Are More Expensive Tools Worth It? - IRWIN Vise-Grip Pliers Tool Set

[@Airbender24B]

My Irwin Vise Grips are my favorite hand tools. Love at first sight.

[@BeforeYouBuyReview]

They are fantastic

[@DonBMW]

I have that adjustable wrench and I put a pipe on it when removing the rear bearing on an old BMW. The Irwin wrench never skipped a beat. One of my top tools.

[@BeforeYouBuyReview]

Wow! That’s some serious leverage! 👍

[@thecapone45]

Wow. It didn’t move? I hate using them cause they always wiggle

[@DonBMW]

@@thecapone45 Not at all! I got them as a gift from my bro: best gift ever. Also purchased the adjustable pliers and those are also a beast of a tool. Keep it in my framing belt.

[@cream1006]

Don't forget goin cheap also costs "time" which is the most valuable element to any job....irwin is the way to go...good job buddy

[@rahulmaron]

I learned it the hard way. I was spending much that I could bought a more expensive one with the money wasted. After I bought the expensive product, it lasted like forever for the job and haven't replace it till now.

[@mattandkatchristie2552]

Same goes for vise grips. go Irwin!!!! They are the best by far for many reasons

[@corygriffiths4394]

They are back to being the best now that Malco is moving to China

[@MrTRAce-by1sv]

Good value for homeowners/handyman/tinkerers.

[@corycg9624]

I have a bunch of different brand tools I don’t have just one brand I’ve got a lot of locking pliers and channel locks they always come in handy.

[@BeforeYouBuyReview]

That works! 👍

[@billyjones589]

Someone stole my Irwin wire stripper which I dearly loved😭. Went back to Lowes last year and they didn't have one in stock so I settled for another brand. The grip wasn't as good as the Irwin but it strip just as well. If you do you're own plumbing then the big one does come in handy. I dont buy anything in sets and only buy good quality tools when the job demands it.

[@mohammadmursalin6817]

Now that I am in my 30’s I totally understand how I should have spent the money buying some quality tools in my 20’s . But life was harder back then and I (like most people) decided that I wanted quantity instead of quality because budget was pretty tight. I used those cheap old tools for years and years and sometimes I felt the bad quality to my bones, it took the fun and satisfaction out of building, repairing or making something. Now that I can afford really nice things (ladies, look away, I am not spending another dime on you :) I decided to give my old tools away to people who need them far more than me and finally invest in good quality merchandise. I bought the made in China Irwins and I was surprised, did not expect them to be of such good quality. So I gave them as presents to a young nephew and decided to buy Knipex and even experiment with some snap on and craftsmen tools as well as some other pricey brands. The lesson I learned is that good quality tools give you a great peace of mind and satisfaction when you are doing tough jobs especially on bad days on projects that you really need to finish but don’t necessarily want to do. If you are young and can afford to spend that extra money, do go for quality (which is getting harder and harder to find these days). Nice review by the way. My nephew just got an apprenticeship for a plumbing company and he sent me this video, he says that some of the younger apprentices often ask to borrow some of his Irwins for some jobs. Looks like made in China is just getting better the same way Made in japan became better back in the 80’s and 90’s.

[@BeforeYouBuyReview]

Well said! I love it. I’m in the same boat. Since I’ve made this I’ve moved on to a few Knipex myself on my most common tools. Or some Klein ones too. I love how you explained it though. I feel the same way. I’m still buying a lot of Ryobi but love the Milwaukee stuff … some day.

[@YungSteambuns]

Good point, my father told me back in the day made in Japan was frowned upon just like made in China now

[@ahmedyasir8288]

You really wanna get Knipex pliers wrenches. They do a much better job than groove locks or adjustable wrenchss.

[@HH-CA]

I agree, always buy QUALITY tools regardless the price.................remember going cheap is expensive.

[@BeforeYouBuyReview]

So true. Sometimes it’s still hard to decide on how good or what quality. I rarely buy the top of line for home use stuff, but then wonder if I should have

[@viperrr6886]

​@@BeforeYouBuyReviewyea buying for life is the best investment

[@sethwalton99]

Sort of sounds like the two pair of boots story. For those who aren’t familiar, it basically says a poor man will eventually pay more in cheap boots than a rich man would for an expensive pair because the poor man had to keep buying boots while the rich man only paid once.

