16 in. Z2 K9 Straight Jaw Tongue and Groove Dipped Grip Pliers

Full disclosure: I have been provided with a free pair of Klein 10 inch and 8 inch tongue and groove pliers for my review. I don’t know anyone who works for the manufacturer and have no affiliation with Klein Tools. The following review is my honest opinion and has not been influenced by the free samples. Crescent is a name trusted by generations of professional tradesman ever since the introduction of its Crescent Adjustable Wrench in 1907. I still refer to my adjustable wrenches as “Crescent Wrenches” and I have never been disappointed with any of their hand tools. I have always called these tongue and groove channel lock style pliers water pump pliers. They got this name because many workers that were provided with this style of pliers on the job used them to tighten packing nuts on water pumps. This design of pliers was invented and popularized by the Champion–DeArment Tool Company in 1934 under another brand name and are frequently called channelocks. As seen in my attached photos I am comparing them to an old non branded pair that I have had for many years. While my old pair have proved to hold up to the routine abuse that I submit them to on a regular basis. I occasionally even use a pipe slipped over the handles to drastically increase the force I am able to apply. There have been many times that I was pretty sure that I would crack them, but they held. Well from all of that abuse over more than 20 years they have become sort of sloppy and I’ll pass them off to my son. These new Crescent brand water pump pliers appear to be well built and I am confident that they will last the rest of my life and maybe even that of my son’s. What I really like about these pliers include: 1 Their overall design. As seen in one of the photos the 10 inch jaws open much wider than my old pair. In addition the head angle allows for much greater force to be applied as compared to my old pair. 2. Fit and Finish. These pliers have really nice rubber dipped handles that are easy on the hands and the metal is coated in some sort of clear coat that appears rather durable. 3. They operate very smoothly without being “loosey-goosey”. I gave them 4 stars only because it’s a rare tool that deserves a perfect 5.

The precision machined jaws with pipe grip and aggressive tooth design make securing black gas pipe or copper tubing very easy. The jaws adjust to 8 set positions depending on how large the material is you are trying to grip. The thickness of the pliers is narrower compared to other adjusting pliers and this should help get into tight openings. I found at 2.25 inches, the pliers were still easy to use and control. I wouldn’t use them on any material larger than 2.25 inches in diameter. The fulcrum made aligning the channels and adjusting the pliers very easy. The handles are a smooth dipped surface and provide good hand grip. I know Crescent offers this plier with handles made of a cushioned dual material that has a textured surface.

The Crescent 8" Z2 Dipped Tongue and Groove Pliers are several steps above other "experienced" tongue and groove pliers I have on my pegboard tool wall. The fit and finish is premium. It is immediately obvious that the jaws open much wider and have more positions than the older/cheaper pliers. Crescent put a lot more thought into the design of the "K9" jaws. The teeth are double ground pyramid shaped, instead of the cheaper single pass straight-across teeth found on lesser pliers. If you examine closely the jaws you can see a wire/nail slot ground in, and purpose driven variations in the jaw width to accept/grip at different angles of attack. This is in contrast to the simple straight jaws on lesser pliers. The rivet is forged and ground absolutely flush/invisible. Cheaper pliers have the rivet sticking out, or in the case of one set I have, a smashed nut on the rivet. The Crescent is able to get in much tighter spaces because of the flush rivet. Everything about it seems high tech and absolutely optimized. My old pliers all seem clunky and overweight now. The Crescent features thick vinyl dipped handles that don't slip off and feel right. This is in contrast to the cheap foam grips or loosey-goosey press fit handles on my other pliers. Thanks Crescent for a great tool!

The Crescent 16-1/2 inch Z2 K9 straight jaw dipped handle tongue and grove pliers are big and strong. With the jaw you can get a 35 degree angle for better access and have plenty of jaw positions to choose from. The ergonomic handles are dipped for increased overall comfort. The ten positions of the jaw are easy to select with a positive lock to give you a powerful grip.

