how many pairs of channellocks does a man really need?

[Jamesyarbrough]

being an hvac/plumbing tech I use channellocks daily. and I always snatch them up when I see them at yard sales or just good deals at stores.  the other day im changing a water heater and my helper has 5 pairs of channellocks strung about the customers garage from my tool bag. the homeowner mentioned that he liked them and could tell I must really like them too. then the helper mentioned something about it. I never really realized how many I had because they are in several places. I have some in my plumbing bag, my hvac bag, the tool box in my work truck, the tool box in my personal truck and several in my home tool box. I counted them and came to 20.  10 sets are at work and yet I still feel the need to buy them when I see a 3 piece set on sale at lowes or homedepot.
oh 21. I forgot about the wifes car tool kit.


it's hard not to support one of the last american tool companies that sells decent quality, affordable, usa made tools. 

[ken w.]

I have 2-3 pairs of every size Channellock made except the largest Big Azz. Only one of those.  I do have 1 overflowing bucket and a half one filled with USA made Vise Grips in every size and style made. Just can't stop buying them.

[Jamesyarbrough]

I could use a bucket like that! I have 3 pairs of usa vise grips. I hold them close

[Jamesyarbrough]

I bought 2 pairs of the newer GL channellocks. 10 and 12 I believe. I've been using them at work lately. they are pretty handy but I still find myself reaching for the 430s.  next I think I'm gonna get so.e of those v jaw. they have a 3 peace on amazon for $40  free shipping

[muddy]

I don't use them a whole lot so I basically have 2 sets

Sent from the twisted mind of the Mudman

[bonneyman]

The main reason I liked the older Channellocks was they had blue handles. made it fast and easy to identify them in a bucket of tools. Always tried picking tools with different colored handles just to save from having to dig through things to find a tool.

[Jamesyarbrough]

they still have the light blue handles.

[slip knot]

Back in my petrochem days we carried two pair of channelocks and a small valve wrench. You could damn near dismantle the whole unit with those three tools.

[DeadNutz]

I have plenty of the different Channellock sizes and styles that I use. My favorites are the 2 pair of Big Azzes I have and use often for holding pipe and they work great for pulling weeds out of the landscaping rocks.

[jeffmoss26]

All of them.
Next question?

[ken w.]

Deadnutz - who big do you grow weeds down by you that you need a Big Azz to pull them ?? 

[bonneyman]

Deadnutz - who big do you grow weeds down by you that you need a Big Azz to pull them ?? 

Maybe it's "Day of the Triffids". 

[john k]

Got a full set. Including the 15 inch.  Probably 3 12 inchers total, counting some old ones made before the plastic grips.   I started with Diamalloy pliers, but most had walked away over the past 35 years.  Since they were absorbed by Channelock in the early 90s, decided the time to acquire another set of the green handles was  now.  Got 5 different sizes,  just today paid $3 for a pristine 12 inch.   Am thinking blue and green look ok in the plier drawer.

[DeadNutz]

Deadnutz - who big do you grow weeds down by you that you need a Big Azz to pull them ?? 

We have some bushes in the landscaping around the house that attract a ton of bees when in bloom. They then drop a ton of seeds which the quail love. By the time the sprouting seed gets above the rocks enough to grab, it already has a long tap root. In this high desert environment of the sagebrush ocean plants tend to send down long tap roots to ensure water.

[hickory n Steel]

I've currently got about 15 pairs of Channellock pliers/ dykes...ect and that's not even close to being enough.

[TexasT]

All of them.
Next question?

X2!

[walrus]

None, I'd take Knipex any day of the week 

[slip knot]

None, I'd take Knipex any day of the week 

X2, but the knipex ain't on the same price point as the channeys. I got a couple knipex in my daily box but all the tractor boxes have channel locks.

[hickory n Steel]

I just bought a pair of e-336 a week or so ago,  and have 2 more pars of blue handled pliers on the way.
I hear nothing but good about Knipex and have no reason to argue otherwise,  but channellock has been good to me and the price is right.

If I couldn't get Channellock anymore I'd go with Wilde, they have served me just as well are priced comparably plus seem to be finished a bit more nicely.
Not an important factor for me but appreciated when I do buy a Wilde tool.

