I first tried Channellock’s WideAzz adjustable wrenches nearly 6 years ago. Since then, I bought maybe 6 pairs, some for me, some for my father, plus a couple of Irega-branded adjustable wrenches. Irega makes the wide-jawed adjustable wrenches for Channellock, in Spain.
They really are superb adjustable wrenches. The ones with Code Blue comfort-grip handles are my favorites, but I have one black oxide wrench that I am also quite fond of. The wrenches are great bare, but the Channellock grips are the cherry that tops off the perfect sundae.
Advertisement
In a nutshell, this is what I like about Channellock’s wide adjustable wrenches:
- Smooth thumbwheel operation for fast and fluid adjustment
- Jaws open wider than many competing models, without making the wrench heads too bulky
- Adjustment mechanism is strong with little slop or wobble
- Comfortable usage
- Decent pricing
Now, Channellock has come out with new Xtra Slim adjustable wrenches, which are built with thinner jaw tips. Channellock says that these are manufactured exclusively for them, and so you probably won’t find them under Irega or any other branding.
Similar thin-jaw wrenches already exist, such as these Engineer models, but I am nonetheless exciting about Channellock’s new release.
The wrenches’ jaws are just 3/16″ thick, which will allow them to fit in all but the slimmest openings. According to Channellock, Xtra Slim WideAzz wrenches’ jaw tips are 40% thinner than on regular adjustable wrenches of the same size.
There will be two wrench sizes, 6″ and 8″, and both will feature the four-thread knurl, non-protruding jaws, jaw opening measurement scales, and Code Blue grips as Channellock’s other top-notch adjustable wrenches. The 6″ wrench has a 1.34″ capacity, and the 8″ wrench has a 1.5″ capacity.
Street Price: $30-32
Advertisement
As with Channellock’s other adjustable wrenches, these are confirmed to be made in Spain.
Buy Now(6″ via Amazon)
Buy Now(8″ via Amazon)
First Thoughts
Can you tell that I’m excited about the new Channellock wrenches?
Have you ever been in a situation where your adjustable wrench couldn’t reach a fastener because its jaws were too thick? If the answer is no, then these probably aren’t for you.
While every now and then I could use a slim jawed adjustable wrench, there are two types of applications where I am guaranteed to be frustrated. First – removing bicycle pedals. Some pedals install and are removed with hex keys (and sometimes hex sockets with breaker bars and mallets), others require slim wrenches. After too many frustrations, even with my go-to Stanley adjustable wrench (at least for applications where my Channellock ones can’t fit), I broke down and bought a pedal wrench.
Second – installing or removing leveling feet or threaded stem casters. Often, there are teeny tiny hex flats that are impossible to reach with regular adjustable or open end wrenches. I have a little stamped wrench that came with casters meant for a wire shelving unit, but it’s a real pain – literally and figuratively – to use. These Channellock wrenches would work wonders for final tightening and initial loosening over casters and equipment feet, at least those that have flats for such purposes.
There have been other times where there’s just not enough clearance for full-sized wrenches.
These aren’t one-tool-fits-all wrenches, although I don’t see why they couldn’t be used for general purpose applications on occasion. If you look back at the slim jaw Engineer adjustable wrench post, there are quite a few comments discussing out such wrenches are great for use on jam nuts. I imagine that they might also work well on panel-mounted components, which often come with very thin retention nuts.
Ola
I have one adjustable wrench with a design close to that from Ironside at work(Not sure if Ironside exist in the US) amazing how handy that tool is, opens much wider then my own Bachos that are much clumsier, it aint for heavy duty work but for everything else it is one of those tools you cannot live without when you tried it.
SteveR
These are good looking and appear to have thicker jaw tips than the Engineer version. The latter look great, but the jaw tips are too thin for any serious work, and they don’t have a comfort grip. If you do a lot of work in restricted areas, one of each may be called for. I have a set of thin wrenches (SAE) and have only had to break them out once or twice, but then, not much else can take their place when needed. For many of us, these fall into that area where you think you’ll need them someday, so you buy them and wait for that day to arrive.
fred
I think the Engineer variants were aimed at folks who do “serious” work – but probably in electronics and control panel work – rather than in the plumbing trade. The shorter (pocket sized) Engineer TWM-08 – does indeed have an over-molded cushy grip.
