So, I picked up a pair of the icon pistol grip pliers today. like others, I had to have them go find them. (and then I sold the guy behind me on them by saying if they were 1/4 as good as the snap on they are a copy of, they were worth $20.) Some pictures, and first impressions (haven't used them yet). First, they're 1/16" or so shorter than the snap ons. When closed, the handles are further apart. Not a huge amount, but I can feel it, and when you put them on top of a pair of the snap ons, you can see. The difference is about 1/4" or so, not a big deal for me, with normal sized hands for a 6' tall guy, maybe a problem for small hands. What tipped me off to look closely was the writst position when pointing them straight, like a pistol. the icons require a bit more rotation to get them level.
The part of the jaws behind the round object gripping section doesn't close as far as the snap on. the snappys don't close to zero, but they're close enough you can use it pull a wire, I don't know that the icons will work for that.
I don't like the grips, they're sticky (or maybe tacky is a better descriptions), and are textured. I much prefer smooth dipped handles, but I understand many people are entirely wrong about this and want textured grips.
the snap on jaw is narrower and a bit taller. that will probalby reduce access in a few places.
The milling on the jaws looks good, the pattern is a direct copy of the snap on one. Feels sharp, both my sappys are well worn, have to see how it holds up.
I'll leave them out where they'll be handy, and use them for random pliers tasks, and see what I think with some use on them. But they're probably worth $20
top to bottom: 612AEP, Icon, 612EP. (Difference between the 612aep and 612ep is the ep has smoth handles, the aep is textured, and the aep has a design patent number, the ep just says "patent pending". I coulnd't find date codes on either, but I've had them 20 years or so.
