Gearwrench Double-X pliers have been a useful addition to my my tool box for quite some time now. While they don’t see daily use, and sometimes a lot of time passes before I pick them up again, they’ve been useful, convenient, and even indispensable.
Update 6/1/21: The 2pc pliers set is currently on sale for $25.20 at Amazon.
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The key feature about these Gearwrench Double-X pliers, and similar pliers from Apex Tool Group’s other hand tool brands, is that they have a compound pivot joint built into the extended-length handle.
The problem with single-pivot extended-length pliers, or rather a potential problem or frustration, is that you have to spread the handles wide to open the jaws.
With these Gearwrench Double-X pliers, you get more jaw opening width with narrower handle spread.
Basically, these are long-reach pliers that are capable of fitting into tighter spaces compared to traditional or extended-length pliers.
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You lose a little bit of precision, and the pliers are a tad bulky since the double-action compound requires a certain amount of metal for proper strength.
And, these are longer-length pliers that aren’t perfectly suited for all kinds of tasks. For close-up tasks where you don’t need reach or a narrow opening width, shorter pliers will allow for higher precision holding or manipulation of parts and materials.
These are specialty pliers for me, but as mentioned they do come in handy. My Double-X pliers have earned their spot in my toolbox.
About half the time I use these pliers these days, it’s to grab lint accumulations from beyond my dryer’s lint trap. Claw-grabbers don’t work, vacuum nozzles – even smaller tube-style ones – don’t work very well, and regular pliers don’t have the reach. For something like that, these pliers have the reach, precision, and narrower profile that I need for clearing things out.
They are similarly useful in drains – if you’re careful – and also in machinery for placing screws or adjusting parts and clips.
There are now other brands offering similarly-styled pliers, but I can’t tell you anything about them, as I have only ever purchased Gearwrench and Crescent-branded Double-X pliers.
At the time of this posting, the Crescent 2pc set is slightly less expensive than the Gearwrench ones. Which one to buy depends on your handle preference style.
I started off with one style and later bought the other. I got away with using just one style, but sometimes having angled jaws vs. straight, or vice versa, works out a little easier depending on the task.
You can buy these pliers individually as well, but it’s usually more economical to buy the set if you end up wanting both jaw styles. For example, the straight pliers are ~$22 on Amazon right now.
Price: $28 for the 2-pc Gearwrench set, ~$26 for Crescent
Sale Price (6/1/21): $25.20
Buy Now: Gearwrench Set via Amazon
Buy Now: Crescent Set via Amazon
I purchased my Gearwrench straight Double-X pliers at retail pricing in June 2008. They were regularly priced at $25 at the time, and I paid $15 during a promotion. I will also be ordering a new set of these pliers to judge whether the quality has changed at all over the years, although I don’t expect that it has.
I purchased a set of Crescent Double-X pliers in October 2011 for $25.49 after discount.
$26-28 for the 2pc set still seems like an excellent price.
fred
The double-x hemostats are also useful:
https://www.amazon.com/GearWrench-82111-Hemostat-Straight-45-Degree/dp/B001M0O1MA/
And for budget double X pliers – Amazon offers Sata brand ones and Zenith ones that are cheaper yet:
https://www.amazon.com/Zenith-Industries-ZN502651-Reach-Pliers/dp/B06XX99TJ6/
fred
I should have said the Zenith ones are cheaper if you only wqant to purchase 1
Stuart
I tried those hemostats a long time ago but didn’t like them – the handle and joints were a bit stiff.
As for Zenith, there are a lot of clones on Amazon, and I’d guess the patent ran out or similar. I can only comment about the Gearwrench and Crescent ones.
fred
I have a pair of SK (#17851 and #17852) ones that are 14 years old. They probably were produced under license to the original patent holder (I believe a US inventor). Back then the pair cost me almost $64 – but the fit and finish are quite good – and they operate smoothly. As you imply – not every variant of similar design may work as smoothly.
Stuart
Back in August 2020 I posted a deal post about the SK’s, which were regularly $55-65 and on sale for $35 shipped on Amazon. At that time Gearwrench’s set was regularly $40. This was right after they went backrupt and were acquired by Ideal Industries and so it was likely remnant stock.
Travis
I have those same SK’s and love them. I have only needed them a handful of times but they sure did pay for themselves when I did.
Brandon
I actually really like these for a lot of the same uses: https://www.amazon.com/Booms-Fishing-Remover-Extract-Safely/dp/B01A140D56/
I believe Adam Savage recommended them. They don’t have that great Knipex build quality… but for the price, they serve their purpose very well.
fred
The type fish hook remover you picture (mine is Jeros Tackle brand) has been in my tackle box for decades – and still works.
