Irwin GrooveLock Pliers Review

Manufacturer:
Model: GV6, GV8, GV10
Price: $20
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Irwin’s GrooveLock Pliers are designed with twice the adjustment positions as traditional groove joint pliers. They also feature multipurpose jaws that can grip round, hex, square and flat surfaces with ease. These pliers come in many sizes that range from 6″, 8″, 10″, 12”, 16″ and even 20″ and are also available as both toothed flat jaw and smooth flat jaw. Clearly, the company understands the need for, and importance of, flexibility.

Irwin has done what only a few companies can do: they have taken a great product and found ways to make it even better. We are not talking about re-inventing the wheel either, but rather figuring out how the end user will better appreciate the tool. This is exactly the case for the GrooveLock line of pliers. Everyone knows that slip joint pliers are among the most versatile hand tools around and rank up there with crescent wrenches and 6-in-1 screwdrivers. Irwin took the slip joint design and made it so there were about twice as many adjustment points. Then they reworked the tool so it was one-hand adjustable. No more having to swing the pliers completely open to move from one joint to the next to find the right fit. With the simple press of a button at the pivot point of the pliers you can quickly and easily adjust it to be either larger or smaller as needed.

Standard style Jaw

To aid in different applications of use, there are several jaw styles available. The most versatile is the toothed standard style that allows you to grip on everything from round to square sided. The jaws have deep teeth that ensure a good “bite” to help minimize slip. For more specialize applications, there are both smooth and toothed flat jawed pliers offered in a whole range of sizes too. The other thing that Irwin got right was their handles. These are not the typical dipped rubber coating that so often is found on pliers from most manufacturers. The Irwin handles are oversized and offer a better area to grip the tools with. In the event you set your pliers too small for your work piece, the handles will also never come close enough together to pinch you.

Toothed Flat Style Jaw

Testing and Use

In my personal tool collection, the Irwin GrooveLock Pliers have completely replaced all the slip joint pliers that I had. I have found that the ergonomics are excellent and since I have both the standard and flat jaw varieties, I found that I can tackle just about anything that you would need this type of pliers for. I have used these pliers for all kinds of plumbing repairs, working on my car, and for things that you probably would not always use slip joint pliers for. With their long handles and the deep teeth in the jaws, I can bear down without worry of damaging the pliers and I find that they grip the work pieces and fasteners extremely well.

Conclusion

The Irwin GrooveLock Pliers are a fantastic choice if you are on the market for some quality slip joint style pliers. With a lifetime warranty, quality construction, and innovative features, you really cannot go wrong. For this reason we gave these pliers a Professional rating of 9/10. For our Value rating we also gave them a 9/10 because, for all the features, Irwin prices are very competitive with other manufacturers slip joint pliers yet we found that the Irwin tools offer a lot more.

About Irwin Tools
IRWIN Tools manufactures and distributes a broad line of hand tools and power tool accessories including VISE-GRIP pliers and wrenches, MARATHON saw blades, QUICK-GRIP clamping tools, SPEEDBOR wood drilling bits, STRAIT-LINE marking tools, UNIBIT® step drill bits, and HANSON taps and dies. IRWIN Tools is a part of Newell Rubbermaid’s global portfolio of brands.

Specs

• Jaws styles: All purpose, flat & smooth
• Handles: Anti-pinch cushion grip design
• Warranty: Limited Lifetime