It’s been a while since I’ve talked about Channellock adjustable wrenches, and with this post, hopefully I’ll make up for that.
Here are 5 reasons you need one.
1. Smooth Adjustments
There are some adjustable wrenches that you can *kinda* adjust with your thumb, and others that respond with precision and control.
Channellock’s adjustable wrenches respond smoothly and effectively, making them easier to use.
2. Strong and Wobble-Free Adjustable Jaw
The “shake test” can tell you about an adjustable wrench’s quality. These wrenches have a 4-thread knurl, whereas lesser wrenches only have 3, and they’re “tighter.”
Overall, it’s a finer mechanism, and the jaws won’t change their spacing on you.
3. Non-Protruding Jaw
Due to how the knurl and moveable jaw are designed, the jaw’s gear rack won’t protrude out the bottom of a wrench when fully opened.
This can be an access or wrench-swinging issue with other adjustable wrench designs.
4. Comfortable to Use
I own Code Blue cushion grip-handled and plain-handled versions, and they’re both exceptionally comfortable to use. They’re among my favorite hand tools, because they’re simply a pleasure to use.
5. Jaw Opening Width
The chrome-finish, black phosphate, and Code Blue versions all have great opening width capacity, but the Code Blue open a little bit wider.
This can mean being able to carry and use a smaller wrench – say an 8″ wrench instead of a 10″, or a 10″ instead of a 12″.
Buy Now(8″ cushion grip via Amazon)
Buy Now(8″ Chrome finish via Amazon)
Buy Now(Other styles via Amazon)
Additional Comments
Channellock adjustable wrenches are made in Spain by Irega. They are simply fantastic to use – comfortable, precise, and convenient.
I tend to prefer using combination wrenches. I’ll use a 1/2″ wrench when I need a 1/2″ wrench, a 5/8″ wrench when I need a 5/8″ wrench, and a 13mm wrench when I need a 13mm wrench. But even then, there are times when an adjustable wrench is convenient, or even required.
If you are fastening two things together via a hex bolt and a hex nut, you’re going to need two wrenches, at least one of which could be an adjustable.
I bought my first Channellock adjustable wrench 9-1/2 years ago, and have purchased several more since. I have also purchased a few Irega wrenches, but I found Channellock’s pricing and availability to be a lot better.
There are great adjustable wrenches. This is one of the few tools I’d say “you should try one!” for. If you don’t know which one to go for, I think that 8″ is a good general purpose size. The Code Blue cushion grip material offers wider capacity, while the chrome finish version is less expensive.
The wrenches are available in a range of sizes, and in chrome, black phosphate, or Code Blue versions.
Buy Now(8″ cushion grip via Amazon)
Buy Now(8″ Chrome finish via Amazon)
Buy Now(Other styles via Amazon)
