School me on pliers

[TAftw]

I am looking for pliers sets. I saw some on Craftsman, but they don't look overly impressive. I like the LOOK of SO, but I don't like the PRICE. I have heard people talking about Wiha and other brands I've never heard of before. how do these compare to SO and Craftsman, and are there any other brands I should look for?

 

[mattwgrizwald]

honestly craftsman carrys a two piece set of rebranded knipex pliers for about 35.00
pretty darn good pliers

 

[mikevango]

Channellock. Made in PA. And are a great value.

 

[Thedroid]

Klein makes nice pliers. You won't find anything that feels as nice as the SO's. Knipex are up there as far as performance, but they don't have the feel. Check out Klein's if you don't like the price of SO or Knipex

 

[TAftw]

I forgot about channellocks, I've got some and they're nice. I will look at Klein too.

 

[metal1313]

i have a weird assortment, but in my carry tool bags for electrical work, i have some insulated pliers, but i dont find them too comfy. i actually have a set of greenlee tools that i was given by my sister, in exchange for replacing outlets for her and her land-lady(land-lady paid me a little just to help her out). they are made overseas but they are smooth, well made and sharp. i actually really like them, and they are that expensive. but for regular pliers i love my channel locks and knipex

 

[crewchief888]

I am looking for pliers sets. I saw some on Craftsman, but they don't look overly impressive. I like the LOOK of SO, but I don't like the PRICE. I have heard people talking about Wiha and other brands I've never heard of before. how do these compare to SO and Craftsman, and are there any other brands I should look for?

ive used channellock brand, klien makes some good stuff too
i still have a couple pairs of sidecutters that are over 20 years old.
i'm impressed with a pair of knipex diagonal cutters i picked up recently, i think matco sells them, not sure who else does.

i bought a truck a couple years ago, to salvage some parts and scrap when i was done, i found a MAC tool bag behind the seat stuffed full of brand new MAC pliers, a set of MAC "john force" screwdrivers, 6 pair of new visegrips, and a complete SK 1/4 drive metric/ std set. i felt kinda bad, until i went back to the sellers farm a week later to give him his tools back. he was kinda grumpy and said he didnt want them damn old rusty tools he left in the tool box. and that i bought the truck "AS IS" and he didnt wanna hear any bitching about it.

so i walked away with the stuff and never looked back
i'm a constuction eq tech, and only use a pair of wire cutters, crimpers, wire stripper, 2 small pair of vice grips, 1 std, 1 needlenose, small pair of needlenose, 6" channel locks, and 18" channellocks. until i found this tool bag, i dint even have a pair of regular slipjoint pliers.

 

[arkangel06]

channel lock FTW

 

[SS5150]

Channellock is the best value for the money in my opinion, but my favorite set of electrical pliers is a Klein.

 

[bushhawg73]

If I had to do it all over again I would get the following.
Channellock slip joint pliers
http://www.channellock.com/acb/stores/1/526_-_6_inch_Slip_Joint_Plier__P27C10.cfm

Channellock tounge and grove pliers
http://www.channellock.com/acb/stores/1/440_-_12_inch_Tongue_and_Groov_P40C3.cfm

Channellock oil filer pliers
http://www.channellock.com/acb/stores/1/212__12_inch_Oil_Filter_Plier_P20C5.cfm

Klein linemans pliers
http://www.amazon.com/Klein-D213-9NE-9-Inch-Leverage-Cutting/dp/B0000302W6

Knipex needle nose
http://www.crawfordtool.com/knipex_mechanics.html

Knipex pliers wrench
http://www.crawfordtool.com/knipex_plier_wrenches.html

Knipex cutters
http://www.crawfordtool.com/knipex_diagonal.html

Snap on circle clip pliers
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?P65=&tool=all&item_ID=15546&group_ID=771&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

These suggestions are based on what I have found to be the best after my trial and error. There are many more that I like and have but this is just a start.

 

[Big Bad Jon]

My order of preference.
1. Snap On
2. Channellock
3. Knipex
4. Klien
5. Everything but Craftsman
6. Craftsman

Snap On are the best, but for the $$$ its hard to beat Channellock.

 

[J.P.]

I have a pretty big assortment of both Knipex and Channellock. I've always found the adjustable Knipex to be easier to use and more comfortable than adjustable Channellocks, but for non-adjustables (needle nose, fencing pliers, and wire cutters, etc) Channellock is just as good and a bit cheaper. Be aware, a lot of the Craftsman re-branded knipex have less adjustment notches than the newer knipex. I have a set of Craftsman adjustable cobra pliers and they have about half the adjustment slots than the knipex brand of the same style. Not a huge issue but something to be aware of.

 

[Mike83]

I swear by snap-on in the garage, but my household pliers are Channellock and Klein. The sting of Snap-on price is temporary; their pliers are TOP NOTCH!

