I have come to the conclusion that Gearwrench’s new Pitbull pliers are the perfect Father’s Day gift for most users.
Before we get into it, Gearwrench is a ToolGuyd sponsor, and they also sent this set for review.
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If you’re not in the mood for the story, here’s the set I’d recommend for most users.
So, the story starts yesterday, after I gave a Crescent 15″ adjustable wrench to my father-in-law. A couple of months ago he asked if I had a spare “large adjustable wrench.” I did not, and so I bought him a Crescent wrench for Father’s Day.
I asked him – do you need any other tools?
“Adjustable wrenches and pliers.”
What kind of pliers?
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“You know…”
Cutting pliers, large pliers, smaller pliers?
“Yes.”
I had some ideas. On the way to the local home centers, I called my mother. Does Dad need any new tools? “Yes, a hammer and… he’s asking for pliers.”
What kind of pliers?
“General and cutting pliers.”
So, I went to the store.
I didn’t really find anything perfect for my either my dad or my father-in-law. I considered Husky adjustable pliers, but would they have trouble with the adjustment button?
A lot of us have graduated from tongue-and-groove pliers, although I still keep a couple around. You know… that’s a pretty timeless and bulletproof design.
I went to two home centers and weren’t really happy with the options. I considered some of the brands and styles available online, and had an idea.
I have been working with Gearwrench Pitbull pliers, and there’s a lot to like about them. I’ve actually been using the dipped-handle set more, and will start using this dual-material set as well. I think these will gradually become my “daily driver” pliers.
See Also: Do You Prefer Pliers with Dipped or “Comfort” Handle Grips?
In a nutshell, they are great cutters, they are comfortable to use (both handle styles), and they’re very well-made.
One of the things I like is that the pivots seem to be well-tuned. You know what I’m talking about here – I’m sure you’ve used pliers either too loose or too tight before. These are easy to use without being floppy.
When I left the home centers, I knew what I’d be getting for my dad and FIL – Gearwrench Pitbull pliers sets.
This seems perfect for all users, but especially for my father and FIL and their more experienced hands. Easy to use, easier cutting power, comfortable grips.
I was going to get the 4pc set for both of them, especially since it’s on sale right now for $51.51 from $60. But, I hesitated. For one, it doesn’t look like it’ll arrive before Father’s Day. Second, I also wanted lineman’s pliers and larger tongue and groove style pliers included.
So, I stepped up to the 6pc set, which is in stock at MSC – I paid $90 with tax but no shipping since there seems to be a promo tied to my account from back when I was an Enco customer.
For most people, I would suggest the 4pc set. I wanted the two other pliers, and so the $90 6pc set was still a good buy. Maybe I should have bought the 4pc set and added in a single v-groove pliers size? I’m not sure.
I also purchased the pliers for me, just in case. If we’re visiting and either my parents or my wife’s parents need help with something spur of the moment, I know they’ll have good pliers for me to use.
Plus, when I was lot younger, gift cards that they all gave me helped me to grow my tool collection, and so it seems fair for me to do the same and upgrade their tools now.
I really hope MSC doesn’t print pricing on their packing lists. And if they do, I’m going to lie. “I hope you didn’t spend a lot.” Nah, I only spent [some amount I know they’d be happy with].
There are a lot of different ways I could have gone for these pliers gifts. Both my dad and FIL asked for good pliers and both wanted pliers that can cut as well.
I’m sorry, but “good pliers” and “but don’t spend a lot” don’t really work together.
I don’t think either of them know exactly what they want or need, but when they need pliers, these sets will get the job done. I could have gotten them fewer pliers, but I really wanted them to have the variety, and it’ll come in handy in case I ever need to use pliers at their houses.
No matter how much I tried to convince myself of this early on, everyone needs more than a couple of pliers to tackle a broader range of tasks and needs. 2 or 3 styles just won’t cut it.
I could have gotten them less expensive pliers, but I’ve been liking the Gearwrench Pitbulls, and I know they’ll serve both users well. With less expensive pliers, there can sometimes be variability or design compromises, and I didn’t want to mess around with that.
Rewind quite a few years, to when I was using more basic and value-oriented pliers. I replaced all of those tools piecemeal over time, reaching into more premium brands and quality tiers. This set would have been a fantastic upgrade.
Actually, if I didn’t already have this set thanks to Gearwrench, I’d love to be gifted a set of these right now as well.
Tongue and groove pliers still seem somewhat archaic to me, and the same is true for slip-joint pliers, but I still use them. My dad and FIL will both use them too, as it’s what they know.
