What were they thinking?

[Wamsutta]

I was looking at these on the internet last night thinking they don't look too comfortable with those square handles. So today I stopped into Sears to put my hands on them. I was right! They are horrid! They actually hurt to squeeze them! Square handles with sharp corners! I've heard of cutting corners to cut costs, but in this case, they added the corners! And a paper thin layer of vinyl to cover them. Ergonomics? Not!

 

[sweet victory]

They're definitely trying to re-brand/change their image, that's for sure.

Can't say I've ever been a fan of a square handled tool. Like you said, hurts your hand when you give it a squeeze. I still don't see USA stamped on there...

 

[Unruh]

The shape of the handles isn’t what has me second guessing the design, it’s the exposed metal on the handle grips. Aren’t they supposed to be insulated to help reduce the risk of shock? Doesn’t exposing the metal raise the risk back up?

 

[Wamsutta]

The shape of the handles isn’t what has me second guessing the design, it’s the exposed metal on the handle grips. Aren’t they supposed to be insulated to help reduce the risk of shock? Doesn’t exposing the metal raise the risk back up?

They're so proud of their sharp corners, they cut a window in the grips to show you!

 

[anndel]

I was looking at these on the internet last night thinking they don't look too comfortable with those square handles. So today I stopped into Sears to put my hands on them. I was right! They are horrid! They actually hurt to squeeze them! Square handles with sharp corners! I've heard of cutting corners to cut costs, but in this case, they added the corners! And a paper thin layer of vinyl to cover them. Ergonomics? Not!

What's the first one, a cuticle clipper?

 

[L.Cheapo]

Why does the second one have teeth on the outside of the jaws? To ensure if the tool slips you definitely scratch whatever you're working on?

 

[Musicinabottle]

What's with the U in the hex? Or is it a C?

 

[L.Cheapo]

What's with the U in the hex? Or is it a C?

Thats the new Craftsman logo. Horrible, IMO.

 

[WWheeler]

It's a 'C', and I rather like the new logo. A lot actually.



Those pliers, on the other hand, don't even want to try them.

.

 

[Musicinabottle]

It's a 'C', and I rather like the new logo. A lot actually.



Those pliers, on the other hand, don't even want to try them.

.

The C could represent china and craftsman. I like the original logo myself.

 

[WWheeler]

The C could represent china and craftsman. I like the original logo myself.

OK that made me laugh.

I still like it, but I have to admit I don't know why they are even trying to come out with a new logo after they already sold off the brand name and can only continue selling their line of Craftsman products for 9 more years and then it all belongs to Stanley.

 

[Musicinabottle]

OK that made me laugh.

I still like it, but I have to admit I don't know why they are even trying to come out with a new logo after they already sold off the brand name and can only continue selling their line of Craftsman products for 9 more years and then it all belongs to Stanley.

Sorry. Couldn't resist! I like Craftsman, I sure hope they can turn it around but I don't think they'll ever be like they were.

 

[powertrip]

These are not really new. They have been out for almost a year. I personally welcome them to the marketplace. Its another option, which is all good. One good thing about these is that they are available in more variations than the previous WF made.An 11" long nose plier is now available. There are better pliers out there and there are surely worse pliers out there. If they quit making pliers people would complain, if they do a new design people still complain. They have to change things up to keep people buying, that's what a business does. The old days of Sears having rows and rows of USA made tools and such is over. It most likely isn't coming back. I am just happy they are still churning stuff out. I'd rather have this craftsman than no craftsman.

 

[cmandp]

It's a 'C', and I rather like the new logo. A lot actually.

*picture snip*

Those pliers, on the other hand, don't even want to try them.

.

So they brought back the old crown logo, well they obviously simplified it but its based on the crown logo just the same.

 

[Toothaker]

Maybe the product designers figured out how to protect the cutting edge. If the handle keeps you from applying too much force, the cutting edge will last forever. And the exposed metal is big enough to remind you that it's not an insulated tool.

 

[joe_padavano]

The shape of the handles isn’t what has me second guessing the design, it’s the exposed metal on the handle grips. Aren’t they supposed to be insulated to help reduce the risk of shock? Doesn’t exposing the metal raise the risk back up?

Those are not insulated tools in any sense of the term. Grips on insulated tools look like this.

 

[turbowoodworker]

^^^^This
Rubber grips on pliers are never meant to be for shock safety or prevention. For that you need rated pliers.

 

[franzdom]

What's a Sears, is that like a Toys-R-Us?

 

[BikerDad]

This is what happens when you have junior DESIGNERS from the world of DESIGN, rather than tool users/designers. Those pliers LOOK very nice, sleek, modern, etc. Unfortunately, in pursuit of a good look, they sacrificed entirely too much function. Because the DESIGNERS probably never actually used their design, they are clueless of the shortcomings. But all of their other DESIGNER friends, the ones who have the cool jobs working for furniture companies and high end lighting manufacturers and design studios and architects and such, ooh'd and aahhh'd over how these pliers look in pictures, they think they done good.

 

[1982fxr]

Plus those windows on the grips will probably get caught on everything and tear...

 

[BDT/NWMN]

Did they have a fancy price??

 

[tonyciambrone]

Those look like a joke. Not a great start for SBD

 

[WWheeler]

Those look like a joke. Not a great start for SBD

I don't believe those are Stanley-made. Looks like they're available at Sears.

