LineMan's Pliers Review & Comparison

[@MintStiles]

The CL pair is an ironworkers pliers. Not my personal application, but I believe they are used for rebar work. The handle hook and smaller tip I believe facilitated twisting as well as having a longer cutter. I think the smaller pliers are more known as combination pliers, the jaws close more (less for clamping/stripping but not damaging wires) but for actually holding on tighter. Same crap different pile, but they are optimized to do different things. I do notices the dedicated “lineman’s pliers” and “iron workers pliers” are often from a name brand and made better. The crappy stuff are in the combination plier format.

[@CatusMaximus]

Thank you for your comment and for understanding my confusion it really doesn't make any sense that what looks to be a set of linesman pliers with smaller heads happens to be a totally different tool when actuality it's just a set of linesman pliers with a smaller head and a hook on the handle. That being said I noticed that Klein wire tying pliers have extremely course teeth on the jaw where a linesman's have finer teeth

[@MintStiles]

Actually, I have learned far more from you than the other way around. Really love the videos. I grew up only ever knowing the combination (read cheap) style of heavy pliers. I always thought they were much too under-leveraged as well as being basically useless as a cutting tool. My electrician taught me about lineman’s pliers during my Reno. Then I started finding out more about all the ironworker’s very odd tail. Now there are crimping pliers and all sorts of odd stuff. Either way, I find a standard pair of Klein lineman’s pliers to be able to act most effectively in most applications.

[@stronglifelived4sure394]

Yeah you really didn't compare the channel lock. You did their ironworker pliers. But awesome video

[@davidmcguire6043]

"linesman's pliers aren't actually hammers" - no electrician I've ever worked with.

[@CunoWiederhold]

Agreed! But oh c'mon, you've never even once used the blunt side of a set of lineman's to gingerly tap on a screwdriver, not once? lol

[@davidmcguire6043]

@@CunoWiederhold I don't think you read my comment correctly.

[@Soggy-Soy-Toy]

@@CunoWiederhold that’s what my tongue and groove pliers are for

[@lockhak33]

Thank you for pointing out that there's a gap in lineman pliers because I hadn't heard that before. You've saved me a both time and money because the gap in them means that lineman pliers are not the right tools for what I'm trying to do.

[@codyrobertson4630]

Channellock makes bigger versions of linesman pliers. Those channellock linesman pliers are for iron workers for cutting wire and tieing rebar

[@CatusMaximus]

Thank you for the correction I'll be making a note of my airs in my next video about pliers.

[@josephlabranch6595]

Doesn't really matter the head on channelocks are completely imbalanced in proportion to the handle and if you professionally used linesmans day in and day out you definitely not be using channelocks.

[@davidmcguire6043]

ironworker pliers and linesman pliers are two different kinds but it's not the size that makes the difference really the Klein journeyman's have the same hardened edges to cut through steel

[@wordwalker3]

The channel locks are ironworker pliers intended for use when working with rebar, and twisting wire it hold rebar together.

[@jameshall4385]

I bought a pair of linesman pliers in high school for an electrical class I took. They look just like the black handle pair you have, unknown brand and I still have them. They are almost thirty years old and still look and work great.

[@CatusMaximus]

Yes those black handled linesman's are really nice it is quite surprising they weren't branded.

[@mikenormandy9250]

That unknown brand is Craftsman. I have the same pair given to me by my father... they have a unique design...

[@BillyG869]

Those particular Channel locks are suited for Tying Reinforcing Bar, not actually a Linesman’s Pliers. Call them what you want. Now employed “Linesman use Kleins.