[@BeforeYouBuyReview]

Truth. And put up with crappy feeling boots

[@dapooramericanhomesteadfar7192]

I wouldn't say that is completely true. It's also experience. That's why most of is watching these videos. We are homeowners that needs to have something around to fix the house but we don't have the experience like a professional. I have been watching hours on tools with suggested brand name but what I seen is everything is from China. You couldn't call us cheap. These companies are starting to lose their quality.

[@052RC]

@@BeforeYouBuyReview I say we tell the Harbor Freight fanatics that Prada makes special shoes for auto techs that cost $2000 a pair. The SnapOn of shoes. A week later we'll see Icon Prada clones in the stores.

[@davehaggerty3405]

I bought each of my three adult sons a pair of knipex 10" cobras because every man needs these. The only Irwin tool that's any good are their tap & dies. Irwin is just another brand of Apex Tool Group. They have good tools, but Irwin is a budget brand name.

[@BeforeYouBuyReview]

What a great gift! One and done!

[@TN_HondaDad]

Unfortunately the company that owned Irwin sold out around 2008 and sent all manufacturing to China. So anything newish from them is Chinese/Taiwan made. You can tell by looking for the rollpin (lower part on handle) if its a rivet or smooth. Smooth means pre 2008 and USA made.

[@BeforeYouBuyReview]

Great insight

[@calebwalser3710]

If the tool has many moving parts, don’t cheap out, if it’s simple, manual, like a crescent wrench then you can cheap out. But of course factor how much use a tool will get used. I use a socket wrench 80% off the time I pick up a tool. So I bought one of the most expensive. Just personal preference.

[@BeforeYouBuyReview]

Great insight. I totally agree

[@corycg9624]

I forgot to mention awhile back that Malco makes USA made vise grips their pretty expensive their at least $40.00 but if you want a pair that will last a lifetime those are the ones to get it’s a shame that Irwin tools are no longer made in the USA because the old Irwin tools were great but the Chinese Irwin version is still really good compared to a lot of other brands.

[@BeforeYouBuyReview]

Great insight. Thanks for sharing

[@RGun90]

Ironically not an actual vise-grip in the lot lol. Best way to go IMO is the "buy once, cry once" mentality and go with either Knipex or Vampliers from the start and never look back. Both are fantastic brands and will blow you away with what you can do with them

[@BeforeYouBuyReview]

Ha! True. Also, good insight. Cry once is right!

[@scod3908]

I started with those Irwin pliers (sans the one on the RHS), I wouldn't recommend them for anything more than hobby DIY. The needle nose tip broke. The teeth on the tongue and groove pliers are all flattened. The elastic on the tool roll lasted only 2yrs. The tool steel corrodes. The handles are not very resistant to oils and go gummy/discoloured They have all been replaced with quality German made pliers from Knipex and NWS. Buy once, cry once. On the plus side, I lend them out and don't care if they come back damaged or not at all.

[@ferroavapor1043]

Hey friend, i saw a set of the 3 pliers from the left universal,cutter and long tips. I want to know where are they made this set? Germany? China? Thank you in advance

[@jasongates23]

There ok had that set before the cover for the handle slip off over time.

[@BeforeYouBuyReview]

That’s one thing I’ve wondered about with the coated handles. Mine are all going strong at this point

[@panchopantera8287]

Cuting a 3/16 cobalt drill bit irwin and 2 or 3 other bands past the test all expensive eather broke or cut sides got damage most expensive snap on broke.

[@BeforeYouBuyReview]

Nice! Thanks for sharing. Is that from Project Farm?

[@brianreinhardt4050]

As a commercial maintenance professional, I have the 3 adjustable pliers. They work great, are very strong and durable. I have both Channel Lock and Knipex adjustable pliers and I find myself reaching for the Irwins 99% of the time. HINT: Do not purchase any Irwin items from Amazon...they are way overpriced there. Get them at Lowe's.

[@BeforeYouBuyReview]

What do you think brings you back to Irwin’s? Also great tip

[@brianreinhardt4050]

@@BeforeYouBuyReview Trust I guess. I like the feel of the button to adjust the width and it always locks securely in place. I just recently purchased the DeWalt DWHT70486 Push-Lock Plier set because they look just like the Irwins, and I have thousands of dollars in DeWalt power tools and thought what the heck...I'll try these. They didn't survive the first job. The steel was laminated together and felt flimsy and I could close the 8" pliers on my finger and the locking mechanism would slip. I have to admit though I just paid $25.00 for a new pair of 6" Irwins...on Amazon but I could not find them anywhere but there.

