I’ve used a variety of ChannelLock pliers over the years. So when Channellock sent us their latest plier to review, the 412 V-Jaw, I was surprised it was a bit . . . hmmm . . . how do I say this delicately . . . small. But then, it’s turns out that’s the point. The ChannelLock 412 V-Jaw pliers are specifically designed for smaller tasks. In particular smaller tasks that involve wrenching small round stock and tubing.
The ChannelLock V-Jaw design gives the pliers more points of contact on round stuff. Like many other tools in the ChannelLock pliers lineup, the jaws of the 412 are lined with teeth. And when ChannelLock provides teeth, we’re not talking rounded dentures here. The teeth are right angled sharpies that even the Great White Jaws would look at with admiration and respect. You definitely don’t want to use these pliers to turn your chrome plated towel rod, unless you like teeth marks. For small, nitty-gritty wrenching, the 412 V-Jaw do right by the ChannelLock name and provide some serious bite, despite their smaller stature.
Depending on the size of the round item you’re chomping down on, aligning the pliers’ jaw in the proper groove can be critical. If you don’t get the size / opening relationship just right, the pliers will still grab, but your workpiece won’t be centered in the V-Jaw as it ideally should be. In case you’re curious about capacity, the 412’s will happily munch on anything up to .94″, or, 23.8mm if you want to be all metricky. Also, if anyone has ever said to you, “Wow, your hands are huge” or “Look at that man palm the basketball”, you may find the 412 V-Jaw pliers to be a bit too “precise” to fit in your hands fully. But for those of use with normal sized hands, the 412 fits comfortably.
If you happen to be reading this plier review in the under-employed USA, you’ll be happy to know ChannelLock pliers are still made in Meadville, Pennsylvania. That’s right, Pennsylvania, not China. Since 1886, believe it or not. These are manly tools, coming from a proud tool-making heritage, so please don’t call them tiny. You can get the ChannelLock 412 V-Jaw 6.5″ Pliers directly from ChannelLock for around $13 each. You can also find a variety of ChannelLock Pliers
