Yesterday, when I asked about how you use precision pliers, it was because a reader noticed Channellock’s new Little Champ mini pliers and asked about their potential utility.
The new Channellock Little Champ line of precision pliers has launched with 5 new models:
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- E41S: 4″ Side-Cutting Pliers
- E42S: 4″ End-Cutting Pliers
- E47S: 5″ Long Nose Pliers with Side Cutter
- E50S: 6″ Snipe Nose Pliers
- E524: 4.5″ Slip Joint Pliers with Shear
Each of the new Little Champ pliers are made in the USA, and all feature Channellock’s high-leverage XLT pivot design. Other common features include slim and better balanced handles, spring action handles for one-handed operation, high carbon steel construction, and Channellock Blue comfort grips.
The cutters feature a knife and anvil design, for proper cutting edge alignment and cleaner cuts.
Buy Now(via Amazon)
Street pricing is a bit lower than the MSRP/list pricing, and seems to be comparable to other professional brands’ USA-made precision pliers.
Diagonal Cutter (Side-Cutting Pliers)
If I had to guess which of the new Channellock Little Champ pliers will be most universally useful, it would be the mini diagonal cutters.
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In the other post, a lot of readers mentioned using this type of cutter for trimming nylon zip ties, component leads, and other materials that larger cutters might be less suitable for.
MSRP: $33.39
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Short/Long/Snipe Nose Pliers
I think the long nose pliers might be the second most popular. The jaws are serrated at the tip, and built-in cutting blades add utility.
The jaws don’t close cleanly along the length, so you wouldn’t want to use these pliers for gripping the most delicate materials. For that, look at the needlenose pliers.
MSRP: $37.93
Buy Now(via Amazon)
Needlenose Pliers
The jaws on these Channellock Little Champ needlenose pliers are long, slim, and smooth. This one will be perfect for holding, manipulating, or placing small components, or reaching into tight spots.
MSRP: $34.87
Buy Now(via Amazon)
Mini Slip Joint Pliers
This is a teeny tiny slip joint pliers. I don’t think it has much place in precision work, but it looks like it’ll make for excellent EDC pliers.
MSRP: $16.12
Buy Now(via Amazon) – Available now, but higher priced
Buy Now(via Amazon) – Priced at list, but not yet available
End-Cutting Pliers
The Little Champ mini end-cutting pliers could be a good choice for close trimming of parts, and things like that.
MSRP: $36.49
Buy Now(via Amazon)
First Thoughts
Channellock had sent over a full set of the new Little Champ precision pliers, and although I’m not ready to formally review them, I do have some quick initial hands-on thoughts.
First, the handles seem to be nicely shaped. They’re round and wide, allowing for an easy grip. What I don’t like is the California cancerous material warning on the packaging, likely referring to lead content in the handle grip material.
The short nose, or shorter long nose pliers could have great jaws, but they’re not quite what I like to see in precision pliers. I would rather see them have cross-hatching at the tips, rather than slightly more aggressive horizontal serrations. And I want the jaws to close completely beyond the tip area, but they don’t, instead allowing for neat and complete closure of the cutting jaws.
I like the needlenose long nose pliers much more. essentially, what I want is a version of the needlenose pliers with half the jaw length and fine cross-hatching at the tips. Maybe this is something Channellock might consider for an expansion of the Little Champ line.
Don’t take these as knocks against the tools – these comments should be taken as discussion of my preferences. Precision pliers aren’t one size or style fits all.
Overall, I think that these are great mid-range professional precision pliers, and should serve many users well. Those with more established preferences might want to look at brands that specialize in precision pliers and tools.
Thus far, I have no complaints about the new pliers’ designs or construction. The cutting edges are just perfect.
The prices are a little higher than I expected, but they’re around what I would expect for USA-made professional-grade pliers.
I know some of you will look at the prices and think these small pliers cost HOW MUCH? There are 2 alternatives – lighter duty USA-made pliers, like Xuron’s, or any of the many foreign-made ones. This $15 Tekton set is good for learning about your mini plier needs and preferences.
Thank you to Channellock for providing test samples unconditionally.
fred
I bought a pair of the #524 slip joint pliers at a local distributor for about $9.70 with tax:
http://www.dynamitetoolco.com/channellock-524-4-5-slip-joint-pliers-p/cha-524.htm
BTW – Amazon (with Prime shipping ) seems to have multiple listings for this pliers – one at $20 and one at $16.12
They are not as handy as I thought they might be. I prefer to carry the 125 mm size Knipex Cobra pliers – but they cost me nearly $21
Stuart
I noticed the 2 listing as well. One is available now at higher pricing , the other is available soon and at list price.
Noah
Technically, it’s a revival of an old product line. I have several Little Champ pliers I bought NOS. I’m definitely going to get a few of these, especially that needle nose.
JML
Noah is right. These were widely available thirty years ago. If the quality of the re-release is the same as the old ones, they’re a good buy.
