

1st set is more better.
i have many, many channeys. more than most, if not all
i do NOT have any of the 2nd pic

 

[qqzj]

If you don't have them how do you know the first set is more better?

 

[metaldad]

trust me
i do not buy gimicky tools
an outdated pic is enclosed.
can add at least 20 pliers to the pic, let alone channey USA product

 

[Fedwrench]

We're only talking a bout a $7 difference. Look at the finish on the second set of pliers, or perhaps the lack of a finish compared to the first set. I've always considered the griplock pliers to be on the crude side and evidence that just because a tool is made in the USA, it can still be mediorce.

 

[MarvinBerry]

Wonder if depot or even CL themselves are sitting on a pile of unsold inventory?

Remember seeing those... the griplock in stores but haven't seen them stocked in forever. That could explain the lower price & delivery only.

 

[qqzj]

$7 on $23 is about 30%. Very large difference

 

[JradM]

I own both - four sizes of the straight jaw, three of the V jaw (more if you count my minis too). What's the controversy? They are different tools.

I don't recall a big price difference between them - have you checked between retailers and different assortments (they both are available in three packs for example)?

Why would you call a v jaw pliers "gimmicky"? It's just a different jaw shape - better for round objects or some fasteners. The v jaws are a little narrower too.

Of the two designs, I use the straight jaw more often - but I still use both.

 

[tarbellb]

You are comparing ONE supplier at ONE moment in time

Do comps on 10 suppliers over the next 6 months

 

[qqzj]

Why would you use the straight jaw more often? I thought the V jaw is a better grip. Apparently, the V jaw is CL's take on the Knipex design. Why is it better on Knipex but worse for CL?

 

[Terra Nova]

I haven't had my hands on the Grip Lock pliers but from a manufacturing prospective I can see a $7 difference between the two sets.

 

[Kscardsfan]

I’ve used both and I like both for different applications. When I was working as an electrician we used the absolute hell out of the ”Grip Lock” ones when working with conduit. Now that I have some Knipex in my box I’d probably reach for them first, but the CL were great for the field because if they grew legs you were only pissed off instead of in a homicidal rage.

 

[Kscardsfan]

trust me
i do not buy gimicky tools
an outdated pic is enclosed.
can add at least 20 pliers to the pic, let alone channey USA product

You got any spares of the 548, 546, 516, 537, or 5410 you’d be willing to part with?

 

[WWheeler]

You are comparing ONE supplier at ONE moment in time

Do comps on 10 suppliers over the next 6 months

+1 THIS

For example, and this isn't apples to apples seeing as I bought them 2 years apart and one on a 3pc set with a 'free' screwdriver and the others were a 2pc and single, all sold by Amazon, but I paid more for 3 Griplocs ($31.96) than I did for 3 standard Channellocks ($28.58). I'm just sayin.

 

[subroc]

I have both. They are different.

 

[WWheeler]

I have both. They are different.

Exactly. They are different tools and each is slightly better for different uses. I really like the Griplocks. I use them as I would my Knipex Gators or Cobras as they are basically the same thing. IMHO the Griplocks are more suited for round objects and reg Channellocks are better for flat-sided fasteners but either can be used for either also. Whichever is closer to grab is usually what gets used in my garage.

 

[JradM]

Why would you use the straight jaw more often? I thought the V jaw is a better grip. Apparently, the V jaw is CL's take on the Knipex design. Why is it better on Knipex but worse for CL?

I feel like the subtext of your questions in this thread is hinting that you want to buy one set or the other and are wondering if you ought to spend the extra $7 for the straight jaw vs. the V-jaw.

I think it depends on what type of work you do most. I'm usually doing mechanical-type jobs and the straight jaw is usually what I reach for. If you do electrical or plumbing work, I think the V-jaw makes more sense. V-jaw wraps around for extra contact on round objects. It's also narrower and skinnier top to bottom.

HOWEVER, even if I have a preference for certain tasks, I bet > 90% of the time I could get the job done with either. They are just variations of a similar tool. It's like the difference between straight-jaw or curved-jaw locking pliers; different, but very similar.

If I'm pulling on something, I'd rather have the straight jaws. Also my preference for squeezing a brake caliper piston back in. Holding something while I heat it with a torch or grind it? Straight jaw. However, if I have room to wrap around something to spin it - I'd grab the V-jaws. Same thing for holding round objects.

Channellock also makes "Speedgrip" pliers if you want something closer to Knipex Cobras. They are a bit more expensive though.

Even metaldad, who does NOT buy gimmicky pliers, has a pair of V-jaw pliers that have snuck into his collection (they're in the bottom row, to the left side of his 909 crimping pliers and underneath a pair of straight jaw pliers).

 

[sk farmer]

griplocks are not new or gimicky. i would venture to say they have been around for at least 20 and maybe 30 years. they are just a slightly diffferent version.

i have a pair and like them. probably better that the straight jawed versions. never had an issue and would replace them if lost.