[@CatusMaximus]

Yes thank you many commenters have pointed that out

[@georgehoy5144]

350S 9" IRONWORKER'S PLIER

[@smartchip]

when i work in north america, i always buy local, klein, c`locks and ideal, usually, but in the u.k i buy knipx, c.k, wera, weha, nws, farcom, etc, its usually a personal thing, what job you are doing, preference, cost amongst other categories,

[@jackhammer9622]

I really like the detail you give items in your videos. Keep up the great work

[@CatusMaximus]

Thank you

[@americanmade3734]

That Channellock really is made for Iron Work specifically Rebar work (it says it on their website) lol but most people use them for “rough use” linesman pliers. I appreciate you putting them in the review. Do those Klein’s come on a comfort grip handles that are high leverage?? Or Pivot joints that add more leverage? -for people with weak hand strength? As well as do you know any tool other than snips (or tinners?) that would be good for cutting piano wire, or hardens steel wire? Thanks

[@CatusMaximus]

Felco cutters, or bicycle spoke cutters of some type.

[@jalepeno_pete3589]

I know those channel lock pliers I’ve seen say ironworkers pliers and are used for like wire fence for cattle or whatever I don’t know if they have a separate maybe larger official linesman’s pliers but on the clamshell I noticed they said iron workers and a guy did a review on why those are the best pliers for fence work. I love channel lock I have a ton of their stuff. And I keep buying more just found some parrot head ones on Sunday at the local flea market. For 3 bucks. Great review man keep me coming one of my favorite channels. I love tools haha

[@CatusMaximus]

Thank you so much for your comment, yes I now realizing that these 350s pliers are tie wire pliers versus traditional linesman's. And yes they do look very similar especially with the jaw gap.

[@danielhady3021]

Catus Maximus Iron Worker pliers have a square head whereas most linemans pliers nowadays have a New England style nose for reaming conduit.

[@terrygoyan]

I have a pair of the channel lock pliers that were purchased in the early 1980's. I only use them as steel tie pliers and they are the best tool for that application. The cutters are still like new with no divots in them as they are used to cut mild steel tie wire. The spring loading is invaluable as they are opened and closed many times during a day. In my tool belt there is a hammer which is used to drive nails so the lighter build is not problematic.

[@CatusMaximus]

Yes indeed a hammers are for driving nails pliers or not I was just using that as an example of their durability

[@mrweisu]

I have a Proto. I found the cutter only has one sharp edge. The other one is rounded. Is it typical? Also you showed that there’s a round hole on the back side of the cutter. However, one side of the round hole is also very sharp. Looks it can be useful sometimes. Do your pliers have this feature? Thanks

[@jacobcameron2290]

The Ideal should have been omitted from this comparison, not only due to the obvious appearance difference but due to having the name "Heavy Duty Crimping Tool". Never have I ever seen a tool at harbor freight that is like the Ideal as well, they have linemans and crimpers but nothing with the lineman-style jaw and crimpers above the piviot and a large cutting surface below. Your videos have come a long way in a short time, but accurate information is important to keep viewers. I am subscribing and can't wait to see what happens at 1000 subs.

[@CatusMaximus]

Thank you so much for the comment. In my slip joint pliers video I will be making a note of the three pairs of pliers that should have been used as a comparison rather than part of a linesman pliers group. Indeed I was referring to the similar Harbor Freight pliers But realize of the crimpers are behind instead of in front of the pivot and that there is a fundamental difference between the Cutters as these are shearing versus pinching type cutters.

[@FixItWithMe]

I came to watch bc I need to buy my first linesman plier and I need to do basic Home outlet/light wiring and landscape lighting… I was thinking of getting the Klein hd2000-9ne or the 8 inch hd2000-8. What do u recommend??? Thanks!

[@yv5grb]

Great overview, there is always something to learn on your videos. Thanks

[@konradmoeller5222]

I'm an ironworker and the Channel Locks are ironworker pliers. The L at the end of the pliers are exactly for what you said; pulling. They are used for rebar tie wire, not electrical work.

[@RRaucina]

What are the size of the Klein and the Channelocks? 9" ? 8.5" ? I saw a Channelock with a 12/14 ga. wire stripping cut in the jaw in a Amazon video but can't find them anywhere at all. Well, except my Kleins that Has a perfect stripper as a result of my cutting a live 14g wire. Really does work great.

