Hardware Tool Shop Editorial Team 
If you are buying your first set, start with combination (linesman’s) pliers, long-nose pliers, and diagonal-cutting pliers; together they cover gripping, reaching, bending, and cutting far better than a large specialty collection. The different types of pliers are defined mainly by jaw shape, pivot design, and whether the tool grips, cuts, holds, or turns material. … Read more
Best Tongue and Groove Pliers: Jaw Capacity and Grip Compared The best tongue and groove pliers for most users are Knipex Cobra 10-inch pliers if you want quick push-button adjustment and a strong hold; choose Irwin GrooveLock for a more budget-conscious push-button option, or a traditional slip-joint design when low cost and simplicity matter more … Read more
The best plier sets are compact combinations built around one high-use combination plier, one long-nose plier, and one diagonal cutter—not the largest box of mismatched sizes. For most homeowners and general repair work, a three- or four-piece set from Knipex, Channellock, Klein Tools, Wiha, or a comparable professional brand offers better value than a 10-piece … Read more
Best Safety Wire Pliers for Aviation, Motorsport, and Shop Use The best safety wire pliers for most people are reversible, auto-return pliers sized for the wire they use most: choose a compact 6-inch model for close work, or an 8- to 9-inch model for general-purpose twisting and better leverage. Single-direction pliers can be a sensible, … Read more
Milwaukee Tool Bags Compared: Packout vs. Open Totes vs. Backpacks For a large, modular load that travels with other Packout gear, choose a Packout tool bag; for quick access to bulky tools, choose an open tote; and for hands-free carrying up stairs or across a site, choose a backpack. The right Milwaukee tool bag depends … Read more
Best Hog Ring Pliers for Upholstery, Fencing, and Auto Trim For upholstery and auto trim, choose compact spring-loaded hog ring pliers with straight jaws; for fencing, choose longer, heavier standard pliers—straight for open, accessible joints and angled for tight corners or work against a frame. Match the tool to the ring’s gauge and profile, not … Read more
Best Lineman Pliers for Cutting and Electrical Work For most wire work and general repairs, choose 9-inch lineman pliers with forged steel jaws, a tight, durable joint, and clearly marked insulation rated for the voltage involved; step down to 8 inches for tighter spaces or up to 10 inches when extra leverage matters more than … Read more
For most workshop and repair jobs, start with the Knipex Cobra 10-inch water pump pliers; choose the 7¼-inch version for tighter spaces, the Pliers Wrench for scratch-sensitive flat-sided parts, and a dedicated diagonal cutter for wire. Those tools solve different problems: jaw opening determines what fits, while jaw geometry and cutting design determine how well … Read more
Best Slip-Joint Pliers for Everyday Repairs For most household repairs, the best slip joint pliers are a 6- or 8-inch model with two adjustment positions, accurately aligned jaws, and comfortable dipped handles; choose a larger, multi-position pair if you regularly work on plumbing fittings or bulky workshop parts. The right choice depends less on the … Read more
The best snap ring pliers for most repair work are a convertible set with interchangeable tips, while fixed-tip pliers are the better choice when you repeatedly service one circlip size and need a faster, more rigid tool. Before choosing, check the ring’s installed or free-state diameter, whether it is internal or external, and the diameter … Read more