Why we can't have nice things: The death of the Malco Eagle Grip Locking Plier. Get em while you can
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- Опубліковано 22 сер 2024
- amzn.to/3zDPI0k In the "Why we can't have nice things" category is the untimely death of the Malco Eagle Grip Locking Plier. The plant building these world-class locking plier opened its doors in 2017, and now barely five years later, its over. Doors closed. However, there is still stock available from tool dealers including Amazon. Here are some links. This really may be your last chance to buy the world's best locking pliers.
10" curved jaw: amzn.to/3UkGmyn
7" curved jaw: amzn.to/3zDPI0k
10" Straight jaw: amzn.to/3NvEjFx
7" Straight jaw: amzn.to/3TbubmE
PB Swiss Stubby With Bits: amzn.to/3fscW2B
It's sad after only 1 yr after they hit the market they are shutting down its even more disappointing that they are not supported enough they failed great video Doc thanks for the mention!
Thanks to you CP for taking time out of your busy work schedule to drop this news.
'There is hardly anything in the world that some man cannot make a little worse and sell a little cheaper, and the people who consider price only are this man's lawful prey.' John Ruskin
Good old John had many good quotes - including this one:
"It's unwise to pay too much...but it's worse to pay too little. When you pay too much, you lose a little money - that is all. When you pay too little, you sometimes lose everything, because the thing you bought was incapable of doing the thing it was bought to do. The common law of business balance prohibits paying a little and getting a lot - it can't be done. If you deal with the lowest bidder, it is well to add something for the risk you run. And if you do that, you will have enough to pay for something better."
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Such a sad day. I bought a pair for myself and a friend, it is the best and will now be a “grail” tool that’ll be with me forever.
Very unfortunate. Not that I want to go from paying $45 to $90, but hopefully Snap-On buys the plant and keeps some production going
The fap-off rape wagon will find some other OEM to get them from to sell for 4x what they should be selling for, don't you worry. While you're there, don't forget to pickup a $30k toolbox you can get elsewhere for $600
Well, these pliers are so good that if I would ever lose a pair, I would be willing to pay the Snap-on premium to get them again.
Yeah, and they're going to cost 150$
Snapon is making them according to my dealer, selling for 85 or so
Hi Doc. As a Veteran, it is very disheartening to hear that any United States company shuts down due to corporate greed, to make things elsewhere, for piss poor quality. I cannot control the corporate greed, but I can do something to help out when I can. I have been on a mission to only purchase American Made products when I can. After watching your video, I purchased one of these pliers. Thank You again for all of your reviews.
The reason these companies fold is lack of profit for investors.....the end user is not a concern. You can't have two top priorities....They are in conflict...and investor return always wins. As much as I agree with buying American....we are simply filling pockets rather than filling bellies. Private companies have the ability to sacrifice profit for a better product...publicly traded ones do not.
Speaking as a veteran as well, it's NOT corporate greed. It's every one of our friends and family who buy Chi-Com products over American products because it's a $1.00 cheaper. They know it helps our enemy build missiles that are pointing at our Navy ships in the Pacific, but they DO IT ANYWAY. Yes, we know the corporate scum are greedy and evil. But they would not exist without overwhelming American support.
Bought the 10" last year, just bought the 7" today before it's gone, they really are the finest looking and strongest locking pliers you can buy.
Same here. Got my 10" curved when initially released and the 7" curved today. I never really minded the high cost considering how robust they are and the fit and finish. And I also LOVE that they are completely US made. It's really depressing that they are stopping production.
@@Tools_and_Guitars the 7 inch curved jaw ones are sold out on Amazon now their gone they don’t even have them listed
@@corygriffiths4394 Acme Tools might still be an option, though they are listed as being on back order. So before adding them to the cart, I'd give them a call first to confirm availability.
@@Tools_and_Guitars I had just looked on Amazon a little while ago and they have some more of the 7 inch curved jaw ones in stock so they still have some more left
They are the best locking plyers ever made. Hands down.
