The best quality locking pliers available?

[adrian44]

Which in your opinion is the best quality locking pliers available today anywhere in the world?

Cheers

 

[SMKS]

The "best" are probably Grip-on, but they're a little pricey for a DIY'er. I have used them in the past and they're very nice.

I bought a set of Blackhawk locking pliers that are made in Taiwan and I've been very happy with them.

Here's a review on Blackhawk pliers posted on Toolguyd:
http://toolguyd.com/blackhawk-locking-pliers-review/

 

[SASORacing]

The 10 inch version of grip on is only $21 shipped, and you are getting the best locking plier ever, a bright orange finish, and something made in Spain http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001G0MGTQ?pc_redir=1408886935&robot_redir=1

 

[jjjrmx5]

Grip-On.

Until Irwin grows a set of balls and brings locking pliers back to Nebraska.

This is not a new problem.
Demand is high.
Solutions are low.

Yet still ******* all around for mfgrs.
Hmmmm.....

 

[Monte]

http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=48722

 

[wagzilla]

I like my KNIPEX cobra

 

[MJB24]

I think the german made ones are better than the grip ons.

I have used my Knipex ones for over a year and the teeth are still sharp. I have a NWS pair that are almost identical and equally nice.

 

[Travisnd]

I like these made by Grip On!

[/URL][/IMG]

 

[monomach]

Grip-On's the best I've used.

Too pricey for me, though.

I'll second the Taiwan Blackhawks as a cheaper alternative if Grip-On's price turns out to be a little more than you wanted. I've been happy with them.

 

[d.mcfarland]

Not enough criteria. What are you using them for? Any particular design? Size?

 

[Wamsutta]

PROTO

 

[SASORacing]

Proto it's grip-on... I prefer the bright orange powercoat for visibility and aesthetics.

 

[d.mcfarland]

^^ Rebadged?

 

[Monte]

Grip-on pliers are/were available rebadged from Snap-On, Blue point, Proto, Channellock, NAPA, CAT, Usag, Premier.....

 

[cgv69]

I like these made by Grip On!

[/URL][/IMG]

Do not, I repeat DO NOT buy those Channellock\Grip on pliers!!!!

I bought that exact set and those 2 pliers singlehandedly ruined me for all other locking pliers! Even the older, made in the USA Peterson era Vice-Grips seem like made in China POS's compared to the Grip-On's!

Why is that a bad thing? Well because the Grip-Ons are expensive and Channellock only imported them for a little while and only in limited sizes/styles. Yes they are available in different colors/labels but if you are OCD like me, it will bother you that you can't have a complete, matching set.

Stay away man. Its for your own good!

 

[Wamsutta]

Do not, I repeat DO NOT buy those Channellock\Grip on pliers!!!!

How you like the release lever operation? Pretty nice huh?

 

[devoncoolman]

Never had a problem with my vice grips. Also have snap-on branded grip-on's they are good quality. Have some old us made protos. Really like those. Just rebadged vice grips.

 

[Loscaldazar]

Get the proto version of the grip ons from zoro when they run a 30% off sale.

2x G1158735
2x G0969796
2x G1283816
2x G0505251 (3 piece set)

gets you 12 pliers. That's 2 10" curved jaw, 2 10" straight jaw, 2 9" long nose, 2 7" curved jaw, 2 7" straight jaws, and 2 6" long nose for $161. That is $13.41 a pliers, which is right around the same price as the blackhawk pliers and vise grips.

The grip ons and any rebrands of them are worth the money.

 

[d.mcfarland]

^ Excellent point you make!

 

[GTO]

I know they are made in Asia,but I have the automatic locking pliers made by CH Hanson.

 

[SASORacing]

Grip-on pliers are/were available rebadged from Snap-On, Blue point, Proto, Channellock, NAPA, CAT, Usag, Premier.....

This.

After owning Grip-On for a while I picked up the ViseGrip brand and it felt horrible. My ViseGrips only get used for welding and general beating now, I dont even keep anything but Grip-On in my tool box because its a pet peeve lol.

 

[SMKS]

Get the proto version of the grip ons from zoro when they run a 30% off sale.

That is $13.41 a pliers, which is right around the same price as the blackhawk pliers and vise grips.

I bought my set of Blackhawk locking pliers for only around $40, so they were still significantly cheaper than the Grip-ons in your scenario.

