Thanks for the video and please keep them coming. Here is my long 2 cent. I've been a plumber since 1998 and work on anything from 1/4 inch tubing up to 12 inch pipes. I work in a wide variety of places to include residential services, commercial service, and see commercial/industrial/government small projects. I like the new channellocks. They didn't go away from the original handles, they still have them. The new handles, the new jaws, the push button Don't take anything away from the oldies but goodies. I like all of them. I don't think they made these to compete with Knipex(love those too). The button is the only similar feature and everything else is quite a bit different. I don't compare straight jaws to curved. They both have their own place. I just installed a 2 inch double check assembly. I used the 12 inch straight jaw Channellock Speed Grips to hold the hex portion of the brass body while I used 12 inch Knipex (curved jaws) on threading the nipples (round) into the assembly. I wear large gloves, so very average sized hands. The grips do feel chunkier but not too chunky in my opinion. Not when I am working on something like a 2 inch backflow. If I am working on something that doesn't take as much force to assemble, and straight jaws are preferred for the given task, I might reach for a pair of Douglas, Wilde, or OG channellocks. What I use the least is Milwaukees. I save those for when I need to get down and dirt is a ditch and I don't want to put any of my others in the mud.
That’s funny. I’ve seen a lot of plumbers using Milwaukees in the dirtiest muddiest areas lol. I can definitely relate to using different types for different jobs. The Douglas are what I grab for most stuff though. Thanks for watching!
@Alcatraz. I think he is missing the point. The point of the quick adjustment and locking design is to increase leverage therefore greater grip and less fatigue on the hand. When Channellock came out with a cobra copy, it was still the tongue and groove design which did not increase leverage and could not compete with the Knipex design. I, like you, being a plumber, know that Channellocks have always been the professionals choice along with Rigid. These new Channellocks are by far a superior design to the older 440's , and a pair of 440's and a 4 and 1 put alot of food on my table 😁
Channellocks doesn't have to pay me to defend them. Back in the day, the 440's were thee most important hand tool for service and repair. These new Channellocks are unquestionably an improvement. I think alot of content creators on pew tube just like to hear themselves bitch about anything. You know, first world problems
They came out with them to compete with Knipex period, companies do that all the time as to not loose market share. The problem here is they just didn't put any effort in researching why people love the KNPX. They just put a bunch of ideas together without any though on the execution.
It seems like these are just now starting to get some traction, but they’ve been on the market for quite some time. I’ve had both sizes since 2019, and I believe they’re the first version. Just absolute hot garbage. I liked them at first, but… The head is entirely too wide, the ergonomics are terrible, the handles are too squishy and they collect dirt like crazy, the jaw capacity is abysmal, and the fact that they don’t come in a v-jaw is a huge disappointment. The fact that these haven’t been improved upon or discontinued in the four years they’ve been on the market just baffles me.
Thanks for the honest review. I had those Speed Grips in my HD cart for about 2 weeks and never pulled the trigger- kind of glad I didn’t. Channellock is one of those companies that is great at the fundamentals and not great at much else. So long as they stick to it, they’ve got a great products
It seems like they were trying too copy Knipex without actually copying knipex. Maybe Channellock will make a pair of #420 with wide jaws and checkered teeth, I'd definitely buy a pair if they do.
@@realworldtoolreviews it’s diff in your words tho. When other TH-camrs say what’s wrong with a tool not many say “cuz it feels stupid.” 7:53 😆 Also the Knipex are so much better dude. I used to think the same thing, the buttons dumb I don’t like the “curved jaws”. The “curved jaws” are so much better for pipe because you get 3 maybe 4 points of contact instead of 2 w/ channelock, way less slippage. Plus once it gets a bite on something you legit don’t have to squeeze the handle, you can step on em for Christ sake. You get used to the button, I do it one handed all the time now just don’t put too much torque laterally they’ll bend and it’s harder to slide one handed. Sorry for the rant hope to see more vids
Channellock should keep and improve the classics like model 307 and 548 that they retired. Also 410 and 414. It's what they did best. They should try make variations on these, fix the problem with the lacquer, etc. Channellock retired excellent tools to make this series that looks kind of garbish. Maybe I will give the 7" a try, but I'm skeptical about it.
I have some of those and they are great. The best is the angled slip joint ones though. They are my favorite channel locks of all time. I’m a huge fan of Wilde.
And these are the revised ones too. Original ones had a blue button that failed along with the grooves would wear and skip easily. Seems like these have same kind of issues.