Already owned the 7 & 10Inch Curved but immediately ordered 7 & 10 Inch Straight Jaws as soon as I heard the news 🥲
Was really hoping to see a Needle Nose pair from them at some point....
I would’ve really liked to see them make needle nose ones also because the Chinese made Irwin ones are junk and it’s very hard to find USA made needle nose vise grips let alone the regular ones
Doc, bought my "Malco-Eagle Grip" locking pliers, about a year ago. FAR SUPERIOR, to what I was expecting, anticipated, and had, compared to ANY OTHER BRAND in my tool box! The "industry", is accurate, they are the pinnacle of locking pliers, period. By the "industry", I refer to skilled craftsman, journeyman professionals, AND ESPECIALLY UNIONIZED WORKERS, who make or break their careers, livelihood, and litteral future, on the performance and durability of their tools. The "real professionals" never exaggerate, embellish, sugarcoat anything, ever. Either it's legit, or it's not. They swear by Malco's, and generally have had the same pairs, FOR YEARS, if not inherited from other professionals, with well earned respect because of their extremely well built characteristics - features. I purchased them, based solely on a union ironworker's recommendation and demonstration of features, he valued and expected from his personal choice of locking pliers. I appreciated that info, and appreciate my Malco's as well. Sorry to ramble on Doc/folks, but just felt compelled 🙄, if at all possible, affordable, and within reason, please buy tools "responsibly", you'll never regret it, I promise. --Paul.
The writing was on the wall, and it's Malco's fault. Not a drop of marketing, lack of variety, and an obscene price tag for something that's really just to nice to use. I mainly use vicegrips for welding, and I would NEVER get my Malcos near anywhere weld spatter will be, they're just to nice. It's a shame for the workers, not for Malco.
I sent an Instagram message to Malco a few months back asking when we can expect to see them in stores and the social media managers response I was essentially; “We maybe/probably will get them into stores at some point in the future, or not. I don’t know, I just work here”
After seeing this review I had ordered these Malco pliers, and just received them in the mail today. These look and feel like a piece of art. Just gorgeous, and sad to hear they are soon, to no longer being available. I pray that the employee's at Malco will be okay.
Just bought one, and I completely agree. Very well-made, and a grip that won’t quit.
They have the best finish I have ever seen on a pair of Locking Pliers
They really do have a nice finish to them
They look stunning, but that's sort of what killed them. On top of adding onto an already high price tag, who wants to scratch up their nice shiny $40 locking pliers when $10 Chinese Irwins will do the same exact job 90% of the time? Or worse yet lose them in the field or to some sticky fingers. The Knipex may not be nearly as good, but at least I don't feel bad about banging up the finish or finding another pair in a decade. And absolutely zero hesitation to use my Irwin's as a hammer.
Once you get past a handful of scratches it will start looking and feeling like a proper tool, but hard for most people to bring themselves to actually use it to that point. Hurts to think about how many pairs of these were destined to spend the rest of their life in a toolbox even before they were discontinued, including the 4 pairs I just bought. My Irwin's will remain on the workbench, and the Knipex in my toolkit; maybe when I own my dream garage they will get their rightful spot on the workbench.
I bought a pair of these when they started selling them and compared to my dad's old vice grips, they are just as good if not identical. I used them extensively when we were doing construction on the house last year. They did the job when my other Irwin pliers failed to grip properly. Sometimes even getting 10 cheap tools won't equal one high quality tool. I'm sorry to see the plan to shutting down.
I found out a few days ago on Malco’s website that they have stopped production so I bought three different pairs (7" and 10" straight jaw and 11" clamp). The clamp just arrived today and it looks absolutely stunning! Spent nearly $200 for just three pairs but the level of quality is unmatched and I would rather have my first locking pliers be the ONLY locking pliers I’ll ever need to buy. Very sad that these weren’t around very long!
Yeah, and they will probably go up in value so you will probably never lose money by buying them.
