Harbor Freight Icon vs Snap-On “Iconic” Pliers. Are they worth buying?
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- Опубліковано 29 сер 2024
- It’s an interesting comparison. I must say I’m impressed with the quality of these Icon pliers. Even if I am a little offended by the blatantly unoriginal copy.
I have no doubt the snap ons are better pliers. But for a homeowner/diy guy like me, it’s hard to beat $12-18 for these. Grabbed a pair last week and have really been happy with them. The talon grip thing is a life changer.
Yea man they damn good for the price. The snap on are better, but those icons will get the job done for sure.
I've never had the snap on Im sure they are wonderful but as a farmer my pliers are an extension of my body, literally lost without them and the Icon's are hands down the best I've ever used! I was a fan of the vise grip one's until the last pair I bought couldn't cut baling wire so needed a new option and boy I'm glad I found the Icons!!
I have most all of the Icon pliers and cutters and love them. Just recently bought the 10" pliers-wrench as I've been waiting for them to come in at my local store and the grips are now even better...they have been changed. Slightly thinner with more of a tacky feel which I like much more. I would imagine they're all being changed which is likely why the prices have come down a few bucks as to sell out the old stock.
That’s interesting. I actually kind of like how thick the handles are on the ones I got. It’s different than any pliers handle I’ve seen. I think it’s comfortable. I was using them today and I actually really enjoyed those handles.
hindsight i should have asked the store manager for a rain check when the pliers wrench would arrive. It's been sold out at my local HF including the parrot nose Icons. I picked up the Icon slip joints and love the grips.
@@robertdieder4178 I've been checking on that tool on their site the past 4 months or so every other day. They when I saw it listed as in stock I went there to pick it up. The following day they were sold out. Only had 4 pair when I got there. These are extremely nice. By all means pick them up when available.
Can't go wrong with the harbor freight special. The Icon brand definitely seems like a good alternative to test out the "Snap On" feel without breaking the bank.
It’s crazy how close it is to the snap on pliers. You can definitely tell the difference in quality, but man they are nice for the price.
I don't buy a ton of Snap-On tools, but I keep them in the 3 tool boxes in my shop. Then I keep the Icon pliers in my truck, camping bag, etc.. and they are absolutely perfect for that. Like RWTR said, they really aren't vastly different from the actual SO. You see differences obviously like the edges being chamfered or rolled, finish of the metal, grips, etc.. but that stuff doesn't matter tbh.
Excuse me but how much do you make an hour. Will you work for $5.00 an hour, I think not. Enjoy, Maybee your job will be taken over by a person making slave labor, Talk to us then.
I own the Icon flush cuts, they are pretty decent. Having a store swap warranty option is also nice.
Yea man that really puts them over the top. Knowing you can abuse them a little bit and get them warrantied is awesome. Gotta love HF for that reason.
Would love to see an update video after six months of use. I prefer the thicker handled pliers personally.
I just bought this pliar yesterday. Very nice professional looking. Obviously anything made in USA is for most part going to have more value. But your also paying most of what you bought for the name alone. You spent $180 on a snap on ratchet, $80 of that your paying extra just for the "name". When in the real world that cheaper tool will turn a bolt same as any other. A very good point i once read from a commentor, lots of manufacturers make nice shiny tools, it just depends on how much your willing to get ripped off.
I do prefer my Snap on 47ACFGN over almost any other slip joint but the screw extractor tip on my Knipex twin grips make em a very close 2nd. And very reasonably priced as I paid $26 on an Amazon special. If you haven't tried them out, give em a go. Just for extracting screws, they're worth every cent.
Channellock slip joints are nothing fancy, but they work and the teeth hold up.They cost around 10 bucks. American steel, cheaper than a lot of imported pliers.
Yea man you can’t go wrong with channellock. I’ve always said that if all my pliers got stolen, I would go out and buy all channellock. They have great stuff for a reasonable price. Nothing fancy, just gets the job done.
I have the snap on flush cuts and icon. Love both. Use ALOT! The SO flush cuts seem to have a stronger edge. Icons work equally and look identical. Decided to go with slip joints since the flush cuts are great. 99% of my tools/pliers are s/o
You can’t go wrong with Snap On pliers. They are the best in my opinion. The icons are impressive though. Might have to grab me a pair of the flush cuts.
