Channellock’s adjustable wrenches are among my favorite tools to gift to others, for a number of reasons.
To start off, they’re far better than most other brands’ adjustable wrenches.
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Here’s why I really like them:
- Wide jaw opening width
- Strong gearing
- Higher tolerance gearing
- Short gear protrusion saves space
- Comfortable grip
A good rule of thumb is that the better the adjustable wrench, the minimal rattle you’ll hear in the adjustment wheel when you give it a shake. Channellock adjustable wrenches are among the quietest designs I have ever used.
The greater the tolerance, the lower the slop.
Channellock adjustable wrenches open up wide, and their Code Blue wrenches adjust even wider.
They are a bit pricey though, and so you’re not going to get a 3pc set for $10. This 8″ wrench typically retails for ~$25 to $30.
That’s also why I like giving these as gifts – it can be a difficult expense to justify for users who are still building up their tool collections.
This is a permanent addition to my tool box. If you don’t have one, consider treating yourself, adding it to your last-minute gift wishlist, or get one for someone else and promptly ask to borrow it. I don’t recommend that last idea. What’d I do is get one for someone else, and then justify buying one for myself as well to stave off potential jealousy.
Buy Now: 8″ Code Blue via Amazon
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$25 for an adjustable wrench can be a big hit to your wallet.
Alternatively, consider this 6″ chrome-finish Channellock wrench for just under $15.
I really like Channellock’s regular adjustable wrenches, despite the opening widths being slightly smaller than on their Code Blue wrenches.
These wrenches also have strong and higher-tolerance pawls than other brands’ wrenches.
Buy Now: 6″ Chrome Finish via Amazon
My first Channellock adjustable wrench had a black phosphate finish, because I was more sensitive to the pricing than surface finish.
It has held up well over the years, and remains another option of the Code Blue proves to be a but too much of an investment right now.
Buy Now: 6″ Black Finish via Amazon
All the evidence points to Irega being Channellock’s OEM partner. These wrenches are made in Spain.
Are you still not yet convinced? Give it time, this won’t be the last time you hear from me about these wrenches. Almost every time I use these wrenches, I think to myself “more people should really upgrade from whatever home center brand they’re using.”