Ron350, thank you. I found this pair on eBay, I dont think Irwin sells them any more. A while back they were clearanced out of Lowe's and could be had very cheap. I usually don't buy Irwin tools but there were 8 or so models they sold that were made by NWS. This is my 3rd pair, and i also have one branded NWS. They are fantastic pliers.
Hickory, i am right there with you man. I don't like trendy, futuristic tool designs. These (like Knipex) are the comfort grip models with the crazy designs on them. I know Knipex has just the plain red plastic grips, NWS i believe does something similar.
I bought a pair of the pistol grip style needlenose Irwin/NWS on clearance at Lowe's for something silly like $8 or so and that is how I got hooked. The Irwins only had the comfort grips, I got them because they were cheap. They aren't bad at all in use, and have some advantages.
NWS pliers are fantastic though, regardless of appearance. I love mine. I just dont have a lot of them.
Muddy, love that matco!!!