Crescent has kicked off a social media marketing campaign, advertising that they’re going to “revolutionize” the adjustable wrench.
“Stay tuned!”
Playing with the brightness and contrast of their image, and… Crescent’s brand new “revolutionized” adjustable wrench looks like… an adjustable wrench with a new molded handle grip.
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Adjustable wrenches are convenient additions to general purpose tool kits.
I know what some of you are going to say – “what’s the point when we have Pliers Wrenches from Knipex and other brands?!” I think it’s good to have both.
Crescent’s adjustable wrenches have been decent over the years. Other brands offer wider openings, fancier handle grips, and greater thumbwheel engagement.
The company shifted (most?) production from USA to China a few years ago, but you can still find the older USA-made wrenches at specialty suppliers.
From what they’ve been showing off, I don’t see how Crescent’s new design will “revolutionize” anything.
Are there features and innovations that aren’t obvious to me, or is this a “only $9.99, perfect for Father’s Day” at Lowe’s promotional tool type of thing?
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Channellock’s Wide Azz adjustable wrenches remain my favorite.
If I had to pick a second choice, I think Bahco’s are decent (buy it at Amazon). I bought one a decade ago, but rarely reach for it.
I also still have a couple of older (and “new old stock”) Crescent wrenches that I won’t be giving up, as well as Milwaukee adjustable wrenches (test samples) that are great but also behind Channellock’s.
blocky
I agree the Irega manufactured WideAzz are some of the best. Besides better tolerances, I think the only innovation I’ve seen on a C-wrench is the Lobtex with internal spring-loaded bearing. Those really do stay locked in parallel and are surprisingly strong for how slim and light they are.
Pliers wrench is not a replacement for a good C-wrench when doing nuts and bolts assembly, IMO.
Stuart
I bought a bunch of Japanese brands, and while better than the average adjustable wrench, I’m not sure I’d go out of my way to get them.
The Lobtex look to be more easily available via 3rd party on Amazon, and so I might need to revisit that stance.
Proto has some with a Clik-Stop mechanism that helps avoid unintentional readjustment. https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/proto-clik-stop-adjustable-wrench/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
There are lots of small innovations by different brands.
I don’t know what Crescent can do that hasn’t already been done.
fred
In our plumbing business we had more than a thousand wrenches in inventory – but many were specialty items (like basin wrenches, bulkhead fitting, bung wrenches, chain tongs, drain plug wrenches, internal pipe wrenches, nipple extractors, specialty swimming pool and spa wrenches, sprinkler wrenches, water-filter wrenches etc.) Most of our bread-and-butter wrenches came from US manufacturers – mostly Ridgid – but also Reed, and Wheeler Rex. Looking at old inventories for adjustable wrenches – it looks like we seemed to change buying habits (1960 to 2010) from Crescent and Williams, then Proto and then to Channellock and Bahco. In the more recent inventories, I see a smattering of Japanese adjustable wrenches having been bought from Engineer, Lobtex, MCC, Supertool, and Top Kogyo. We also bought some from Ares – made in Taiwan. It looks like these were either bought for special applications or to test out since we only seemed to have them listed in onesy-twosy sorts of numbers- not in quantities for every truck. It seems that we bought more Channellock than Bahco in the more recent years. If I were back buying today – I’m not sure what brand(s) would dominate – but it would not likely be Crescent.
MM
Speaking of specialty tools, I have an oddball adjustable wrench. It is made of aluminum, about 8 inches long overall but the jaws are huge and the handle is very short and stubby. Its adjustment range is about 1/2in (it will not completely close) up to about 3 inches, and the jaws are 3 inches deep. It is some no-name brand I purchased from Amazon, but it is mighty handy sometimes, especially for plastic pipe fittings under the sink. I assume it is a copy of a more well known brand, if anyone knows of a steel tool like this please share.
fred
Here is an aluminum one from Supertool:
https://www.amazon.com/Aluminum-Adjustable-Wrench-Wide-Opening/dp/B004AI9LG2
I believe that the MCC wrench is made of steel:
https://mccinter.com/extra-wide-adjustable-wrench/
MM
thank you for sharing that fred.
