Vintage Red Handled Craftsman Pliers

[jacked_72]

I haven't been able to find much information about this old set of Craftsman pliers. I think the handles were an optional upgrade from Sears. The only mark other than Craftsman and Made in USA is a "C" (without a circle around it) on the reverse side. I remember my dad having a pair of needle nose pliers with similar see-thru plastic grips. I'm wondering now if they were Craftsman. Does anyone have knowledge of these old pliers? I suppose they're a lineman pliers, but the jaws don't close all the way and leave an opening the thickness of a matchbook. The cutting part closes all the way. I have not run into these before, so I thought I'd share.

 

[zkling]

IIRC back then they used to sell those grips as an accessory to add onto the pliers if you wanted. To my knowledge there were not a factory installed item.

 

[Arne73]

Those look like Klien grips. Soak in hot water and slip on. Pretty durable I have some that I have been using for over 25 years.

 

[mickeyone]

Ideal and Klein aftermarket grips,buy them at electrical supply

 

[zkling]

Craftsman actually made and offered grips as well.