Snap On makes better needle nose pliers, but the Knipex Cobra-Alligator pliers are the best in their class, along with their wire strippers
PB Swiss makes the best screwdrivers, though
@deedeeramone34 yeah snap slip joints suck. Would go with channel locks before s/o. Kobras on the other hand are king! I got every size and would be lost without.
Technically Wilde has had triple-position slip joints since the late 20s! But they're angle nose, don't have the talon grip, have pressed on handles instead of the comfort foam, and are only offered in a couple smaller sizes.
I do like mine though.
I love the Wilde angled slip joints. I’m a huge fan.
It’s the 80/20 rule. 80% of the quality at 20% of the price.
Yea that’s about exactly what it seems like.
Personally, I feel the LGN47ACFHV ORLGN47ACFG are the new ICONIC SNAP ON PLIERS. Everyone under the sun has done the stupid nickel "trick" or the hanging body weight gimmick recently. Just an opinion.
No guys it’s more like 50% of the quality
Time will tell.
I just ordered a Rockwell hardness tester kit to test the steel quality of tools. Really interested to see the difference between tools like Snap On/HF/cheap junk
Ah, nice. I look forward to seeing your channel.
That’s a cool idea. Looking forward to seeing the results.
I want to know the results too!!
"THIS GUYS A PHONY!!!"
The snap-on triple joint needle nose set is a great set and my go-to pliers
I want some real bad. I think I’m going to get the smaller version that they just came out with. My snap on guy has not had them in stock when I’ve been on the truck. As soon as I see them on the truck, they will be mine.
Some people don’t like the grips on the Icons, but I kinda like them.
I kinda like them too. They are real cushiony. I definitely like the snap on grips better, but the icons are still a lot nicer than regular dipped handles.
@@realworldtoolreviews I agree. It would be interesting to see the difference in metal hardness between the two brands. It would show some of the reasoning for the Snap Ons higher premiums.
Do they break in nice? firmness wise they seem nice but mine are kind of slick (first set of icons)
I’ve got the snap-on flush cuts. I’m a huge fan of them so far, though paying that price hurt a little. My rep has a “no questions asked” warranty policy, so it’s good to know that if I break them or dull them up, he’ll replace them. I’d love to see a review on the icon brand…just to see how badly I got screwed lol.
Those snap on flush cuts are expensive but man they are nice. The icons are still 30 bucks which is still high for harbor freight. I might just have to pick them up though. I’ve heard good things about them.
@@realworldtoolreviews with a $30 price tag, I’m willing to bet that they come from a manufacturer that’s similar in quality to the snap-on version. I’m not sure who makes the snap-on flush cuts, I see people arguing about it in the Facebook groups all the time. Let us know if you do pick the icons up!
@@xavierbruggeman223 Interesting. I just assumed they were made by snap on with the rest of their USA made pliers. I’m gonna have to do some research now.
@@realworldtoolreviews oh yes. I’ve seen lots of people talk about Matco, snap-on, Carlyle, and a few other companies secretly sharing tool manufacturers when it comes to electrical tools and stuff like that. I have a pair of Carlyle wire stripper and crimpers, and they’re the exact same thing that’s sold on the snap-on truck. There’s no proof of them sharing that manufacturer, but there’s just a lot of coincidences that would make sense I guess. I feel like I see those arguments everyday on there. I can’t say for sure though, because I don’t actually know lol…just a suspicion
@@xavierbruggeman223 yea it’s hard to know where some some is made. People on my UA-cam comments have a lot of knowledge about stuff like that. I have seen those Carlyle wire stripper crimper pliers and they are exactly like the snap on.
It isn't as much a matter of being "on a budget" as refusing to promote paying $63 on a single set of pliers.
Snap on is only lifetime warranty to original purchaser and if the rep is willing to swap them. If not its mailing them in if youre the original purchaser. Icon they dont even as walk in swap it out and go about your day.
Let’s see how long it takes before icon copies Those flank drive pliers. Or have they ? Or can they ? I love those things
The doyle slip joint pliers seem good. If you haven't seen those maybe give them a look to
The Doyle stuff is definitely nice. It seems like Doyle is the channel lock/Klein copies and icon is snap on. Most of it is decent Taiwan stuff. Much better than their cheaper Chinese junk.
@@realworldtoolreviews I got the icon plier the other day and now thinking of getting the side cutters and needle nose and maybe a 3/8 ratchet next
@@jesselucas4632 Its good stuff for the money. HF has come a long way over the last few years.
