ProtoJ293WRXL Proto 5-1/2" Locking Curved Jaw Pliers w/Cutter

Locking pliers are worth spending extra money on, IMO. These locking pliers work great and are a breath of fresh air compared to cheap ones that have trouble holding on to anything. These are definitely top tier in my book, and I went ahead and purchased 6 more in different sizes as I use locking pliers all the time. It's common knowledge that these are made by Grip-On for Proto, but I have mostly Proto tools and like my stuff to match so I had no hesitation getting these.

The lever release is easer to use than the one on Vise-Grips, but there could be some other improvements.I have two of these pliers, and both needed adjusting. On one, the lower jaw stuck out farther than the upper, and needed grinding back. On the other, the jaws also needed a little grinding to get flush, and the jaws are offset side to side but I didn't correct that. On Vise-Grips, the grinding is already done.On the second one, the lever in the middle kept popping out of its groove, so I had to squeeze the barrel in a vise to correct this. And the adjusting screw was bent, so I straightened it. Works OK now.With the modifications completed, these are decent tools, but aside from the release lever, I prefer the Vise-Grips for appearance, fit and finish, and a heftier adjusting screw (the newer Vise-Grips with the fast release lever don't work well). And the Protos are pricey. I paid $18.45 and $26.24 for mine, but would not buy another at the current price of 44.39. The Grip-On GR11105 looks to be the same tool as the Proto, and is $19.90.

These are made for Proto by Grip On of Spain . I could not stand the hideous Orange colour of the Grip On ones so I bought the Proto ones instead . These seem to be very nearly as good as the original made in USA Petersen Vise Grips before Irwin bought them out and shifted manufacturing too China . With that shift to China came a drop in overall quality and quality control !