Channellock has been teasing about their new SpeedGrip tongue and groove pliers. This looks like it could be Channellock’s biggest new tools in quite some time, and are their first pliers to feature a push-button adjustment mechanism.
One appreciated detail is that the pliers are said to be forged from US steel and 100% made in the USA. There’s no fine print I could find, no asterisk, no “from global materials clause.”
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Channellock’s teaser page has an email sign-up form, saying: be the first to hold the future in your hands.
Channellock SpeedGrip tongue & groove pliers have a button adjustment mechanism, which Channellock says makes the pliers fast and easy to use, with non-slip adjustments.
We haven’t seen these pliers in person yet, and cannot comment about how or how fast the SpeedGrip pliers adjust.
The Channellock SpeedGrip jaws feature cross-hatched teeth that are laser heat-treated for higher hardness and low wear. The jaws also have a pipe reaming feature.
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Additionally, Channellock has created a new three-dimensional handle grip that looks to be a cross between their dipped and comfort grip pliers handles.
Several retailers have preorder product listings up so far.
The Channellock 430X 10″ pliers are priced at ~$30, and a two-piece set with 8″ and 10″ pliers is $58. Some stores, such as DoitBest retail stores, have the 10″ pliers at $25.
Buy Now(10″ pliers via Amazon)
Buy Now(2pc pliers set via Amazon)
Compare(Channellock 10″ tongue & groove pliers via Amazon)
Compare(Knipex 10″ Cobra adjustable pliers via Amazon)
Channellock’s 2019 product catalog (PDF) says that the SpeedGrip pliers will be available in 3 sizes:
- 8″ (8.45″ overall length, 1.20″ jaw capacity), 428X
- 10″ (9.51″ overall length, 2.00″ jaw capacity), 430X
- 12″ (12.05″ overall length, 2.32″ jaw capacity), 440X
Discussion
I am very excited to see how fast Channellock’s newest tongue & groove adjustable pliers perform.
To be thorough, let’s examine how they compare with other current options.
As of the time of this posting, the Channellock SpeedGrip pliers are only available for preorder. The 10-inch-sized pliers, 430X, are priced from $25 (in-store pickup) to ~$30.
The Channellock 430 tongue & groove pliers are currently $13 at Amazon.
Comparing the Channellock 430 and SpeedGrip 430X 10″ pliers, both have a maximum jaw capacity of 2″. The traditionally-styled tool has 7 adjustments, and the SpeedGrip pliers have 15.
The traditionally-styled pliers have grooved jaws, and the SpeedGrip a cross-hatched pattern with what look to be small pyramids that should deliver superior gripping power.
If the Channellock SpeedGrip pliers are as fast to adjust as other brands’ button-adjustable pliers, the new pliers will likely complement but not replace their existing tongue & groove-style pliers.
Channellock will also face competition from Knipex and other makers of high quality adjustable pliers. The Knipex Cobra is currently priced at $27 via Amazon, and a 2pc set with 7″ and 10″ pliers is ~$57 after “clippable coupon.” The comparison isn’t apples-to-apples due to the different jaw design, but it seems clear that Channellock’s SpeedGrip adjustable pliers are competitively priced for the market.
Irwin GrooveLock adjustable pliers will also pose some competition. This 2pc set, with 8″ and 10″ sizes, is currently just $17 at Amazon. Channellock’s GS-1X set of 8″ and 10″ SpeedGrip pliers is as low as $45 at DoitBest stores, and $58 at Amazon. However, it is important to consider that the Irwin pliers are imported, while the Channellock are 100% made in the USA.
We have often considered Irwin GrooveLock pliers to be “basic,” with brands such as NWS and Knipex to offer an upgraded experience. Channellock’s SpeedGrip pliers, if they compare well to higher-tier brands’ performance, will likely be considered in a similar light.