Thanks for your time. Like the channel
@@jesselucas4632 Thanks for watching 👍
As usual it seems ( usually it's China doing it ) they're making decent stuff only because they're trying hard to so closely copy an American product.
I'm glad people who don't care ( I do, but everyone is free not to ) about COO or buying knockoffs can get this kind of quality for such a low price, but I do wish they would just do their own thing instead of ripping of others and comparing them directly to the real deal in their ads / flyers.
Yea it is pretty lame that it’s exactly the same look. It’s a great design though. I’m surprised nobody has copied it until now.
I went in there today for ramps as well and ended up leaving with $150 worth of Icon tools😂
I bought these and the jaws didn't line up at all like my Snap-Ons! So I returned them and searched thru the pile and found 1 single pair where the jaws waffle pattern "fell into" itself like its supposed to do! So I bought it and grabbed the Icon needle nose Snap-On knockoffs too. I like both but they're definitely lower quality tools (obviously).
Nice! That’s what’s great about HF. You can just take it back and get another pair. I’m impressed with those icon pliers for the price. Like you said, Snap-On is much higher quality, but those icons are probably the best 12 dollar new tool I’ve ever bought.
@Real World Tool Reviews Yep absolutely, they replaced them without a single issue and I got them for 15 bucks too. So while not 12 dollars, I think 15 is still a bargain for how well they're made.
I'm thinking about grabbing the Icon version of the parrot head wrench and also the Icon bit set if I can ever find it in stock.
Glad to see that you were able to finally pick up the icons so you could make this video I should have waited for a little while after I commented on that other video before I actually bought a pair I paid 19.99 for mine so 12 bucks was a great deal anyway enjoyed the video thanks again
Yea it was hard to say no to them for 12 bucks. Thanks for the suggestion man. Glad you enjoyed it 👍
You did an awesome job very much the same thing. I think as well you nailed it!!
Thanks CP! Speaking of slip joints, I was using my IPS triple joints today. I got those after seeing them on your channel and have really enjoyed them.
The Icons are nice. But for $12 I can get a pair of USA made channel lock slip joints.
When both of them are lined up in the widest settings, the icon handles are a lot closer, which would pinch your finger? 8:13
But if you get them cheap, go for it....
the Icon flush cuts are good, also you might want to try wera , or knipex slip joints
My buddy has the snap on, colse your eyes and they feel exactly the same, time will tell on quality.
Do you know where I could find a stainless steel version of those pliers?
I’d be pissed off if I owned Snap on lol the yellow Daytona Jack is bad ass though I love that thing.
The Daytona 3 ton jacks are going to be on sale this weekend for $140. I will be jumping on that for sure.
No offense, you do realize the patents are up on all snap-on tools, that everyone has such an issue with Icon tools on. You’re comparing years of SO Research and Development (R&D). Icon, Harbor Freight, junk, etc. how ever you want to coin them, has been waiting in the wings, and are now going to dominate the tool industry domestically, as they now make the same, original, SO’s, at a fraction of the price. With that said, not a mechanic, I’m an industrial tool user, heavy mechanical. I have a ton of SO, S-K, Proto, Mac, you name it, I own it.
My question to all the SO worshippers: why would you bother? Snap-on. No equal.
Why do people constantly have to compare the bar, SO, no equal, to Harbor Freight?
Remember - when patents are relaxed or expired…
Fair game for cheaper, same quality-
Just a humble tool user and purchaser’s file opinion, but I mostly purchase tool in the Icon line as most tool truck tools aren’t necessarily still made on the home soil.
You probably paid 4 times as much for the snapon pliers right?I guarantee if the icon pliers were around when you were ready to buy you would have never purchased strapon because this is whats happening with our business.Strapon has been robbing people for years
Kicking myself for not getting these during the 'Spring Black Friday' for ~12bucks.
They feel nice though.
Really wanting to track down the local Snap-on guy to get a genuine set of the LNC47ACF pliers.
I would highly recommend the snap on. They are awesome pliers. The icons are almost there, but if you can afford the snap on ones, it’s worth it.
i like the dark handles on the snap on but unfortunatly i dont see it on the website anymore. a couple of months ago they had black handles and the space grey but now its not there anymore. i should of got it when i had the chance
Snap on website is weird. It doesn’t have their full list of products. Your snap on guy could probably order them if you have one. A lot of snap on guys are good about meeting up with you if you don’t work at a shop or anything. I just text my guy and he comes and meets up with me.