[@craigchiddo2794]

The raised edges are good for reaming pipe after cuts

[@wmpaulminder5995]

Black handle pliers probably Craftsmans post 1970

[@CatusMaximus]

Thanks

[@AlexandLoki]

Have you tried knipex?

[@drmodestoesq]

Too many fist fights over pronunciation.

[@electriciantv5174]

Those kinda channellocks are actually for tying rebar wire not electrical pliers that it why they have the spring the large kick on the handle and a different jaw pattern.

[@rl4889]

Why would i need 9" pliers instead of 6" ? Ty

[@NuryPPanaligan]

Easier splicing and more cutting power.

[@brettbradley5504]

Hey man, I know this might sound kinda weird and outlandish but I’m a marine mechanic that lives in Florida and all I do all day is work on boats. I love it to death but the worst part about it is wiring. One of my coworkers has a set of the ideal crimpers 30-425s and they are hands down one of the best crimpers I’ve ever used for what we do. I have been looking for them for months now and I saw you had a set in your video and was wondering if you knew if there is a place where I can find these things and or if you would be willing to maybe even part with your pair. I know it’s a stretch since this is an older video and you may not even see the comment but I figured I’d give it a shot since I’ve been looking for those pliers for so long to no avail. If you are able to read this I would greatly appreciate it if you reply. Thank you so much!

[@goose4342]

Those were actually discontinued replaced by the 30-429. Klein makes a really nice crimping tool Model 1005. Hope that helps.

[@jalepeno_pete3589]

Oh yes the 348 model is the 8 1/2 inch linesman’s have no hook and no spring. But they look similar but beefier. Although I’ve never seen the 348 model in stores so in that case it might get confusing cause those look exactly like linesmans

[@CatusMaximus]

I see that now

[@highwaynhedgeseliyah362]

I always wondered why some of my pliers would get stuck...thanks.

[@marcosandreydesousa]

Este alicate de "marca desconhecida" parece ser um KLEIN D201-8 (squared nose) vintage. Este alicate é o mais lindo de todos: 2:05. Uma pena que você não fala muito do alicate CHANNELLOCK, eu vejo sua preferência pelos alicates Klein. Mas na minha opinião os melhores alicates são os CHANNELLOCK. WOW! Não sou muito fã dos alicates NEW ENGLAND NOSE (NE).

[@AsBi1]

very detailed review. i just bought kleins but they are so large and heavy, also stiff, but i like them anyways.

[@DamionJR4923]

They loosen up over time. Use some wd40 on them. That will keep rust off of them and loosen them up. Quality will last a long time.

[@davidmcguire6043]

It's been five months. I bet those pliers are lite and move smoothly now.

[@AlexanderMason1]

@@davidmcguire6043 nah. They take a few years to fully break in and become smooth.

[@Alkatraz415]

Channellock makes actual linesman pliers that are more comparable to the other linesman pliers on the table. Those Channellock on the table are iron workers pliers. Not sure if you made an update video comparing those Channellocks to other comparable iron workers pliers or another video with the correct Channellock linesman pliers but that's an idea. In my trade (plumbing) I don't really need linesman's pliers.

[@markadams7597]

Great review, as always. Ty.

[@CatusMaximus]

Thank you once again

[@SrPhilos]

Here in Brazil there are no such pliers and to import one it is half my monthly salary. It's a beautiful tool

[@festushaggen2563]

I looked at your videos and it looks like you work hard for a living. I have a pair of linesman pliers that I don't use. Would you like them? I'd like to give them to someone like you who will use them. Let me know.

[@FixItWithMe]

⁠@@festushaggen2563ele viu seu videos e Pensa q voce faz Muito trabalho difficil…e ele que dar I’m linesman pliers pq ele Tem varios. Voce tah intereresada para ganha um linesman de o EUA? Desculpa, meu portugues naum e mto Baum… *im attempting to translate for u in case he didn’t understand!*. Soo nice of you!!!! :)

[@bryanmcwhirter9945]

You are not comparing equal tools, the CL you are using are for rebar not linean pliers. thats why they are spring loaded and the hook is si they dont slip while you are using them tying rebar , especially 20 feet up. You don't know what you're talking about.

