You might have seen Irwin’s NWS-made premium Vise-Grip pliers, we’ve sure talked about them enough. Some of these tools are identical to NWS designs, but with distinguishing Irwin handle grips.
Chris wrote in, asking about Irwin’s lineman’s pliers, which are part of that NWS-made lineup.
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He asked:
Hello! I saw your article on the IRWIN branded NWS pliers and noticed something that I can’t seem to get clarification on. For the most part they look just like direct rebrands with new grips, but the Linesman Pliers actually seem to be entirely new models not available from NWS.
As far as I’m able to tell, the NWS site has 3 kinds of combination pliers, but none are in the Linesman Plier configuration (Fish Tape puller, longer serrated section behind the pivot/crimper behind the pivot. Even the serrated jaws are a bit different, the NWS ones have a small groove close to the end I think for grabbing wire).
Do you know if these are truly new models made exclusively for IRWIN, or if these models can be obtained from NWS themselves?
I actually asked Irwin about this a while back, about how their pliers are different from NWS offerings. Here is what they said:
The close collaboration between the two brands included the IRWIN Tools Industrial Design team developing the new 3-Zone Comfort Grips, which are specially-engineered to optimize ergonomics and enhance user comfort.
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Okay, so Irwin’s team took part in developing their premium pliers’ distinct handle design. I haven’t been able to determine whether Irwin’s grips or NWS’ are better. Both offer excellent grip and comfort.
IRWIN Tools and NWS also co-developed the new range of Lineman’s Pliers, with key features specially-engineered to serve users in the North American market, as well as working together on the new ErgoMulti Pliers design with the appropriate features to meet the need of the US user.
So, Irwin’s lineman’s pliers are made by NWS, seemingly exclusive for them. They’re designed for users in the North American market, which is probably why we haven’t seen them with NWS branding. Or maybe it was part of their collaboration agreement.
These are the 3 lineman’s pliers currently available in Irwin’s premium NWS-made pliers lineup:
8″ high leverage lineman’s pliers, 1902414
Buy Now(via Amazon)
9-1/2″ high leverage lineman’s pliers with fish tape puller, 1902415
Buy Now(via Amazon)
9-1/2″ high leverage lineman’s pliers with fish tape puller and crimper, 1902416
Buy Now(via Amazon)
If anyone ever spots these same pliers under NWS branding, please let us know!
I’m definitely a fan of Irwin’s premium pliers, perhaps even more so knowing they’re made by one of my favorite pliers brands. If you’ve used these lineman’s pliers, what do you think of them?
Jeffrey
Are there any plans to offer these pliers without the oversized grips?
Hang Fire
I’m not a fan of the grips, but I realize that is a personal thing- not everyone’s hands are the same size or shape. I do appreciate that Irwin is doing something to counter their quality perception issues, beyond just shipping more production off to China. I have a bunch of their drill bits, and they weren’t too sharp when new, and quickly became completely dull after drilling a few holes in… pine.
I am of fan of their bi-metal box cutter blades, they are worth the upgrade price from the standard blades.
Jeremy Neill
Love these pliers. I have them and they are fantastic. They are heavier than most pliers I’ve ever had but I think it’s because of the density of the metal. I really love the socket area of these. Great cutters. Great handle as well. I’ll never top these honestly.
Steve Zissou
I own a pair of the Linesman Pliers … havent used them extensively. I actually own (3) pairs of these new Irwin/NWS models – A pair of diagonal cutters (my introduction to the line, that led to the acquisition of the other 2), the End Cutters … and I just got my Linesman Pliers, which were on back order from Amazon for about 3 months.
These are phenomenal tools, some of the nicest constructed and best designed in my arsenal. I bought the lanyard attachment (optional accessory) and that’s a great add on as well. Although pricey, I got all 3 tools during Irwin’s periodic promotion events on Amazon at decent discounts (although they were still expensive).
If you think about how often you use these sorts of tools … if it is with any frequency at all I strongly recommend stepping up to these tools. They are a pleasure to use and I fully expect they are the last pliers I will ever buy.
Krause
Ha! Nice! I prefer NWS’s dipped handles, but if these really are custom made then I might pick up a pair.
Brent
Hi Stuart,
Great review as always! 🙂 I love your written review as well as your Youtube reviews. I would LOVE to see more youtube reviews as I like your style.
To Toolgyd audience,
Please like my post if you want to see more awesome youtube reviews from Stuart the Toolgyd! 🙂
MJ
How’s the quality compared to Klein?
Matt
I got the bottom set of linesmans 2 weeks ago and really like them. We’ll see how they hold up compared to my old Klein’s or Milwaukee’s but so far I’m pretty impressed. They were smooth directly out of the package. I’ve found with Klein’s until they get some use or use and some lube they can be stiff and very unpleasant to use until you work them in. My Milwaukee’s seized up to the point where they’re a 2 handed operation. At that point I shifted back to my slightly burnt up Klein’s and started looking for a replacement. I was going to get some Klein journeyman linesmen but went with the Irwin’s to try something different. I also like having tools different from everyone else to I can see when something is missing or been borrowed.
I try to take care of my tools and not beat them up. After 2 weeks of use I still like them. For the price they’re better than either the Milwaukee (red and black gen 1) 6 in 1s and so far I prefer them to Klein especially for the price. I’m considering a pair of the ergonomic needle nose but I really need a big ol’ wire cutter first. Right now the Greenlee 718F is the leading contender for that.
fred
The Greenlee IMO is a good choice – we had a some of their #30208 (718 with steel handles) bought in the 1990’s – and with the exception of one that was abused trying to cut ACSR – I think they are still in use.
