Best Slip Joint Pliers Of 2024: Completed List

Types

Straight Slip Joint Pliers

Common types of slide joint pliers have a flat, straight head and serrated jaws. Most slip joints have two settings, allowing the user to choose between a tight hold on tiny things or a looser one on larger ones.

Bent-Nose Slip Joint Pliers

Bent-nose slip joint pliers are superior to standard pliers for dislodging flush-mounted objects such tiny screws. For maximum gripping power, the angle should be crafted from induction hardened angled teeth. High carbon steel or chrome vanadium steel can be used to create these specialized hardened teeth.

Narrow-Nose Slip Joint Pliers

Like needle-nose pliers, but with a narrower head for gripping smaller objects, narrow-nose slip-joint pliers are an indispensable tool. Some slide joint pliers flip heads to become a combination of straight and narrow-nose pliers.

Tongue and Groove Pliers

The bottom machined jaws of tongue and groove pliers pivot at a different place than those of other slip joint designs. In contrast to other slip joints, both jaws are free to wiggle in this one. Working with nuts and bolts is much easier with these pliers because of their sturdy rivet construction, comfortable grip, and wide jaws.

Material

This buyer's guide only considers steel-made slip joint pliers. Carbon and iron combine to form steel, an alloy. Carbon steel, the material so produced, is hard but prone to rust. The properties of a material can be improved through heat treatment, which increases its toughness and malleability (making the steel less brittle). Although high-carbon steel is similarly named, it is far more long-lasting, making it ideal for the pliers' hard-wearing jaws.

High-carbon steel suffers the same vulnerability to rust as regular steel. An electroplated coating is one possible fix. It's OK for now, but it won't last forever. Another option is to increase the alloy's chromium and nickel content, resulting in stainless steel, so named for its exceptional resistance to corrosion. Similarly, nickel chrome steel is a popular alloy (the mix has small differences, but the results are essentially the same). These steels are more expensive and are usually found on the best slip joint pliers.

More cheap, while delivering equal durability, is chrome vanadium steel, which is a popular alloy used in many of the items you’ll find in household and professional tool chests.

Length and Jaw Type

We were only able to find slide joint pliers that were 4.5 inches in length. They fit comfortably in the palm of your hand and are therefore well suited for fine work. Ten-inch models, on the other hand, include a lot of leverage and a high-strength grip, making them ideal for demanding work. The standard length for slip joint pliers is between 6 and 8 inches, which is a happy medium between reach and comfort.

The jaws' primary role is to secure a grasp on an object for the purposes of pulling, twisting, releasing, or tightening. This is why serrations on the jaws are so common. There are numerous options available, and many of them feature a shear edge for severing or de-sheathing cables and wires.

A select selection of these models are also considered experts in their field. To open and close the type of fastener commonly used on automobile fuel pipes and water hoses, the one we examined had notches in its jaws. One more is made especially for swapping out oil filters. For more sensitive tasks, some include plastic jaw coverings.

Grip

The handles of inexpensive, small slip joint pliers are often made of smooth steel and have no grips. It's not a problem if the tool isn't one that you use frequently. But they are prone to falling, especially when exposed to the elements.

If you plan on using your slip joint pliers frequently, you should go for a pair that has a grip that provides a firm hold and makes it easier on the hands, especially when applying a lot of strain. Common materials include plastic (often rubberized to increase flexibility), however proper fit is essential. The user and the sleeve itself can suffer if the sleeve becomes loose over time. The optimum solution is grips that are both fully formed and attached to the underlying steel handles. These are often shaped to improve grip comfort.

Size

The size of the pliers should be one of your first considerations when shopping for slip joint pliers. The standard range for this type of tool is 6–10 inches, however there are a wide variety of sizes available. Pliers come in a variety of sizes and shapes, with the smaller ones being useful for getting into tight spots while the larger ones providing more strength and more flexibility. A smaller set of pliers may be more practical if you want to use them for intricate tasks, such as working in tight spaces such around pipes or the engine of a car. Choose a set of medium to big slip-joint pliers if you wish to have enough strength to use them for a wide variety of tasks. Alternatively, you can spend less money on a set of pliers that includes multiple sizes.

Handle Material And Non-Slip Covers

It's important to think about the handle material in addition to the jaws and the pliers themselves. Many common pliers lack a secondary handle. That's right, the steel your hands are made of is the same steel your pliers are made of. It has the potential to be frigid, requires texturing to prevent slipping and sliding, and is especially challenging when your hands are sweaty or otherwise damp from use.

The handles can be fitted with sleeves to improve grip, dampen vibrations, and lessen fatigue. Not only should sleeves fit snugly, but they shouldn't shrink easily. Foam is a low-quality substance used in low-quality tools. Better options include rubberized grips and plastic-dipped handles. The handle's grip is virtually fixed to the handle itself, removing any possibility of the handles slipping out of your hands and making it easier to maintain a firm grip. Reduces tiredness, improves comfort, and eliminates the risk of falls.

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How do slip joint pliers work?

Similar to regular pliers, the main difference is that the slip joint provides a second position with a wider gripping range. A wire cutter is sometimes built into slip joint pliers.

What is the most common size for slip joint pliers?

The most popular sizes for slip joint pliers are 6 and 8 inches in length, but they come in a wide variety of other sizes as well. They both have the same amount of fandom.

What are slip joint pliers used for?

Though slip joint pliers were initially developed for plumbers, their usefulness has since been expanded to include a wide range of other fields, including the mechanical and automotive industries.

What is another name for slip joint pliers?

Though slip joint pliers aren't typically referred to by any other name, the tongue and groove plier is a subset of this design that's distinguished by its tongue-and-groove hinge and offset jaws.

What is the most common size of slip joint pliers?

There are two popular sizes of slip joint pliers, a 6-inch and an 8-inch.

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Slip joint pliers are compact and convenient pliers. The slip joint means that the plier jaws can be set to either of two positions, enabling for the gripping and grabbing of a wider range of things. Ensure that the pliers you purchase have a firm and stable grip, that they are manufactured from good grade steel, and that they are pleasant to use. You will also have to choose the size of pliers, ranging from 6” to 10” and this range of choice implies that there is a large number of tools that fit the requirements. You can even find some manufacturers selling sets of two or three pairs of pliers.

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