The Supertool looks nearly identical to my knockoff so it’s probably what they copied, though they seem to have done a good job. That MCC looks excellent, I will be picking one of those up.
BigTimeTommy
Lobtex are the best adjustables I’ve owned. No slop at all, very well made.
LGonToolGuy'd
1000% agreed, they’ve improved them again since 2018 too!
James
Agreed. They both have a place in my bags. Quick grab adjustments: crescent wrench. Repetitive work or plumbing: pliers wrench.
I’m tempted by the lobtex but won’t buy a new crescent wrench unless I lose one or two. I like my WideAzz a lot but they eventually got relegated to the overflow bag because they take up a lot of space and for wide openings I’m more inclined to grab pliers wrench or channel locks or get the right sized combination wrench from my truck for leverage..
Joellikestools
I have a couple pairs of Iregas and really like them. I also have pliers wrenches. Sometimes I use the Irega to hold a joint and the knipex on the fitting. Works well.
Kurt
The Channelock purchase button isn’t working, at least when I clicked on it.
Stuart
Thanks! *fixed*
Travis
I think it would be revolutionary if there was a lock, like a lock nut. That’s the most frustrating thing about adjustable wrenches is the constant readjusting.
Yadda
Ideas to lock the jaw on adjustable wrenches has existed for decades. Certainly 50 years or more. More than a few companies have sold adjustable wrenches with locking handles similar to Vise-Grips. Stanley’s 85-610 is one version. The idea goes back 50 years or more, check out Chapman’s Tiger Lock pliers. In addition, Utica had a complete line of adjustable wrenches with several different locking apparatuses (levers and pins) in their Select-O-Lock adjustable wrench line. McKaig Hatch also had a pin locking adjustable wrench line.
ITCD
Good adjustables seem to tend to hold their position. Remember when you size one it doesn’t have to be cranked tight to be right — even regular combo wrenches are slightly oversized *by design.* You’ll be hard pressed to find say a 19mm from anyone that’s exactly 19.00mm, and the standards actually call for slight oversized.
So having a few thou of play is perfectly fine. It’ll let you not have to fiddle with it so much. But there are indeed all sorts of inventions related to holding position. Proto has the Clik-Stop, which Supertool has also used for their ratcheting (yes ratcheting) adjustable. Lobtex has both a ball bearing, or a split worm to choose from. Or neither. Top Kogyo has the Hypermonkey Zero that also has the split worm. They’re intended more as “anti-rattle” mechanisms but they do help hold position, especially the ball bearing.
Alex
I know it’s cheap but the Harbor Freight 2-in-1 Pittsburgh Pro Adjustable Wrench has always been a go-to for me. The only downside is that it is an 8in Wrench, but that can come in handy in certain cases. What I do like it’s that the adjustable part can either be a non-marring end for nuts and bolts or something that can grip rounded out nuts or pipes. It’s mouth opening is as wide as the WideAzz too
Jim
A year or so ago at shot show, I saw someone trying to sell an adjustable wrench that they had added a spring to to take out all the wobble. It felt much nicer than any other adjustable wrenches I’ve used due to the lack of play.
I wonder if this is that.
Stuart
That’s not a new innovation – my Proto from nearly 15 years ago has a spring-lock thumbwheel. It has its uses, but can be a little slower to adjust.
Tony
I also like the Channellock Wide Azz adjustable wrenches. Seven years ago I bought a 2 piece set of them and it said “Spain” on the handle as the Country of Origin. I was totally fine with that.
Stuart
Yep – made by Irega.
Jared
That would be awfully poor marketing language if they don’t follow up with something innovative.
I won’t hold my breath for a genuine “revolution”, but they better introduce SOMETHING after hyping it like that.
Also, it concerns me that I can’t find a picture of that wrench. I was hoping that was just a teaser photo for snoopy people like Stuart who would try to un-obscure it. It looks different from the existing cushion grip version though, so maybe that is actually the new wrench.
Robert
“Revolutionary” is so overused by marketing that it is meaningless. So much that when I see it I dismiss it from consideration of buying.
