Comments on: FlipGrip: Flip, Grip and Pinch

By: Say What

Say What — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 20:01:27 +0000

Thanks Curtis, I would’ve poked my eye out without your advice on how to close those blades down. A thousand thank you’s.

By: Jennie

Jennie — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 15:30:37 +0000

There’s a doo-hickey that says “This latch should always be in the “down” position before pliers are used.” I can see no purpose for its ever being “up”.

On the opposite handle is a piece that sticks out and looks like it’s to pry something, but I don’t see any use for that either! A Phillip’s screwhead would be nice, but awfully fat to try to fit in.

By: frankenstein

frankenstein — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 21:04:29 +0000

I been try to close the knife for 3days now so thanx curtis….jennifer don’t feel dumb ur not the only 1 now…lol

By: Curtis

Curtis — Tue, 12 May 2009 18:35:41 +0000

To Jennifer - assuming you mean you can’t close the knife and/or other flipup tools. The only one that doesn’t lock open is the saw w/ the rounded head, with that closed if you push down on it the other tools that are locked open will now be unlocked for closing.
To ScottScott - I had the same complaint when I first got mine but after a while it will loosen up and you can access it with your finger tip.

By: Chris

Chris — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 00:15:15 +0000

I think I saw these sold under a different name at a Home Hardware in Canada. I was going to buy a pair until I saw they were MADE in CHINA. Anyone else have that aversion? I do have a pair of regulare flip grips that I found broken in a car at a wrecking yard. The store manager was kind enough to replace them (they did after all have a lifetime warranty). Tey aren’t bad but not up to the quality of my other pliers (Klein, Xcelite, Craftsman, Canadian Tire),

By: ScottScott

ScottScott — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 23:07:57 +0000

I purchased a set of these at a pep boys clearance table… 89 cents. I dont know if I would have paid more for them or not, but, I am happy with them for the price I paid. The blades lock on the knife part. The needle nose pliers meet up nice, but the larger pliers do not meet at the tip, so trying to pull a splinter would not work with it. The cover that holds the screwdriver bits is hard to open, I had to use another tool just to get it open. Overall, these are nice, but do not close flat like a leatherman. They stay in the pliars shape. I would not have bought them if they weren’t so cheap. I am very happy with them.

By: jennifer

jennifer — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 16:06:28 +0000

I can’t close it! any suggestions?

By: ricHard Tymes

ricHard Tymes — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 14:45:58 +0000

I’ve carried them all(multitools), and I’ll tell ya this….Flip-Grip is one kick-ass great tool. I’ve carried Leathermans {hurts your hand when you use the pliers}, Gerber {would have been better had it been a Flip-Grip!, still love’em tho}, Swiss Army Knife {sorry, but I love MacGyver, but it just dosen’t go far enough}, Flip-Grips {I’m a Dumpster Diver by trade, and its been a life saver!} other than all that……..I’m quite happy with my Flip-Grip, Thank you very much.
If by chance you have other opinions ’bout this, please feel free to write:
ricHard Tymes
hardtymes@Gmail.com

{I love you Minneapolis, MN!!}

By: Nate Bezanson

Nate Bezanson — Tue, 27 Mar 2007 06:33:57 +0000

It’s funny, RadioShack’s own site had some embarrassingly bad reviews of the SwitchGrip pliers/cutters. Said the jaw alignment was poor, among other things.

Maybe mine were from an early or late batch, before the quality went to crap or after it was straightened out, but I adore them. They’re not *precision* cutters, but they’re more than good enough for trimming tyraps and general work. I carry them in my backpack where size and weight preclude separate cutters and pliers.

Perhaps it’s telling that none of the big multi-tool names have picked up this flip idea. I can see how it’d be a bit tricky to build a seriously strong flip joint, but I actually think the way torque is applied should make it *easier* to make fairly precise jaws that don’t skew one way or the other when they’re under load. Not unlike the “box joint” pliers I like so much!

Whether existing flip pliers are crap or not, one thing’s for sure: I’d like to spend some time with more tools of this type, as hopefully the design gets improved and refined.

By: Rob

Rob — Tue, 27 Mar 2007 05:48:59 +0000

I like the idea of two types of pliers / tools in one and this design is not bad. I would have a pair of the Switch Grips that Nate mentioned except the fit and finish was so bad, I couldn’t bring myself to spend the money on them.

By: Nate Bezanson

Nate Bezanson — Mon, 26 Mar 2007 15:58:15 +0000

Fascinating! It’s similar to the SwitchGrip pliers that Radio Shack’s been carrying for a few years, but adds the typical multi-tool accessories in the handles. I think I like it.

I don’t know if I like two sets of pliers, though. One set of pliers, and one set of diagonal cutters, strikes me as more useful. Still, it’s good to see manufacturers moving in this direction!