It kinda looks to me like the adjustment teeth are like that because maybe it's integral to the forging? It would cut costs a little not having to machine them. In Knipex's case I believe it's a punch that knocks that part out, that's what the dimple up in the head of the pliers is for is for an alignment pin when doing that. This is Keen Scents by the way, decided to change my username to more accurately reflect my obsession lol
By the way, you got to purchase a pair of 10 inch tekton slip pliers made in the USA. Im telling you, they are a nice pair and are very handy. They are $20 right now which is a steal. The nut is rounded on both sides but only on the 10 inch.
@@realworldtoolreviews I'm not sure but probably. Since I got them they've become everyday users. The forward jaws allow me to reach into places I can't with channel locks. I use them a lot under sinks.
Channel lock with a swing and a miss. Every tool manufacturer has a dud. I can’t believe no one makes pliers like your describing. But I can’t find online. I’ve never seen any. Although I see lots of pliers wrenches I didn’t know existed, mostly German Some brands I never think of. Engineer, screw removal pliers, their vice grip style is money. I guess there are quite a few with a 1/2 inch parallel tip then the v But the flat smooth pliers wrench the only full width parallel jaws. Personally I’m a fan of the pliers wrench and the v jaw pliers and the water pump pliers. They all bring a different bite I will check the cornwell truck later this week and Snapon now comes around every couple weeks.
Isn’t it crazy? You would think there would be some channel locks with cross hatched jaws. Channel lock needs to make some 430s with that style jaw. I would use them all the time if they did.
They completely missed the mark. Its like they responded just to respond without any thought on how people use the tool. they could have just updated the OG ones with a nice button system and the cross hatching. I love the Knpx because they grip like nothing else, the handles are nice and slim.
Great video, but this design just don't work for me. The handle is not very ergonomic they are touching each other, no pinch guard. Knipex cobra is the best from my experience, I have all the sizes. They work great on pipes and nuts, the grip is excellent. The plier wrenches are also great.
The price is difference is if you are willing to support a American worker or china person. It funny people complain on the price of stuff. They chose the cheap product only to complain about the quality.
Maybe it is just the pair you have but I have all 3 pairs of those pliers and they work great for me and to me mind you to me mind you I think that they are great pliers and l love made in the USA man. I respect that everyone is entitled to their own opinion I love channellocks period and these fit the bill perfectly (at least my pairs of pliers). Just saying and with all due respect.
Yea I know what you mean. They still make the good ole tried and true channel locks though and they are still bulletproof. The finish isn’t what they used to be, but the quality is still great.
Just found your channel today from searching channel lock pliers.lol. So far this is the fourth video this evening. My take away from this is that in spite of the occasional new tech improvement here or there...... Antique and Vintage is the way to go! 🧰🙂👍 But godliness with contentment is great gain.
you are also right about the handles of the pliers, but also about the shape of the teeth on the jaws. But do you know what that means? For the factory to change the molds with which they forge the pliers, this takes time, and it costs a lot to change or design a new mold. But if they did this at the request of the customers, in the future they would have much more sales, and the customers would be satisfied. It is not enough for only one customer to ask the factory for this, there must be more. Look, for example, Knipex listens to the complaints of customers, no matter what country they are from, then they will release a new, more efficient tool that meets the demand. I live in Germany and I like the design of European hand tools, especially the VDE one. I also like American tools, because they are durable and professional. I saw some reviews from you Americans, perfect, get together some of you who make videos here and write complaints to the respective tool factory. For example, Knipex has several models of pliers that it sells only on the American market, and if I want order to order the respective pliers, I have to order only from America, because only there I can find it, not Europe. Recently, Knipex introduced these pliers in Europe as well, because we want them too. So it is possible. On amazon america we buy them at double the price, logically, now I can buy them at their fair price, without VAT or the price of delivery and customs clearance.I hope you understood what I wanted to say. I wish you much success.
Thanks for the video and please keep them coming. Here is my long 2 cent. I've been a plumber since 1998 and work on anything from 1/4 inch tubing up to 12 inch pipes. I work in a wide variety of places to include residential services, commercial service, and see commercial/industrial/government small projects. I like the new channellocks. They didn't go away from the original handles, they still have them. The new handles, the new jaws, the push button Don't take anything away from the oldies but goodies. I like all of them. I don't think they made these to compete with Knipex(love those too). The button is the only similar feature and everything else is quite a bit different. I don't compare straight jaws to curved. They both have their own place. I just installed a 2 inch double check assembly. I used the 12 inch straight jaw Channellock Speed Grips to hold the hex portion of the brass body while I used 12 inch Knipex (curved jaws) on threading the nipples (round) into the assembly. I wear large gloves, so very average sized hands. The grips do feel chunkier but not too chunky in my opinion. Not when I am working on something like a 2 inch backflow. If I am working on something that doesn't take as much force to assemble, and straight jaws are preferred for the given task, I might reach for a pair of Douglas, Wilde, or OG channellocks. What I use the least is Milwaukees. I save those for when I need to get down and dirt is a ditch and I don't want to put any of my others in the mud.