[hickory n Steel]

Just one more.

[jeffmoss26]

how? where? I NEED IT!

[hickory n Steel]

how? where? I NEED IT!

I found it on Ebay, I'll hop on Google and see If they're currently available anywhere or something because it doesn't look very old.

[hickory n Steel]

I went on Google with no luck.

I did however turn up an Ebay listing for this one and had to have it.


Thanks for prompting the search that turned it up 

[jeffmoss26]

I have that one, plus a couple all silver ones.

[hickory n Steel]

I have that one, plus a couple all silver ones.

Any idea how old it is ?
I'm assuming not very.

[jeffmoss26]

1990s i would guess

[hickory n Steel]

That was my suspicion.

[jeffmoss26]

got this from ebay

[hickory n Steel]

got this from ebay

Now that one's cool.
Do you own any of these rescue tools ?
I've been tempted just to have them, but I just don't need them.

[jeffmoss26]

no but I have several firefighter buddies!

[hickory n Steel]

no but I have several firefighter buddies!

I wonder what they'd say if you showed it to 'em ?

[jeffmoss26]

got these the other day

[jeffmoss26]

got these last week

[hickory n Steel]

got these last week

Interesting.
I didn't know they made a smal pair of the GL's.
I have a large pair that I've never been a fan of but maybe they would be better in this size.

[hickory n Steel]

I just got these in a $5 handful at a yardsale.
Pre '86 nut construction,  the F&F is the same as my current #526 but they are thicker.
The condition is also about the same or a little better than my 5 year old pair too so that's good.

[DeadNutz]

You usually don't find the plastic on the handles in good shape on a pair that old. Nice find.

[hickory n Steel]

You usually don't find the plastic on the handles in good shape on a pair that old. Nice find.

I know,  and they were in a bucket of other stuff too which makes it even more surprising.

[jeffmoss26]

wow, very nice

[hickory n Steel]

wow, very nice

It would have been cooler if they were a model I've never tried before, but I wouldn't have bought them if I didn't have a use for 'em.

[hickory n Steel]

Just got this decal in.

As far as the tools themselves goes, I currently have 28 pairs of their pliers & cutters , a full array of their screwdrivers, and a Camillus electricians knife with a Channellock blade etch.

[hickory n Steel]

[Uncle Buck]

I really like those little Channies!

[hickory n Steel]

I really like those little Channies!

They've been pretty handy so far.
There's no teeth or texture of any kind inside the jaws, but that hasn't been a problem.

I'd like it if there were teeth, but really my only complaint is the spring but those are easy to just take out and toss.
I just don't like spring loaded pliers,  especially in precision situations.
Having to fight spring pressure just makes it more difficult to finagle whatever small thing I'm fiddling with.

[GreyOwl]

I've got one of those nifty knives in your pic. Never saw another anywhere else!

[hickory n Steel]

I've got one of those nifty knives in your pic. Never saw another anywhere else!

If it's an original and not a copy, that would be a Christy knife.
Made by the Christy knife company and invented in the 30's.
This one is a current production companion model ( only difference in models being the finish) made on the original equipment by the grandson of the inventor.
https://www.christycompany.net/

[Uncle Buck]

I really like those little Channies!

They've been pretty handy so far.
There's no teeth or texture of any kind inside the jaws, but that hasn't been a problem.

I'd like it if there were teeth, but really my only complaint is the spring but those are easy to just take out and toss.
I just don't like spring loaded pliers,  especially in precision situations.
Having to fight spring pressure just makes it more difficult to finagle whatever small thing I'm fiddling with.

OMG, you seriously dump the spring! 

[hickory n Steel]

Yep,I hate spring loaded pliers unless they lock onto things.
I really like those little Channies!

They've been pretty handy so far.
There's no teeth or texture of any kind inside the jaws, but that hasn't been a problem.

I'd like it if there were teeth, but really my only complaint is the spring but those are easy to just take out and toss.
I just don't like spring loaded pliers,  especially in precision situations.
Having to fight spring pressure just makes it more difficult to finagle whatever small thing I'm fiddling with.

OMG, you seriously dump the spring! 

[hickory n Steel]

How many pairs do I need ? Another pair 

[hickory n Steel]

These should prove to be a very nice useful little pair of pliers.