A bit more refined version is a medical instrument called an Ear Polypus – aka alligator foreceps – also available in a variety of sizes on Amazon and elsewhere. The first time I saw these – the fellow using them was building a boat in a bottle.
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=alligator+forceps+medical
Brandon
Good call! I have those, as well, but they truthfully don’t see as much use. They are nice for those odd circumstances, and they are still relatively cheap.
Jared
I bought two last time you mentioned long-reach pliers. Well, not either of these, but a pair of a similar design. For whatever reason the Gearwrench version is way more expensive in Canada and, even though I usually don’t cheap out on pliers, I figured this might be a form factor I wouldn’t use often. (For Canadians, check out Princess Auto – they have a couple different versions and the Propoints were on clearance when I bought mine).
So far, I’m right. I can think of countless times I’ve dropped something in an engine compartment or needed to pull something in tight confines – but nothing has come up in my couple months of ownership. It’s like owning these pliers is a magic talisman that will ward off any need to use them.
Jared
It’s been a few months since I wrote this – I’ve “needed” my pliers once so far. I was trying to pull something through a pipe and the pliers fit inside and grabbed it easily.
Peter Fox
You can get the two piece set branded for Napa from Cripe Distributing for $15.
https://cripedistributing.com/products/napa-p900-2pc-double-x-45-degree-pliers
The only difference is the grips on the handle. Great when you need the extra reach. I also have the Zenith Industries long reach cutter from Amazon. Not quite as well made but handy when you need it especially for cutting Zip-ties in impossible places.
Mopar4wd
I have a Irwin set I got a Lowes over the summer. I was working on some equipment that had plastic clips holding it together in a tight space about 16″ from the nearest access. They worked great. A bit hard to get it right in a tight space but still a life saver.
evadman
I have a craftsman set, and I use them occasionally. The thing I use them for most often is pulling stuff out from the food disposal in the sink, like a dropped milk lid.
Mike
Man, I get dizzy just looking at them 😁
MtnRanch
Total gimmick – until you need them and then they are the only answer. Bought some on a whim a few years back and they’ve only been out of my tool chest a few times but those few times they paid for themselves.
Dropped a nut in the engine compartment and onto the block. A magnet wouldn’t work and removing wires and fluid filled hoses was going to be unpleasant. These did the trick.
I taped a little “Photon” keychain flashlight to them as a headlight and that helps in those dark spots.
fred
Ullman makes an LED lighted non magnetic grabber that might be handy:
https://www.zoro.com/ullman-spring-claw-mag-flex-led-25-38-in-5-lb-16mlt/i/G4389183/
fred
As a pricier solution – Ullman makes a camera-assisted grabber:
https://www.amazon.com/ULLMAN-DEVICES-CART-1-Assisted-Retrieval/dp/B0872HCHMD/
Michael
I’ve had a Crescent set for a few years. They don’t get used often but when they do, they are invaluable.
John N.
Bought the pair of Crescents a while back. The quality of the joints is surprisingly good, very good actually, considering the price point and the relative care needed to manufacture these. I can’t say anything about long service life, because they’re very infrequently used by me, but as others said, when you need that reach, there’s often nothing that would do the job as these will.
Taylor R
Been meaning to pick up a pair for years. Thanks for the reminder buddy.
Wayne R.
Seems like a better filter solution for your drier is in order too – I’ve not looked for filter boxes since our drier doesn’t seem to have a similar problem as yours, but sounds to me like another problem that pliers are only a stop-gap solution for. Also strikes me that lint-filled vent lines is a stone-age problem to have – what’s a modern solution for that, anyway?
Doug N
Has anyone used triple joint pliers like this: https://www.menards.com/main/tools/hand-tools/pliers-plier-sets/masterforce-reg-15-triple-joint-needle-nose-pliers/68103/p-1503642864338.htm
Can’t tell if it’s a gimmick or really useful. Longer reach and more streamlined.
Ex_dtw2003
Amazon has a Sunex 3 piece set with roll bag for ~$36. I have it and it feels pretty good to me though I’m admittedly not the core audience for this tool.
That said I did recently use it to change a lawn mower cable and the long straight was a lifesaver.
Javier A.
I have the Crescent-branded version you linked above, and they’ve been excellent. I prefer the “comfort grip” version over the dipped handle on the GW – there’s some times where you can only get a few fingers around the pliers when trying to grab something, and I’ve found the grips to be a big help. Regardless of your preference, these pliers are truly worthy of a spot in anyone’s toolbox!