Slip-Joint or Linesman Pliers?

[four.cycle]

^ both Wilde and Proamerica are OE for a lot of different brands, among them Proto.

 

[mbshop]

It's so easy to have both I just don't understand the reason to have an issue.

 

[Blind1]

It's so easy to have both I just don't understand the reason to have an issue.

Yes, this.

I use slip joints when I need to hold something hot or pull something. I use linesman pliers when I need a hammer.

 

[Sevenhills1952]

Yes, this.

I use slip joints when I need to hold something hot or pull something. I use linesman pliers when I need a hammer.

That's right![emoji16]
Moe Howard preferred slip joint pliers for Curlys nose.

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[Shane6377]

Both are essential to me. Use both all the time. For slip-joint I prefer Wilde with Channellock being a close second.
Linesman I prefer Klein or Knipex.


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[Miss the Pontiacs]

This calls for immediate action. Revoke his man card as of time of original posting.

 

[Mr Ratchet]

I'd start with the slip joints then add the linesman later if you feel you need them.

I got away from using slip joints for awhile once I brought a couple pair of CM Cobra's. Same goes for my CM arc joints. I like them so much that I would always grab them even though a straight jaw of slip joints would afford a better position. Nothing wrong with my CM 6" and 8" slip joints as they have served me well for 30 years. They have jaw set ups like the Wilde/Proto pairs above.

<a href='https://postimg.cc/7bMcnLQN' target='_blank'><img src='https://i.postimg.cc/1RLQPnGb/ply.jpg' border='0' alt='ply'/></a>
Now that I have these, I use them quite a bit and they compliment the Cobra's. They are by far the best slip joint pliers that I've had in my hands. I like having the extra joint position for more versatility. The grips are thicker and fit my hands great. The Diamond teeth at the tip really grab and hold on and the bigger teeth are very aggressive. They have been on hard steel and all the teeth remain like new. I'll keep the CM's since they have different jaw designs and are thinner which my be useful in some situations.

 

[Lonstar]

I use lineman pliers for electric work, mainly to twist grounds together into a very tight spiral (no wire nut needed), but also use them for mechanical work on 3 prong hose clamps. They work great for those clamps, a firm grip on the prongs without slipping and allows wiggling it down the hose with ease in almost any situation. I had 2 sizes of linesmen pliers, 7" Klein and 8" Stanley, but recently got a pair of 9" Klein's in nearly new condition for $6 at a flea market.

I have a few different sizes of slip joint pliers and use them when they're the right tool for the job (meaning not too often). But I have to give a shout out to my favorite - a pair that are 20" long. I use them to tweak, twist, loosen, tighten....you name it. Soooo much leverage. Clamp down on something with these and give a nudge, whatever they're holding will bend or turn in most cases. I used to have a pair that were 6" or so longer but one day I went for them and they were gone. The pair in the pic are Blue Point, the missing pair were Snap On. Went MIA a few years ago...still pisses me off.

 

[toolmutt]

If I could have only one, I would choose slip joint. But any member of this forum should have multiples of each!

 

[sweet victory]

Linemans. If you own cobras, you'll probably never touch the slip joints again in your life. I use my linemans for cutting steel wire/small chain or basically anything that isn't electrical related. I save my diagonal cutters for that type of work.

 

[kctyphoon]

Why is both not an option?????? Channellock slip joints are like $15

 

[four.cycle]

But I have to give a shout out to my favorite - a pair that are 20" long. I use them to tweak, twist, loosen, tighten....you name it. Soooo much leverage. Clamp down on something with these and give a nudge, whatever they're holding will bend or turn in most cases.

Mine are only a measly 16 inch, but they get it done. Used them last week to fix a cyclone fence for a buddy. No problem!

 

[Lonstar]

Better pic of pliers for perspective...

 

[KnurledNut]

You familiar with Snap-on? They are the only mfr I'm aware of to offer a 3 position slip joint.

Stanley has one.

 

[Lonstar]

Mine are only a measly 16 inch, but they get it done. Used them last week to fix a cyclone fence for a buddy. No problem!

16" will get it done too!

 

[Professional Tool User]

Slip joint. I honestly don't see the point of owning Linesman pliers unless you're an electrician.

 

[Lonstar]

Slip joint. I honestly don't see the point of owning Linesman pliers unless you're an electrician.

Somewhat agree, although I'd say "unless you use them for electrical work".
Also, if you're holding them wrong they will pinch you, and guaranteed the pinch will cause a blood blister. They are an unforgiving tool.
I think that's why I like them.

 

[sweet victory]

I have never used my lineman's for electrical work. When I renovated my garage, I removed the old light fixtures that were hung with small chains. Used the linemans to just cut the chain (didn't want to use any of my diagonal cutters that I wanted to keep sharp) and manipulate the chain.

The linemans cut thru them effortlessly and didn't seem to dull.

