mikebaker1129
Well-known member
I wonder if they are going to be bringing in any more of the NWS line ?
Fantastico diagonal pliers or the Lineman’s pliers?
Fantastico diagonal pliers or the Lineman’s pliers?
Even here in Germany, NWS isn't really a common brand name and not that easy to get. This is because they are a classic white label manufacturer that primarily produce for other brands. So nothing wrong with buying rebranded versions.
My only problem with KC Tool is that I have to pay to ship in the warranties and they have the right to refuse. I’m not against either policy in and of themselves, but I’d like to know that if I’m dropping the change to ship an item that it will be accepted and warrantied out. It’s why I prefer Tekton (just snap a photo) or the tools trucks and Harbor Freight (just bring it to the driver/service desk) because I get an answer immediately. Also, it’s a pain in the **** to warranty large items via shipping. If I trash a German tool, I usually junk it and order another from KC Tool anyways.I think that KC Tool will warranty German tools. I don't know if it covers tools you buy from them or any German tool brand they sell.




I live in the Stuttgart Metro area and just go to the nearby Hornbach if I need something quick. They carry the usual suspects: Knipex, Wiha, Witte, Halder, Inbus, Rennsteig...M.Jay, where are you located in Germany? Where do you typically shop for quality German (or Euro) made mechanic's tools?
I live in the Stuttgart Metro area and just go to the nearby Hornbach if I need something quick. They carry the usual suspects: Knipex, Wiha, Witte, Halder, Inbus, Rennsteig...
But availability changes and prices aren't that good most of the times, which is why I find myself buying stuff from specialized online retailers (Hoffmann/Contorion, tuulzone, gotools) most of the times.
Maybe off topic but I have both the Alligator type in both Knipex and Klein and the Cobra type in Knipex and prefer the Alligator type adjustment. I just can't get myself to like the push button adjustment in either the water pump pliers or the Pliers Wrench. I find that adjustment type to be awkward and annoying.
Maybe off topic but I have both the Alligator type in both Knipex and Klein and the Cobra type in Knipex and prefer the Alligator type adjustment. I just can't get myself to like the push button adjustment in either the water pump pliers or the Pliers Wrench. I find that adjustment type to be awkward and annoying.
I don't like using Cobras in the shop for that very reason, I prefer my Channellock 420's out there.. Where I love the Cobra is at work for conduit; set them for whatever size conduit I'm running and go without them becoming unadjusted like the 420's would every time I put them down. My first Knipex were Alligators and I didn't care for them but didn't really give them much of a chance. I had gotten to the point I could adjust my Channellock's with one hand but couldn't get the hang of it with Knipex.Maybe off topic but I have both the Alligator type in both Knipex and Klein and the Cobra type in Knipex and prefer the Alligator type adjustment. I just can't get myself to like the push button adjustment in either the water pump pliers or the Pliers Wrench. I find that adjustment type to be awkward and annoying.

KC Tool had those in NWS trim as a Black Friday item in 2022 for $27. Glad I grabbed them thenThe Tekton/NWS Pliers Wrench is now available:
https://www.tekton.com/10-inch-pliers-wrench-pgp36010
![]()
really thin grips. That might be an NWS thing 
^ That's an American thing, and a carry-over from the old days of the "no questions asked" Craftsman warranty, and yes, it is completely unrealistic and unreasonable.
Sears went bankrupt because Eddie Lampert purposely ran it into the ground so he could strip it and sell off the parts.Sears didn't go bankrupt because of the Craftsman warranty- c'mon, tools were a tiny part of their sales. They sold everything from socks to riding mowers. The market changed to online purchases and they didn't adapt. I know everyone here thinks that Craftsman hand tools was all that Sears sold, but that was probably 5% of the square footage of their store.
I think I don’t love V jaw pliers. The plumbing I’m doing involves no metal pipe. And for everything else (mechanica) I prefer straight jaw pliers.I agree. The main benefit of the push button style to me is that they hold their size so if you’re going to be working with one size of something, say pipe or conduit, you won’t have to readjust them. Otherwise, i find them a bit fiddly to get the proper size. Usually takes me 2-3 tries. The snapon style of these, where they can be adjusted without a button makes a lot of sense to me and I want to try a pair.
Honestly I still prefer Channellocks …
Many of those sellers (esp Craftsman) advertised and made their brand with a no questions asked warranty. Agreed about abuse but everyone's definition of that varies so......That's only because you guys over there have a very unique interpretation of warranty. Expecting to get a tool replaced for free when it's worn out or got abused is unreasonable.
I bought a not-cheap set of Gedore circlip/snap ring pliers. Literally the first time one I used one of the sizes it broke - tip snapped right off. Using as intended, on an appropriate sized snap ring. Gedore were useless, Amazon.de were useless.That's only because you guys over there have a very unique interpretation of warranty. Expecting to get a tool replaced for free when it's worn out or got abused is unreasonable.
The Wilde tongue and groove pliers are way better than the Channellock pliers. And you can purchase them through Tekton and have that insanely good warranty. If you go through the Wilde website, order the flush pliers which are even better because the rivet is gone.I think I don’t love V jaw pliers. The plumbing I’m doing involves no metal pipe. And for everything else (mechanica) I prefer straight jaw pliers.
One more mention. I just want to rain a little on the German plier love fest. I don’t love KNIPEX. Cobras are thin jawed and a bit rattly. The Snap on arc joint pliers are very very nice tools. Beefy handles and smooth tight joints. I also like Channellocks but my dikes **** the bed. I think quality is spotty. I bought a new set of duck bills and despite needed so deburring, they are pretty sweet.I think the pivot on my dikes rotated and they became very stiff.
And since it’s now a GJ requirement to own a tool to post here, I have many many KNIPEX pliers, several sets of cobras, push buttons and alligators. I can provide photographic proof upon request.
^ Yes.The Wilde tongue and groove pliers are way better than the Channellock pliers. And you can purchase them through Tekton and have that insanely good warranty. If you go through the Wilde website, order the flush pliers which are even better because the rivet is gone.
I asked if they were Wilde's on Facebook and they confirmed it.AFAIK, the Tekton lock ring pliers are made by Wilde. I have a couple of them from Wilde. The best one is the parallel jaw style which I didn't see at Tekton.
I'm waiting to see what my "Secret Santa" victim @Caleb T thinks about the 10-inch pair he got for Christmas.Got a text today from Tekton saying their 12 & 16 inch push button pliers were in stock now and ready to ship should anyone need larger sizes.
Love those handles.
I feel the exact same way....Maybe off topic but I have both the Alligator type in both Knipex and Klein and the Cobra type in Knipex and prefer the Alligator type adjustment. I just can't get myself to like the push button adjustment in either the water pump pliers or the Pliers Wrench. I find that adjustment type to be awkward and annoying.
The mid length sockets interest me. Even though I already have mids in all sizes in my box at work, I wouldn't mind cheap mids to take in the Jeep and not have to take both shallows and deeps and slim down what I have on me. I hope the extra shallows are something more than just another company copying nanos.