Keep your eyes open on ebay and other places for the Blackhawks and you can find some deals.

 

[mnbaty]

Don't buy the Kobalt ones.

 

[BFHtime]

Besides the proto deal at that online e store, where else can these Grip-one be purchased. I have been trying to find good locking pliers, and considered buying Snap-On, but I would like to not have to buy Snap-On to get something to good quality. Now that I see this grip-on name the next question is, where can I find them? And Who has the best deal? Maybe I should check Amazon, I am not sure. I would like to try them first though.

 

[the gypsy]

How you like the release lever operation? Pretty nice huh?

personally I prefer the vise grip release mechanism. From my experience I can release the vice grip plier with one hand and they will not fall, because they will be between my thumb and index. With the other models I find that I need two hands one to release the mechanism and one to hold the plier.

 

[sberry]

Best is a relative term. I have a few other types but 10 sets of 10R, its a standard like a 440 and number 9 Klein. If someone gave me another one for Christmas it would get used.

 

[wyo george]

Besides the proto deal at that online e store, where else can these Grip-one be purchased. I have been trying to find good locking pliers, and considered buying Snap-On, but I would like to not have to buy Snap-On to get something to good quality. Now that I see this grip-on name the next question is, where can I find them? And Who has the best deal? Maybe I should check Amazon, I am not sure. I would like to try them first though.

Amazon carries them, worked for me.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Loscaldazar]

Besides the proto deal at that online e store, where else can these Grip-one be purchased. I have been trying to find good locking pliers, and considered buying Snap-On, but I would like to not have to buy Snap-On to get something to good quality. Now that I see this grip-on name the next question is, where can I find them? And Who has the best deal? Maybe I should check Amazon, I am not sure. I would like to try them first though.

Snap On are Grip On rebrands anyway....

Amazon and chad's tool box are two that sell the blaze orange grip on pliers. However, you'll be paying close to snap on prices (or more) anyway unless you buy a set!

 

[BFHtime]

Thank you for he replies. What would be the best place to get a deal on a set. The color does not matter to me much unless there is green.

 

[Ralf11]

Never had a problem with my vice grips. Also have snap-on branded grip-on's they are good quality. Have some old us made protos. Really like those. Just rebadged vice grips.

my vice grips - Irwin - don't align correctly - you go to clamp on something and the jaws are offset - crappy junk that don't work

did they outsource to China or Mexico??

 

[Wamsutta]

The best locking pliers ever made were the black oxide Crescent pliers while Cooper Tools still owned them. Probably the worst casualty in history of company mergers and acquisitions.

 

[Mr_B]

i'm quite happy with old usa vise grips, most of ones i got align well, bite well and last well .

 

[General Geoff]

Holy thread resurrection! There has been innovation in the 3 years since this thread was started.

 

[dnschmidt]

The best readily available Vice Grips in America are Milwaukee's. I sell TOPTUL and their's are equal to the USA Peterson Vice Grips but since I'm the only person in America that sells them I wouldn't consider them to be widely available. Milwaukee's I believe are also made in Taiwan and are good value per dollar and they are made from real steel instead of the pig iron Irwin switched to after they bought Peterson.

 

[JohnDeere1]

I like my green handled made in USA Mac locking pliers they are awesome but paid $60 for 3 including long nose and 1 larger and 1 small used. I have not seen anymore since I bought mine. I have seen them rebranded craftsman.

 

[M_George]

I've been using the old school Patterson Vice Grips for many years and they can take a beating. You can often find litely used ones at any flea market.

 

[BFHtime]

Notice the different locking mechanisms of the protons above.

 

[tonyciambrone]

I sell TOPTUL and their's are equal to the USA Peterson Vice Grips but since I'm the only person in America that sells them I wouldn't consider them to be widely available.

I have no Grip On, Bollman, NWS or Knipex experience. The Toptul's I bought from Dennis are king so far.

 

[Wamsutta]

Holy thread resurrection! There has been innovation in the 3 years since this thread was started.

No innovation on Proto's part. That's a Facom design that Stanley acquired during the acquisition.

 

[Olafur]

No innovation on Proto's part. That's a Facom design that Stanley acquired during the acquisition.

Yes, been around for decades.



Since this old thread mentions Grip On - they are nice for many things. But if you want ultimate clamping force and strong hard teeth gripping nuts or bolts - look elsewhere.