 

[caper]

I'm not sure about you guys down south but the difference in price between Channelock and Snap on up here isn't that big.I regularly see Channelock pliers priced at the $30 price point @ Canadian Tire and HD.I bought a few pairs of Snap on pliers lately that weren't much more money.

 

[comedyman809]

Klein makes nice pliers. You won't find anything that feels as nice as the SO's. Knipex are up there as far as performance, but they don't have the feel. Check out Klein's if you don't like the price of SO or Knipex

how is kliens warranty?

my hardware store will warranty my channellock stufffor life, grainger warranties my knipex stuff for life, if you didnt buy the knipex from grainger, they knipex will warranty them for life, proto gave me no problems on a broken long bent tip needle nose replacement.


klien tools however, will they replace a pair of my broken pliers(reguardless of which pair) with no questions asked???

i asked my hardware guy, and he said he wouldnt swap them for me because klein gives him a hard time.

so if i buy my knipex from grainger, im set. craftsman you are set also, but the grips on the pliers(black grip style) eventually fall off. no big dea, i would just put the plier in the vise, knock part of the jaw off with a mini sledge, and turn them in for new, but i was sick of doing so....so i i have a lot of knipex, proto, sk, armstrong, and channellock pliers and a pair of greenlee cable cutters, and im very happy with my pliers.

 

[JohnFreeman]

++ On the Channelocks. Available in a wide variety of sizes and made in USA

Last set I bought (2 mos ago) was $14 at Lowes

 

[Fedwrench]

Snap on probably has the best grips with their current pliers models and their jaws are well made. However, Channellock probably gives the best compromise between quality and price. I think everyone should own a pair of Knipex alligator pliers. In the end, it's a personal choice based on what feels the best in your hand.

 

[comedyman809]

If I had to do it all over again I would get the following.
Channellock slip joint pliers
http://www.channellock.com/acb/stores/1/526_-_6_inch_Slip_Joint_Plier__P27C10.cfm

Channellock tounge and grove pliers
http://www.channellock.com/acb/stores/1/440_-_12_inch_Tongue_and_Groov_P40C3.cfm

Channellock oil filer pliers
http://www.channellock.com/acb/stores/1/212__12_inch_Oil_Filter_Plier_P20C5.cfm

Klein linemans pliers
http://www.amazon.com/Klein-D213-9NE-9-Inch-Leverage-Cutting/dp/B0000302W6

Knipex needle nose
http://www.crawfordtool.com/knipex_mechanics.html

Knipex pliers wrench
http://www.crawfordtool.com/knipex_plier_wrenches.html

Knipex cutters
http://www.crawfordtool.com/knipex_diagonal.html

Snap on circle clip pliers
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?P65=&tool=all&item_ID=15546&group_ID=771&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

These suggestions are based on what I have found to be the best after my trial and error. There are many more that I like and have but this is just a start.

here is what i have in my box at work..

proto long needle nose bent tip---best for me

armstrong needle nose straight tip--want to trade for proto

greenlee cable cutters...best for me

sk 6'' slip joint pliers--just bought them, have not used yet

sk 8'' hose clamp pliers--new and hav not used, but i do like to look at

knipex dikes---best for me

knipex bent tip needle nose--best for me

knipex mini bolt cutters---best for me

knipex straight tip needle nose--best for me, although i miss my kliens i lost years ago.

channellock toungue and groove pliers---best for me, willing to test other brands though.

craftsman 10''(i think they are 10'', they are the large pair) slip joint pliers(black grip) ---want to replace although they do work great, still want a snobbier brand...

channellock dikes, love them, i have a few different sizes, but they work great when they are sharp, they wear out faster than the knipex ones.

had klien dikes and needle nose...loved them before they grew legs.

have not bought them because i cant seem to get them replaced for

irwin vise grips---wouldnt want any other brand.

channelock crimper---love them, but hardware store does not carry so i would have to send...and im not sure how channellock handles warranty.


knipex water pump pliers, klien lineman pliers..do not use.

 

[woody 73]

Hi,

Everyone member is giving super good advise! I would also recommend going to flea markets and looking for old vise grip pliers. I mention this because the new ones coming out of china are; how should I say this Just plain Junk!

 

[caper]

I'll second Klein being a pain to deal with for warranty.I couldn't get a robertson screwdriver that the tip stripped on warrantied,ended up having to turn it in to my boss to have the company replace it.

 

[TAftw]

Well it sounds like the general consensus is saying Channellocks are the best bang for your buck. I really like the look of Knipex though, and Wiha doesn't look to bad, although nobody has mentioned it. I already have 3 Channellocks (the plumber's pliers, don't know what you call them) and I like them. I think I'll order a Knipex and see how they are. I like the grip style on them and I think they look a little more comfortable than the Kleins.