Back on topic – I think its great that Channellock is bringing these wrenches to the US market – and I can see them fitting into a plumber’s kit. I’m old enough to remember – when tool choices for handling slip-nut fittings were rather more limited to things like the one from Covers – called the Ace Slip Nut Wrench – a style that IMO was anything but “aces”. They are still widely sold under a variety of brands – like this one from General:
http://www.amazon.com/General-Tools-Instruments-190-Adjustable/dp/B0031F02EK/
When Ridgid introduced (probably 40 years ago) their E-110 (now called 31305) it became one of our go to tools – similar to how Channellocks – then Knipex 86 series pliers replaced wrenches in many situations. I also have to say that while I don’t generally like adjustable wrenches – we bought into the Channellock “Wide-Azz” variety about 10 years ago and ended up having one or two on every truck
Dave L.
I bought one of those Engineer wrenches and I use it all the time-great for working in tight spaces, both because of the length AND thickness. It also fits in a carry pouch I wear with a multi-tool, an Allen “pocket knife” set and a couple of interchangeable tip screwdrivers (large and small).
SteveR
Fred–Thanks for setting the record straight; they do indeed have comfort handles. In looking at them again, though, the Engineer versions also have ultra-thin jaws that probably can’t take the force
necessary to break loose or final-tighten fasteners. That’s why these Channellocks are so appealing; they’re thin, but have enough meat on them (especially when fully opened) to apply the necessary torque w/o bending.
Kent
I’ve never been a fan of adjustable wrenches, but ended up with one of the wide jaw, blue handled wonders a few years ago. I now use it far more often that ever thought I would.
I’ll certainly end up with the thin jaw version as well.
Noah
I’m definitely going to be getting one of these!
As an aside, Stuart, did you know that Irega is now making Klein’s adjustables as well?
Stuart
I didn’t know that!
Still, from what I can tell, Klein’s are Irega’s regular wrench, not their superior wide design one that Channellock offers.
Noah
Except for this model:
http://www.kleintools.com/catalog/adjustable-wrench-extra-wide-jaw/extra-wide-jaw-8-203-mm-adjustable-wrench
Stuart
That one still looks a little uncharacteristic. The wide jaw wrenches typically have square holes at the end of the handle, not round ones. The shape of the jaw is also different.
That Klein wrench has 4-tooth thumbwheel engagement, but the jaw profile of Irega’s 77 and 77F wrenches. Weird.
There are a lot of features, and the Xtra branding, that give reasonable indication that the Klein wrench is made by Irega. Maybe it’s custom made for them?
Noah
I have that Klein wrench and a 6″ Wideazz in my box at work. I’ll take some pics and send em your way tomorrow.
Nathan
for you people that think these are too thin – how much torque do you think you’re going to apply with these? let alone any other wrench you own.
that jaw is plenty strong enough to handle what you’re going to throw at it – with a 6,ish inch lever arm. or even with with the 8 inch lever arm
great idea – decent price. shame it’s not made in america
AndrewC
Anybody know if the Channellocks have forged jaws or cast jaws? The Engineer brand has cast jaws that are then machined. Because of the thinness and the cast nature, you have to be careful on how much load you put into them. These Channellocks need to be forged for you to be able to use them like conventional wrenches.
Monte
http://www.irega.es/en/ficha-swo-92-xs.aspx
jesse
Bad link.
Stuart
Worked before.
But it's me!
I agree about bicycle pedals and their narrow gaps. Park tool does make thin (cone?) wrenches for axle hub nuts that I have used on pedals when needed. They are specialized, of course, and very thin. The Channellocks look like a good solution as you note and not so specialized as to leave them hardly used, like the Park wrenches. I could see them useful for those tight bolts to level out appliances, the ones that always leave blood trails behind! Might have to pick up one of these.
fred
Quality (Park, Campagnolo, Shimano, Var, Hozan, X-Axis et. al) cone wrenches (used in pairs) are made from tough steel and are not to be compared (in cost or strength) to the junky thin wrenches that I sometime see selling for less than $20 for a set of 7 or 9. When I bought my first set of cone wrenches from Campagnolo , I was a bit hesitant about how something so thin could apply enough torque – but they showed me! BTW – some manufacturer’s make 2 or more varieties of cone wrenches – the top (strongest) ones sometimes designated for shop or professional use – others for home or on-the-road use.
harryjo
I thought Bahco is already making these.
Ian
Yes they are