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-10-in-long-reach-long-nose-pliers/p-00971637000P
http://www.sears.com/craftsman-8-in-long-reach-long-nose-pliers/p-00971647000P

Stanley bought the name only and has to source all of their own line of Craftsman tools and Sears gets to continue with their own but only for 10yrs from the deal signing (so 9 more to go) then they are done with Craftsman altogether. That's why I don't get why Sears is even still coming up with new tool lines and new logos. Seems a wasted effort at this point.

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

Its so the various lubes and chemicals can get in under the grips better.

 

[Joshua]

Its so the various lubes and chemicals can get in under the grips better.

The grips **** unless you're wearing thicker gloves. Teeth aren't hardened well either -- I stripped out the slip-joint pliers (hey they were free) at work and I've only had them for a few months.

 

[1320]

Why does the second one have teeth on the outside of the jaws? To ensure if the tool slips you definitely scratch whatever you're working on?

Probably a reamer.

 

[Andy Griffith]

Thats the new Craftsman logo. Horrible, IMO.

Huh...

I thought it was a staple inside an upside down house that had an unlevel floor.

That said, I sure hope craftsman and company can get this thing turned around and be competitive in the marketplace.

 

[davewo]

Why no led lights?

 

[reader2580]

Stanley bought the name only and has to source all of their own line of Craftsman tools and Sears gets to continue with their own but only for 10yrs from the deal signing (so 9 more to go) then they are done with Craftsman altogether. That's why I don't get why Sears is even still coming up with new tool lines and new logos. Seems a wasted effort at this point.

Sears gets to sell Craftsman tools for 15 years royalty free. After 15 years Sears has to pay Stanley a 3% royalty. Nothing in the agreement stops Sears from using the Craftsman name as long as they want to use it.

 

[Al Borland]

OK that made me laugh.

I still like it, but I have to admit I don't know why they are even trying to come out with a new logo after they already sold off the brand name and can only continue selling their line of Craftsman products for 9 more years and then it all belongs to Stanley.

9 more years.
That made ME laugh.

 

[sk farmer]

uncomfortable squarish handles? trying to copy snap-on wrenches would be my guess.

 

[6PTsocket]

OK that made me laugh.

I still like it, but I have to admit I don't know why they are even trying to come out with a new logo after they already sold off the brand name and can only continue selling their line of Craftsman products for 9 more years and then it all belongs to Stanley.

They haven't got 9 more years. They probably do not have 9 more months. The stock was $2.80 a few days ago. Yesterday it was $2.28. Eddie Lambert, CEO of Sears Holdings and Sears' biggest lender by way of his hedge fund, has offered to personally buy Sears last valuable assets: Kenmore, Sears Parts Direct, Sears Home Improvement, and a lot of real estate. His bad management has contributed to Sears' problems and now he is in survival mode, trying to make as much as he can off the bankruptcy, to recover his losses. The shelves are empty, suppliers have cut them off. They are closing stores at a 100 every few months, Sears Simpson ( Sears Canada) is gone. They lost another pile of money in the last quarter. They are termininal, done kaput. I am sure SB&D knew it would never have to mske good on all if the Craftsman deal with Sears out of business.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[6PTsocket]

Those are not insulated tools in any sense of the term. Grips on insulated tools look like this.

Correct. The companies that make insulated tools also make tools with comfort cushion grips that are not rated to be electrically safe

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[6PTsocket]

What's a Sears, is that like a Toys-R-Us?

Toys WERE Us? Radio shack? A&P? Nothing lasts forever.

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[6PTsocket]

I don't believe those are Stanley-made. Looks like they're available at Sears.

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-10-in-long-reach-long-nose-pliers/p-00971637000P
http://www.sears.com/craftsman-8-in-long-reach-long-nose-pliers/p-00971647000P

Stanley bought the name only and has to source all of their own line of Craftsman tools and Sears gets to continue with their own but only for 10yrs from the deal signing (so 9 more to go) then they are done with Craftsman altogether. That's why I don't get why Sears is even still coming up with new tool lines and new logos. Seems a wasted effort at this point.

It makes sense if they are around for 9 more years but that is not going to happen. They are circling the drain. It is not if but when. Probably gone by the end of the year.

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[Jeremy77]

FWIW, Craftsman.com (run by SB&D) shows the “old” style pliers made by WF in the U.S. and the same as the SK branded ones except with solid black grips. Maybe not a true indication of what they’re offering but the site seems to be updated to accommodate their version of Craftsman.

 

[6PTsocket]

Huh...

I thought it was a staple inside an upside down house that had an unlevel floor.

That said, I sure hope craftsman and company can get this thing turned around and be competitive in the marketplace.

Read the finanacials. They are closing stores by the hundreds. Stock is at $2.28 a share. Suppliers have cut them off. They lost a pile in the last quarter. The CEO is maneuvering to recover as much as he can in the bankruptcy. Believing in Sears survival is right up there with Santa Claus, the Easter bunnie and the tooth fairy. They will be gone in the next few months.

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[Schurkey]

If Sears is going to sell **** products, I'm GLAD they're going out-of-business. I heard our local store is closing soon. Fine with me.

Too bad Harbor Junk isn't following suit.

 

[Moparman390]

Those look like a joke. Not a great start for SBD

Those are an Apex/Sears thing, not SBD.

 

[earlthegoat2]

Well if that is what caused all those smoking hot deals on blown out Western Forge manufactured C-Man pliers, I guess I did okay buying about 3 sets worth of the US made stuff for a third of the price.