 

[ForrestT]

I like my grip locks better. They just seem to fit fasteners better for my. Just my preference.

 

[Junkdrawer Dog]

The regular style Channellocks are also available in V-jaw, just substitute a 2 for a 0 in the last digit of of the model number. I have 426, 420 and 430 in straight jaw, plus 422 and 442 in V-jaw. Why? Depends on the job. A good starting point would be a pair of 420 and 422, or 430 and 432 and build outward from there.

 

[qqzj]

trust me
i do not buy gimicky tools
an outdated pic is enclosed.
can add at least 20 pliers to the pic, let alone channey USA product

Are you sure? What is the pair on the upper left corner?

 

[Handyandy23]

Amazon has these sets for $29.95 for the straight jaws, and $26.95 for the V-jaws, so that's $3 difference. That's about 10% price difference.

Looking up the specs for both sets, the straight jaw design has more mass i.e. more material. The 420 pliers weigh 395g and the GL10 weigh 354g. Which, not shockingly, is about 10% difference in material, same as price difference on Amazon.

They're just different designs for slightly different uses, as others have said. The straight jaw version are a little beefier so they can probably take a little more abuse, but I can't see being able to apply enough pressure by hand to break either one. I have both and use them for different things. I probably use the Griplocks more often because I'll grab them for plumbing, tubing, anything round that I need to spin or hold still.

 

[subroc]

I must have 60 or 70 or more tools in my 2 pliers drawers. Between that style and slip joints and needle nose and duck bill and vice grips and wire cutters and strippers and lines men's pliers and snap ring pliers and spreaders and forceps and etc and etc and etc I just saw my Cleco tool in there as well. The point? Buy the tool you need. No one tool will do it all.

 

[AE2]

I have the second set and I have never found any situation where they work very well.

 

[bob15]

I have both styles and have no issues with either one. Sometimes, one style works better on a particular job......

 

[metaldad]

Why would you call a v jaw pliers "gimmicky"? It's just a different jaw shape - better for round objects or some fasteners. The v jaws are a little narrower too.

Of the two designs, I use the straight jaw more often - but I still use both.

they developed that style recently.
i have vee jaws, 422, 442. dont ever reach for them

 

[metaldad]

Are you sure? What is the pair on the upper left corner?

442(?)

 

[toolmutt]

I also have both. And as others have said, there are tasks where one works better than the other.

But here is a design difference, other than the jaw face, that nobody has mentioned. The angle of the jaws relative to the handles is different. I got the v jaw of the griplocks specifically to have four points of contact on cylindrical objects instead of just two. But I've never felt that I could exert as much force onto the intended target with the griplocks as with the original design. That may just be my perception, though. Maybe some of GJ's physics experts can either confirm this or tell me that I'm stupid. I welcome your thoughts either way.

ETA: Because of this, they don't get used much anymore.

 

[metaldad]

You got any spares of the 548, 546, 516, 537, or 5410 you’d be willing to part with?

no. i see they're not in the pic. i dont think i have all 5. have 2 or 3

 

[Kscardsfan]

no. i see they're not in the pic. i dont think i have all 5. have 2 or 3

You never know if you don’t ask.

 

[sparky 1971]

You got any spares of the 548, 546, 516, 537, or 5410 you’d be willing to part with?

I've never heard of a 516 or 537. Upon Googling them, I discovered that everything except the 5410 is listed (used, of course) on Ebay. Some were fairly cheap, some were outrageous. I've already got 546, 548, and two 5410's so I'm not interested.

 

[Kscardsfan]

I've never heard of a 516 or 537. Upon Googling them, I discovered that everything except the 5410 is listed (used, of course) on Ebay. Some were fairly cheap, some were outrageous. I've already got 546, 548, and two 5410's so I'm not interested.

Might be time to subject myself to the PITA that is eBay.

 

[njride]

Every trade has a tool list for apprentices, a pair of 420 430 and 440s is probably the most common thing across all trades. Maybe that's why, plus they work well and do so for a damn long time, especially if a little rust and wear doesn't upset you

 

[WWheeler]

Wait!! Why do the Griplocks cost more than the straight-jaw Channellocks?

Channellock 3pc Straight Jaw

Amazon.com

Channellock 3pc Griplock

Amazon.com

Methinks the price differences seem to vary from day to day and from one seller to another. On any given day one type might cost more or less than the other.

 

[qqzj]

The 2nd is sold by 3rd party sellers.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Well I know what is on the tool buying list now.... thanks to you guys and GJ.

 

[redwrench60]

The Channellock GL series are worth having. I use them alongside the regular 440’s ect.

When dealing with old equipment hydraulic or pneumatic piping and electrical conduit with decades of dirt and grease caked on top of 3 generations of paint they do indeed perform better than standard Channellocks and even Knipex (gasp!) which get clogged up with trash very easily.

 

[qqzj]

What's the main difference between the grip lock pliers and pliers like 422 that have V jaws?