Last month, we told you about Ideal Industries’ new campaign to bring more manufacturing into the United States. Their Made-in-America hand tool program is being spearheaded by the Ideal WireMan Linesman Pliers, and they were kind enough to send us a couple to review. Linesman pliers are going to be found in nearly every electrician’s tool bag. They’re so useful that I’ve got one in my Veto Pro Pac MC tool bag, one in my DeWalt tool chest, and one that stays in my house. I simply don’t want to be without one.
You can’t have a conversation about linesman pliers without talking about Klein. They set the standard for what a linesman plier is at the highest confidence level. The Ideal WireMan linesman pliers is very similar in size to Klein’s 9 inch Journeyman high leverage side cutting pliers with connector crimping (J2000-9NECR). In fact, they’re rated to cut many of the same things.
We’re not going to be doing a straight up head to head between the two of them. However, as the Pro standard, we’ll be making the comparison to our experiences with Klein in an effort to answer the questions that professional electricians are going to want to know. At the end of the day, everyone wants to know how tools compare to the one that’s currently king of the mountain.
Ideal WireMan Linesman Pliers Key Features
- Drop-forged, high-carbon steel construction withstands toughest applications
- Cuts hardened wire, bolts and ACSR
- Induction-hardened blades and serrated jaws for long-term durability
- High-leverage design provides 40% more cutting power
- Unique reverse rivet protects smooth action of pliers movement
- Crimps bare and insulated terminals
- Smart-Grip handles are resistant to perspiration, water, oil and chemicals and provide a sure grip even when wet
- Limited lifetime guarantee
Before we even begin to look at performance, we really need to talk about a few key features that come on the Ideal WireMan linesman pliers. Integrated into the head is a cam action fish tape puller designed to avoid marring and damage to the tape. A pair of crimping dies are also built right in. Whether you need a flat or U-shaped crimp, you’ll have both options available.
Ideal WireMan Linesman Pliers Performance
Side cutting pliers in this class work by using a knife to knife design that cuts into material from both ends. A common test to see the quality of the cut is a simple paper corner cut. It’s an indication whether the pliers will cut all the way through wire, bolts, nails, other rated material or not. Quality pliers will cut all the way through the paper without forcing you to tear it off. Cheap ones will have gaps that force you to reposition and tear off the last strands of wire. The Ideal WireMan linesman pliers had a clean cut here. It completely removed the paper without touching it. A sign of good things to come?
Next came a really basic test: Cutting 12 gauge wire. This is such a low stress test for this participant that it could really be considered a no stress test. Unsurprisingly, it cut effortlessly. On to nails. With a soft aluminum nail, there really wasn’t anything close to a hard effort required. Standard nails took a little more effort, but weren’t difficult. Most of the time, when I’m dealing with nails, I’ll find myself grabbing them with the jaws and rocking back and forth to break them off flush (handy for well-embedded ring-shanks).
Now it was time for things to get screwy (Not really, I just wanted to use that line.) When it came to cutting screws, it became a two handed operation. Throw me a bone, I’m a triathlete, not a weight lifter. This was definitely a tougher test regardless. As you begin to cut thicker metal, the possibility of vibration shock to your hand increases as the pliers snaps through. That shock can travel straight into your wrist and make you want to stop cutting all together. The Ideal WireMan Linesman Pliers page doesn’t mention anything specifically about the design, but it clearly has vibration damping qualities. I’m very pleased to say that I am impressed.
Moving on to small bolts, I began to miss my Klein’s. It’s not that the WireMan is insufficient. There is something to be said for being top dog though. On second thought, I think I’d much rather take Milwaukee’s new M18 Fuel Grinder to bolts rather than hand tools. I know, I’m spoiled.
Gripping and wire twisting applications were outstanding. The cross hatched knurled design inside the jaws ensured that whatever I had a hold of wouldn’t get away. Similarly, fish tape pulling and crimping were a solid experience with no slipping.
I wasn’t sure about the squared off grip design, having been used to one that is rounded. Over the course of using the Ideal WireMan linesman pliers, I really began to like it. The material and design of the grip combined to make it more comfortable than I had anticipated bare-handed. Of course, you’ll be using this with gloved hands the vast majority of the time. The grip felt secure and comfortable in gloved hands as well.
While it’s absolutely possible and expected to be able to use linesman pliers one-handed, I did notice that the opening and closing action isn’t nearly as smooth as others I’ve used. Not that it’s a deal-breaker, but you’re going to notice a difference.
Conclusions
The Ideal WireMan Linesman Pliers is an excellent go to option for your crimping, fish tape pulling, and side cutting needs. The design takes several applications and integrates them into one tool. Since you need to carry and often use linesman pliers anyway, getting the extra features is a nice bonus. Aside from not being as smooth as Klein, I can’t say that there are many complaints from me. It’s even Made in the USA, so we can feel good about the source that we’re supporting at the same time. When you pick up the Ideal WireMan linesman pliers, you’re putting a solid performing tool in your bag that’s backed by a lifetime warranty.
Most retailers are your local hardware stores, so don’t look for these at the retail giants. Several online retailers like Amazon offer the WireMan Linesman as well if you’re willing to wait to get it in your hands. Retail prices are running just under $50.
