I was looking for an older photo and found a 2-year old shot of all of my long nose pliers. Yes, there are more than I need, and yes, some of these do nothing but collect dust most of the time.
Here’s what I learned over the years:
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- Any long nose pliers are better than no long nose pliers.
- I never use long nose pliers to cut wire, but the gap sometimes created between the jaws can be a nuisance.
- Good simple dip grips are better than lousy “comfort” grips.
Preferences
I am impartial to dipped or molded grips. In theory, molded grips are better, but I rarely mind using pliers with simpler handles.
What I don’t like to see are uneven, rough, or unfinished jaws. The grooves should be well formed, and the tips straight and touching with minimal or no gap.
Long nose pliers should be easy and comfortable to use. I don’t like it when pliers have sloppy pivots, but pliers that are stiff and hard to open are worse. If I cannot comfortably use the pliers with one hand, then they don’t belong in my toolbox.
About Brands
I could go back and forth for days without being able to tell you which brand makes the “best” long nose pliers. But I can tell you what I think about each brand I’ve tried.
Knipex – Great, no major complaints.
NWS – Also great, with excellent handle grips.
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Craftsman Professional – Decent, but the pivot never quite broke in.
Channellock – These are actually “snipe nose pliers,” which are supposed to be great for working in tight areas, but I like use them for when I need great gripping power since the jaws have cross-hatched grooves.
Stanley – Cheap-feeling and loose, but they served me well for years. They work great for the money.
Vise-Grips – Seldom used, but great when a locking ability or extreme gripping power and pressure is needed.
Gearwrench (Double-X) – Pliers work great, but quality control of the tips and jaws could be better.
Crescent – Similar to Gearwrench, but with clunkier handles and slightly better jaws.
Kobalt (not shown) – They’re a good value, but nothing special.
Recommendations
I have tried a couple more brands since taking this photo, but these are still my most-used long nose and needle nose pliers. If I had to make purchasing decisions all over again, I would follow the same exact upgrade path, and except for the specialty styles I would stick to fewer brands.
Low Budget: Stanley
Medium Budget: Channellock
Unrestricted Budget: Knipex or NWS
There are a couple of brands I still look forward to trying, such as Bahco, but there’s only so much that can be done to create better long nose pliers.
What are YOUR preferences when it comes to long nose or needle nose pliers?
Jotham M
These are my go-to pliers for almost any situation. The compound action preserves my grip strength, the wire cutters are good enough to cut lightweight screws and they haven’t broken or loosened despite the abuse I give them.
http://www.lowes.com/pd_316402-273-PS6549C_0__?productId=3094389
Stan
Personally I prefer my American made Klein and Channellock needle nose pliers, but I have several older American made Crescent needle nose pliers that work very well in addition.
I have a CAT IV rated Swiss made Wiha needle nose pliers, but that is for speciality work.
I would strongly recommend buying better quality first, as in the past I’ve owned cheap needle nose pliers and these either don’t line up precisely after multiple uses or in some cases break as well.
brickktopp
your spot on cant go wrong with knipex or nws but my favourite is defo the NWS absolutely fantastic pliers ! my personal fav is the fantasticos u jist cant beat them
Cameron
I keep a cheap pair of extra-long Pittsburgh from HF in my kitchen junk drawer. It has one job, and one job only… to grab something that has fallen into the garbage disposal. I use it maybe twice a year.
Chris Fyfe
Knipex and Klien are my” go to ” brands . I’m not overly fussy about grips – Klien “Journeyman ” and Knipex comfort grip suit me well . In the past , I’ve owned Chanellock , and not found them very satisfactory . My latest aquisition , is the Kline electrical installation pliers . They cut , grab , and cut #6&8 screws very well . I’m happy with them . I don’t mind the spring action at all .
For low voltage , I prefer the Klien Telco pattern dikes and needlenoses . I have pairs going strong since the eighties , and I still aquire them when I find them at the right price .
Chris
Hang Fire
My favorites are Xcelite NN7776V and Xuron 450S.
Dan
I would always go for Knipex or NWS as on this side of the Atlantic the good American ones are similar money once they have been imported. I wouldn’t bother with Bacho unless you found some with made in Sweden on them, the new made in Spain versions of their tools are just not the same, was looking at adjustable wrenches recently and the difference to my 5 year old pair is shocking.
fred
I have a mixed bag of older (Utica, Crescent Channellock) nose pliers – some probably 50 years old that are scattered around the house – and the Channellock 3017’s are what I typically grab. I can also attest to Knipex making some very nice pliers- and really like the Knipex 86 series plier-wrenches – but just never bought one of their nose pliers. I did buy an NWS combi ergo pistol grip pliers (1096-49-200) – but don’t find that I use it much.
