“Twin Grip” pliers from the 20s

[willf650]

Everyone raves about the Knipex Twin grips and their screw head gripping but apparently that is far from a new idea.

I was cleaning out some bins of tools I have from my father who was born in 1923 and came across some Red Devil pliers. Looking at the jaws they are actually very well machined as are the pliers overall and to my surprise the end of the jaws are just like the twin grips.






I have no clue how old they are but a google search showed print ads for Red Devil pliers from 1922 and 1924. The best I can tell the Red Devil parent company was bought by crescent in the late 20s according to Alloy Artifacts so these must be really old.

These were probably some very nice pliers when made and are really still tight today.

 

[Dave455]

Those are “gas pliers”.

I have a couple of pairs somewhat newer, and find them surprisingly useful.

Most gas pliers have the notch in the end, it’s for turning square shafted valves, but not all have the serrations. In fact, most that I’ve seen don’t.

 

[willf650]

Those are “gas pliers”.

I have a couple of pairs somewhat newer, and find them surprisingly useful.

Most gas pliers have the notch in the end, it’s for turning square shafted valves, but not all have the serrations. In fact, most that I’ve seen don’t.

Would make sense. My father was a plumber/pipe fitter.

 

[neophyte]

Cementex, mostly known for insulated tools for linemen, has new gas pliers in their line of tools, even uninsulated versions.
Cementex as far as I’m aware, doesn’t forge their own tools, so they either had to find an outside supplier, or have a plier manufacturer make a batch for them, since most plier manufacturers have dumped gas pliers from their lineup.

 

[Dave455]

Would make sense. My father was a plumber/pipe fitter.

By spooky coincidence I was putting my pair away today.

British made, but essentially the same tool.

I find these surprisingly useful. Aside from the obvious uses in gripping round stuff, which they do much better than combination pliers, I find them invaluable for gripping anything relatively flat, but with a raised edge.

No other style of pliers has quite the same ability to “reach over” stuff!

 

[Skyman]

Yes, gas burner pliers are useful even for those of us who don't work with gas pipes or appliances. I have this one from Utica (photographed in the past alongside a nice vintage duckbill, also from Utica):




Jaws:

 

[four.cycle]

^ Not all "gas pliers" are created equal. My "no name" pair have jaws with radically aggressive teeth at the nose, similar to @Skyman 's post just above.