What’s your favourite adjustable wrench(cresent type)?

Archived from the Tools In Action forum (Hand Tools). This thread is read-only.

YukonPlumberMember since Nov 2013

I picked up a set of husky at Home Depot and my god what total crap! They slip like crazy, I’m going to injure myself! So I need some suggestions on high quality adjustable wrenches. I don’t mind paying a premium, buy once cry once.

Punda1991Member since Dec 2013

Go with crescent I got a few pairs and they are not to pricey

Conductor562Member since Nov 2011

Proto Clik-Stops are my favorite. J706L, 708L, 710L, 712L, and 715L

About all USA made adjustables are made by Western Forge these days. Craftsman is probably the best value. It’s the same WF made wrench everyone else sells, but it can be had cheaper.

The other quality options are Spanish made by a company called Irega. Channellock adjustables are Irega made. Very nice wrenches.

Punda1991Member since Dec 2013

Lol okay never mind

NicholasShetleyMember since Nov 2013

I agree with conductor. I have a couple of non click stop proto adjustable wrenches and have never had an issue with them.

Conductor562Member since Nov 2011

Crescent brand wrenches were off shored a year or 2 ago. Now they’re just another Asian wrench. They may still be alright, but I can’t recommend a Chinese wrench.

Northern RebelMember since May 2014

I do like Crescent but would rather an American made. Gotta see if any of mine are made here..

jenskolsonMember since May 2014

For regular adjustable wrench I love the Bahco wrenches (I have the standard, thin jaw and the Pipe/nut combo wrench.) But more and more I like the Knipex pliers wrench. They grip better, open wider and have a almost ratchet function.

 

German wrenches are the best wrenches.

YukonPlumberMember since Nov 2013

Anyone hear anything about gray tool adjustable wrenches?

Punda1991Member since Dec 2013

Oh mine are older USA made didn’t know they went Chinese. Damn shame

LORDDiESELMember since Nov 2013

Irega made Channellocks.  They’re smooth like butter and you don’t have to adjust them back and forth all the time for the same nut or bolt. They stay right where you put them, which is a big plus in my book. 

Conductor562Member since Nov 2011

YukonPlumber wrote:

Anyone hear anything about gray tool adjustable wrenches?

I can’t speak specifically to their adjustables, but Gray makes nice tools. Canadian made. Comparable to American brands like Proto and Wright.

YukonPlumberMember since Nov 2013

knipex plier wrenches look pretty cool, is the comfort grip worth it for ppl that have used them?

jenskolsonMember since May 2014

YukonPlumber wrote:

knipex plier wrenches look pretty cool, is the comfort grip worth it for ppl that have used them?

 

I like the comfort grips and think they are worth it.  Especially if it for a “clean” tool set, if it is for wrenching under a car I would get the regular grips just because they are easier to clean.

 

I have about 50/50 comfort grip and regular grip. Either way I love my knipex. 

YukonPlumberMember since Nov 2013

They will be for everything, clean and dirty

jenskolsonMember since May 2014

YukonPlumber wrote:

They will be for everything, clean and dirty

Then I would get them.

aluminumfoilcurtainMember since Jun 2014

Check out the thread on the Knipex Pliers Wrench. Check out these Crescent Clench Wrenches as well. Good for brake and fuel lines and things like that. But the Knipex Pliers Wrench is definitely the new gold standard. 

 

And check this out: http://www.xforcetools.com/products/hexforce 

 

I haven’t tried them and haven’t read any reviews, but on paper and in theory it is absolutely. 100%. Genius. Some ideas work great on paper and not on execution though. Someone ought to buy a set of these and tell us how they are. Absolutely brilliant design in theory. It completely wraps around the nut.

aviMember since Dec 2013

Hi

The knipex pliers wrench is a great tool. I use it as a specialty tool for clamping Telegartner Cat 6 RJ-45 network keystones which became gold standard for high speed quality network installation. And the comfort handles allow for all-day use. I’m sure they would be great for other applications they were intended for but as mentioned here before i keep a clean tool set for network installation.

There are other great auto adjust pliers from CH Hanson called self-Adjusting Groove Pliers pretty nifty and much cheaper than knipex

WeldfabNeilMember since May 2015

I like my Proto wrenches. I also have a full set of older jh Williams.

Below is a pic I just found one day an saved, can’t remember were. I just found it funny.

MilwaukehMember since Jul 2015

I had two husky ones myself and they were non stop frustration, way to much slip. Channel lock is always going on sale at canadian tire, they even just feel quality.

Conductor562Member since Nov 2011

The Channellock wrenches are very nice. They are made in Spain by a company called Irega and are generally regarded as top tier quality. The same wrenches are sold under several other labels including Klein, Blackhawk, and I believe even Snap-On and Mac are peddling the Irega’s.

I’m also fairly certain that Western Forge is the last company making adjustables in America

You are the influencer. Post it to 4.4 million followers.

Hit record. We’ll handle the rest.

Upload your review