BTW – when you talk about nose plier designs – many older and precision nose pliers use a box-joint design rather than the more common lap-joint. I have a few antique PS&W (Pexto) and Lindstrom pliers that employ this design.
Also when it comes to gripping things in tight spaces – sometimes a hemostat works better than a pliers – and hemostat now also come from Gearwrench in a Double-X configuration in both straight (# 82034) and curved (# 82035) styles
Michael Marks
I have used Klein 9″ needle nose pliers for 15 years exclusively. My current pair have “Journeyman” handles. For me, there are none better. Whenever I get handed a different pair, I think “Man, these suck.”
Andrew
These are the best pliers ever, made by NWS:
http://chadstoolbox.com/nws-128c-52-215-mechanic-s-pliers-215-mm.aspx
Toolfreak
I like my ‘ol Craftsman Professional versions, the ones they made before the newer red molded handle model. The thicker grips are comfortable like molded handle versons, but aren’t as clunky and don’t cause any positioning issues.
I’d say even regular Craftsman are fine for a less expensive choice.
Cheapo needle nose pliers are ok if you’re just doing light-duty work, but when you really need to have the pinching power of pliers, and need the access of a long nose design, you want something that’s strong enough that the tips won’t break. The comfort handle designs like the Knipex are great for really having to squeeze hard.
harry
Some of the best long nose pliers I’ve ever used were made by Kal and rebadged by many truck brands. Great tough pliers!! Speaking of truck brands, Snap on’s talon grip long nose pliers are sweet, great grips and you can pick a penny up by abe’s beard. I have knipex and Wiha versions. My wiha’s are from when they were made in Germany not Vietnam. I prefer the skinnier grips compared to the larger grips. My favorite type is an 8 inch or so pair with the 45 degree bent tips.
David
For me it’s Channellock, with Klein a close second. The old Petersen Vise-Grips are great when they need to be locked.
Stan
I agree, Petersen made a fine tool back in the day. When you need to lock onto a product and have that level of security that the tool is in fact securely locked, Petersen/American Tools really knew how to manufacture their line of locking pliers.
Jerry
A telephone repairman forgot his Kliens here a while back, I gave them back to him the next day when they finished up. However, I noticed that not only did they open and close effortlessly, smooth as glass, but there was also zero play in the jaws. If they still make them like that, I might try a pair of Kleins the next time I need pliers.
joe
Although I don’t use needle nose pliers that much, when I do I prefer the skinny handles. Why? Cause they don’t take up much room in the back of my pocket. To soften up the grip, I use tennis racket grip tape. You can actually feel the cushion better than plastic.
When I’m up on a ladder working on something, big plastic grips get in the way for me.
Chris Fyfe
My Kline Telco Needlenoses (I own several ) are all smooth . They are my most used pliers when doing security , and access control , and other low voltage work .
I strip , cut , and crimp with them . They do a great job of crimping the silicone filled “B” connectors . I crimp behind the pivot .
I’m going to have to snag some more , as they are no longer that common . Most of the old Telco hands took buyouts , the companies give the young guys junk tools .
Chris
Mr Michael L. Veach
The double X stile, regardless of brand, aren’t the first long noise I reach for but, I wonder how I ever got along without them.
SteveR
Stuart–I have some observations about “dipped” vs. “comfort” handles. First, either is preferable to plain handles; they’re more comfortable in the hand, and usually provide a better grip. They’re also nicer when working on cold days.
I prefer comfort handles; being more ergonomic, they improve my grip. The dipped handle merely mimics the shape of the underlying metal handle. They also telegraph heat and cold to my hand if I’m not wearing gloves. The “bi-material” comfort handle (relatively new) is better yet, as it offers hard and soft areas within the handle for the best grip possible.
The bi-material handle is better, too, because it has zones that won’t squish (flatten) under pressure when squeezing the handles really hard. You occasionally have to do that if the pliers or screwdriver is undersized for the job you’re working on at the moment. An “old-style” comfort handle will deform slightly under pressure, dissipating some of the extra force you’ve applied within the grip itself. Despite these advantages, the one negative that comes to mind is that it’s harder to keep comfort handles clean. They’re slightly porous and tend to absorb dirt and grease.