[@3Cliffhanger]

Are the Irwin groovelock grip good for nut and bolt?

[@BeforeYouBuyReview]

They do lock on nice if you don’t have/fit socket. I love being able to just slide it up tight in hard to reach situations.

[@3Cliffhanger]

@@BeforeYouBuyReview can they lock on 8mm and medium sized nuts and bolts? If did they should I get the 8-10 inch .12 inch is too much Im looking for 2 groovelocks.

[@BeforeYouBuyReview]

I’d get the smaller size for that for sure

[@johnimperial9777]

Do you have better option than these?

[@BeforeYouBuyReview]

Better options in what way? Stronger? Cheaper?

[@johnimperial9777]

@@BeforeYouBuyReview stronger and better quality

[@jackwashington1484]

Great product quality.. BUT miss branded.. I really don't like the name vise grip on every tools that i have.. Love and hate relationship.. what were the erwin thinking when they name all thier products as vise grip.. I believe this is a huge down side for the product.. THE NAME ITSELF.. but the product can proudly compete with those of german and japan made tools..

[@BeforeYouBuyReview]

So true. Kind of interesting. “Can you grab me the Vise-Grip Linesman pliers“. They became the Kleenex so it can be confusing

[@jackwashington1484]

Yeahh.. Thier pliers issues was an easy fix. I removed the vise grip logo on the rubber handle using a knife but on the adjustable wrench with vise grip forged logo on it.. was a mess I end up grinding the vise grip word on the handle. .. Haaayzzt.. I love the Quality but I hate the name. . If I was Erwin.. or they might read my word in here , I would listen and consider renaming my product for a better .. It's not wise to name a long nose pliers a vise grip.. Come on.. that's obviously wrong in the very first place.. ERWIN alone would do. . Just erwin.. I think its perfect. .

[@addz17]

In the professional arena these are considered cheap chinese made tools. 8 tools for $80 is dirt cheap btw, not expensive by any stretch of the imagination. They are however fine for round the house though if you don't plan on using them much, just don't expect them to last 10 years in work/workshop environment.

[@BeforeYouBuyReview]

Good point. It’s all relative I suppose. I was comparing to the bulk set you get for $10

[@mparamo68]

I will never buy Irwin's again. Mine rusted and teeth damaged easily. If you're below a diy'er, these are fine. Good for light use. Knipex, Channel lock and Engineer (Vampliers) is the way to go.

[@BeforeYouBuyReview]

Yeah, they’re a decent set, but doesn’t compare to Knipex, nor should it for the price. Most of mine are still decent, but the ones I use most I’ve since upgraded to Knipex

[@BLASTIC0]

I bought a vice grip knipex knockoff, the 8” Groove Lock.. this thing is useless. The jaws have no bite. Cant speak for the rest of their stuff, but i wanted to throw this thing at the wall.

[@BLASTIC0]

Maybe I got a bad pair, who knows.

[@BeforeYouBuyReview]

I thought they were good for my needs. I’ve used Knipex and they are obviously insanely good and smooth, just also expensive. Depends on needs. Thank you for sharing!

[@nerf_herder90]

Are you in Cedar Falls?!

[@BeforeYouBuyReview]

Yes. Are you? 😅😂

[@tooltime4640]

Made in USA?

[@BeforeYouBuyReview]

From the research I’ve done it shows production was moved back to US a few years ago!

[@GearheadOutlaw]

China! Get Knipex and forget about it

[@JohnSmith-yl6dn]

In 2018 Malco Products purchased the old DeWitt, Nebraska Vise - Grip plant and hired back some of the former employees. They make their own version of Vise - Grip called Eagle Grip but it can't be said that Irwin Vise - Grip came back to the USA. Malco only bought the former Irwin Vise - Grip plant. Irwin is still in China.

[@hswing11]

WHAT MAKES IRWIN TOOLS SO GREAT. NOTHING JUST A AVERAGE TOOL AND OVER PRICED....👎😝

[@BeforeYouBuyReview]

Not saying they’re the best out there, I’ve just only had the massive kit tools so these are much nicer. I like the quick slide too. What tool brand do suggest for best bang for the buck?