Which USA made Linesman Pliers do you prefer?

[sparky 1971]

Of what's listed, Klein. Specifically the 9" 2000 series with the plain blue handles. Then Channellock, then Ideal. The old Ideals were rebranded Channellock and I liked them better than the new style. I haven't used any of the others listed so I have no input. Of all linemans pliers, I have to admit to Knipex being my favorite most of the time. If I'm wiring a house, I do prefer the Kleins. The are a little wider which makes it easier to grab those wads of four or five conductors to twist them together.

 

[jrsavoie]

Am I the only one that likes the compound action linesman pliers?

 

[tarbellb]

Am I the only one that likes the compound action linesman pliers?

No.. there was a pro lineman user Typhoon? who swore up and down about compound action pliers.

He posted tons of insightful reviews on different models, seemed like really good feedback

 

[Steve_P]

Of course I like Knipex but you did specify American made. In that case it's Klein. I don't like Channellock Linesman pliers because they don't have hardened edges on their cutters. Fine for copper but failed for anything made of steel like piano wire. The better Klein's can handle that with no issues.

This is not true today, Channellock did extremely well cutting steel; watch the Project Farm video...

 

[JradM]

This is not true today, Channellock did extremely well cutting steel; watch the Project Farm video...

I was going to say - pretty sure they're hardened. They seem about the same as Klein to me honestly. Channellock does have some pliers that don't play well with anything but copper - but they label them as such.

 

[highland_hunter]

channeys and kleins

^^ This ^^

 

[Hytekrednek]

Ideal! The ones I use are bit older, maybe late 80's? Big strong reliable grip cut great. I rarely use the kleins, but they work ok too