Maybe I could have saved some money and just gotten them the 4pc set plus lineman’s pliers, but with my luck the missing 12″ pliers would be the ones they need first or most.
Buy Now: 4pc Set via Amazon
Buy Now: 6pc Set via MSC
Buy Now: Single Tools via Amazon
Would you have gone in a different direction?
Frank D
Without the GW logo and in a different color, these remind me of a blue kit something that jumped in my cart last holiday season.
Ex_dtw2003
I have the slip joint pliers and really like them. More than I thought I would actually. That said, I’ve been looking for a “final upgrade” set of long nose pliers and was debating between these or a pair of Knipex or maybe Klein’s.
At this point though I think it comes down to these or the Knipex. I don’t use long nose a ton so it just comes down to whether the extra $10 to $15 is worth it. Decisions.
IronWood
I have a couple Klein needle-nose pliers and they’re really good. Haven’t used the Knipex, but I’m sure they’re comparable. I have a couple pairs of Channellock, which are very good for the price. I think it’s worth springing for good long nose pliers, as I always seem tempted to push my luck with those long thin tips. Cheap-o’s will bend or break when you do something silly, good ones will survive a lot more abuse.
Keiko
Schmitz makes nice, attractive and durable needle nose pliers. They have a very easy to clean chrome finish. I have several pairs. Even with years of use, they show minimal signs of any wear. The serrated jaws are durable. Strong long nose without additional bulk. I reach for them over my Snappies or Knipex.
fred
Schmitz needle nose pliers still use box joints – which are superior in many ways for ensuring long-lasting tight fitting well aligned jaws.
Jared
Is there any reason for slip-joint pliers to exist anymore? I feel like everything they do, a different style of pliers does better.
Stuart
I use them as general purpose grabbers. I told myself I don’t need them anymore, but I still use them.
As long as people still use and buy them, brands will still make them,
Ex_dtw2003
Maybe, I’ve just not switched to the better solution but a good pair of slip joint feels like the perfect “kitchen drawer” pliers.
Jared
I should have known you would have covered the topic before!
https://toolguyd.com/slip-joint-pliers-question/
A W
Great article. I haven’t tried GW pliers but those look like nice sets. The last time I needed pliers from the home center I went with
Southwire and have been very pleased with them.
Two typos: “they’re” hands, and “never” [ever need] to use.
Stuart
Thanks!
I juggled between the home center options, but felt this was the surest bet.
*fixed* – thank you!
Matt the Hoople
I like the idea of the “grip zone” on the inside of the grips for non-mar gripping of things. May get a pair of the 8” slip joint to try that feature out.
Ex_dtw2003
I know slip joint pliers are a divisive topic but I have these slip joint and they’re solid in my opinion. The action is nice the pin is flush and they’re comfortable. They’re still slip joint so you’re not getting the perfect zero play of fixed pin but if you’re considering trying these and GW pliers, it’s a good start.
DT
So can you get a ToolGuyd promo deal on them for us??
Stuart
The 4pc set is already on promo, and some of the individual sizes as well.
There are only a couple now: https://www.amazon.com/deal/fdf88006?tag=toolguyd-20
But, I’ll see what I can do! Which size/style/option are you looking for, in case it helps?
DT
The 4 piece set 82203C would be a good one. As you showed, its already marked down a bit on amazon
though. May go ahead and bite at that price.
Appreciate the review. It does seem like Gearwrench is upping their quality.
Channellock is a solid brand too, but I have honestly been less than impressed with their long nose pliers. So far, SK/Western Forge/Craftsman, Klein, and Snap-on seem the best for those.
Jared
I would have gone with Channellock without hesitation- however I haven’t tried these Gearwrench pliers so I’ll keep an open mind till I do.
Channellock just seems like an obvious choice because their prices are low (for pliers I consider pro-tier), made in the USA (for those who care), and they are both robust and high performing.
I can’t dispute that NWS and Knipex are better – but it’s a relatively small step that comes at a not-small premium. I generally think of Channellock as very similar to Klien, but cheaper.
Channellock has good hardened teeth, cutting edges that stay sharp, durable handles (dipped or Code Blue).
If I was gifting someone GOOD pliers, that’s what I would choose.
Stuart
I considered it, but all 12 of the Gearwrench Pitbull pliers in my possession are perfect. Not all of my Channellock tools have the smoothest of pivots.
They’re going to like these pliers better.
Jared
That’s a pretty good endorsement! Like I admitted from the start – I haven’t tried these Gearwrench pliers yet. If there’s reasons to prefer them over Channellock – which I already consider good performing pliers at very reasonable prices – that seems like high praise.
Stuart
I do like Channellock as well, and all brands have production variations.
