Bob Beecham | Updated 1:12 PM, March 2, 2021

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It seems that there are pliers for every task, but few people offer the versatility of the best sliding joint pliers. They are an excellent addition to any DIY or professional toolbox.

Perhaps because of their simplicity and the number of professional alternatives available, their popularity has declined. However, if you only need to choose one tool to handle loosening, tightening, twisting, pulling and trimming tasks, then a pair of sliding pliers is definitely the first choice. More importantly, even the best sliding joint pliers are very affordable.

Except for the obvious changes in physical dimensions, most sliding joint pliers look very similar. However, small differences can have a big impact on durability and performance. The following features all help to ensure that you know how to choose the best sliding joint pliers for your kit.

All slip joint pliers considered in this buyer's guide are made of steel. Ordinary steel is a mixture (alloy) of carbon and iron. The resulting carbon steel is tough but prone to rust. Heat treatment can be used to increase strength and ductility (to make steel less brittle). High-carbon steel sounds similar, but it is more durable-especially for wear-resistant pliers jaws.

Unfortunately, high-carbon steel is as prone to rust as ordinary steel. One solution is to give it a protective electroplated coating. This is good, but it will wear out eventually. The other is to add chromium and nickel to the alloy to make stainless steel-named for its excellent corrosion resistance. Nickel-chromium steel is a very similar alloy (the difference in mixing is small, but the result is basically the same). These steels are more expensive and are usually used in the best sliding joint pliers.

Although chrome vanadium steel offers similar elasticity, it is more affordable. This is a popular alloy used in many of the tools you find in your home and professional toolboxes.

The shortest slip joint pliers we found was 4.5 inches. They are compact and easy to hold in the palm of your hand, making them ideal for delicate work. At the other end of the scale, the 10-inch version provides plenty of leverage and high-strength grip for heavy tasks. Most sliding joint pliers are between 6 and 8 inches in length. This length provides a good compromise between power and manageability.

The main function of the jaws is to firmly grasp the object to pull, twist, loosen or tighten. For this reason, the jaws are almost always jagged. Many include cutting edges for cutting or stripping wires and cables.

There are also some professional models. The one we saw had a notch in the jaws to open and close the fasteners commonly found on automobile fuel pipes and water pipes. The other is specially designed for replacing the oil filter. Some have soft plastic jaw covers for finer work.

Small, low-cost sliding joint pliers usually have ordinary steel handles and no handles at all. For tools that are not frequently used, this is not a real problem. However, they can slip easily, especially in the cold outdoors.

Those who choose the frequently used sliding joint pliers will want some form of grip to provide a firm grip and greater hand comfort—especially when a lot of force is applied. Plastic is a common material (sometimes rubberized to make it more flexible), but it is important that it fits well. The sleeves may become loose, damaging them and frustrating the user. A fully molded handle, glued to the steel handle below, is the best choice. These usually have a more ergonomic grip profile.

The sliding pivot mechanism that connects the two halves of a pair of sliding joint pliers is their name. Instead of having a single pivot point, there is a slot that allows a wider opening.

In fact, this combines two tools of different sizes into one. They work in the first position similar to ordinary pliers, but in the second position, the jaws can be opened wider to accommodate larger objects (bolts, shafts, etc.).

The maximum opening provided may affect your choice. Also worth considering is the width of the clamp connecting the jaws. Usually this makes no difference, but on cheap sliding joint pliers, it may be relatively thick nuts and bolts. It can be difficult to insert the forceps into a narrow opening. Having a good degree of freedom of joint movement is also the key. Budget clamps can get stuck, which is not only annoying, but can also cause unpleasant pinch injuries.

Now that the main features of the best sliding joint pliers have been discussed, it's time to see which model you might want to buy. In order to make selection easier, first choices are arranged in price or feature specific categories.

The Channellock name is often associated with high-quality pliers, and these are as impressive as the other tools in the series. The high-carbon steel structure provides great durability, and the wear-resistant electroplated coating prevents corrosion. Thick serrated jaws provide excellent grip and have wire cutting scissors for added versatility. Permalock central fasteners provide strength where nut and bolt joints often fail.

4½ and 6½ inch models are also available. This is a small problem, but if there is a feature that can be improved, it is the largest chin opening, which is not as wide as some other 8-inch sliding joint pliers. However, considering their overall quality, this pair of pliers is very affordable.

Since Tekton pliers does not list the metals they use, it is assumed that these are basic carbon steel. Nevertheless, the huge cross-section can provide enough grip when needed. The jaws are a special feature worth noting, with multiple contours designed to handle flat, round, square and hexagonal parts with equal ease. The wide handle maximizes pressure while minimizing discomfort.

On many sliding joint pliers, nut and bolt tightening are considered weak points. Here, it is a high-quality component that can precisely adjust the sliding joint mechanism-which also provides a lot of expansion. Tekton produces 8-inch or 10-inch versions that meet the same high standards.

These lightweight universal slip joint pliers from Edward Tools show that you don't have to make many compromises when you have a limited budget. The flat ends of the jaws have fine serrations for clamping small objects, and there are stronger teeth in the middle for fixing pipes or bolts.

The joint itself is strong enough. There are no knives, but unlike some cheap tools, the handle does have a good rubber grip. Ordinary carbon steel is said to have an anti-rust coating, but it may eventually corrode. Occasionally wipe it with a cloth slightly moistened with oil to minimize the problem.

This pair of Irwin sliding joint pliers is made of the same high-quality materials and the same high standards as the other pair in this preferred list. These features are because they increase versatility. Hose clamps can be used for a variety of fuel, water and other fluid pipelines. They are made of spring steel and are very awkward to install using standard pliers. They have grooves specifically designed for this task, but these grooves do not detract from their use as standard sliding joint pliers.

Although the grip is good, it is different from Irwin's standard sliding joint pliers. However, this is a minor criticism, and for those who use hose clamps frequently, they will be very worth the investment.

Stalwart uses chrome vanadium steel to make their sliding joint pliers. It is hard and highly resistant to corrosion and wear. By heat-treating them, the durability is further improved, ensuring that the teeth stay on the edge for longer. The width of the pliers is suitable for the confined space, and the contour of the joint itself is small, which is unlikely to cause blockage. The handle has a safe non-slip handle.

The kit includes 6-inch, 8-inch and 10-inch pliers. The gripper capacity of 1 to 2 inches provides a solution for various gripping tasks. They are competitively priced, packed in practical pouches, easy to organize, and are an important supplement to DIY kits.

The only disadvantage of most sliding joint pliers is that if you hold it firmly, your teeth may dent the surface of the object you are using. The soft polyurethane jaws of the Igarashi sliding joint pliers are designed to prevent this from happening, allowing you to apply pressure without scratching or denting the bright finish. These pliers are dual-purpose tools. Each polyurethane (plastic) jaw is fixed in place with a screw, and the standard serrated jaw below will be exposed after removal.

The length of 165 mm (6.5 inches) makes them an ideal size for handling delicate items. They are made of high-carbon steel with a corrosion-resistant surface and come with a small wire cutter. The handle is plastic coated.

What you have read so far will give you a more comprehensive understanding of how to choose the best sliding joint pliers for the various tasks you need to perform on a regular basis. However, a few more common queries will be dealt with below.

The main operation is roughly the same as that of standard pliers, except that the sliding joint provides a second position and expands the clamping range. Some slip joint pliers also include wire cutters.

Although there are many lengths to choose from, the most common size for sliding joint pliers is 6 inches or 8 inches. They are equally popular.

The best sliding joint pliers are well-made tools with outstanding durability. Even in harsh working environments, they should be able to be used for many years.

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