 

[TRTOOLSUPPLY]

I sell Channellocks but I also sell a lot of Knipex pliers wrench and Cobra's....FWIW.

 

[Coach James]

I prefer Channellock, Klein and Knipex, but I also keep 7 pairs of HF pliers in my desk at school.

Two of my friends are maintenence guys. One for a school district and one at a large apt complex. They both use Craftsman pliers and like them fine.

Coach

 

[quattrojon]

Kal make excellent long nose and slip joint pliers, and made in the U.S.A.
N.W.S of Germany also make quality pliers, and equal Knipex in my opinion.

 

[Vinko]

Snap On are the best, but for the $$$ its hard to beat Channellock.

Have Knipex, Klein and Channel, but the new plier sets from SO that I picked up are great. The grips are the best I've used and the forging and finish is superb.

I don't if they are manufactured in SO's plant or if they're OEM'd by someone else, but I like them a lot.

For water pump, channel lock are my faves, but the newer knipex with smooth jaws and red/blue handle are also great.

Klein's I've got the heaviest duty one I found at HD. Cuts wire and nails really well. It's a brute. Let's see if it holds up.

 

[Danglerb]

I like Knipex, but I've been buying old pliers, my thinking is any tool more than 40 years old that is still in good working condition must be pretty decent. I've been buying Utica, SK, and lately a batch of imported jewelry pliers. A few months ago, not happy with HF quality, I filled in my assortment of pliers with stuff from Mountain, and while the finish isn't fancy, the tools seem very functional. My $7 set of 6 from HF sees plenty of use, but maybe because I tend to leave them around instead of putting them away.

Knipex or the long handle SK duck bills are what I tend to grab the most.

For 120 vac I have a pair of Gardner Bender pliers I like a lot, made for wiring work, insulated, voltage sensing, tips just right for forming wire etc.

Dunno why, but owning 40 to 50 pairs of pliers doesn't seem to be slowing me down at all. So many specialty pliers out there I think I might need (two kinds of hog ring pliers), and I can't pass up any of the nice old ones.

 

[MartinTech]

My preference is generally Snap-on and Knipex. Cobra slip-joints don't pinch if they slip, Channelocks do. Nobody has mentioned the Channelock Parrot-Jaw pliers. If you don't know about them, seek them out. They are the magic bullet for stripped hardware, if you have enough room to use them. Also, Gearwrench double jointed hose pliers are mission critical...they don't require as much room to open the jaws, so you can reach into pretty some deep holes. My wacky double bent Knipex needle nose pliers have become my go-to pliers whenever they are appropriate, but I wouldn't even bother going to work without my 8" Knipex Cobras. They do 95% of anything that usually comes up during my day. Buy a pair, live happily ever after.

 

[mcmaster68]

Do the Blue-points compare to snap-on's? I think blue-point has an 8 piece set for aroung $100 seemed like a good deal? thanks.

 

[mcnair06goat]

our lowes here in town now sell knipex in the electrical tool section

 

[Monte]

Knipex + NWS for me

 

[The Muffin Man]

Here are some Brands that I recommend any why...

Bahco, Felo, Knipex, and Toptul.

Bahco's pliers are regularly sold in lots on Ebay for much less than retail as well as HarryEpstien. I would say that in terms of quality, they are equivalent to Snap-On's offerings.

Felo's insulated pliers (rebranded from NWS) are my favorite pliers, and in my opinion the best pliers made. By far the most comfortable pliers to use, with a smooth opening/closing action and a cushioned handle absorbs any "shock" when cutting through material as well as being very forgiving on the hands when applying high pressure. The pliers are also matte chromed as well; corrosion is never an issue.
They are sold by Chadstoolbox, and Northern tool.

Knipex without a doubt manufactures high quality pliers. There are plenty of reviews to vouch for this brand, and I must do so myself. While they are higher priced than most brands, they are available at Lowes unlike other brands I listed.

Toptul is a great choice for those who want quality without the high price. In my opinion, Toptul's pliers are the best bang for your buck. From my experience, I would rank Toptul's pliers over both Craftsman Pro and Channellock in terms of quality. Pricing is also much lower than the two previous brands mentioned. They are sold by Wrenhandtools and UltimateGarage. The owners of these two sites are members here, and both offer a 20% discount on Toptul products.

 

[rocco]

i've recently started to upgrade my pliers to Channellock, Klein, some Snap-On and Wiha. it just depends on the style that i'm looking for.i need to post up some pics of all the new pliers i've bought in the last month.

 

[Mickey O]

What about Pittsburgh pliers?

I like Chanellock, Klein and I recently got some Knipex I really like, I'm very interested in the Knipex pliers wrench after reading the review here. I do have some old Ace branded Japanese dikes and needle nose and they are very nice.