Neighbor Joe
The days of Crescent revolutionizing adjustable wrenches ended when the Jamestown NY plant close and the generations of craftsman and engineers at that facility faded away.
Neighbor Joe
If I had a favorite its my Proto Professional 712S 12″ adjustable. Solid tool.
Charles
I agree, I have at least 5 of them.
Wayne R.
I’ve always got my eyes open for more Diamond Calk & Horseshoe adjustable wrenches, or anything with a Diamalloy stamp on it – I’m eager to grab up.
fred
I was probably 10 years old when my friends and I built a “clubhouse” out of old crates and tar paper. The hammer that I was given (still have) was an odd-looking claw hammer with the “Diamond” logo on it. Years later I learned that it was not made for carpentry – but rather for shoeing horses. Diamond Calk & Horseshoe seems to have been merged into what became the Apex Tool Group – owned by Bain Capital. I don’t think that they use the brand much anymore – favoring Crescent. But the Brits still have their Royal Kerckhaert Horseshoe Factory that produces hammers bearing the Diamond name:
https://www.hardwareandtools.com/diamond-farrier-fh14-horseshoe-driving-hammer-ulfb-0532.html
MM
One of my favorite garden/outdoor tools is an old WWII surplus “army pick” made by Diamond Calk which I fitted with a long handle. It’s a standard pattern pick/mattock but it is a nice handy size. They were originally issued with 18in handles. I don’t care for the short handle so I went with a full three feet, and that transforms the tool completely. These are lighter than a full size railroad pick but with a full size handle they are still mighty effective. The quality of the forging from Diamond Calk is top notch, it’s great steel and the hardness is just right, they hold an edge well, sharpen easily, and take some serious abuse.
If anyone needs a mattock but you don’t want to break your back with a huge one go find a surplus “Diamond Calk Army Pick”–there’s tons on Ebay, Etsy, army surplus places, etc–and put a long handle on it.
That kind of handle is easy to DIY but if you’d rather buy one House Handle Co. has them ready-made:
https://www.househandle.com/products.html#gipick
JR Ramos
I think the only thing Crescent is revolutionizing in recent years is their BS marketing fluff. About 70% of what they offer now is disappointing and most items are of such a quality reduction that it’s just a real shame. The screw bits and sets that Lowe’s had for awhile were actually pretty decent even if the ones with plastic shields were a little superfluous for most people/uses – I bought a couple of those sets when a local store closed them out for $4, gutted the cases and refitted them for other items.
Lenox and Irwin have taken this same sad dive with a reduction in quality, elimination of certain great products, and the injection of such BS marketing. It’s sad to see iconic brands that had quality offerings take these turns.
A few weeks ago I was looking at reviews on Amazon for a Crescent product. Lots of negative reviews about very poor quality and I mean that was clearly evident in photos. But one reviewer said something to the effect of “this is so bad I won’t buy another Crescent product but will look for quality items from a well known major brand.” Likely a young-of-age user but also a pretty powerful statement there.
brent leiterman
I use Bahco wide mouth 12 and 6 inch daily in industrial use and they hold up great, they hold their size and hardly spread even with a cheater on the end they only get replaced when the grips come off after to many hammer strikes
LGonToolGuy'd
Stuart, look at the Japanese brand LOBSTER/LOBTEX and what they do with a spring and ball bearing to keep adjustable wrenches a tiny bit more accurate. I have had one for years and despite rarely using it, anytime I do. I love it as compared to others that I own.
They have Kaizen’d The adjustable wrench to just about its peak.
https://www.lobtex.co.jp/english/products/tabid/153/pdid/E-UM-XGB/catid/82/Default.aspx
Skalamanga
I’ve had multiple bahco adjustables for years. Nice slim heads and accurate adjustment with no slop. The markings are also really robust.
Jim
I have both the ChannelLock WA and the Bahcos (6” and 8”, slim and regular jaw, in each size / brand).
I prefer the Bahcos for the slimmer grips, better ergonomics, bigger hanging hole, and the slimmer / tapered tips that get into tighter spots.
I carry the Bahcos in my bag, and the CLs are hanging on my bench wall. The grips on the CLs are so big they barely fit in a slot in the bag, the hanging hole is tiny, and just look cartoonish in general.