Crescent Tongue and Groove Plier The first thing you notice with these pliers is not having a bolt system with a groove set holding the jaws in position. You also are spared the frustration of having actual channels that adjust the size of the jaw opening. The pliers are made with a machined post that allows the adjustments. As you can see in the pictures below the pliers use a series of wide areas to make the size adjustments possible. Other manufactures have made pliers similarly with one major difference Crescent has a hardened machined post that will not work loose and jam the pliers. These particular pliers are probably larger than most people will use. For my use with 4 inch PVC nuts and adjusting the tension on various grinders they are perfect. Not having them jam during adjustments or while applying pressure is invaluable to me. I am sure even while using the smaller versions you will appreciate the square bolt holding cut in the jaws and the free movement yet solid adjustment locks these pliers provide.

Full disclosure: I have been provided with a free pair of Klein 8 inch and 10 inch tongue and groove pliers for my review. I don’t know anyone who works for the manufacturer and have no affiliation with Klein Tools. The following review is my honest opinion and has not been influenced by the free samples. Crescent is a name trusted by generations of professional tradesman ever since the introduction of its Crescent Adjustable Wrench in 1907. I still refer to my adjustable wrenches as “Crescent Wrenches” and I have never been disappointed with any of their hand tools. I have always called these tongue and groove channel lock style pliers water pump pliers. They got this name because many workers that were provided with this style of pliers on the job used them to tighten packing nuts on water pumps. This design of pliers was invented and popularized by the Champion–DeArment Tool Company in 1934 under another brand name and are frequently called channelocks. As seen in my attached photos I am comparing them to an old non branded pair that I have had for many years. While my old pair have proved to hold up to the routine abuse that I submit them to on a regular basis. I occasionally even use a pipe slipped over the handles to drastically increase the force I am able to apply. There have been many times that I was pretty sure that I would crack them, but they held. Well from all of that abuse over more than 20 years they have become sort of sloppy and I’ll pass them off to my son. These new Crescent brand water pump pliers appear to be well built and I am confident that they will last the rest of my life and maybe even that of my son’s. What I really like about these pliers include: 1 Their overall design. As seen in one of the photos the 10 inch jaws open much wider than my old pair. In addition the head angle allows for much greater force to be applied as compared to my old pair. 2. Fit and Finish. These pliers have really nice rubber dipped handles that are easy on the hands and the metal is coated in some sort of clear coat that appears rather durable. 3. They operate very smoothly without being “loosey-goosey”. I gave them 4 stars only because it’s a rare tool that deserves a perfect 5.

Another great tool from crescent this is the most versatile adjustable pipe locks and good all around for many uses with dynamic jaw profile and design to grab bolts nuts and large enough to remove a cover from a storm water detention unit service pipe. tool is well made and sturdy and conformable to use and good size weight and profile I defiantly recommend this product for many kinds of jobs pluming and electrical and automotive and engineering and DIY projects another good one from crescent.

I grew up with Crescent tools in my dad's toolbox, and have always liked their feel. The Crescent 8" Z2 K9 Straight Jaw Dipped Handle Tongue and Groove Pliers are the same high quality I've come to expect from the company. The hand dipped handles provide a nice ergonomic grip for your hands, and the K9 jaw provides a fantastic grip on whatever material you are working on. The head has great adjustability to make your job easier. Changing out a new shower head was a breeze with these.

I grew up with Crescent tools in my dad's toolbox, and have always liked their feel. The Crescent 10" Z2 K9 V-Jaw Dipped Handle Tongue and Groove Pliers are the high quality I've come to expect from the company. The hand dipped handles provide an ergonomic grip for your hands, and the K9 jaw provides a fantastic grip on whatever material you are working on. The head has great adjustability to make your job easier.

The very-well-made and extra-heavy-duty CRESCENT 10 inch Tongue-and-Groove V-Jaw Dipped Handle pliers feel very comfortable in the hand. With eight tracks, the jaws adjust from zero to more than three inches, perhaps a full four if needed. The handles are insulated with bright orange plastic sleeves. For storage purposes the actual length overall is 10 1/4 inches. It fits perfectly in my new G&F Tool Bag.