Seems to me your quibble over the Icon tool is a matter of asthetics rather than utility.
The one advantage I see with Snap-on is that you receive a lifetime warranty replacement, which is baked into the price.
Harbor freight has a lifetime warranty too. It’s definitely not aesthetics. The snap on pliers just feel better, but those icons are damn good for the price.
@realworldtoolreviews The other advantage is that Snap-on is keeping up with times and supplying tools & equipment for the mechanics that will be servicing EVs.
Speculation was that Snap-on and other vendors would fade away, but perhaps not.
Softer is teeth is better, it don't chip as easy. I got a pair of snap on duck bills there is several spot that's chipped away pulling on lock wires.
Yea that is definitely true that softer teeth don’t chip as much. They do flatten and wear out though. I’ve got some that have almost completely worn away over time.
Slip joint pliers: Knipex Twin grips enters the room...Hold my beer
As to this video id take the icon over the Snap on 10 times out of 10. The price, warranty, availability with exchange, and functionality are all wins. Strap-on 50$ pliers are the equivalent of #Novasseline
Twin grips are awesome. Very handy.
I am diy er and there are much more choices which are still made in USA and are way better compared this icon, also they are reasonable priced. That's why i prefer Wilde made pliers.
I’m a big fan of Wilde and own lots of their pliers. They have great stuff!
I think it's funny I watch some of these videos. (I have both pair of those pliers)... It's amazing how much people don't want to admit that Snap-on took their money laughing and Harbor Freight treated them right... It's like they're going to choke on it.....
😂 I somewhat agree with you, but I still think the Snap On pliers are worth the money if you can afford it. The HF ones are good and will definitely get the job done, but the 47 ACF pliers are the bomb in my opinion.
Snap-On tools are an investment, and the sting of thier price wears off with time. But IKON tools are well worth thier low price point.
I agree. Snap on pliers are absolutely worth the money. The icons are a great deal though if you can’t afford snap on.
Both have nice warranties. But harbor freight sucks for some of the rural area living people. I’m 50 miles from the closest harbor freight. Just another thought to put out there to consider.
Yea that makes sense. The snap on man coming to you is pretty great.
Hey man, maybe snap-on is the best steel !?
Compared to my $12 husky slip joints i would have rather gotten the ICONS
I have the Doyle dipped handle slip joints. They fall in the “just ok” column
@jackof1 how are the teeth on them? I like my Doyle channelocks and diagonal cutters
@@feyrband No complaints. All my Doyle stuff has held up pretty well. The Project Farm videos show that Doyle has above average durability
It is a really good value. For 12 bucks you wont find anything better I don’t think. There are some garbage ass slip joints out there in the 10-15 dollar range.
Love snap on stuff, but their products arent worth it. Icon pliers are 20 bucks, snap on of the same caliber probably 65+. The snap on doesn’t do a better job of holding something to necessitate the 45 bucks over the icon.
In a lot of ways you are absolutely correct. The icons are a great deal and they absolutely will do everything the snap ons will do. I would say that Snap on is worth it still but only if you can afford it. The teeth are slightly better and the grips feel better to me. If you just need to grab stuff and don’t care about the luxury or don’t have the money, you definitely shouldn’t buy them. People going into debt on the snap on truck is crazy to me.
I honestly don't like how icon copies snap on and knipex!
I'm of mixed feelings about copycat tools. It's like sleeping with a hooker, it gets the job done but you feel dirty and cheap afterwards, nothing like a loving relationship with a good woman. Or like those MaltOMeal cereals that they try to pass off. They look similar and almost taste like the real deal, but they just don't cut it.
They do make good decoys though, I have a bunch of cheap tools on the pegboard at work and some semi decent ones in my toolbox for those occasions when I have to share, or for those who would walk off with another man's tools.
I'm occasionally surprised by the durability of some of Harbor Freights tools, but more than a few don't cut it in a professional environment. To their credit, they for the most part, have honored their warranty.
I'm a real fanboy of Snap Ons pliers, especially their long nose slip joints. (You have seen the nickel demonstration haven't you?)
ua-cam.com/users/shortsI1ZUGPehrRo?feature=share
Definitely my most favorite tool to come out in a while.
