Irwin has launched new Vise-Grip 7-in-1 multi-functional electrical pliers, model IWHT84002.
The new Irwin Vise-Grip pliers offer high versatility, and help users do more work with just one tool.
Irwin, a channel sponsor, provided a test sample for us to check out.
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The new Irwin Vise-Grip electrical pliers features a wire stripper, curved blade wire cutter, crimper, pliers jaws, loop maker, grooved reamer, and machine screw shear cutting holes.
It can strip stranded wire from 12-22 AWG and solid wire from 10-20 AWG.
The curved jaws make it easier to cut larger wires and cables, compared to straight blade wire cutters.
The pliers have a spring-action mechanism with storage mode, and 3-shot bi-material handles for user comfort and control.
I have been testing the wire strippers, and have been pleased with the design so far. I plan to mainly use the multi-functional electrical tool for its curved wire cutting blades and precise stripping slots, and the gripping jaws are a good-to-have feature.
I tend to prefer single-function tools, but there are many projects and jobs where a do-it-all tool can be far more convenient. One thing’s certain – this Irwin Vise-Grip has come a long way from the types of multi-functional electrical tools I swore at and against years ago.
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The 7-in-1 electrical pliers are launching alongside new Irwin Vise-Grip PowerSlot pliers – 8″ diagonal cutting pliers, and 9.5″ lineman’s pliers.
See Also: Irwin Launched New Vise-Grip Effort-Saving Cutting Pliers
Price: $30
Mark
Kinda surprised (and dismayed) that the strippers apparently don’t have a 10ga stripper. I’d gladly give up a 22ga for a 10ga.
Stuart
It can handle solid 10 AWG, not stranded.
Mac
I dont fully understand the userbase for these. There’s a lot of 10ga stranded pulled in the commercial environment. The reamer is mostly for commercial sites, and the pliers also pretend to be lightweight linesmen when not doing a lot of solid wire pigtails, but I dont use them on any small guage wiring.
Not a large market for these vs lightweight romex strippers for residential guys. Probably longer lasting and more versatile for the homeowners. Way better than the older generations of strippers with too many fearures.
Nathan
So how does it compare to one of the modern Klein or Milwaukee etc linemens pliers that have similar features?
I like using a dedicated stripper tool but going up on a ladder taking fewer tools with you is often better
MichaelT
That was exactly my question… How does this compare to the Milwaukee equivalent?
I have the Milwaukee 6 in 1, before Milwaukee added the crimper. My only complaint is that I can’t read the markings for the wire gauge anymore.
Stuart
Objectively, I feel they’re all fairly interchangeable, it just depends on what you’re willing to pay and what your preferences might be (if any).
I bought Milwaukee and Klein in the past, and have a couple of review samples floating around as well. I like to think I have a decent sample size.
So far, I feel that the Irwin’s are competitive.
I’m keeping these for the larger pliers jaws – that’s the most noticeable area these stand apart and ahead of the pack.
Julian Tracy
I ground the stupidly bulky Milwaukee jaws to match what Irwin has done with these,
Makes them much more useful.
eddie sky
Ah. Resourceful thinking there!
Might get the Knipex ones (squared nose) and grind smooth.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/KNIPEX-8-in-Forged-Wire-Stripper-13-72-8/317806694
James
The Milwaukee 7in1 have the bulky jaw I believe, but the 6in1 have almost a needle nose jaw (not quite) and I love them. [correct me if I have those models reversed]. They ride in my main big tool bag and they get pulled out for all kinds of fun stuff. I much prefer dedicated strippers, but those ride in my electrical bag so these are used for stripping a couple of wires when doing a repair, etc.
The Irwin’s look really nice and similar, although for bulkier jaw applications, I just grab my Knipex. I know that starts you with an angle but for most things that makes no difference or if it does it’s a positive.
The 7in1 live in our shop as a good allarounder.
Mark M.
Pass, and I say that as a 30-year user of wire strippers, professionally and DIY. I want light and nimble. These look bulky and slow. I’d be happy to be wrong but I prefer a small tool that only strips wire, nothing more.
Jim Felt
Yes. Just seems more purpose built and user friendly.
Mac
I’m really not thinking the bolt cutter holes serve effective double duty for looping wires either. I’d like to try their other new pliers. I’ll pass on these
Mac
I guess all these style pliers gave up the dedicated looping hole? I guess I really haven’t used the style for much solid wire at all
JR Ramos
These look ok for home projects…proof is in the pudding with the stripper grooves, however, and I’m not sure I like what I see in the product photos here. Nicks or broken strands would rule it out for any “real” electrical work and that happens so often with cheap strippers even if you try to use them correctly.
In recent years the Irwin quality has been almost crap with their pliers – the steel itself, the grind inconsistencies, quick rust, pitting, softness, etc, etc. The grips are nice, though. I like the locking bar and return spring on these – those are always good features. The reamer function on this pair looks perfunctory and placed at the rear of longnose pliers may limit its use. Can’t see these ending up in any professional use tool pouch save for apartment maintenance guys and such.
Engineer has some of the best strippers I’ve ever used but I’ve got several from Klein, Ideal, GB, and a pair of Laoa (chinese brand made in Taiwan) that are pretty darn good. Haven’t seen any Knipex that I didn’t think I couldn’t live without.
It’s a shame what Irwin has become, imho. They held out for awhile with the Hanson label but even those are not what they used to be, unfortunately. There’s very little now with an Irwin label that I will even consider buying. Where their drill bits and hole saws are found on the shelf, those are still decent…quick grips and clamps took a dive and there’s no reason to pay an Irwin price premium for their vise grips anymore since they are the same (or worse) than many other imported brands.
Xrh07
Irwin vise grips are absolutely fine. And you don’t really pay a premium for them anyways unless you buy them from places that just overcharge. When you could just shop around the other dozen places that carry then.
There isn’t anything better for the $10-$12 per pair 10WRs I’ve been paying for at Lowe’s and Menards on sale. Milwaukee/HF Bremens get close, but they still don’t offer all the same jaw styles Irwin does so you’ll be buying some Irwins no matter what.
JR Ramos
They are nowhere near what they used to offer, and I guess it depends on the prices you find or where you purchase, but the same grips are cheaper or something like the Tekton versions are better for the same price-ish. Sad to say because Irwin was great/very good for decades but now they are solid mediocre and sometimes worse. I’m glad I have several flavors of the old US-made Irwin vise grips and a couple of those oddball large jaw designs that have been lifesavers at times and the old nut jaws (less useful). Some of those that have disappeared can probably still be found with Grip-On or Bahco (albeit at higher prices). Some of the “absolutely fine” features on current Irwin vs. old…dull teeth, wiggly and softer rivets, split at the rolled female thread spreading open under heavy pressure, misaligned jaw tips, etc. The c-grips are not nearly as good as they once were, either, and that is immediately noticeable.
The Milwaukee ones are pretty decent, sharper teeth usually although they don’t stay that way as long…the adjustment screw is a handy design, too. The now-defunct Malco are just fantastic and Stronghand also worth consideration (even Engineer, good quality models made in Taiwan, not the same as the Tekton from Taiwan).
I won’t need to buy Irwin even if I wanted to…don’t really use these a whole lot anymore anyway, but I’m thankful I bought what I did when they were still US-made and they will all likely last the rest of my life.