Chris Fyfe
Here in Canada , they are made of unobtanium , online prices are higher than NWS from Lee Valley .
of the German made Linesman’s pliers , I prefer Knipex .
chris
Matt
They’re really reasonable on Amazon – comparatively speaking.
GTX
My biggest draw to these pliers is the star grooves by the cutters. I assume it’s for the odd times you need to break loose a bolt or nut but don’t have a wrench on you. It’s definitely something I wish were on US made linemans.
fred
Might be a European thing. The first time I noticed this feature was about 15 years ago on a pair of Sandvik-Bahco lineman’s pliers.
Toolfreak
That’s actually really smart of Irwin to offer particular pliers exclusive to their brand, even if the majority of the line is just rebranded from NWS.
With all this innovation going on with the Vise-Grip brand, it’s too bad they don’t do something about the core Vise-Grip product. Surely Irwin could offer a better quality product with better materials for only a slight increase in cost (or a tiny bit less profit—*gasp*). If they had any sense, they’d bring production back to DeWitt in the USA, reopen the old factory with new manufacturing, and just make them from U.S. Steel and sell them what they need to sell them for. Maybe they could even do both – have a value line made overseas and pitch the USA-made product to professionals.
Jim Felt
And pigs will be flying over head with the “Made in USA” banner too. Or more likely first.
Jim Felt
BTW, Stuart, do you know if these are actually “Made in Germany” products or like some (now many?) German brands they’re actually sourced/made in Romania, Poland or even Vietnam?
As I’ve certainly seen each on various “German” (outsourced) products. Even Porsche SUVs.
Stuart
The 2 Irwin pliers I have in front of me right now (not the lineman’s though) say made in Germany.
fred
When my wife and I were in Bratislava last Spring – the Slovaks were very proud to tell us about all the “German” and “French” cars that were being in their country. I take it as an increasing sign of globalization.
Stuart
5 points to anyone who knows where Bratislava is on a map. After checking Google, I realized I really need to brush up on my European geography.
fred
Anyone who has done a cruise on the Danube (Budapest to Prague) will know.
We learned about the city when we were doing just that with Tauck, otherwise I might not have known either
When Czechoslovakia existed, Bratislava was the “unofficial” center of the Slovak area., with Prague the capital of the country. Now that the Czech Republic and Slovakia are independent states, Bratislava is the capitol of Slovakia and Prague is the capitol of the Czech Republic.
Both countries are part of the EU – but Slovakia seems t be doing better financially (maybe because of all its automobile production) so its also part of the Eurozone – while the Czech Republic still uses the Czech Koruna (Crown).
Sorry for this bit of off-tool-topic rambling – but thought to pass on what we learned.
rob
NWS pliers are made in Germany.
fred
I should have said “being made in their country”
jesse
The question that comes to mind is whether Irwin mandated any cost-cutting changes that affected the quality of the tools vis-a-vis those in NWS’s own catalog.
Stuart
Seeing as how they look, feel, and function identically to my NWS-made ones, aside from the grip and branding, I’m going to say no.
Logan
A buddy has them. They’re awesome. Seriously. I want the lineup but damnit if I don’t already have similar channel locks for most of them, and if these aren’t double the price. Germany makes awesome stuff.
Off topic,
Still sour that the Dewitt Plant’s closing laid off like 330 people in a town of 500. Sent all of it to China. kept the Irwin vise grip name and prices went up as usual. Will say that they’re still among the best in the market.
JohnH
The 9 1/2″ Linesman with tape puller (1902415), 8″ Max Leverage diagonal cutting pliers with PowerSlot (1902413), and the 8″ Ergomulti long nose pliers (1902419) are now being stocked in the Lowes stores in the Phoenix area. The linesman pliers and diagonal cutter are both listed on the Lowes website, but the Ergomulti pliers are shown as no longer available even though I just purchased a pair at my local Lowes and there were a half dozen pairs on the rack. As a side note, the first pair of Irwin Ergomulti pliers I purchased did not function correctly – the pivot was binding and the spring could not open the jaws – I had to return them. The next pair worked great. At the same time these showed up, a whole bunch of Asian made Irwin pliers and cutters also appeared. Many of these seem to be replacements for Kobalt brand tools that were being cleared out over the last couple of weeks.
Mike
What the heck? Lowe’s just got rid of their Irwin pliers a few months ago with some pretty steep clearance prices. I kept waiting for the Powerslot cutters to get ridiculously cheap but waited too long and they were all gone. Now they’re back and replacing Kobalt?
In any case, Lowe’s seems to be making a change for the better. I don’t normally browse when I walk through there but a couple of weeks ago a flash of yellow caught my eye in the electrical aisle. Genuine ***FLUKE*** meters stocked right there in the store! There was also a new selection of made in USA Ideal electrical tools. The power tool section isn’t any bigger than it was previously but the items there were much higher end than what was there before.
Marcel
How the Irwin comfort grips compare to NWS and Knipex comfort grips? I can check the Irwin local at Lowe’s but unfortunately cannot check the others. I liked the rubberish feel of the Irwin and I’m wondering how it compare to the others, since Irwin seems to be the most expensive ones.
MarylandUSA
The Felo 63817 High Leverage Linesman Pliers, 9.5″ looks like a functional twin of the Irwin 1902416. Lifetime waranty. Priced higher than the NWS, lower than the Irwin. Is Felo made by NWS?