Channellock 349 Premium Wiremaster 9-Inch Linesman Plier

These pliers are as stated, premium. I cannot comment on the other Channellock linesman such as the 369 but these 349 pliers are great. I looked into high leverage linesman pliers because my Knipex linesman are good for finish work such as facing off but do not cut 12-2 or even 14-2 very easily. I tend to stay away from Klein tools because in my opinion, they are overpriced for the quality of product you receive though I do like Klein strippers. Channellock, like Klein, is a reputable American manufacturer of tools but usually priced cheaper. After being disappointed by a pair of Channellock dykes I bought years ago, I began to avoid Channellock tools (except for their actual channel locks which of course are very serviceable). However when I began to search for top quality linesman, particularly for the new construction work that I do, I stayed openminded to all brands because I just wanted one pair that I love and will last me as long as I need them. I read reviews from all around the internet including electricians forums and that's where I began to learn about the 349 Premium Wiremasters. I almost tried out the Klein Heavy Duty Cutting 2000 Series Red, but I went with my gut feeling to continue to avoid Klein and decided on the 349. The 349 is pricey and does not have a crimper or a fish tape puller. It is a barebones linesman plier. Without the crimper and tape puller, I believe Channellock was able to cut down on the cost of production and provide a top notch quality barebones plier. My work as an electrician rarely requires me to crimp and when fishing, I never use my linesman to pull so the 349 is exactly what I've been looking for. It cuts with ease anything you would use linesman to cut (wire, nails, screws, staples). Right out of the package my 349 was perfectly loose and believe me, though we expect all brand new big name linesman to be loose out of the box, many are not. Countless times I have seen brand new big name pliers rigid out of the package and sometimes so rigid that even PB Blaster, WD-40 and even gun oil could not loosen them. $50 and all they got was a big name and a trip back to Depot to return them. I'm not gonna bash brands because some people are stubbornly if not ignorantly loyal to the manufacturer they like but personally I am only loyal to my trade and making my workday easier. Staying open minded led me to the 349. They've become part of the family and my go to linesman until the day I hang up my tool belt. Also I just want to throw out there that us electricians should not snicker at the thought of buying Kobalt hand tools such as dykes, needle nose or backup linesman. Cheap and Chinese made? Yes. Always inferior quality? NO! I love my high leverage Kobalt dykes they are absolutely awesome. They put my Knipex dykes to shame no joke (check out my review for Knipex 7401200SBA 8-Inch High Leverage Diagonal Cutters). Very sharp and loose but the best part of all is that you can exchange any Kobalt tool at Lowes no questions asked. Blow your Kobalt out on a live wire a year after you bought it and take that bad boy and a new pair to the return desk at lowes and remember it is returned NO QUESTIONS ASKED! Now that my friends is a warranty. Sorry for such a long review but I hope I helped somebody buy once, cry once.

I'm fairly new to the electrical trade, but my teacher used these pliers his whole career, and he recommended them to me. Immediately I saw the difference, new out of the box I sprayed them down with a little silicone spray and they drop right open like a well worked set of pliers should. The coating that's on them lasts for some time and prevents that thin layer of rust, works well but dose not last forever. There is only two problems I see with them, first, I can never find them in stores when i need a new pare I always have to order them. Second, I wish the back would clamp down better on fish-tapes

25 and I finally have the funds to build my set of tools and have been doing so over the past few months. No set is complete with out these bad boys. The best. I love seeing actual forge marks on the cutters like you use to see in tools in the old days when tools actually lasted. Some people complain about it for some reason. To me its a sign of quality. Look forward to a lifetime of service from these guys.

The strongest best lineman's dikes on the market. I had a pair for 35 years that had a chip on the cutter and they replaced them without cost to me.

Exactly what I wanted in quality and performance. These are really the only pliers I have ever used that cut wire and keep cutting it as long as you own them.

Great Heavy Duty Linesman Pliers; great cutting edge too. Must Have for all toolboxes

I still have the first pair I bought 20+ years ago. Running over them on a curb with a skid loader wrecked the plastic coating on the handles but the jaws still work as smooth as ever.

Nice size handles for leverage, Decent weight to them, strong jaws, cuts bolts easily,