Who like Western Forge pliers?

[Jtels85]

Who likes Western Forge pliers?

On a recent trip to Menard’s with the girlfriend, I stumbled upon more tools in their electrical department upstairs. I found 4 different pairs of Ideal pliers made by Western Forge. Linesman, long nose, diagonal and bent diagonal. It wasn’t hard to mistake them as they looked identical to my Craftsman USA black handle pliers (which I wish were still sold), except the handles are blue and the same textured handle material. After searching eBay, I found a few more different models of Ideal pliers, but some are USA made and other are Taiwan. I’m still not sure why that is...

I think Western Forge makes a great plier! Besides Craftsman USA, Craftsman Professional, Ideal and SK... are there any other brands or tool companies that WF made pliers for?

Let me know what you think of these pliers! I think they’re very underrated for what they are. Mine have seen their fare share of projects over the years and I have zero complaints. I especially like how the pivots are flush and not a screw/nut like other brands. Just a personal preference.

Thanks!

 

[rlitman]

I don't know about what brands they were sold under, but the cold matte black Craftsman USA pliers were fantastic. Particularly the duckbills, and the ones that looked a lot like the duckbills, but had a pointed nose.

 

[measuredtwice]

Hmmm. Hadn't noticed them but will have to check them out next time I'm there. Here's a link to them --> https://www.menards.com/main/search.html?sf_categoryHierarchy=&search=ideal+pliers

Price is similar to the same pliers from Klein.

 

[The Fall]

I don't know about what brands they were sold under, but the cold matte black Craftsman USA pliers were fantastic. Particularly the duckbills, and the ones that looked a lot like the duckbills, but had a pointed nose.

I agree. They make up 90% of my pliers.

 

[Jtels85]

Hmmm. Hadn't noticed them but will have to check them out next time I'm there. Here's a link to them --> https://www.menards.com/main/search.html?sf_categoryHierarchy=&search=ideal+pliers

Price is similar to the same pliers from Klein.

Those are them! The package is what caught my eye first. I bought the long nose and both diagonals. I have some time to kill after work this coming Friday and I’m going to head over that way and get the Linesman. I’m not sure what I’m going to do with them just yet. I’ve been thinking about building a third set of tools to take with me when I leave the house to work on something at my parents or a buddy’s place. Too expensive to throw in my junk yard box and my home tool chests already have pliers. It’s like an unnecessary obsession at this point...

 

[Shane6377]

Re: Who likes Western Forge pliers?

I have a pair of Craftsman long nose pliers with the black handles. I'm pretty sure they are WF made... although not 100%. They are great. Not much more experience than that.


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[Steve_P]

I have some of the black handle CM pliers by WF and they're great. Maybe not as good as knipex, but definitely better than Channellock. I also have some newer SK and they're also nice; they're the long specialty type pliers.

 

[Parrothead]

I’m very happy with both the Craftsman Pro Western Forge pliers and the standard WF pliers. I like them better than the long nose Knipex and way better than the long nose Channellocks. Still like Klein the best though.

 

[Professional Tool User]

If you can still find NOS WF Craftsman or WF under any other brand at a reasonable price, great. I actually kind of like the black handled Craftsman USA pliers that I have. They definitely are not the best pliers out there, but they are decent. Channellock branded pliers are my default option when buying any pliers in that price range these days.

The Craftsman WF pliers simply aren't a viable option. According to the reviews on sears.com, some of the pliers in that line are now made in China and quality control on the ones that are still WF have gone drastically downhill.

 

[lardy1]

I'm wondering if my discontinued SK needle nose may be WF.

 

[woody 73]

Western Forge and Sears have a long History of working together. I am kind of surprised reading from the above posts that the quality of WF has gone downhill somewhat.

 

[Rabid Badger]

I have a pair of 6" long nose and a pair of duckbills. The long nose were among the first tools I ever bought for myself when I was 16. I got the duckbills a few months ago at a rural Ace store while on a business trip. Both are excellent.

If you want to find NOS Craftsman USA pliers, stop at every Ace store you see.

 

[jeffmoss26]

I do! love my Craftsman

 

[4xdog]

I inherited a half-dozen of the matte black-handled Craftsman pliers from my brother, and they're indeed terrific. I use them often -- and take care of them.

Good to know that Menard's may have cousins to those originals -- my local Menard's is less than two miles from my house.

 

[Jtels85]

I inherited a half-dozen of the matte black-handled Craftsman pliers from my brother, and they're indeed terrific. I use them often -- and take care of them.

Good to know that Menard's may have cousins to those originals -- my local Menard's is less than two miles from my house.

Yes sir! Menard’s only has the four, but other styles such as slip joint, arc joint and a 6” needle nose are available through different sellers on eBay and I just discovered online only through Home Depot as well!