That’s funny. I’ve seen a lot of plumbers using Milwaukees in the dirtiest muddiest areas lol. I can definitely relate to using different types for different jobs. The Douglas are what I grab for most stuff though. Thanks for watching!
@Alcatraz. I think he is missing the point. The point of the quick adjustment and locking design is to increase leverage therefore greater grip and less fatigue on the hand.
When Channellock came out with a cobra copy, it was still the tongue and groove design which did not increase leverage and could not compete with the Knipex design. I, like you, being a plumber, know that Channellocks have always been the professionals choice along with Rigid.
These new Channellocks are by far a superior design to the older 440's , and a pair of 440's and a 4 and 1 put alot of food on my table 😁
Channellocks doesn't have to pay me to defend them. Back in the day, the 440's were thee most important hand tool for service and repair.
These new Channellocks are unquestionably an improvement. I think alot of content creators on pew tube just like to hear themselves bitch about anything. You know, first world problems
They came out with them to compete with Knipex period, companies do that all the time as to not loose market share. The problem here is they just didn't put any effort in researching why people love the KNPX. They just put a bunch of ideas together without any though on the execution.
@@andrestnt NO PERIOD!! I give you question mark?
That was entertaining. Looking forward the next WTF
Hate to see it from a brand like channellocks. Thanks for the review
It makes me sad because I love the company. I think they will get it right eventually though.
It seems like these are just now starting to get some traction, but they’ve been on the market for quite some time. I’ve had both sizes since 2019, and I believe they’re the first version. Just absolute hot garbage. I liked them at first, but… The head is entirely too wide, the ergonomics are terrible, the handles are too squishy and they collect dirt like crazy, the jaw capacity is abysmal, and the fact that they don’t come in a v-jaw is a huge disappointment. The fact that these haven’t been improved upon or discontinued in the four years they’ve been on the market just baffles me.
Yea they really are bad lol. They just feel terrible in your hand.
Great review. I was on the fence with these pliers.
I’m personally glad I stuck to the dipped handle OG pliers. Can’t go wrong with those.
They are the best!
I love these speed grips. I grab my channellocks way more than I grab my knipex.
Thanks for the honest review. I had those Speed Grips in my HD cart for about 2 weeks and never pulled the trigger- kind of glad I didn’t. Channellock is one of those companies that is great at the fundamentals and not great at much else. So long as they stick to it, they’ve got a great products
Yea, I commend them for trying something new, but I think they are better off sticking to what they know.
It seems like they were trying too copy Knipex without actually copying knipex.
Maybe Channellock will make a pair of #420 with wide jaws and checkered teeth, I'd definitely buy a pair if they do.
I would definitely buy those too. That’s what I wish they would make.
Thank You for the review! Hopefully you can review the knipex Cobra thin jaws! 😎 I Hope channelocks make a come back with something else lol
Maybe I will review the cobras. Although lots of ppl have done that on TH-cam already. Thanks for watching!
@@realworldtoolreviews Awesome! Thank you!
@@realworldtoolreviews it’s diff in your words tho. When other TH-camrs say what’s wrong with a tool not many say “cuz it feels stupid.” 7:53 😆
Also the Knipex are so much better dude. I used to think the same thing, the buttons dumb I don’t like the “curved jaws”. The “curved jaws” are so much better for pipe because you get 3 maybe 4 points of contact instead of 2 w/ channelock, way less slippage.
Plus once it gets a bite on something you legit don’t have to squeeze the handle, you can step on em for Christ sake.
You get used to the button, I do it one handed all the time now just don’t put too much torque laterally they’ll bend and it’s harder to slide one handed. Sorry for the rant hope to see more vids
@@funmachine3 I definitely have gotten used to the button and the cobras do grip better than anything. Thanks for watching bud!
Channellock should keep and improve the classics like model 307 and 548 that they retired. Also 410 and 414. It's what they did best. They should try make variations on these, fix the problem with the lacquer, etc.
Channellock retired excellent tools to make this series that looks kind of garbish. Maybe I will give the 7" a try, but I'm skeptical about it.
looking forward to the series
I’m glad. Stay tuned!
I've been very happy with my Wilde Tongue and groove pliers. I really like the flush fastener feature.
I have some of those and they are great. The best is the angled slip joint ones though. They are my favorite channel locks of all time. I’m a huge fan of Wilde.
And these are the revised ones too. Original ones had a blue button that failed along with the grooves would wear and skip easily. Seems like these have same kind of issues.
