I’m sorry – what? Pliers… for use on fasteners? Surely that must be a mistake.
April Fools? Nope.
Advertisement
Snap-on has come out with new 8″ Talon Grip FlankJaw pliers that claim to be able to do just that – turn hex fasteners without destroying or rounding the corners.
These pliers feature a special FlankJaw geometry that Snap-on says is optimized for grabbing onto 6pt hex heads from 5/16″ to 1″ in size.
The FlankJaw jaw profile is directional, with an arrow showing you which way to turn the pliers.
The way it works, the turning load is exerted away from the corners, helping to prevent damage. Then, you loosen your hold on the handles, and rotate the pliers back for a ratcheting-like action.
Oh – and they’re slip-joint pliers, and so you can spread the jaws open to better grip wider fasteners or materials.
Snap-on says that the pliers are made from a special cold forged steel that has “higher alloy content for a higher degree of durability and strength.”
The pliers have a contoured handle and cushion grips.
Additionally, the jaws look to have wide and aggressively grooved tips for gripping power.
Color Options
- Red: HJ47ACF
- Green: HJ47ACG
- Orange: HJ47ACO
Price: $53 via the Snap-on website, dealer prices might vary
Here’s their promo video which was posted to social media:
Discussion
Well, why don’t you just grab a combination wrench?
Because sometimes all you’ve got in your back pocket are some pliers, so why not make them pliers that won’t damage and round off fasteners?
I’d say get the Knipex Pliers Wrench, although you wouldn’t be saving too much money. And, it might not work in as tight spaces as the Snap-on pliers.
Based on my personal experiences, the Snap-on tool isn’t something I would buy. I have NWS pliers with an integrated wrench socket, and I don’t think I’ve ever used it to turn any fasteners.
I’m not posting about these Snap-on pliers as a way of giving it the *thumbs up*, but because the design looks neat and potentially useful for certain users.
If it were a fraction of the cost, say $15 to $25 instead of $53, I’d consider using this in place of standard slip joint pliers. But at $53, you’d better be sure this is something you could use.
Kevin says
Maybe useful for doing some demo work like disconnecting plumbing when removing kitchen cabinets. As a demo tool wire cutters would be a good feature. Maybe they can cut wire? Some guys I know never seem to have any wrenches so it might help them adjust or repair power tools on a construction site. Often then just borrow something from me. It looks interesting but I will not be getting a pair.
Dave says
I’m 100% a slip-joint pliars guy–carry a set in a leather holster on my belt 6 days a week.
I cut wire, tighten and loosen bolts, nuts, cap screw, etc. But… I also WHACK stuff with them, use one side of the pliars handle as a punch (not a fan of dipped/covered handles–I even saw a mark on one handle at 1, 2, and 3″), a temporary hitch pin (for short moves across the shop yard), use the top edge of a jaw as a chisel—and I also LOSE them occasionally. (I might carry a set for a year and then lose 2 sets in as many months).
For 8 bucks, I’m back in business.
$53–no thanks
Graham Z says
What brand of slip joint?
Dave says
I’m not fussy as long as they’re “tight enough” to cut small wire. Diamond, Channel lock or Cee Tee for about $8. Wilde for about $11. I haven’t been able to find the Diamond ones lately.
Wilde and Channel lock have the dipped/covered grips- I destroy the grips in a week….
The ones our Deere dealers(Large Ag dealers, not lawnmower dealers) sell are good, I don’t remember what they cost but they can’t be over $10 or so or I’d have never bought them.
I have lots of trucks and machines w a tool box in each–I’m sure I have 25 pairs around here at least.
Jerry says
I’m with you on the dipped or cushion handles. Just as well cut them off because within a couple days they’re so chewed up as to be useless. Had excellent luck with ChannelLock heavy duty 8 inch pliers but notice they have been discontinued. I normally carry 6 inch in a leather holster for EDC and go with 8 inch when I know ill be using pliers, such as when going to work on fence.
King duck says
What about these? Although not useful for much else but kind of an adjustable wrench replacement. I’m very satisfied with my Knipex plies wrench though.
https://www.tekton.com/7-3-4-inch-nut-jaw-pliers-pgf40007
fred says
At one time that style was called “battery pliers” – for grabbing and turning the clamp-nut on automobile storage batteries.
Stuart says
That’s not going to be non-marring!
fred says
You’re right! But on what use to be square battery terminal nuts – folks probably cared more about the grip than if the nut got buggered up.
Knipex makes a style they call Raptor – that have smooth – possibly non-marring jaws
https://www.homedepot.com/p/KNIPEX-10-in-Raptor-Pliers-87-41-250/205944374?NCNI-5
fred says
I think I’ll stay with Knipex plier wrenches for most jobs – although slip joint pliers do come in handy sometimes. The Channellock 5410 that I like – seem to be out of production.