Why hasn’t Channellock made button-adjustable pliers before? Well, are there any other brands that make this style of pliers in the USA? I think it’s exciting that Channellock has finally come out with button-adjustable pliers. There’s definitely something appealing about the new design, handle grip, and 100% made in USA nature of the new tools. It’ll be interesting to see how well they work, and also how they adjust.
Channellock has not provided any hints as to what they have planned for the SpeedGrip pliers line. Will there be v-groove pliers? Smooth-jawed? Additional sizes? Time will tell.
Here’s a teaser video promo from Channellock:
Hilton initially
I have a pair of Knipex Cobras with a red circle around the button. You don’t even need to press this in to close the jaws, just slide it closed. It’s very very quick indeed. Obviously you need to press the button to open the jaws though. When I say open or close the jaws I mean to adjust the throat opening dimension.
Stuart
There are a couple of brands of self-closing pliers. I’ve found that with some pliers it’s a benefit, with others it’s a compromise. Due to how the SpeedGrip pliers are grooved, I don’t think they’re self-closing.
Jared
Fantastic! I have a soft spot for Channellock and a tightly-packed drawer in my main toolbox that betrays my affinity. I’m very excited for new tools.
I have several pliers with both the dipped and “Code Blue” style handles. I like both but have come to slightly prefer the Code Blue. I’ll be interested to see how the new grips compare.
Looks like the metal parts have more complex shape to them than the current offerings. I’m interested to know if that’s to increase strength so they can be lighter. That’s the one downside to Channellock vs the higher-tier (and higher cost) competitors in my opinion.
Jared
To somewhat answer my own question, the specs from the catalog show:
428x @ 0.83 lbs vs 428 @ 0.79 lbs (huh? old one is lighter)
430x @ 1.08 lbs vs 430 @ 1.18 lbs
440x @ 1.58 lbs vs 440 @ 1.64 lbs
Maybe if I’m feeling ambitious I’ll look into NWS and Knipex and see how those compare.
Chris S
I picked these up at Runnings a few weeks ago for about $30 for the 2 pack, not $58. The adjustment is pretty smooth, similar to the irwin groovelock.
PW
Ah, if only I needed more slip-joint pliers! Everything about these looks appealing to me – the USA content, grip design, toothy jaw, blue color… The price seems fair.
Unfortunately I just almost never need slip-joint pliers, and when I do my existing set of Channellocks should suffice.
Maybe I’ll pick up a pair on a lark sometime. There are so few companies left that are making US-made tools at prosumer/consumer prices.
Hilton
These are all groove joint pliers. Slip joint pliers are those that have only two jaw opening sizes. You ‘slip’ between the two sizes.
Jeffrey
Or 3…
fred
Let’s hope that the Big Box stores give them some shelf space to compete.
Sales and profitability might be just as much about what the tool buyers from HD or Lowes want to buy as what the tool-users want to buy.
Wayne R.
After finally coming around from “normal” Channellock-type pliers, an Irwin pair and a mistaken Knipex Alligator purchase, and then ultimately to the Knipex Cobra, it’s hard to “need” anything else – though I admit I’m surely tempted.
One thing I really like about the Knipex is the lack of pinch-points that too many other tools have; doesn’t look like that’s a threat with these. Their light weight is a pleasure too.
One one hand, I won’t run out and buy a new Channellock ASAP, but on the other, I look forward to the inevitability of having a few!
Altan
I would like to get a mixture of this and the Knipex one, Handles have a better design in Knipex one.
I have Knipex ones, 10″, 12″ and a very huge one, 10″ and 12″ are fine, but the X-large one was not good, the first use I had with an angle grinder nut all teeth were worn out.
Pete D
I saw these on a peg at my local Home Depot about three weeks ago and was incredibly confused by them. I searched *EVERYWHERE* for info while standing in store and saw nothing. I didn’t wind up picking them up, but I may swing back up there and see if they’re still hanging on the peg. If I recall, the price was around $27. Grips felt nice in the hand, but the push-button engagement wasn’t all that positive or tactile. I’ll report back if I can nab them.
