I’ve been wanting to try a pair of the Snap-on Talon Grip long nose slip joint pliers for nearly a year now, but have been unable to justify the price. So, I just ordered similar-looking pliers from WorkPro for a fraction of the price.
I have no preconceptions that the WorkPro is going to be as good as the USA-made Snap-on tool.
But at the same time, the WorkPro looks decent, at least from the product images. I recently purchased WorkPro mini adjustable pliers, and am happy with the quality – especially for the price – building my optimism about this other style.
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It’s backordered by a week or two, which takes us into the start of the holiday shopping season, leading me to post about it now.
At the time of this posting, the Snap-on 9″ pliers are over $70. The WorkPro 8″ pliers are just $14.
Are the Snap-on pliers worth paying more than 5X for? Maybe. But I figured I’ll try the WorkPro. At best, the WorkPro will be great and all I need, and at worst over time it’ll help me justify upgrading to the pricey Snap-on model.
You’re probably familiar with slip-joint pliers. They’re an older style of adjustable pliers that have made a resurgence in recent years, such as with the Knipex TwinGrip.
Slip-joint pivots allow for the selection between narrow or wider jaw opening widths.
With this design, you get long nose jaws with different geometries – a flat section with fine serrations, a curved section for gripping smaller round materials, and wider jaws with aggressive serrations for gripping fasteners and uneven shapes with a strong (but typically marring) grip.
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WorkPro’s product images show that the tip is wide, providing a spread out and more secure grip compared to the narrow jaws of typical long nose pliers.
I’d rather have the Snap-on’s, but these look decent for just $14.
Anyone know of another version of the Snap-on Talon Grip where you’re not paying a tool truck service premium?
Update: I forgot all about the Harbor Freight Icon’s, which are currently priced at $30. See: New Harbor Freight Icon Pliers Take on Snap-on Talon Grip.
MM
The main reason why the Snap-Ons are so good, in my opinion, is that the serrations are fantastic. These are among the very few pliers that can compete with or perhaps even exceed Knipex’s attention to detail on the teeth. The teeth on the Snap-On come to very sharp points which gives them an aggressive grip. The teeth on the Workpro look generically dull.
Now for $14 it’s hard to complain. I’m sure they’re perfectly functional needle-nose. But I don’t think you’ll really understand what the hype is about with these. In my opinion most Snap-On pliers aren’t anything special and aren’t worth anything close to the asking price, but those Talon Grips are an exception.
MattW.
Like you dont own really any other snapon really but the talon grips are worth it and id replace them in a heartbeat. Hes likely to hear the same story many times I know its the same thing many times.
Dj
Like you say the serrations look good compared to any other make really, but sadly they don’t last and soon flatten out, I’ve had many snap on pliers over the years with talon grip but they just don’t last. Agree with others there just not worth it anymore now they’re prices have gone through the roof.
Chris Rudd
When I was working I had a lot of Snap On pliers and other tools replaced under warranty due to wear. It helped to have friendly dealers driving the tool truck 🚛
Robert
Alo t of the snap-on pliers are made by knipex
Stuart
That is not correct. The Snap-on pliers we’re talking about, and others in the same product family, are said to be made in the USA. Knipex is known to manufacture their pliers in Europe.
MattW.
I have the snapon icon and these bla bla. I use the 7in snapon almost daily for electrical work and love them for lock rings and knockouts. The 9in are just too big and icons are not my cup of tea. These workpro are cheap and finished smoothly but the tips are garbage. I did take a banfile and make it a decent set of needle nose. Its much better now even if you clean up the tips and grinds. Useable for sure but you owe it to yourself to get a set of the 7in snappys. If I lost them today I would order them agian no clones are nearly the same.
Nick
What about the Harbor Freight Icon long nose slip joint pliers? I have no experience with them, but it appears to be a direct copy of the Snap-On. The Work-Pro pliers do seem to have a wider tip though.
https://www.harborfreight.com/hand-tools/pliers/single-pliers/joint/9-in-long-nose-slip-joint-pliers-70612.html
Stuart
Thanks! I forgot about those. Posted about them around the same time I wishlisted the Snap-on’s. https://toolguyd.com/harbor-freight-icon-long-nose-pliers-takes-on-snap-on-talon-grip/
bob
i searched every harbor freight in florida for these, lol. i finally found them!
Frank
I watched Harbor Freight here in Connecticut for weeks until finally the showed up.
I love them. Seems like I always reaching for them. ✌️
Tad
I have the WorkPro and the Harbor Freight Icon ones in the 8/9 inch size and the Snapons in 4 and 6 inches.
The Workpros are ok pliers, but with the Icon models are much nicer, in hinge and serrations. The Workpros will end up in a car kit, or passed to a kid. I’ve gone back for more copies of the Icon pliers.
I find the 8-9 inch size a little too large for general use, my favorite is the 6 inch Snapons, I find I reach for them first. Of course, I only have one pair, but if there ever is an Icon version of the smaller ones, I’m buying enough to have a pair in every kit.
