Best Pliers Set

This is a basic beginning set of assorted pliers. Pliers come in all sorts of shapes and sizes for all sorts of purposes. But you need to have a basic set to start with and build on. I trust all the tools here to serve the average person very well; some are the absolute highest grade professional constant use quality sets. Since I am writing for the general public price was a consideration in the rankings.

For my criteria I wanted each set to have one 6 to 8 inch set of slip joint pliers, and one 8 to 10 inch tongue and grove or “channellock” type pliers. “Channellock” is one of those brand names that has become a generic in the language, like “Band Aid”.

There are two types of tongue and groove, or arc joint pliers, one you want, and one you don’t. You want the ones with the full groove for the second jaw to ride in. A lot of people have hurt their hands trying to use the kind without the full groove to exert serious pressure. It is often difficult to tell from photos of the front side which is which. Everything I recommended here was pictured as having the full groove or channel.

After those two essentials I wanted a set of long reach or needle nose pliers, and whatever else looked to be generally useful. No real specialty pliers in this group. But those three are must haves for a tool set. Judging quality for pliers is difficult if you do not have them in your hands. It largely a matter of the quality of the metals used, the manufacturing techniques and the closeness of finish. If they are too tight or too loose they are useless or dangerous. So I relied on research and reputation in making these choices.