Thanks for sharing 👍
😂😂 that’s a pretty good analogy. They are definitely not like the real thing. HF has its place in life though. I love snap on pliers too though. The slip joint needle nose are absolutely next in my list for truck purchase. I can’t wait to get those things.
For $12 or $17 dollars its probably not that bad a deal. But I'm still going to go out and get myself that snap on a very soon. Thanks to eBay.. hidden unless I have a sacrificial job I would don't think I'll need the harbor freight version
Yea if you can afford the Snap On, it’s worth it. Those are some of the best pliers I’ve ever used.
@@realworldtoolreviews im going through decades of pliers mostly with Knipex. It is a very slow procedure. Mostly due to the fact that I'm completely disabled and can only work for myself at a very limited basis.. Crohn's is a nightmare. Especially with the worst-case your doctors ever seen in his 28 years. But I'm finding jobs that used to be a nightmare for me to be far easier with Knipex. None of this slipping and rounding and destroying of bolts. If they are destroyed they easily get them removed with some twin grip Pliers.
@@jeffreywolf5235 Dang man that sounds rough. I’ve heard crohn’s can be pretty terrible. Good pliers definitely make a world of difference 👍
Icon pliers are fantastic. Lifetime warranty and harbor freight is 10 minutes from everywhere!
or 20 minutes 😉
For anyone who is not a profesional enjoy the icon
Taiwan quality is excellent, on par with USA or Europe.
Idk about that, but Taiwan definitely has some solid manufacturing. Much better than China.
Fantastic content 👌 👏 👍
The icons are great with the grips removed.
I actually like the grips
I'm not particularly a Snap On guy, but I do own pretty much all of their pliers, slip joint, channel lock, needle nose etc.. and money is not an issue when it comes to them. They are absolutely the best. Not a knock on Icon as I own some of their tools as well. You just can't beat Snap On in that department.
I agree 100%. Those icons are good for the price, but snap on pliers are worth the money and absolutely my favorite pliers for slip joints, and needle nose especially.
Pay someone 50 cents an hour you can sell a Snapon knock off for $12.
The emotional turmoil in this plier review is palpable.
I need to stop watching tool videos. I've spent enough at harbor freight as it is.
😂😂 hey if it’s just harbor freight you don’t have that bad of a problem. It’s when you start getting on that Snap On truck that might need to check in to tool addiction rehab.
Dude, you went over to the dark side. Your snap on guy won't be meeting you any more.
😂 oh yes he will. He likes money 💰
The snap on 🇺🇸 I own a black handle par and they just grip
Yea they are the best. Snap on pliers are definitely worth the money.
@@realworldtoolreviews don’t let knipex or Klein guys tell you otherwise cause they all 3 are the top dogs nobody can touch channellock too
@@austinmoore1689 Yep those are the big 4 for sure when it comes to pliers.
Tiawan is better than china because they are applied to the ISO9000 certified compliance for quality.
dope !!
The snap on is forged and I don’t believe the icon is
Interesting
Slip pliers aren't big enough nor made in a certain way to be used hard. You can buy the cheapest pair of china made slip pliers and they'll probably last a life time. I think where you'll really see the difference between cheap and quality is when rust comes into play. If you use your tools in wet areas or outside a lot, the cheap ones will rust very quickly. Anyway, when it comes to me and slip joint pliers, I prefer to have something that represents America.
Teeth do mar up on slip joints after repeated use and it does play a role in how effective they are. When the teeth wear, it removes the protective coating thus promoting rust if not kept thinly oiled. Harder the metal, the less they mar, the less they rust.
Yea that’s true. The fastener at the slip joint part makes a difference too. Cheap ones get loose and wear out at that joint.
Knipex is better than both of them
Never had that problem. I go to Horrid Fright I buy what I came in for and leave. Of course I'm over HF so.
You are smarter than me 😂
Snap On,Matco,Mac, is compatible to shopping on Rodeo Drive and spending 5000 dollars on a T shirt,that was made in China that you could find that same Tshirt at the Gap made in the same Chinese factory for 20 dollars.Get real peoples,the only thing about these products that are made in America might be the packaging.
Snap on core hand tools are all made in USA. That’s one of the main reasons I love them.
Except snap on isn't made in China LMAO.
Snap is trash
How can you call yourself real world tool reviews if you don’t take the tool off the bench?