IRWIN VISE-GRIP Original Locking Pliers Set, 5 Piece Set, 68
IRWIN
Best for
Best overall
Amazon rating
Amazon aggregate, one input among many in the Verdict Score
Based on 1 trusted source
Current price
$80.65
Updated May 19, 2026 · 1 min read
Sources behind this verdict
10 reviewers weighted by source trust
The consensus
What reviewers found
Synthesized across the trust-weighted source mix below.
Across the reviewers we read, the consensus is that the Irwin Vise-Grip Original 5-piece set (68) is still the default recommendation when someone asks r/Tools for a locking-plier starter kit. Community discussion on r/Tools repeatedly frames it as the bar other brands are measured against, with one widely cited comparison thread noting Irwin's curved-jaw originals landed in the upper half of a multi-brand shootout and beat the Knipex equivalent on several criteria. Amazon's 4.8-star average across 674 verified buyers tracks with that picture.
What reviewers liked
- High-trust r/Tools community consensus treats the Original as the category benchmark
- Strong 4.8/674 Amazon verified-purchase signal
- Covers curved, straight, and long-nose configurations in one kit
- Classic trigger release that virtually every tradesperson already knows
Where it falls short
- r/Tools repeatedly notes current production isn't as well-built as vintage USA-made Vise-Grips
- Community reports of teeth dulling faster than premium European brands
- Reviewers say jaw range and adjustment ergonomics trail the Knipex equivalent
- Higher per-tool price than budget multi-packs covering the same sizes
Across the reviewers we read, the consensus is that the Irwin Vise-Grip Original 5-piece set (68) is still the default recommendation when someone asks r/Tools for a locking-plier starter kit. Community discussion on r/Tools repeatedly frames it as the bar other brands are measured against, with one widely cited comparison thread noting Irwin's curved-jaw originals landed in the upper half of a multi-brand shootout and beat the Knipex equivalent on several criteria. Amazon's 4.8-star average across 674 verified buyers tracks with that picture.
That said, r/Tools is honest about the trade-offs. Multiple threads note that current-production Irwins aren't the legendary tool the USA-made versions were, with reports of inconsistent grip quality and teeth that dull faster than vintage pairs. Reviewers who own both Irwin and Knipex tend to say the Irwin's range of motion translates to less jaw range and requires more thumb-screw adjustment than the Knipex equivalent.
For a 5-pack covering 5", 7", and 10" curved jaw plus a 10" straight jaw and a long-nose, the consensus is that this set covers the overwhelming majority of locking-plier tasks at a reasonable per-tool cost, and the classic trigger release remains universally understood by anyone who's used the tool before.
- Constructed of high-grade heat-treated alloy steel for maximum toughness and durability
- Hardened teeth are designed to grip from any angle
- Classic trigger release designed to provide maximum locking force
- Turn screw stays adjusted for repeated use
- Set includes 10" straight jaw, 10" curved jaw, 7" curved jaw with wire cutter, 6" long nose pliers, and 5" curved jaw locking pliers
It works, but its range of motion translates into less range at the jaws, and I always find I have to adjust it more than the Knipex. The dead ...
Wow these are the highest quality locking pliers I've ever held! I'm glad I gave them a try. Teeth are harder than a coffin nail and you can ...
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“TOOL REVIEW - 10 Pc. Vise” · Grips Set By Irwin "The ...
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