Kobalt has come out with a new 2-piece traditional pliers set, which they say gives you all of the pliers you need in a standard pliers set in just 2 hand tools. Each of the pliers has a flip jaw design that gives you two jaw options in a single tool.
First, there’s the 6-inch pliers, above, which comes with lineman’s and slip joint pliers. According to the promo video, the lineman’s pliers are for gripping, twisting, and bending cables, while the slip joint pliers are for clamping items, turning nuts and bolts, and gripping irregular objects.
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Is it just me, or do the slip joint pliers lack the slip joint that give this style of pliers its name?
The linesman’s plier jaws also look to have wire cutting blades, but keep in mind that these are 6-inch pliers. It’ll be able to cut softer wire, but larger or harder wire will likely require a beefier tool.
Related Discussion: Are Slip Joint Pliers Relics or Still Practical?
The set also comes with 8-inch pliers, which features diagonal cutter and long nose pliers tool heads. The diagonal cutter can handle cutting copper, brass, and steel wire, while the long nose pliers are meant for holding, crimping, and pulling wire and other objects.
Both of the pliers feature spring-loaded handles and a safety lock that keeps the jaws closed for storage and transport.
Price: $25 for the 2-piece set
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Buy Now(via Lowes)
First Thoughts
Right now, not having seen the tools in person yet, I find myself without clear thoughts about these new flip-jaw pliers. I usually prefer single-purpose tools, as this allows me to pick the best tool for a particular task.
For instance, I might prefer 6-inch long nose pliers and 8-inch lineman’s pliers. With this set, you don’t have that choice.
Both of the new Kobalt pliers also look to be a little bit bulkier than single-purpose pliers, as the handles have to accommodate swinging jaws.
The 2-piece set is $25 now, and it might be safe to assume that the price will drop a little once the holiday season nears.
Maybe these will be good for a junk drawer or portable tool kit?
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fred
I would like to see and handle them before commenting on quality etc. – but they look a bit gimmicky and may be something that will be clearanced-out after the holiday season is over.
Dave L.
I have a pair of “flipover” pliers sort of like that. I bought them from Radio Shack years ago. I think I’ve used them twice. Most of the time I find locking pliers much handier anyhow.
tim
My father has been buying double flip pliers from somewhere (I’ve yet to figure out where) for many years and loves them.
I keep a set or wire stripper/side cutter flip pliers he got me in the glove box on my truck and can honestly say they’re my second favorite pair of wire gauge strippers even though the cutter kind of sucks.
You never know. Sometimes you get a hand on a tool like that and you just wind up liking them, gimmicky or not.
Hilton
Not sure your referral is getting much mileage at the moment Stu.
“Access Denied
You don’t have permission to access “http://www.lowes.com/” on this server.
Reference #18.34a3c129.1445871387.83052d2 “
Stuart
It works for me on mobile and desktop.
Maybe it’s the redirect that breaks the link on certain browsers? But that’s the only way I’ll link to Lowe’s and several other retailers. Doing so had saved my sanity when Lowe’s and other stores changed their URL structures without warning, some of them twice. Changing all the links I have ever used in one redirect page is a hassle, but not as much as changing the links in dozens or even hundreds of individual posts.
Hilton
Using Chrome and Firefox on Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2003 I get the same error message. I even tried another ISP.
My mobile phone’s browser also gets that error. Maybe Lowes is just down?
jesse
I didn’t find it on lowes.com
phil
They have lots of them now for about $20. On Amazon, they’re not available. I’ve used the flip-type for almost 4 years… almost a “goto” tool. I bought mine for a couple of dollars but they’re super cheap quality… but, my “goto” tool. I don’t know if I’m willing to part with $20 for another pair… but, I’m thinkin’, why not for a “goto” tool? It’s certainly get used a lot more than some of the other tools.
mikeh
works on my mac, safari browser
Hilton
Lowes probably just don’t like us Saffers. Not to worry.
Nathan York
I’d start looking at your system being compromised.
Lee
2 things I can see that I will avoid it.
