CRAFTSMAN 3-Piece Pliers Set Review: The Three Pliers Most Toolboxes Are Actually Missing
Pliers drawers tend to accumulate one of everything except the type you actually need in the moment. Instead of a random assortment, this CRAFTSMAN set sticks to three specific types that cover the vast majority of what actually comes up — long nose, slip joint, and 8-inch groove joint.
Three Pliers, Three Distinct Jobs
Long nose pliers handle precision work in tight spaces — bending wire, reaching into confined areas, gripping small parts. Slip joint pliers cover general-purpose gripping and adjustment across a range of sizes. The 8-inch groove joint pliers step in for larger fasteners and pipes where you need a wider, adjustable jaw. Between the three, you're covered for precision work, everyday grabbing, and bigger adjustable jobs without needing to dig through a drawer of overlapping, redundant pliers.
Drop Forged Steel Built to Take Real Force
These are drop forged rather than cast, a manufacturing process that produces a denser, stronger piece of steel better suited to handle the torque and stress pliers actually get put through — especially with groove joint pliers, which regularly see people leaning into them for extra leverage.
Cutting Edges That Stay Sharp Longer
The long nose pliers specifically feature induction hardened cutting edges, a treatment that increases the hardness of the cutting surface without making the whole tool brittle. In practice, that means the cutting edge holds up to repeated wire-cutting use without dulling as quickly as a standard-hardness edge would.
Grips Built for Actual Use, Not Just Comfort
The dipped grips aren't just there for comfort during longer jobs — they're also designed for easy clean-up, which matters more than it sounds like once your hands (and by extension, the tool) are covered in grease or grime mid-project.
Final Verdict
Rather than padding a set with pliers you'll rarely reach for, this sticks to three types that cover precision work, everyday gripping, and larger adjustable jobs — backed by drop forged steel and hardened cutting edges that hold up to actual use. For a toolbox that's missing the basics done right, this is a focused, practical pick.
