Channellock GL6 Grip Lock Review: A Small Tongue and Groove Pliers Built for Round and Odd-Shaped Grips

Introduction

Some tools become favorites precisely because they are small, cheap, and do one job extremely well. The Channellock GL6 Grip Lock 6.5-inch tongue and groove pliers fit that description. It sits in Channellock’s lesser-known Grip Lock series, which comes in 12-inch, 9.5-inch, and this 6.5-inch size, and it is easy to miss on a store shelf because you have to go fairly deep into the Channellock line to find it.

At roughly 12 to 13 dollars depending on where you shop, and made in the USA with USA steel, it is one of the more affordable ways to add a genuinely useful grip tool to a drawer. This review covers what it is designed for, how it holds up in use, and the trade-offs worth knowing before you buy.

Who This Product Is For

The GL6 is aimed at anyone who regularly needs to grab round stock, conduit, or odd-shaped objects with a small hand tool. Its large head and tooth geometry are built specifically for that kind of work rather than for flat hex fasteners.

It also suits people who want a compact tongue and groove pliers for tight spaces. At 6.5 inches, it is the kind of tool that lives in a small bag or a kitchen-adjacent junk drawer and gets pulled out more often than you would expect.

Main Strengths

The headline feature is the Grip Lock tooth design. The teeth angle back toward the spine of the pliers, so when a workpiece tries to twist out of the jaws, the bite actually digs in harder. On a 10 mm fastener, the grip is quite solid, and the jaws close with a noticeable downward arc that helps wrap around round and irregular shapes.

The construction details are thoughtful too. Inside the pivot sits what Channellock calls the PermaLock rivet, designed to keep the joint from coming undone or loosening under lateral tension. There is also a Safe-T-Stop: a bar and a corresponding bump that intersect before the handles can come fully together, preventing the handles from pinching your palm when you squeeze hard. On many pliers in this style, that pinch is a real annoyance, so it is a welcome touch.

Things to Consider Before Buying

The GL5, sorry, the GL6 has only five adjustment positions, fewer than some competitors in this size class. That limits fine tuning, though the positions it does have cover a useful range.

At its maximum tongue and groove opening, the jaw gap measures approximately one inch, maybe a little over. You can still grab objects up to roughly an inch and three quarters thanks to the jaw geometry, and even something close to two inches, but a span that big is not especially functional in practice.

Real-World Grip Test

The most direct comparison is against the Knipex Cobra. In a side-by-side grip test on a round fastener, the Cobra held tighter; with the GL6, you could see the jaws slipping and grinding off a bit of metal where the Cobra kept its hold. So no, the GL6 is not quite Cobra-solid at the very extreme of its bite.

That said, in everyday use the difference rarely matters. On a length of conduit, the GL6 grabbed on rock solid and held through twisting without any drama. For round stock, odd shapes, and larger bolts, it delivers a hefty, confident bite that punches well above its price.

Buying Advice

If your main need is a premium, do-everything tongue and groove pliers and your budget allows it, a Knipex Cobra in the 150 or 180 size remains the benchmark, particularly for its slim, reduced-mass head design.

But at 12 to 13 dollars, the GL6 is an easy recommendation as a dedicated round-grip and odd-shape tool. Buy it if you work with conduit, plumbing, or awkward fasteners and want a compact, USA-made pliers that grips hard without pinching your hand. Skip it only if you already own a Cobra in a similar size and have no second task that calls for a wide, flat-jawed biter.

Conclusion

The Channellock GL6 Grip Lock is a niche tool in the best sense: it knows exactly what it is for and does that job well. Five positions and a slightly softer maximum bite than the class leader are the only real compromises, and neither is a dealbreaker at this price. For a small, tough, American-made pliers that grabs round things and refuses to let go, it earns a spot in the drawer.