Cody Robertson says
Channellock still makes them for Cornwell model CCL5410
JD says
I gave up on slip joint pliers a long time ago. Not because the design is inherently poor, but because the execution by most manufacturers is terrible. Most are horribly cast, poorly fitted, and laughably dull.
I’ve been thinking about buying a set of Wilde slip joints for a while. They are made in the USA and have nicely cut jaws, and overall look well made. These look just as good, and the nut grabbing jaw is a welcome addition. The teeth on the front of the jaws look very nicely cut.
The Wilde’s are about 1/4 the price of the Snap Ons. If I used them every day and had a Snap-On dealer I might consider them.
Mike (the other one) says
I have a feeling Wilde is the actual manufacturer of these.
I have two pairs of Wilde flush joint pliers, one branded as Proto, which was way more expensive.
Bob Barley says
Snappy makes this line of pliers in house,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9eRsd1hse8
I have Wilde pliers as well as Snap-on’s, both are nice but the Snap-Ons are better, they are wider, tighter joint, better hand grips, more substantial feeling. Are they worth the premium, I’d say no for most people
Mike (the other one) says
Hmm. I wonder if there will be a Williams version of this.
rob says
Obviously, they sell a lot of cheapened snap-on for pennies on the dollar as Williams.
Unfortunately, the USA Williams pliers are not the same pliers sold as Snap-On.
Neighbor Joe says
My first thought too. Sure look like Wilde. Snapon does outsource some work. Irega comes to mind. Very good adjustable wrenches branded Snapon but made in Spain. You can buy the same wrench branded Channellock for alot less.
rob says
Patently not true. Their adjustable are currently manufactured in the Spanish plants Snap-On acquired when they bought Herramientas Eurotools . Much of the Bahco stuff had production moved over there and indeed the Bahco and Snap-On adjustable wrenches are identical to the ones sold under the Irimo (pretty similar name) brand.
Irega is it’s own thing and does indeed sell to Channellock and Klein (Klein stopped producing their own).
Both plants in Spain, with different owners, and equally good adjustable wrenches.
Rob says
These pliers are a variation of Snap-On’s most popular pliers (47ACF) that they definitely make in house.
Chris says
Snap-On posts are always welcomed! I’m
A big proponent of having the right tool for the job, but I wouldn’t mind having these. Not paying full price for them though. Although Snap-On does have some really nice pliers. I love the grips on them. The texture is comfortable and has the right amount of squish. (In my opinion) or maybe I’m just trying to justify my purchases. Idk. I like them.
Jared says
Hmm. Seems like an interesting idea. I’m not sure a slip-joint style plier is what I would have envisioned if I was trying to develop nut-turning pliers. Maybe modified water-pump pliers instead?
Price turns me off, but that’s the case with most Snap-on stuff for me. I know I’m not the target market though.
If Channellock made these and presumably sold them at their regular $20-30 price-point, I would already have a pair ordered.
Michael says
Same here. $35 would be my cut off point. I have used knipex Cobra and Gator plyers for years and never done any serious damage to any hex faster
Chaws says
I will say the cushion grips they use on these snapon pliers are truly out of this world. They are incredibly durable yet ultra comfy. The price can be scary but they are made in the USA and built with the utmost quality. I sound like a snapon shill but I’m truly blown away by how nice they are. Worth it. You won’t be disappointed!
rob says
I ain’t no shill, and I ditto everything you said.
I won’t be buying the particular model in the article but pliers are pretty much what I buy with Snap-On written on it. I’ve owned a lot of boutique pliers made in Germany, US and Japan and I’ve settled on Knipex and Snap-On.
Stacey Jones says
I’ll use Knipex Pliers Wrench or put a rubber band around it and use the Knipex cobra pliers, if that’s nearer to hand.
Rob says
I hated on American style slip joint combination pliers until I got my hands on an 8” Snap-On 47ACF. Seriously great. I understand why people say that their slip joints and needle nose are must have pliers. I own them and agree. I saw these pop up a couple of days ago and I scratched my head. The truck customers have every wrench you can imagine. More importantly, The large inner teeth of the 47ACF are every bit as great as the talon grip area. Personally, I feel as though with this variation, they removed half of the greatness.
Javier A. says
I bought a green pair from my driver yesterday. So far I love them – although not unique to these, the textured grips are a big reason I’m switching a lot of my pliers over to Snap-on (mainly automotive use) – they really shine when you have grease or oil on your hands. I’ve already used this pair on a nut that was too big for any of the flare nut wrenches that I have. I was able to break free a lock nut on a tie rod end without rounding or damaging the nut.