The button adjustment is garbage on these so if it was worse before they must have been absolutely terrible.
It kinda looks to me like the adjustment teeth are like that because maybe it's integral to the forging? It would cut costs a little not having to machine them. In Knipex's case I believe it's a punch that knocks that part out, that's what the dimple up in the head of the pliers is for is for an alignment pin when doing that.
This is Keen Scents by the way, decided to change my username to more accurately reflect my obsession lol
Lol That’s a great name! I’ll have to remember that this is you now!
By the way, you got to purchase a pair of 10 inch tekton slip pliers made in the USA. Im telling you, they are a nice pair and are very handy. They are $20 right now which is a steal. The nut is rounded on both sides but only on the 10 inch.
Those are the Wilde rebrands right?
@@realworldtoolreviews I'm not sure but probably. Since I got them they've become everyday users. The forward jaws allow me to reach into places I can't with channel locks. I use them a lot under sinks.
@@qzetu yea I good pair of slip joints is a must have. I bet those ones are nice.
Channel lock with a swing and a miss. Every tool manufacturer has a dud.
I can’t believe no one makes pliers like your describing. But I can’t find online. I’ve never seen any.
Although I see lots of pliers wrenches I didn’t know existed, mostly German
Some brands I never think of. Engineer, screw removal pliers, their vice grip style is money.
I guess there are quite a few with a 1/2 inch parallel tip then the v But the flat smooth pliers wrench the only full width parallel jaws.
Personally I’m a fan of the pliers wrench and the v jaw pliers and the water pump pliers. They all bring a different bite
I will check the cornwell truck later this week and Snapon now comes around every couple weeks.
Isn’t it crazy? You would think there would be some channel locks with cross hatched jaws. Channel lock needs to make some 430s with that style jaw. I would use them all the time if they did.
They completely missed the mark. Its like they responded just to respond without any thought on how people use the tool. they could have just updated the OG ones with a nice button system and the cross hatching. I love the Knpx because they grip like nothing else, the handles are nice and slim.
Great video, but this design just don't work for me. The handle is not very ergonomic they are touching each other, no pinch guard. Knipex cobra is the best from my experience, I have all the sizes. They work great on pipes and nuts, the grip is excellent. The plier wrenches are also great.
The adjustment feature on those Speed Grips looks like they copied Irwin’s GrooveLock system.
A "Flop" For Channellock!!!!
Major flop!
You saved me some cash
Lol good. Get the originals.
Quite a shame, really. Maybe they'll receive enough complaints to make a gen 2.
The price is difference is if you are willing to support a American worker or china person. It funny people complain on the price of stuff. They chose the cheap product only to complain about the quality.
I agree. I’m a USA guy all the way
This one was more Weekly Tool Fail.
Yep 😂
Maybe it is just the pair you have but I have all 3 pairs of those pliers and they work great for me and to me mind you to me mind you I think that they are great pliers and l love made in the USA man. I respect that everyone is entitled to their own opinion I love channellocks period and these fit the bill perfectly (at least my pairs of pliers). Just saying and with all due respect.
The crap they're making these days aren't really for contractors, like how Timberland doesn't make good boots for contractors anymore
Yea I know what you mean. They still make the good ole tried and true channel locks though and they are still bulletproof. The finish isn’t what they used to be, but the quality is still great.
@@realworldtoolreviews going on over 20 years with the same pair. Still makes me money
Just found your channel today from searching channel lock pliers.lol. So far this is the fourth video this evening. My take away from this is that in spite of the occasional new tech improvement here or there...... Antique and Vintage is the way to go! 🧰🙂👍
But godliness with contentment is great gain.
you are also right about the handles of the pliers, but also about the shape of the teeth on the jaws. But do you know what that means? For the factory to change the molds with which they forge the pliers, this takes time, and it costs a lot to change or design a new mold. But if they did this at the request of the customers, in the future they would have much more sales, and the customers would be satisfied. It is not enough for only one customer to ask the factory for this, there must be more. Look, for example, Knipex listens to the complaints of customers, no matter what country they are from, then they will release a new, more efficient tool that meets the demand. I live in Germany and I like the design of European hand tools, especially the VDE one. I also like American tools, because they are durable and professional. I saw some reviews from you Americans, perfect, get together some of you who make videos here and write complaints to the respective tool factory. For example, Knipex has several models of pliers that it sells only on the American market, and if I want order to order the respective pliers, I have to order only from America, because only there I can find it, not Europe. Recently, Knipex introduced these pliers in Europe as well, because we want them too. So it is possible. On amazon america we buy them at double the price, logically, now I can buy them at their fair price, without VAT or the price of delivery and customs clearance.I hope you understood what I wanted to say. I wish you much success.