DC
I have the Knipex Automatic Adjusting pliers and it was awkward to use at first but now is my go to pliers.
Nathan
I like it for alot of reasons. However until they make a notched jaw like the Knipex plier (what is that called exactly) – I’m not interested.
I have 2 sets with that jaw in 2 sizes it’s the only ones I use today. Straight jaws are a pass for me.
They make a set of these with that jaw shape – doesn’t even have to have the diamond pattern ridges in it – and I’ll buy a set ASAP.
Jared
I was somewhat curious about that choice too – not sure Knipex even makes a straight-jaw plier but their “Cobra” waterpump pliers are pretty popular. I would have though the V-jaws would have come out first.
That said, I have the 6, 10 & 12 pliers from Channellock in both the waterpump and straight-jaw styles (and the BigAzz 20″ straight jaws because it makes me feel tough) and I think I actually use the straight-jaw ones more often.
Chris
I am admittedly biased towards my knipex hand tools (and other german brands like NWS, WIHA, etc.) because they have been some of the best tools i’ve ever owned. The only way I could ever see buying one of these is if I broke one of my current tools (doesn’t seem likely any time soon) and it was cheaper than buying another knipex tool by a fair margin. I’ve yet to find any flaws in knipexs’ versions and i’ve seen no improvements on the initial design by other manufacturers.
Irwin went the cheap route and I had a set for a little bit, but after wearing the teeth off of one tool I just ended up giving the other away.
Looking at Channel Locks offering, it only appears to be a near identical copy. They’ve put no new innovative features into this design.
I also feel that the tool looks bulkier overall, and I don’t see how that would be an improvement.
I guess all that was to say this…I see no reason to buy this if you already have a nice pair from another brand (except irwin, replace those immediately).
Cody ROBERTSON
Channellock also now makes insulated handle pliers
Jared
Interesting! I saw someone post a whole set of insulated Channellock pliers on a certain tool forum once. They had blue-colored handles the same tone as the regular lineup, but bulged out at the business end. After googling, looks like what you’re talking about is something completely different.
After typing the above, I did another google search and found a image of the set I was talking about:
https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/423/19204309408_95495b08f1_z.jpg
Stuart
I have a test sample of the new insulated pliers, and they have red and yellow handles.
Jared
I look forward to the review!
Allen
Don’t need one but I’m ordering just to support the effort.
Albert
Same here.
The What?
Is there a difference between traditional slip joint pliers and push button slip joint pliers besides the button and the jaws? The traditional chanellocks jaws are more of a circular style so that they can fit around hex and circular shaped objects. These new ones appear to be flat square jaws which may present a challenge for circular objects unless they have the bottom jaw pivot spring action similar to a pipe wrench which I don’t see on these pliers. Slip joint pliers are still slip joint pliers with or without the button. Although I’m sure refinements were made to the grooves to allow the button to function thereby decreasing the amount tolerance between each groove adjustment. That may be a good or bad thing. And where’s the 16½” pliers for my sink basket nuts? I still have all of my old school channellocks and they’ve served me well along with my old school monkey wrenches.
Stuart
Speed and ease of adjustment.
With push button pliers, you can unlock the jaw opening width with a press of the button. Tongue and groove pliers require a swing of the handles.
The difference is similar to ratcheting vs. two-sleeve keyless chucks. Both do the same thing, but one is a speedier and easier to adjust and lock.
Jared
I think you might be thinking of a different jaw style too – e.g. straight vs V-jaw.
I’m presuming this might be the first iteration of a new line of Speedgrip Channellock tools – e.g. “be the first to hold the future in your hands” certainly sounds like more speedgrip versions of different pliers are coming. If that’s the case, the V-jaw version is probably next.
Corey Moore
Are these parallel jaw? Initial impressions-the handles look huge, but I’m likely to pick up a pair for many of the same reasons already mentioned. Also like many others here, they’re not likely to replace my 7/10/12″ cobras or pliers wrenches, but still, I am impressed and optimistic. Should only be good, right?