 

[bob from indiana]

Back in the 70s we called Linesman Pliers "Exhaust Pliers". We were farm kids and lots of mufflers were held up with fence brace wire.

 

[sberry]

I have never used my lineman's for electrical work. When I renovated my garage, I removed the old light fixtures that were hung with small chains. Used the linemans to just cut the chain (didn't want to use any of my diagonal cutters that I wanted to keep sharp) and manipulate the chain.

The linemans cut thru them effortlessly and didn't seem to dull.

There is a difference in perspective and experience here. I use most of these tools several times a day on most work days. Linemans are also used as tie wire pliers for rebar work where a guy can make hundreds of ties in a day and some things like them and channels are used so repetively that the operator can feel minute differences. I picked up a pair of vgrips the other day and noticed a difference in the same model from 2 different eras where they made slight change.
Guys asking basic questions or most part time users could never tell the difference.
Same for adjustables and some other hand tools where the repetitive use is high. Sometimes there may even better tools but the style becomes predictable, the feel the same. I have 6 pairs of many of these, all the same model and some different but having a choice grab the standard.

 

[sberry]

Most of the time I try new would likely trade 2 for 1 original. In specialty work something may benefit from a specific tool but doing general and utility Mygyver stuff like the tool that does the most best. Slightly different than one thing best. Demition is a good example of this. Difference between a 7 and a 9, only a little between a Diamond and Klein. Slight change between some models such as hi leverage

 

[kctyphoon]

Did I miss the explanation of why it's not possible to have both?

The "if you could only have one" bit would obviously depend on what everyone does and why they would need pliers to begin with. How do we go from guys that show off their drawer of 17 pairs of the exact same channellock pumps to "I can't have both". Why not? why, Why, WHY???

 

[davethorik]

Stanley has one.

Since you didn't link I had to search Stanley's website. Sure enough, they offer push lock 3 position 'slip joints' in 2 sizes that combine the locking mechanism from their Knipex Cobra knockoffs with normal slip joints pliers.

Interesting concept, but I've never had a problem with slip joints falling out of position during use. I have with Channellock style tongue and groove pliers, which is one reason why Cobras are so popular.

Sounds like a gimmick tool, combined with the fact that Stanley usually churns out bottom of the barrel **** tools, hard pass from me (thank goodness this isn't the case for all their divisions). Plus already stocked up on "no-name" USA brands. But thanks for the enlightenment!

 

[davethorik]

Wilde's original 6N (6-inch) and 8N (8-inch) angle-nose slip-joint pliers are a three-position model. The design allows far more force to be applied to the object being held than a conventional slip-joint.
Unfortunately I'm not seeing them listed on Wilde's website, which I find rather odd, as it's the design that launched Otto Froeschl's company.

This may be splitting hairs but Wilde differentiates between "slip joint" and "angle nose" pliers on their website. I wouldn't call Wilde angle nose pliers 'slip joints', but obviously you do. Probably a regional thing.

https://www.wildetool.com/product-category/pliers/angle-nose-pliers/

 

[619DioFan]

Between the two slipjoint is far more useful. love my 16'' chanell locks.

oops.. yes I was thinking channelock instead of slipjoint. that said , I have two pair of slipjoints ( the larger one has the cutouts in the nose for squeezing wire style hose clamps ) I use these far more than the lineman pliers.

 

[Sportsman762]

I use linesman pliers solely for electrical work. Them and a Thomas and Betts crimper / cutter. I have never found a need for slipjoint pliers. There are a few buried in the bottom of different tool boxes. For gripping pliers I use vice grips or channel lock style pliers. For me slip joint pliers are too limited they do not offer the range of adjustment or handle length that Channel Locks offer, nor the locking ability of vice grips.

 

[driftpin]

Slip-joint pliers are to me the Amphicar of the tool world. Car and Driver said of that amphibious automobile, "it handles like it's a car in the water, and like a boat while on-land."

I am just a hobbyist, doing household things, including vehicle and motorcycle repairs. I've rewired a house from the weatherhead to the switches and duplex outlets.

For my uses, I reach-for a good pair of linesman's pliers for many things. One thing I rarely reach-for is slip-joint pliers. I have a couple large pairs of water-pump pliers. Those are of good-use for the times I need a larger jaw opening size, but I would consider them to be channel-lock style instead of slip-joint.

There are other specific types of pliers I would use for something before reaching for slip-joint pliers. I do like a 10" pair of Vise-Grips. For fasteners needing to be removed but because of some issue, usually corrosion or a buggered fastener, the straight-jaw Vise-Grips usually work well for me.

 

[JBH]

It's difficult to legitimately come up with any negative reviews of Channellock in light of the fact that they inarguably have the largest market share

What’s your source for that? I think it’s “highly improbable” not “inarguable,” given that Channellock is basically unknown outside the US and maybe Canada.