Was going to order a few and they’re now 100$+ on Amazon… can’t justify that for a tool I use once a month and is virtually never the “right tool for the job”
Been putting off getting these and getting the original DeWitt, Nebraska produced locking pliers in the meantime. Just bought 5 of a few different types. I guess that is what I will have of them for a while.
As a mechanic, I collect locking plyers.
I like their look, feel, usefulness, affordability and stealth as the ultimate multi-tool.
The Irwin is the best bang for the buck.
FYI... Malco let go the man who restarted the original Vicegrip factory in Dewitt. There is much more to the story and why after he was let go, the company failed miserably.
Where can we find that story?
it is sad to hear that ;( try the facom locking pliers they are nice ass well
My Knipex locking pliers are amazing and their release is the best I feel.
Been on my list for awhile. Thanks for the heads up.
it's so unfortunate that most people prefer to buy chines garbage simply because it's cheaper rather than USA made gems like this - so so sad
It's not that they prefer it. The mainstay brands in the stores ARE the chinese garbage and people don't even think about it. And I'm forced to do it sometimes, though I almost always will at least find the Taiwanese version if at all possible. It takes quite a long time to be a smart buyer of tools, we shouldn't forget that fact about people. You who watch Doc's channel are among a very small number of people who look at tools. I've probably spend the last 13-15 years actually paying attention to tool brands and I'm still finding companies and products I had no idea about, new ones and legacy companies.
Let me give you a challenge. Find me a company making quality metal files right now like we used to be able to buy. And if you haven't before gone down the rabbit hole of files, well good luck to you, and that's JUST files.
There's actually one other dimension to tool buying I didn't mention. There are a few tools that are absolutely great that are made overseas that I simply WISH I could buy here. The milwaukee fastback 6-in-1 utility knife for example. Absolutely excellent piece of kit. Unmatched. I wish I could buy a U.S. version of it, because I wish Milwaukee made it here in the U.S. Nope and Nope.
@@michaelbuddy totally agree as i have the exact same knife - bottom line is i support USA based when it's possible and like you hope that we produce more and more quality tools
I bought a pair about a year ago and keep them sealed in the box. I had a feeling this might happen and that’s why I did that. I’m sure 90% of the ones sold are also boxed and now safe queens, which is kind of a pity.
I’m going to use mine but I get where your coming from if you accidentally lose them then you can’t replace them and that’s something I do worry about a little bit but I would hate to just not use them at all and not be able to enjoy them
nah a tool is meant to be used. If not then it isn't a tool
Just bought the 10 and 7 Malco on Amazon 😢
Just bought the 7” and 10” on Amazon. Curved jaws. Sad day.
After watching the video I placed an order. This is so sad, I wish they could've had better luck.
Have been waiting to purchase these for awhile. Pulled the trigger on acme tools, but saw that they are back ordered after I placed my order. I’m hoping I still get them.
I have some. I think they're even better than the old Vice Grips that were made in America, and much, much better than Vice Grips now.
I agree unfortunately people aren’t going to pay $50.00 for one pair of vise grips especially whenever you can go to a regular store and get a set for $20.00 or under the high prices is what killed Malco luckily I had bought 2 of them earlier this year
Dang.
That’s too bad.
I love my Malco Eagle grips!
They’re by far better than the rest of them. Even the Knipex doesn’t even come CLOSE!
Thanks so much! I just applied for an Amazon credit card and got approved with $150 gift card and got these 4 for $62 total split up into 6 months at like $10 a piece without interest. Hope you got something still if those are affiliate links!
Amazon do be like that.
Sad, I have picked up one of each model offered, just ordered the 11" clamp pliers and was looking forward to future products. I don't mind the price at all, I have the Milwaukee pliers too and the Malco's are better in every way. If you take the Milwaukee and Malco's, equivalent size models, and weigh them the Malco's are heavier even though the Milwaukee's look bigger. I will always pay the premium for USA-made tools, especially when they use US-sourced steel and materials.
