...Plier wrenches are awesome, but not a total replacement for adjustables. Buy both.
I agree, the plier wrenches are excellent tools but not a substitute to an adjustable, more like an improvement on an open end wrench because they grip very well and usually don't damage things. Only down side is they don't usually fit where an adjustable will.
An adjustable to me is a wrench I carry because I don't want to carry a whole set and I want it to fit most everything I'd need it for. If that's what you're looking for the pliers wrench isn't the tool.
...If you want USA made, Western Forge is the way to go. They make the wrenches that are rebranded by Craftsman, Wright and many, many other companies. My experience is that they're well made and a big step above modern Crescent-branded wrenches.
If you don't want USA made, then Irega is the way to go. They can be purchased online under the Irega brand or under the Channellock brand, as you noted.
Also great advice on the Western Forge and Irega!
I've had an industrial finish 6" adjustable wrench in my side pocket day in and day out for going on 16 years. In that time I've purchased, tried, tested, and inspected a few dozen 6" adjustables. Those 16 years I've primarily carried, used and worn out 3 different ones, good ones.
--First one was a quite old but NOS when I got it, Crescent, it has a thin handle, not fat like recent ones. It was tight, strong, and lasted for many years, a very nice wrench.
--Second one was a Blue-Point made in Spain, purchased new in about 04, also very nice, tight, well finished. I wanted to replace it when it wore out and at the time the offerings from Blue-Point and even Snap-on were different than my old one and quite sloppy, not what I wanted to carry every day.
That lead me to searching for a good US made 6" industrial finish adjustable that I'd be pleased to carry every day.. .
--Third and current one is a Martan Tool A-6-T, which is made by Western Forge.
The short answer is I think the Western Forge Adjustables are as nice as you can find for a current production US made wrench and it doesn't hurt that they are very affordable, almost cheap.
I think Irega may be a step above WF, I have some and like them as well.
Here's a bunch of Williams stamped Western Forge 6" wrenches, comparable to the Martin in my side pocket. Somehow my friends noticed how handy my little 6" adjustable is and wanted some for themselves, I have done two group buys now, first Martin and recently the Williams, still WF wrenches.