The Snapon 4″ talon grips are cute, but they don’t feel to have that great grip that the larger ones have, I wouldn’t order them again now that I have used them.
You should try out the Icon versions, they are nice. And while you are there, get the Icon 70592 crimpers, they are an awesome copy of the Snap crimpers and sooooo much better that all the cheap crimpers pressed out of steel plate.
Wayne R.
I don’t/won’t have the Snap On version, as the price just seems absurd. I did grab a pair of the Icon version because the three-position slip joint fills a significant gap in “the basics”. I’ve gotten some things done with it that otherwise might not have gotten done.
I can’t compare them to the originals, but for the significantly lower price, the HF version seems more than good.
The Work Pro version only has the two-position joint, too much a compromise to me when the HF version isn’t really a big difference in price.
And regarding general prices, the diff between Snap On & HF Icon is big enough to go HF, but the price between Knipex & HF will let me stay with Knipex.
MKY
Stuart –
I believe, in the opening picture of the article, the right side captions are transposed.
Stuart
Yes, I noticed the same. These are WorkPro’s images. They’ve been making a lot of imagery mistakes lately – this is the least of it.
I complained to them about one with an inaccurate American flag, and they have yet to fix it.
Julian Tracy
Those pliers have such different use cases, odd to even be comparing them. The Icon version is a much better comparison… I do own those but haven’t had much chance to use the to any extreme gripping situation to test their serrated teeth durability.
Though I do own 4-5 pairs of various Icon pliers and have been happy with them, primarily, I have 20-some pair of Knipex and, of course, they are all fairly excellent.
I recently picked up a great deal on a new Snap-on 6pc plier/cutter/stripper set that had a nice range of some of their specialty pliers. Got to say – I hate them. Each pair is so damn stiff – that’s one of my pet peeves… Never once have I bought a set of Knipex (OR Icon) pliers that required any breaking in or lubrication or heat or whatever the snap on guys suggest you do to deal with it. Ended up selling off each pair, cause I can’t stand a too-stiff pair of pliers or cutters.
Daniel
I’ve got two pairs of the Snap-On 7 inch and one pair of the 4 inch. Also have the 9 inch ICON from HF.
I use the 7 inch Snap-On daily. Absolutely worth the price! The fit and finish are great, but the serations and cross hatching on the jaws are what make them worth it. The Harbor Freight serrations are not nearly as good, they slip a lot and the fit and finish on mine is sub par. I would not buy the HF ones again. I would get the Snap-On again in a heartbeat. Just one of those tools the price is worth it!
In the end it depends on what you use them for and your budget.
S
I wouldn’t even specify the budget side of it. The snap-on 7″ for me, is worth every penny.
Most of my tool boxes are filled with harbor freight Pittsburg sockets and ratchets. I just plain don’t get the hype over icon or even tool truck iterations of those items.
But I have 3 of the 7″, and even 1 of the 4″. And the 7″ is in use so often, the tool drawer spots for them are usually empty.
It’s one of those tools that’s worth buying and ignoring how much it costs.
dcoleman88
Everyone should check out the offering from IPS, DVM-135 (Diamond Vice Mini). These are two position and perfect for pocket carry or in a mini/micro tool kit. I paid $26 on Amazon but looks like prices are up, but prices are always subject to change on Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F52SKNCF?
ITCD
Yes, the Diamond Mini! I’m sure they released this in response to the way the LN47s took off and others started hopping on the train, but they’ve been making a more “typical” slip joint long nose for years and years now.
Mike
The problem with every cheap set of pliers I’ve ever bought is the heat treating on the teeth is usually where they fall short compared to a premium brand like Snap On or Knipex. I’ve tried saving money with pliers and every time a really get after it with them they come out looking like my cousins in Arkansas, missing half their teeth.
Fly Fisher
I have the Icon version, very nice. However, pay close attention to stock. Several Icon pairs including the first pair I bought have a defective slip joint. Try them before you buy to save the trouble of an exchange as I had to do.
Jordan
Ah, good old HF needle nose pliers.
The perpetual never-in-stock item that has seen multiple price increases — they were $20, then $25, then $28, now $30.
I take that back. I saw one pair *once*….looked like it was dragged 300 feet behind a car down a gravel road. And within 24 hours it was gone. I bet if it was any other tool, it’d be sitting with a purple discount sticker on it for being damaged. But I bet someone paid full price for it.
nigeldh
Anyone else notice – the text between Cutting and Tightening is reversed.
I don’t think these pliers are bolt cutters.
Jack
The other thing I think that is forgotten in comparing other brands to the the Snap on pricing – is the lifetime warrenty…….
Will007
Yes, I have had my snap-on tools for 35 years. Each time a wrench, socket, screw driver or players is worn out or breaks. They are replaced with no question or a penny out of my pocket.