James
The handle size is why they got relegated for me too. Comfy tho.
MM
I use Pliers Wrenches far more often than this style of adjustable but I still think they are important to have around. My favorites are a pair of vintage Bahcos that are very small, I like them for nuts on control panel jacks & switches. The edges of the jaws have nice square corners which are great for very thin jam nuts. My next most commonly used is a massive 30″ Blue-Point. That replaces big wrenches that I couldn’t possibly justify buying and it’s also very handy for bending metal. I have a number of in-between sizes, they are mostly older USA-made Craftsman with one Crescent and one Proto but I almost never use those, for the middle sizes I nearly always use pliers wrenches now.
fred
The Channellock 830 also fits this bill:
https://www.amazon.com/Channellock-830-30-Inch-Chrome-Adjustable/dp/B00EXX43Z8
My go to for big nuts (or pipe unions) is a Ridgid 25:
https://www.zoro.com/ridgid-20-in-l-2-in-cap-cast-iron-hex-pipe-wrench-25/i/G1809407/?q=G1809407
MM
I would have preferred the 830 for its adjustment mechanism and the chrome finish but when I was buying it was twice the price of the Blue-Point so that’s what I went with. I’ve been very happy with it, in fact the fit of the moveable jaw is surprisingly good for any adjustable wrench let alone a huge one, and it’s proven super tough, I’ve used it with a big cheater pipe many times and it hasn’t shown any sign of weakness. It’s also been surprisingly good about not rusting.
Sean
I’m excited to see how they jam the initials “AI” into their marketing campaign.
Bill
I wish someone would bring back the “lock button” on adjustable wrenches. JH Williams adjustable wrenches in the 1930s, 1940s, 1950s had a button that when pushed locked the adjusting mechanism so it would not creep and change size.
Yadda
Utica had an entire line of Select-O- Lock adjustable wrenches with pins and then levers that locked the mechanism.
fred
Stanley has sold a locking adjustable for many years now. It sells for $20.97 at Home Depot. Amazon has a copy that sells for about $1 more (go figure!) :
https://www.amazon.com/Amazon-Basics-10-Inch-Locking-Adjustable/dp/B08L6V5WV8
Jeremiah McKenna
Maybe the other side is a bit thicker and has a hammer head face. What!?
Jeremiah McKenna
Oh I got it, they will release a pair, metric and ASE.
James
I lol’d.
ITCD
Yeah but what about the folks that need Whitworth? Entirely untapped market!
Nathan
You know it wouldn’t surprise me if they do make one with metric markings as an option.
But meh I don’t see a need for another I use mine so rarely. I prefer to use an actual size. But like someone said it’s worth having for the larger sizes in a pinch. Like in place of a 22mm for a strut top mount.
MFC
If someone could do an electric open/close adjustment button, so that it didn’t do any of the heavy lifting but would spin open and closed with minimal bulk added to the handle, then I’d say it was revolutionary.
MFC
I took a gander and it already exists. Figures. Now I’m gonna go watch some videos on someone using it.
Stuart
Black & Decker Auto Wrench?
https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/black-decker-auto-wrench-price-drop/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
MFC
Yep, seems like a cool idea, but of course anything BandD does just comes out cheap…
Bryan
My body is ready.
But prepared to be let down.
Skalamanga
I thought the adjustable wrench was invented by a Swede in the 1890’s, at least a decade before the crescent tool company existed.
Mason M
I have a strong preference for a pliers wrench, but I have encountered applications where a traditional adjustable is a better fit. My own personal favorite is the Klein red handle. It’s got no slop whatsoever (I think the worm gear has an extra tooth that engages the jaw), and the jaws are actually visibly thinner and open wider than the same-sized Bahco wrench. Even though I own almost ever pliers wrench under the sun, I keep a 10” and 12” handy in the work truck at all times.
Jared
Did we get a resolution on this “revolutionary” adjustable wrench?
Stuart
The new “Quick-Fit” adjustable wrenches have a 1° sloped jaw, seemingly so you can wedge it onto a fastener without having to finely set the adjustment.
Revolutionary!! 🥱
Jared
Ha!