recommend pliers for pocket carry at work

[mech-tech]

I am in need of a pair of tongue and groove style pliers for pocket carrying at work. I currently work offshore in the gulf as a mechanic and most guys carry either channellock or knipex cobra's anywhere from 6" to 12". The cobra's are awesome from what I have seen and usually cost around $30 to $40. The channellocks can be had for $15 but most people have the regular water pump style instead of the griplock. Just wondering what everyone has had good luck with for carrying around all day. They will be used for anything from the smallest rounded bolt up to tightening 1" or larger sized fittings when no wrench is available. I already have a bahco 8" adjustable wrench to carry with it, which will get into the tighter spots better than the fatter style adjustables, so looking to find a plier with the same abilities of good grip and slim profile. Definitely not looking to spend snap-on prices here since one fall from my pocket can send it on a one way trip into the big blue toolbox never to be seen again. I thought about trying the irwins but have seen poor reviews on teeth wearing out or chipping. Are there any other pliers I am overlooking that might fit my needs?

 

[woody 73]

Before you say no way not in a million years about the Irwin pliers maybe I can change your mind...

So let me start by saying that someone at Irwin got smart and had NWS in Germany make Some Irwin pliers see the link below. Now the great part for you is each plier comes with an attachment system in the handle that you can tie on your belt harness so no worries about ever losing them in the deep blue sea.

http://toolguyd.com/irwin-nws-pliers/

Well just my two cents hope it changes your mind at least.

 

[vartz04]

I have these little guys. Been carrying either one or both for the past week and have used them a bunch. 5" cobra and 5" pliers wrench

 

[four.cycle]

wow... this topic has just been beaten to death lately.

member winminlac just posted a link to a YouTube video which shows a reasonably fair comparison between Channellock and Knipex:

Your options for good quality stuff are (in order of price):
Knipex
Channellock
Wilde
Proamerica

personally I prefer the Wilde over the others, but that's just me. I like a nut-and-bolt type fastener arrangement, and they're about one-fifth the price of Knipex.
to each his own.

Wilde tongue-and-groove type:

 

[woody 73]

Let me just add if you do not see the one plier not yet coming from the Irwin/NWS line-up that you were looking for, head over to the NWS web-site and find the plier that you are looking for and be sure it comes with the attachment system.

Never worry about lost pliers again!

Link:

http://shop.nws-tools.de/en

 

[woody6904]

The knipex pliers wrench would be unnecessary IMO since you are going to carry the 8 inch adjustable wrench.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000X4PU26/?tag=atomicindus08-20

This would be my pick. At 7.5 inches, roughly same size as ur Bahco so you could probably find a pouch or pocket to fit them both in. And with an 1.5 inch opening, will cover a lot of needs.

 

[ThomasP]

Carried a pair of these for 30 years offshore.
https://www.channellock.com/420-Straight-Jaw-Plier.aspx

 

[wesst]

I have always loved my Channellock 426 which is just over 6" if memory serves me correct. Sounds like you are in a unique situation, but for me, if I need anything bigger, I grab the portable toolbox with larger tools (larger than 6")

 

[zkling]

Go with the crew and get the knipex alligators or cobras. I keep a pair in my car, they have saved the day numerous times. If you are that worried about tossing them into the blue, check into a lanyard for them.

 

[TheMadMech]

I used to like my Channellocks until I found Knipex and I've never looked back.

This is my clever signature.

 

[jallyn]

I have carried both 6" Knipex PliersWrench and 6" Knipex Cobras at work. Both fit in a pocket comfortably. Top notch adjustable-wrench/multi-gripping-tool and water-pump-pliers for all types of tasks.

 

[SantaAna12]

The Bahco can also tell you what wrench(s) you might need.

Keep it and add the Knipex.

 

[Rrumbler]

I, and almost every Lineman I knew, carried at least one set of 10" ChanneLock straight jaw groove joint pliers on our belt, and when the belt came off, the pliers went into a pocket, along with a pair of 9" Klein Linemans pliers. We frequently called the ChanneLocks "the Lineman's rachet"; one of the best all around gripping and turning tools I have, and even now, 20 years after retirement, I still have several groove joint or other adjustable pliers around. Same for "crescent wrenches". Just all around handy for non-precision work.

As to your question: I'd say either brand, or any brand that suits you. I think groove joint pliers are tougher than some of the "fine" joint types, though.

 

[stihlntime]

I've got Knipex,Channelocks,NEWSand Klein in my box but the pliers I carry on my side everyday is Wilde. On the farm I use them for everything. I cut wire,loosen and tighten nuts/bolts hold metal while I tack it place with a welder and much more. They are just the right size for plier holsters. At 12.99 they are by far the best bang for the buck.

 

[becker_atc]

I have some 6" Cobras I carry in a small belt holster and a 8" KLEIN adjustable in tool pocket of jeans. The Klein adjustable opens bigger than my crescent 8"


Sent via message in a bottle

 

[bigjeff94]

I work industrial maintenance at a cement plant. I carry an 8 inch adjustable and a set of channel lock 420s at all times. So the 420 gets my vote but I really do like the knipex but I haven't spent much time using them.

 

[IUEC Medic]

10" Knipex plier wrench might replace the adjustable and Cobras. They take some getting used to, but once you do, they're pretty indispensable... From turning 10-32 nuts to breaking loose painted/weathered/rusted 32mm bolts. Works on rounded off/beaten fasteners or finish hardware that you don't want to marr. Ive even used mine as a tap handle in a pinch.

 

[Can I try?]

Considering the application in which you'll be using them, I'd recommend the Alligator over the Cobra if you choose to go with Knipex. In my experience the pushbutton adjuster on the Cobra doesn't respond well to regular exposure to grit and grime. The Alligator is superior to the Cobra for use in dirty conditions.

 

[bob from indiana]

I carry the Tekton/Wilde 5" pliers every day. Some days at work I carry a 7" alligator.

 

[mech-tech]

From everyone's experience, what length plier is best for pocket carry before it begins to be in the way or continue falling out? The pants I have to wear are fire retardant and don't have deep pockets like cargo style pants. Some guys have small tool pouches hooked to their belts because of this, just wondering what works for you guys?

 

[zkling]

I have the 10" alligators in my car, and while they will fit in most pockets, they aren't by any means highly concealable. Trade off is they offer a pretty good working range and aren't very heavy. If you are routinely going after 1" fittings, especially on an oil rig, I'd want as much leverage as possible.

 

[shovel]

I work at a marine terminal, and have carried seemingly every 10" set of pliers on tthe market. I now carry the channellocks, as several pliers have gone overboard, my knipex pliers came up missing, and I will never carry expensive pliers again. At home I prefer knipex. At work, Channellocks.

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[scrapdaddy]

Here's what I carried on my belt for over ten years. They can grip a nut or bolt head easier than a reg. pliers.