Grip-on’s 727-08 ErgoGrip locking pliers sure are a strange a sight with its right-angle pistol-grip design. With a 70-degree angled design, these pliers are intended to reduce hand strain and fatigue, and are ideal for use in confined spaces. They are also claimed to exert for up to 50% more force in twisting applications.
Proto rebrands the Grip-On pliers as model J300XL.
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As previously mentioned, we are already big fans of Grip-on pliers, so of course once the opportunity presented itself, we promptly ordered a pair of these ErgoGrips. So far, we’re pleased with their ergonomics and build quality.
These pliers are a little on the pricey side, at around $35-50 each.
Chaon
Whomever?
Stuart
Chaon, you’re right, “whomever” is grammatically incorrect – “whoever” should have been used, but we’ll leave it as is to serve as a reminder of our failing.
uthscsaedu
as of right now, 2pm MST, 11/20, they are on sale $35.99 at Sears
Herb Holmberg
I cannot say for sure if I would ever need a set of those, but I think I would like to have a couple of them in my box for the day I am in a real bind and those save the day with that right angle head in a compact place. Very clever looking indeed!
Superautobacs
One thing I haven’t liked about these is the release lever–I’ve inadvertently released it a few times. I kept having to remind myself to grip my hand lower on the handle.
Stuart
I can’t say that I’ve had that problem yet, but I’ll keep it in mind.
case
I have tried them! cool tool! But superauto. <>
Stuart
Update: Thanks to Richard for the note about how the Grip-on ErgoGrips product page no longer appears on Sears’ website.
I noticed the same thing earlier this month, and hoped that it only indicated a temporary lack of inventory. Hopefully Sears will reorder these pliers soon, but in preparation for the worst case scenario, I’ll continue searching for alternate distributors.
Steve R.
I looked these up on Amazon after reading your article today; they sell a pair that looks very much like it, but is listed/described as a Stanley Proto J300XL Locking Ergo Grip Pliers, for $37.24 (with a list price of $85.72). I like the looks of these; many other styles they produce have orange painted grips, and they tout a “no-pinch quick release lever”. They are pricier than Vise Grip pliers, but then they are also made in Spain rather than Taiwan.
I was tempted to try to buy a pair two years ago in my local Sears store, but they weren’t in stock. I ended up buying a pair of needle-nose Vise Grips with the blue and yellow rubber handles (the Irwin version that had recently come on the market). That did not have the pistol grip that this pair has, but I needed them that day. If I remember correctly, I could have purchased two of the Vise Grip models for the price of one of these.
I also own a pair of Snap-on pistol grip needle-nose pliers and a pair of diagonal cutters (dikes). Their “handshake” grip is very comfortable, while the spring-steel lever mechanism takes pressure off the hand during extended usage.
Stuart
Those Proto pliers on Amazon (link) are indeed rebranded Grip-On pliers.
To be honest, I’ve lost interest in these pliers over time. They do come in handy every now and then, but the locking mechanism can be a little awkward to disengage. I came across a second pair, don’t remember how, and the spring action was pretty lousy.
The new Irwin Vise Grips, which are imported, seem to be better built than some of the ones I tried when production was first sent overseas. Maybe it’s my imagination, but it’s also not an Apples vs. Oranges comparison as the ones in my toolbox feature the easy-to-disengage built-in unlocking lever.
I believe Snap-on and Blue Point also offer relabeled Grip-On pliers. That’s not a bad thing, as the prices are fairly good on some of the models.
These days if I need ergonomic-grip pliers and don’t care if they lock or not, I reach for my NWS Ergo Combi pliers.