[@TheLexiconDevils]

There’s another Compound action pliers design that’s better than that Titan which is more akin to an aviation snip design. I was sceptical at first but gave a set of side cutters a try and they’re great. Open just as much as regular pliers

[@davidbarts6144]

Nitpick: it is actually a teleGRAPH pole in the Klein logo, not a telePHONE one. When Klein Tools was founded in 1857, the telephone had not been invented yet.

[@CatusMaximus]

How true, what is also weird is that we could send faxes (carbon plate image transmission over Telegraph) before we could make a voice call

[@upsidedowndog1256]

I have a pair of Channel Locks similar to the Haiko with a slip joint and without cutters. I always considered them a confused design. I bet Scoutcrafter could identify the unknown pair.

[@CatusMaximus]

You might be referring to standard slip joint pliers. I'll do a review of those soon and maybe the set I have looks similar

[@marcmckenzie5110]

Nice overview, but way too Klein biased. I spent six months evaluating all the top American and German brands - only I had no expectation bias - and was surprised that it was 10.5” Channellocks that I ended up always reaching for. My advice would be different: spring for good quality, don’t let brand overcome choosing the pair you like best. And, there is room in most any tool bag for several pair of different pliers, as implied by Catus Maximus’ personal inventory. My go to general pliers are KNIPEX, of course the big Channellocks, some Engineer brand for pulling out fasteners, and who doesn’t find good needle nosed pliers useful (mine are Klein Tools). What each person might choose will be a function of budget, available time to shop, personal comfort, and many other factors. Nice video!

[@CatusMaximus]

I didn't mean to be to Klein biased but I have personally use kleins for quite a while for doing many projects such as pulling up thousands of T Nails from flooring and they just seem to last and last without wearing out that's why I like them so much

[@marcmckenzie5110]

@@CatusMaximusThis was the first of about 10 videos I've watched of your work. You are pretty objective, and clearly use your tools a lot! I think I'd like you with me everytime I buy a wrench - you are clearly a wrench guy (and that's a good thing!)

[@TheLexiconDevils]

Stanley Fatmax are what I reach for most often.

[@deadstar962]

@@TheLexiconDevils measuring tape?

[@HAWKEYEWTNY]

No Vampliers?!?

[@CatusMaximus]

At some point I'll get a pair

[@ProblemChild-xk7ix]

The black handled pair looks just like my Craftsman.

[@MorrowSind]

Nice. Just now watching this.

[@illestofdemall13]

Too bad you didn't show the Klein's with the crimper in the back.

[@mikenormandy9250]

Yea, the Yellow handle crimping linesmans are great! Just got to watch out for that crimping die as it sometime pinches your hand when you go to grab them from a bag or pocket....

[@KOE-KTO.]

Heyco is nice industrial German tools.

[@waltbailey2345]

The channel lock pliers are actually rebar tie wire pliers for ironworkers. They are not linesman players

[@bricofast]

Great vídeo thanks 👏👏👏

[@iheartbeets]

Heyco is still in business FYI. They are a German manufacturer of many OEM tool kits for car manufacturers in addition to their other tool lines. www.heyco.de/

[@Toyotas_n__Tools]

Id say the unbranded is a western forge.

[@CatusMaximus]

Yes they made many Craftsman tools it's entirely possible they do look similar

[@cali4528]

those channellocks are perfect for there purpose .... your lookin for 369crft

[@julianceballos8795]

I really like this video thanks 😊

[@CatusMaximus]

Thank you for your comment

[@whatzittooya1696]

No knipex?!

[@CatusMaximus]

No my tool collection has been building up for many many years and I only became aware of knipex recently

[@mahdavimail]

Klein is good but so hard to break in...

[@wharpig]

Put a little 3 in 1 oil on them and work it in.

[@davidmcguire6043]

Not if you work a lot.