Thanks for the heads up, just stocked up!
Bought four pairs of the 7" curved over the weekend from Acmetools, giving some away as Christmas gifts. Nice no-date Sub by the way, another quality tool.
Those ones are gone now
I just bought these, and now I'm sad I'm waiting for them rn
I'm going to buy a bunch now and then really promote how good they are and make bank in a few months ;-) This is the way of the world, the market deems the other offerings are good enough. If they aren't then someone will up their game and price.
I bought a pair of these when they came out. They should have made some other tools. I would have bought a nice adjustable wrench or slip joint.
You should try Gedore. I don't know how they compare to the Eagle Grips but they are leagues above all the Bollmann rebrands (like Knipex and a gazillion others).
One problem the stores like menerds home depot lows didn't carry them but other Malco tools
Just watching this video I ordered 3 of them.
Did you like those better than the Grip-On locking pliers brand. I've always looked at malco as inferior but have only ever used someone else's.
Hi Doug, long time viewer here. Great channel, great content, great presentation. Try the Bollmann Selzer Kombigrip.
Those 7 inch are 125$ Canadian on Amazon 😭
Canadian here. Where I am at I can get Snapon rebrands for slightly cheaper by $4-7 at the truck. Grab em while you can. I almost never use 7" or straight jaws but I have been eyeing the Curved and C-Clamps though.
At least we’ll still have the fireball vice grips
What kind of doctor are you?
most people already have pliers even the cheaper ones :D they last ages, not sure many will buy a new plier 3 to 4x+ more expensive
Hi Doc how would you compare these to the original Vice Grips (Petersen). I've got a set of 3. But are the Malcos worth upgrading to?
The Malcos are just Vice Grips but stronger, harder, nicer and smoother, and gripper. And American made. For general use, the VGs will be fine. When out near the extremes of use, the Malcos will shine. But as others have posted, VGs are an almost expendable tool meaning you work them hard until fail. Then get another pair. All the while, the Malcos remain safely in the toolbox for fear of damaging them. Even worse now that they are collectibles.
£71 on Amazon UK at the moment.
Just ordered a pair 😭
It's a race to the bottom.
These popped up for a great price on Harry Epstein's, so I bought up four pairs of the pliers and several clamps. Can't wait to compare them to Grip-Ons and my old Petersons.
They still have hundreds of each model for those that are interested. Just ordered mine.
If Milwaukee was smart they'd buy it
It's such a shame that they couldn't last, I suppose they were just too nice.
The problem was the prices that’s why they failed most people aren’t going to pay $50.00 for one pair of vise grips that’s the reality of it especially whenever you can get a set of Chinese made vise grips for $20.00 cheaper now I bought 2 of the Malco vise grips and they are the best vise grips ever made but a lot of people today aren’t as interested in quality their more interested in price instead of quality and a big part of that is because we are a disposable society we use something for a little while and then throw it away and get a new one
It's a shame..make something quality and get under priced out by walmart
I think you are supposed to pronounce Knipex the same way you pronounce kuh-nife.
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I gotta stop watching your channel man. Geez I just dropped nearly $200 on four variations of the malco vice grips from Acme tools because of watching this and the Den of Tools. I think my dad has a couple grimey old classic vice grips. I don't even use vice grips that much but I guess my heart strings dictated that I needed to. Thankfully you didn't also persuade me on PB swiss, at least for now.
Covid (or really stupid gov policy) did NOT make it easy to be a company right now. The economy is not just garbage right now, it's getting worse and will be for a little while.
I don't know how it will be for these types of goods, but there are some, should I say boutique product niches where people will preorder for a temporary buy of a high quality good. Is it possible that we will see small tool companies prop up just for doing that (or more of it) down the road. We shall see.
They failed to innovate of course the copies are going to overtake. You can make more profit off things made here but don’t expect to have any amount of volume to sustain a business.