I’m also putting together some different DIY tool kit recommendations and buying guides, and there are a couple of Channellock options in there.
But here, where I’m not just buying one or two sizes for me, I wanted a set, and the Gearwrench are good and even great tools and a fair value for what you get.
I didn’t want to spend more (NWS, Knipex) because it wouldn’t have delivered any more for the intended users or for when I might need to borrow them when visiting. And I didn’t want to spend less because there would have been inevitable compromises in quality, comfort, ease of use, or size/style selection.
My point being, Gearwrench is good, and so is Channellock. For what I was going for here, GW checked off all the boxes, Channellock left a couple blank, but I would still recommend both brands.
Maintenance Essentials
I bought the red, dipped handle version of these at Home Depot as they seemingly picking up their Crescent game. I wasn’t aware until researching my response(lol) that Apex owned Gearwrench. All the “who owns what” articles you do and that slipped right by.
schill
I bought a pair of GEARWRENCH 8″ Pitbull Dual Material Universal Cutting Pliers as referenced in https://toolguyd.com/22-amazon-tool-deals-fathers-day-2021/ .
I haven’t actually used them yet, so take this with a grain of salt, but they look and feel very well made and I like the features and configuration.
That being said, I find the fit in my hand to be a little awkward. I do not have large hands (I wear a tight medium size Milwaukee glove, if that helps) so that may be the reason and I tend to prefer smaller pliers in general for working in closer spaces unless I need the leverage of a longer handle.
Or maybe I’m just trying to justify the money I’ve spent on NWS and Knipex (both of which I’m very happy with).
Based on the pair I’ve got, however, I think I’ll buy more of the Pitbull pliers to live in the garage.
taras
I bought the Crescent branded pliers about 6 months ago, mainly as a set to keep around the house. Although I haven’t put them through their paces much, I can say I do prefer them to Channel Lock, but they still don’t measure up to to my Knipex which I use daily on the jobsite. These just seem clunky and unwieldy in my opinion. They are large and bulky for their length, and I’ve found I prefer dipped handles. For occasional use around the house and garage, they seem like they would fit the bill and last a long time. You definitely wouldn’t want to carry them around in your pocket all day.
Robm
I’ve lost interest in all things GW, all the tools I’ve come across lately barring their name, just seem cheap, low quality cheap like the low end junk you’d find at harbor freight. Everything I’ve looked at is made in China. I have some old ratchets and ratcheting wrench’s that were made here and the are nice(worn out) but the same stuff new is Chinese junk, I’m sorry but that completely ruins the brand. If I want Chinese junk I’ll go to HF at least there you know what you’re getting in to, and the warranty exchange is the easiest. I’ve never been a apex tool group fan mostly because of their poor customer service, attitude, and tool quality/ performance issues.
fred
The Gearwrench brand seemed to be (in part) the successor to the K-D brand of mechanics’ tools. I first started noticing Gearwrench as a brand about 20 years ago – and by that time Danaher had merged much of its tool production with Cooper to form the Apex Tool Group. Early on – the Gearwrench items seemed to come out of the Easco Hand Tool factory that I believe was in Springfield Mass. Easco also produced much of the Sears Craftsman tools at one time. About 15 years ago Apex seemed to switch Gearwrench production to Taiwan and then about 10 years ago production seemed to move to China. Not doing much wrenching myself – I can’t say much about how their quality has changed over the years.
PTT
And killed Armstrong.
IronWood
I haven’t seen these in person, but the heads look kinda bulky. I also really don’t get all the little black recesses, just looks cheaper than they should. Channellock is my default for good-but-not-premium pliers. Most of mine are Channellock, Klein, Knipex, SK, with some mixed bag stuff thrown in. For DIY grade I would still pick Channellock; I don’t think you can beat the value, and I do still care where they’re made. A 5 piece set on Amazon is like $75-80. Around the house/shop I use lineman, cutters, needle nose, 10-12″ T&G, concretor nippers, and that’s about it.
I think the tool assortment in your GW set is great for a homeowner and I think that a set of good pliers is a great gift for someone starting/upgrading a tool kit. Life is too short for crappy pliers, so I bet your gifts will be well appreciated!
Jared
Just wanted to add that I endorse the sentiment that “life is too short for crappy pliers”.
There’s a dramatic difference with pliers, possibly more than any other tool, between good ones and cheap ones. You can get by with cheap ratchets and sockets (the cheap ones, so long as we’re not talking dollar-store variety, are still ok). Cheap screwdrivers wear out fast, aren’t as comfortable and don’t grip fasteners as well – but you can get a job done. Lousy pliers though, just make life miserable.