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The Knipex pliers wrenches continue to dominate the industry so much that you might think there are no other pliers wrenches. The truth is that there are so many alternative plier wrench tools from other manufacturers just that they are arguably not as good, IMO. But the 10″ Lenox LXHT90540 pliers wrench seems like a real contender for the second place. I actually find it to be a suitable inexpensive alternative to the Knipex. Yeah, I have such high regard for the tool.
What Makes Lenox 10″ Pliers Wrench So Good?
1. Huge jaws that open up to 3″ wide
The most outstanding feature of the 10-inch Lenox LXHT90540 is the huge jaws that open very wide. They open as wide as 3″ and they are long enough to provide the depth for gripping huge plumbing fixtures.
To put this to perspective, the jaws of the Lenox pliers wrench open almost twice as wide as the Knipex 10″ pliers wrench. Or if you like, we could say that these wrench pliers open more than twice as wide as your Channellock 415 pliers.
The extra-wide jaw opening allows you to use the pliers to turn large plated fixtures without scarring their surface. Thanks to the toothless jaws.
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2. Parallel jaws
Similar to the knipex pliers wrench, the jaws on the Lenox LXHT90540 pliers remain parallel to each other at each adjustment position. This ensures that you get as much contact with an object as possible.
In effect, the good contact that the parallel jaws of pliers wrenches provide makes up for the lack of teeth. It also ensures no slippage when turning the stock.
If the smooth jaws were not parallel to each other, slippage would be inevitable. That is why your Channellock 415 pliers slip so easily when you place them on nuts and bolts.
The rule of thumb is that if the adjustable pliers have smooth jaws, then the jaws must be parallel. Also, the objects you grip must have flat sides. That is the only way you will get the advantage of using the non-marring jaws. Otherwise, non-parallel smooth jaws will slip and round off the corners of your fastener.
Unfortunately, no matter how parallel the smooth jaws on your pliers are, you cannot use them to grip round surfaces. The reason is that round shapes offer a very small surface area for contact, which is insufficient for flat jaws. The best adjustable pliers for gripping round objects are those with V-jaws. A good example is the Knipex Cobras or Alligator pliers.
3. Quick and easy jaw adjustment
As you can already tell, the Lenox 10-inch pliers wrench borrows so much from Knipex. This includes the adjustment mechanism. The pliers use a similar button-adjustment mechanism as that of Knipex. This makes it effortless to adjust the jaws. The adjustment is also pretty smooth.
Another cool thing about the Lenox wrench pliers is that they are self-ratcheting. This means that you don’t have to draw the tool from the workpiece and back again when turning. Instead, all you need to do is loosen the grip on the handles and you will be able to turn the pliers counterclockwise to a different position without marring or scarring the surface of your stock.
4. Comfort grip handles
Since the assumption is that you will be using the Lenox pliers wrench tool to carry out most of your plumbing works, the manufacturer has your comfort figured out. They included comfort-grip handles to make the tool comfortable in your hands.
The cushioned grips also make the pliers safe for your hands. So you don’t have to worry about those blistering jobs that last for hours and leaving your palm hurting. The handles will protect you from such injuries.
5. Affordable
The last thing that would make you want to consider Lenox LXHT90540 adjustable pliers over Knipex is the price. For a tool this close to Knipex at half the price, I would say it is a steal. Yes, it does not feel exactly as stout as the Knipex pliers wrench but it is not too far.
Other attractive features of the Lenox pliers wrench include the hardened steel construction, scale on the channel for precise adjustment, and the thin profile jaws. All these features add to the tool’s versatility. The tool also has a chrome finish to prevent corrosion. But that does not mean that you can leave the tool outside.
Conclusion
The 10″ Lenox pliers wrench stacks up well against a 10″ Knipex pliers wrench. However, in my opinion, Knipex still reigns supreme because it is more solid, feels better in the hands, and has a super slick adjustment mechanism.
But if you do not want to break the bank and want a 10″ pliers wrench that opens wider, the Lenox LXHT90540 is a worthy alternative. You can use it to fix plumbing around the house or do some automotive repairs.
Overall, Lenox pliers wrench is a perfect choice for handymen, DIYers, weekend warriors, and backyard mechanics who cannot afford the German-made Knipex plier wrench. It is also not a bad option for professionals who want a 10-inch adjustable wrench that can open wider than 2 inches.
If you would like to try it, you can find it on Amazon, Lowes, and other popular tool stores. I have put an Amazon link for the Lenox Pliers Wrench below so you can check it out and compare it with Knipex pliers wrench or Channellock 415.
