I wonder if they just decided to find ways to lower production costs a little bit so they could afford to keep the plant open ? Personally I think the eagle grips are too nice, finished far nicer than they need to be. They're amazingly well made, but it seems the majority of people want locking pliers they can abuse. I'm betting the steel and functional quality are the same, but they're probably just experimenting with ways to maybe keep the plant open. They really gave a lot of people in DeWitt Nebraska some shining hope with the opening of that factory and I be so happy if they have found a way to keep the plant going. Just think if lowering the over the top quality to a more realistic financially viable level allows them to keep the plant going and potentially ( I know I'm dreaming) buy the Western forge Adjustable wrench tooling from ideal so we can also have adjustable wrenches made in the USA again. Now that would really be something.
Great comment. While I doubt Malco will keep the Dewitt plant I really hope that someone can find a middle ground to keep producing these pliers, glossy finish or otherwise
Note the narrow jaw version does NOT have separate (heat treated?) jaws welded on like the regular version. Would need to do a Rockwell test on the teeth to compare. A quick and dirty test would be to run a triangular file in the groove of the teeth of both types and compare ?
I ordered a set of those. Looked like poo and had rust on them right out of the bag. I was thinking Amazon knock offs. Sent them back and ordered a normal pair.
@jackof1 I can't imagine how much of the stuff just sits there though. I mean I have tools now that sit there and I have about probably a 60th of the tools he has
@@MainelyEverything Definitely. It’s too bad he’s not a trades guy who could incorporate more real-world usage into the reviews. Almost all of his stuff just sits, but at least he admits it. We all have a hobby 🤷🏼♂️
Thanks for the tip! Awesome news…surprised I didn’t see this last week. I may make a video with this news and I’ll be sure to send some traffic your way!
@@jackof1 Thanks? I saw a video someone else had made a year ago about Eagle Grips and he had one with the Snap-on engraving already so wonder if Malco had started to make the pliers for Snap-on, but the project fell thru. Then later when Malco decided to shut down, Snap-on bought the tooling and patents and has now begun to make them in Tennessee. 🤔🤔🤔
They are the freakin best Vice grips ever. Yup Doc they are not finished as well as the Malco’s I have. 😁 I have the 7 & 10 inch.
I wonder if they just decided to find ways to lower production costs a little bit so they could afford to keep the plant open ?
Personally I think the eagle grips are too nice, finished far nicer than they need to be.
They're amazingly well made, but it seems the majority of people want locking pliers they can abuse.
I'm betting the steel and functional quality are the same, but they're probably just experimenting with ways to maybe keep the plant open.
They really gave a lot of people in DeWitt Nebraska some shining hope with the opening of that factory and I be so happy if they have found a way to keep the plant going.
Just think if lowering the over the top quality to a more realistic financially viable level allows them to keep the plant going and potentially ( I know I'm dreaming) buy the Western forge Adjustable wrench tooling from ideal so we can also have adjustable wrenches made in the USA again.
Now that would really be something.
Great comment. While I doubt Malco will keep the Dewitt plant I really hope that someone can find a middle ground to keep producing these pliers, glossy finish or otherwise
I've never come across those thin versions. Interesting. tHanks for the video!
I didn’t start seeing them until well after the plant closing. Thanks for watching!
Malco basic ones are shiny still, it's really only with slim jaws that have a more flare satin look
Note the narrow jaw version does NOT have separate (heat treated?) jaws welded on like the regular version. Would need to do a Rockwell test on the teeth to compare. A quick and dirty test would be to run a triangular file in the groove of the teeth of both types and compare ?
I do have a Rockwell test kit- I’ll give that a try some time
I ordered a set of those. Looked like poo and had rust on them right out of the bag. I was thinking Amazon knock offs. Sent them back and ordered a normal pair.
The slim jaws arent new. I believe the supply now is the last of a large production run before supplies completely dry up.
Only vintage vise grip
Doc makes me angry because he makes me buy things.
I just have to sigh and accept defeat when he busts out 37 different variants of 1 tool
@jackof1 I can't imagine how much of the stuff just sits there though. I mean I have tools now that sit there and I have about probably a 60th of the tools he has
@@MainelyEverything Definitely. It’s too bad he’s not a trades guy who could incorporate more real-world usage into the reviews. Almost all of his stuff just sits, but at least he admits it. We all have a hobby 🤷🏼♂️
Check out my recent video about the Eagle Grip reborn! 👍😀👍
Thanks for the tip! Awesome news…surprised I didn’t see this last week. I may make a video with this news and I’ll be sure to send some traffic your way!
@@jackof1 Thanks? I saw a video someone else had made a year ago about Eagle Grips and he had one with the Snap-on engraving already so wonder if Malco had started to make the pliers for Snap-on, but the project fell thru. Then later when Malco decided to shut down, Snap-on bought the tooling and patents and has now begun to make them in Tennessee. 🤔🤔🤔
I accidentally bought two slim jaw versions lol
They’re a good tool- you’ll get good use out of em
so sad