The Best Lineman Pliers for Electrical Work in Your Home

There are a lot of things to like about these 9.5-inch lineman pliers from Channellock. Made of tough high-carbon steel, they have been hardened using a laser heat treatment, which focuses on specific areas (like the gripping jaws and cutting edges) without affecting the ductility of the surrounding areas. The cutting edges feature an unusual knife and anvil style, which offers superior performance.

But the stand-out feature of this tool is the Xtreme Leverage Technology (XLT), which maximizes user input. When compared to standard lineman pliers, they allow the application of more pressure when gripping, twisting, or cutting without overexerting oneself. It's a particularly valuable feature for those who regularly cut hard materials like piano wire, and it's also helpful when considering their slightly higher weight, clocking in at 1.08 pounds.

In addition to the 9.5-inch size, these lineman pliers come in sizes from 7.5 inches to 10.5 inches.