Stuart
No, the jaw angle can change.
Corey Moore
That’s almost disappointing to hear…that’s going to decrease jaw capacity compared to like sized competitors with the usual semi-hex profile, which I’ve always experienced to also give much higher/easier grip power. Optimal gripping power would seem to be whenever you could get those flat jaws parralell on a bolt, etc.
Stuart
What I mean is that the jaws aren’t perfectly parallel in a Knipex Pliers Wrench type of way.
They will adjust to parallel, as the jaws will conform to the flats of a hex bolt.
With parallel-jaw pliers, opening and closing the handles changes the jaw opening width, but the jaws remain parallel to each other.
So with parallel-jaw pliers, you can do things like press parts into holes with even pressure. With standard pliers like these, opening or closing the handles will open and close the jaws in a pivot-like manner, with the changes being greater at the front of the jaws than at the pivot.
If you meant to ask whether these are straight jaws, they are. To my knowledge, SpeedGrip pliers have not been shown to have V-groove jaws (yet?).
Corey Moore
I understand lol v groove is better for gripping and turning, though. I presumed that the flats may have indicated that they were parallels akin to the pliers wrench, which never leave parallel. V groove (thank you for reminding me what they’re called) have been all over owned since I first grabbed a pair. Better for grabbing round things like pipes, and you can position things between the jaws to receive more direct pressure on it, as opposed to flats which are going to be pushing something outward if it’s diameter exceeds the jaws. I’ll probably get a pair of these, because ‘murica, and channelock lol but still, I had hoped these would position as higher tier than I’m seeing them currently. As always, thanks for everything you do, man! ?
skfarmer
not sure about the handles but i am a real fan of anything channellock. i have some knipex but they just don’t give me the warm fuzzies. that stars and stripes imprint in the joint and the jaw pattern make me want a pair!
Bruce
I carry two channel lock 10″ slip jaw pliers in each of my tool boxes. There is rarely a pipe problem that can’t be solved with them. I’ve been so happy with them I’ve never considered the ‘upgrade’ to button adjust-ability to be worth it. I’ll consider a small one in my tool box and see how I like it.
Gordon
I’d really like to see a smooth face option. I know Knipex makes some, but the price is astronomical compared to the cobras.
Mike (the other one)
These look better to me that the Irwins, which look bulky. However, the Knipex Cobras are well engineered, and will be hard to beat.
I am glad to see another USA-made tool though.
Brandon Nava
I already own these channel locks, bought them at Ferguson plumbing supply last week, they are very very well made and bite just as well as knipex. They honestly make the traditional channellocks seem like harbor freight tools will the leaps and bounds that they have improved on their pliers
Thomas
One feature no one mentioned yet is that at the pivot point they seem to have a through-hinge beam design rather than just beams compressed against one another with a rivet. The latter design twists slightly when compressed. The through beam design is one of the great features of the Cobra pliers, along with their incredibly high quality hardened steel teeth.
Thom
I will buy these when I see them on sale in a 3 pack blister package in Lowes/Depot during Christmas!
Rick C
I like how the adjustment button looks like it doesn’t stick out of the body and I like the boxed construction. I would certainly be interested in a 6″ v-jaw version if the jaws were fairly narrow for my electrical kit. I use 6″ Irwin v-jaw Groovelocks to orient outlets and switches as I push them into the box.
Shane
I really like the looks of these. They have some similarities in appearance to my Bahco 7224 that I picked up on a good AWD deal. My Bahco’s grip never gets to a comfortably held position. They’d be perfect if you can palm a basketball! Glad to see channelock finally joining the party in design
Robert Adkins
Love Channel Lock, have a big collection. If I break a pair, they will be replaced by these. In other words, never.
Noah
If V-jaws come out ill get a pair.
Don
I just picked up the 10″ at Home Depot for $22.97. I was surprised to see them there as they are not anywhere to be found on the Home Depot app. No sign of the 8″ though