Stuart
Are there any brands that still manufacture plain handles without at least vinyl grips?
I share some of your views regarding dipped and molded handles, but the choice is always going to be preferential. Some cheaper comfort-grip pliers have terrible ergonomics, while premium pliers with dipped grips, such as Knipex, will typically feel quite good. Some companies will go to lengths to ensure their pliers handles – and not just their molded grips – are ergonomically designed.
SteveR
Lots of manufacturers used to make pliers w/o dipped handles. We have older Craftsman, Dunlap, H. Boker and Utica around (my Dad’s tools) that didn’t have dipped handles way back when. In looking through Snap-on’s catalogue, all of their branded pliers have dipped or light foam or sized vinyl grips. The exceptions are some Vise Grips and re-branded Grip-on (mfd. in Spain) locking pliers, as well as a handful of Blue Point pliers. I can’t speak to what others may be doing, but your point is well taken.
Oddly, Snap-on doesn’t have bi-material handles on their pliers or cutters, although Blue Point does on some. By contrast, the vast majority of Snap-on’s screwdrivers now have bi-material “Instinct” handles. These look great and are very comfortable in use.
fred
http://www.ottofrei.com/Otto-Frei-5-1-8-Fully-Polished-Naked-Pliers-.html
Other than polished jeweler’s pliers – I’m not aware of anybody offering bare-handle pliers any more. Maybe its an issue of finishing and polishing. A bare handle may need to be smoother than one that is just a bit rough then dipped.
Stuart
I think it’s more about marketability and branding. It might be less expensive to dip handles than cross-hatch them in the same manner as the bare-handled pliers my father has.
jkrl73
I find dipped handles more comfortable for long nose pliers. I mostly use long nose pliers for more precise work, so brute force is less important. So the bigger handles which allow higher torque are not necessary. As I have relatively small hands, it is easier for me to hold the thinner handles comfotably, with the hand natuarally closed and not over extended – which increases precision.
Of the molded handles, I preffer NWS new three component handles (the ones with the silver touches) over both Knipex and old NWS two component – mainly because it is thinner, or at least feel thinnner due to being more rounded. The classic Bahco ergo pliers are also very comfortable to me (new style cutters also have a thicker handle).
By the look of it, all the other molded handles in the picture are even worse – meant for brute force rather than precision.
jkrl73
“there’s only so much that can be done to create better long nose pliers.”
Actually the Bahco’s do have a major improvement – the on/off spring. I find it to be great, mainly on cutters and long nose pliers, as a spring is very helpful in precise work. For brute force Linemens pliers I believe it to be less important (I tend to hold and move with it, not the nold/release cycles of more precise work or when cutting).
Unfortunately, the Bahco long nose I examined are not at the same quality as Knipex and NWS. Their cutters are great, though (I have various sizes, and these are my go-to cutters).
ToolNut
Knipex for sure
Butch
I have Channel-lock, Vise-Grip and Kobalt but my favorites are Snap-On Needle Nose Pliers. I’ve had 2 pairs of them for over 30 years and they still work like new.
Kamran Kureshi
Proto and crescent metullurgy is incredible. The buttons combination pliers remains the most useful general purpose pliers in Pakistan. The gripping hole in a long nose plier should become a standard feature. Also, the long nose looks incomplete without the gripping hole. Why should ,’Elbow greese’ tools be so expensive? The likes of Knipex, Lindstrom, Hozan, Teng tools, C.K need to reconsider their pricing policy for third world countries. What’s stopping them?
Kamran Kureshi
I’ve been trying hard to find a convenient nearby(Regional) source for buying Pro’skit long nose pliers # PM-909. They appear to have all or most features which I, a middle aged hobbiest/conservationist would want in a small handy long nose pliers. I was also surprised and dissapointed to find that amazon was not marketing these. Whaaaye? My second choice would be the not so handy, Teng tool’s 8 “long nose. Incidentally, Taiwanese made tools are quite popular in Pakistan. There quality, durability and price is similar to the, Japanese tools available in this country a long time ago.
Kamran Kureshi
I’ve been hoping since some time now for the, Pro’skit long nose plier No. PM-909 to be noticed by the amazon.com hand tool gurus and subsequently(Soon!) for it to be included in their latest Pro’skit for sale inventory list. Leave the rest, why should US DIYers be deprived of such a handsome tool?