1: the needle nose is too thick for those places which I need to work on
2: all 4 tools jaw opening seems to be a bit too small…. may be it’s just the video, but without having one on my hand, it’s hard to say……
Blythe M
A farm supply store near me has had these for a long time, they feel really nice and the mechanism is smooth
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002IWZWG/
Lee
Ha, I like this one much more than the Kobalt one.
phil
Hey… I just responded to someone else about this exact same pair of pliers. I wore mine out… a definite fav. Thanks for the link. I saw the other but have not been willing to part with $20 at Lowes. The hold slider button doesn’t hold anymore, but it’s definitely a favorite of mine and I’m huntin’ for a replacement. Thanks again.
Pete
A coworker has a pair of those exactly. They work well but he really like them and i guess thats all that matters. I can see where they would be usefull-on a lightweight toolbelt/pouch or a light tool kit for a vehicle.
However for some reason i dont like pretty much any kobalt tools. Even though the design is similar and im sure they work well i just dont like kobalt tools. They seems very cheap all around.
Hepdog
I’ve had a pair of these forever. Useful and indestructible.
phil
Forgot to mention that I gave one exactly like this to all the guys in the family one Christmas. I only paid about 4 dollars for mine. I just looked at the price on Amazon and was price-shocked! It’s worth $4, but $16? No way for a China cheap metal product. That said, it is still a favorite though quite beat-up after years of use.
Yadda
Allied/Flip Grip has been around for years. They even made a highly collectable multi tool version with tools in the handle. Craftsman had a version of this not too long ago. Universal pliers made a much better and bigger version back in the 50’s. CK out of the UK also made a really solid version in the 50’s or earlier.
Yadda
Flip Grip or Allied can often be found at Costco. I keep avoiding the aisle because I am a sucker for gimmicky pliers.
Yadda
http://toolmonger.com/2007/03/26/flipgrip-flip-grip-and-pinch/
A write up from a different tool blog on the Flip-grip Multi Tool circa 2007.
Yadda
And an intersting link to an earlier (circa April, 2014) Craftsman seven inch version.
https://toolguyd.com/craftsman-2-in-1-linemans-pliers-wire-stripper/
Mike
I received one of those as a gift. Not the best made thing out there. It was okay for gripping or stripping wire, but cutting wire or twisting anything distorted and bent the handles to the point they needed to be bent back in order to switch the pliers. I suspect these Kobalts will be the same or worse. The stamped steel looks thinner.
Mark S.
Took a look at these when browsing the other day, seemed alright in construction but my past experiences with their pliers haven’t been great (softer metal than expected, faster rust time despite lack of humidity). If they drop below $20 I might give them an actual trial.
Brian
Saw these this weekend, they’re awfully beefy handles for the jaws, I was intrigued but at $25 they can stay there…I don’t think I’d pay more than $15 for them.
typhoon
I tried the Craftsman versions some time ago and found them terribly uncomfortable. Because of the flip-around design, the grips at straight rather than curved. I couldn’t imagine using them for long.
The Allied SwitchGrip that another person posted attempts a curved grip, so I wonder if those are any better.
Kent
Like all tools that try to do everything, they won’t do anything well.
If you rarely use tools, and keep these next to the screwdriver and claw hammer in the kitchen drawer, they’ll be perfect.
If you actually use tools on a regular basis, you’ll hate them – and your aunt will give you a set for Christmas.
jesse
Jack of all trades, master of none.
Bruce
I’m a hater of flip pliers. They are never on the right jaws, awkward to pick up, half the time they pinch me when I actually try to use them.
firefly
I got a few of the craftmans version. I don’t like them at all. Now I only use them if I need something for a throwaway job like holding something hot or getting hit by a hammer.
Max
They could be useful for an emergency kit, likely something on a motorcycle, but then a pair of needle nose and slip joints would suffice.
Bobby Diaz
Just saw these at my local lowes the needle nose pliers do not close fully. Because of the double plier heads the handles are weak when any real force is applied.