There’s another similar line that Sears used to offer, made in France, which I think were made by Facom. Even better quality – if you come across one of them, buy it.
Toolfreak
Nice to see some USA-made mini pliers!
I just think the slip-joint jaws should be a lot smaller. I know they make them super thick for strength, but for the type of work these will likely see, I’d rather have a lighter-duty head with better access and less interference. It’s hard to find a precise set of slip-joints, and long nose/needle nose don’t have the gripping power since they aren’t designed for that.
Brian
Xcelite, Pro America are both made in the USA and of high quality. They both make the precision pliers for a lot of brands, Williams, Armstrong, I think Snap On, Matco and others. Proto also makes USA made precision pliers.
fred
Stuart posted about ProAmerica pliers back in February. The only pair I have are these:
http://www.ebay.de/itm/Pro-America-Kal-Tool-5018CC-Connector-Crimping-Side-Cutting-Pliers-Made-in-USA-/181551656487
ca
I like Channel Lock. They make the best pair of fencing piers I’ve ever used. But, if there’s one thing they know how to do, it’s overcharge.
Jim Felt
“Channellock Keeps America Great!” One pair of pliers at a time.
Or do “we” really deep down in our heart of hearts simply prefer HF? And where has that led?
End of socio economic obviousness rant.
Mark S.
“Fiercely made in the USA” is their motto, for most though not all of their tools (some are made in Spain, China, Vietnam, Thailand, et cetera). Their main factory is in Meadville, PA which is pretty close to where I live. They are expensive compared to their HF equivalents but they last a lot longer too. The price for the mini pliers is too high for me, may wait to see if they are available direct (get some deals that way).
Bob
another 5 additions will be made to the wall. fantastic that a USA tool manufacturer is expanding their domestic line.
and hf is not an equivalent
the screwdriver lineup production has returned to USA shores
their adjustables are irega, who makes them for just about everyone now.
unfortunately their ratchet/sockets are still taiwan
SharkyTM
I need a pair of small needle-nose pliers for an odd task, stretching heatshrink tubing. I know, it seems like something that you wouldn’t need to do, or one that cheap needle-nose pliers would do well, but it’s a necessary part of the micro-electronics work that I do, and cheap needle-nose pliers do a poor job. I’ve tried a bunch of “Precision” pliers, and they either have tips that are too large, spring handles that stick, or some other disqualifying issue. I had a cheap pair of Kobalts that were perfect, but I broke them (I blame the cheap imported steel). Maybe these Channel Locks are just the ticket. Kyle, can you measure or photograph the nose point alignment and diameter? They list 0.10″ on the website, but I’d like to verify before dropping $30 on a tiny pair of pliers.
Jim Felt
Does Micro Mark offer anything that might work? Honestly I can’t quite figure out what exactly you’re doing but it sounds interesting.
And would bent needlenose work better?
And maybe old eBay mini Diamond USA made mini pliers might be worth looking for? They’ve always displayed good tolerances in my many sets.
Good luck.
SharkyTM
Jim,
Thanks for the suggestions. The bent-nose aren’t long enough (the tubing is often 4-6″ long, and it helps to stretch it from both ends. Micro Mark has some interesting tools, but nothing that meets this exact criteria. I regularly work with tubing with an ID of 1/8″, so a tip size of .10″ would be perfect. However, I’ve found that they are often larger than specified. That size excludes most of the easily-found needle nose pliers.
Stuart
Have you considered using tweezers? Reverse action tweezers with long tapered points might do the trick.
SharkyTM
Stuart,
I’ve tried, but tweezers aren’t strong enough to do the trick. It requires a significant amount of force (enough to break my pair of Kobalts).
In related news, I received a package from Amazon today.
ViseGrip NN5 Needle Nose pliers: https://amazon.com/dp/B000JNNW1M
Xcelite NN7776V: https://amazon.com/dp/B004UN9THI
Both have mis-aligned jaws, to the point of me requesting replacements for both. Pictures: http://imgur.com/gallery/5QVBa
Stuart
Hmm. My other suggestion would be round nose pliers, which have cone-shaped jaws, although the tips might not be sharp enough for your needs.
Needlenose pliers – true needlenose, and not long nose pliers – might also do the trick.
Misaligned jaws are common on long nose pliers, except perhaps on the very top of the line models.
SharkyTM
Looks like it’s a tossup between the Channel Locks and Knipex: https://amazon.com/dp/B003RWS9EW
Twice the price as the Xcelites, but maybe twice the quality. I never saw that model before. Where’d I put my Zoro coupon now…
Jim Felt
Hi again.
There were some Home Depot post Christmas close out bins last year. Can’t remember the tool brand. I went through nearly full two bins to find a decent pair (as in nose alignment) of some offset pliers.
Idea! In my youth their were actual jewelry/watchmaker catalogs featuring Swiss made mini size tools.
I’m stuck in traffic so you’ll have to Google yourself.
Let us know if any of them survived.