[@TheLexiconDevils]

Valve grinding paste in the joint. Work them a bit. Flush it out. Instant worn in pliers

[@pneumatic00]

Those no-names could be Utica. Though their "blocky" jaws look like some 50 year old Kleins I have.

[@CatusMaximus]

Yes they seem to be a difficult plier to identify

[@BroadcastBuddy]

Those are Craftsman branded pliers made by Western Forge. The laser markings quickly fade away with use. Good pair though, USA MADE.

[@rickalejandro7720]

Klein tools by far are best. Better then knipex. The jaw has a separation because of the cutters..... you want the cutters to finish cutting before the jaws clamp.

[@CatusMaximus]

Thank you for clarifying that

[@catatonia1]

Klein tools are by far the best pliers reviewed in this video agreed .But better than Knipex? You are dreaming mate Knipex are made from the best materials and to the highest quality possible. NWS are better than Klein as well.

[@josephlabranch6595]

Klein is the best, anything else channelock, knipex, and whatever else is either completely imbalanced for proper use (knipex and channelock) or have way to much flex in the handles (knipex).

[@CatusMaximus]

Yes I've noticed people are really into their knipex and I think they're okay but I am used to well-proven Brands like Klein's. All you have to do is ask some electricians what they have and nine out of 10 times it will be Klein

[@josephlabranch6595]

@@CatusMaximusby the way, I've been doing electrical for more than thirty years

[@anthonymarino4260]

Nice info thanks

[@CatusMaximus]

Thank you

[@baggins1]

The name of these pliers is much debated

[@CatusMaximus]

Yes I've heard a variety of terms used to describe these

[@josephlabranch6595]

Generally most professionals call them either linesmans, or KLEINS. Lol!

[@danielremy7826]

great vid.

[@CatusMaximus]

Thank you

[@drmodestoesq]

Now I want to hear Jimmy Webb's Wichita Lineman.

[@martinschaffmeir7729]

Good post sir.

[@CatusMaximus]

Thank you

[@Jack_The_Biker]

Never have I ever used slip joint pliers. To me they’re inferior and I’ve never seen a pair worth keeping around.

[@everythingfromnothing9806]

especially with locking vice grip pliers and tungue groove even a pipe wrench

[@electroluxlad]

those channel locks are fencing pliers

[@johndor8993]

The klein that was around for over a century and took pride in there manufacturing doesnt exist anymore. I threw a 40 plus dollar specialty cable cutter in the f*****g garbage a week after i bought it. So please dont pass on their marketing bullshit to your viewers.

[@PeteyP3t3]

Only apprentices call them "linesmen" pliers...It's lineman's pliers.

[@CatusMaximus]

Corrected

[@bewareofchair]

TOO FAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@the2Atreeclimber]

Those ideals are not linemans pliers. They're multi function.

[@bricofast]

Knipex is bether, good vídeo thanks.

[@CatusMaximus]

I doubt that knipex has much of a quality difference over Klein, Klein has been field-proven for nearly a hundred and fifty years.

[@josephlabranch6595]

Your an idiot and probably not an electrician, but more like a someone's gonna come behind and finish the shit I don't want to do because my piece of shit knipex can't do what the next guy's kleins can do. Go wipe your nose and get a real man's tool.

[@farmerdave7965]

Every time you say linesman instead of lineman my ears hurt.

[@sdavrider]

Not linesman. Its lineman's.

[@selaxlife7621]

LINEMANS DUDE!!! NOT LINESMANS!!!!!! UNION ELECTRICIAN HERE! LOCAL 11

[@ikm64]

Not looking after your tools! Rust!! Not sure why going to the bother of purchasing good tools and then neglecting them. Send them to ScoutCrafter for restoration...

[@the2Atreeclimber]

Knipex linemans>Klein linemans

[@gavinthagreat]

agh for god sakes they just called line-man's pliers. not lines-mans. lol. im sry. it shouldnt bother me as much as it does. lol FIX IT! LOL