Gedore 8248-160 60 Degree Offset Angle Multiplier Review: A Different Kind of Plier

Introduction

Angle multipliers, sometimes called offset grip pliers, occupy a strange and useful corner of the hand tool world. The Gedore 8248-160 is a 160 millimeter long version with a 60 degree offset head, made in Austria, and it behaves very differently from a conventional straight-handled pair of pliers.

If you have ever wished you could reach into a recessed area without your hand blocking the view, or wanted to change the leverage dynamic when pulling or twisting on something, this style of tool deserves a look.

Design and Build Quality

The 8248-160 is chrome plated and has a fairly hefty feel for its size. The jaws combine two functions: a heavier trapezoid tooth pattern in the rear for gripping round stock and heavier material, and plenty of flat grabbing area toward the front with a very nicely finished tip. That tip can grab very thin material right at the edge, with no play whatsoever.

Movement across the pivot is smooth. There is a slight bit of resistance out at the very end of the jaw range, but otherwise the action travels easily.

One detail worth noting: the jaw seating is slightly uneven. Under light pressure the jaws show a small amount of swivel because one side contacts the work before the other. Squeezing hard locks everything down, so it is a minor quirk rather than a dealbreaker.

Grip and Handling

The handle uses a comfort grip design with some sponginess to it. The black rubber section is more grippy than the blue part, and there is a molded texture section near the top of the handle.

Compared with other offset multipliers of this type, the Gedore handle simply sits more comfortably in the hand. Over a long session, that difference is likely to matter more than any single specification.

Why the 60 Degree Angle Matters

The 60 degree offset is not a gimmick. It does two practical things. First, it lets the jaws reach into smaller recessed areas where a straight handle would get in the way. Second, it changes the leverage dynamic when you are pulling on things or twisting, which becomes noticeable once you work with the tool for a while.

The same principle appears in surgical and dental instruments, where an angle clears the vision path so your hand does not block the work. If you are working with a flashlight, the offset also opens up a bigger usable work space because your hand is no longer covering part of the area.

Cutting Performance

The integrated cutter has a heavier trapezoid tooth style reminiscent of tongue-and-groove designs, and it cuts reasonably well. Cutting near the outside of the jaws works nicely. When you get all the way down into the joint, the cut is less clean, so the sweet spot is clearly the outer portion.

There is one quality-control gripe: a small sharp burr near the machined area of the jaw. It is not perfect finish work, and it is something you may want to file down or break off on arrival.

Buying Advice

At roughly $35 on Amazon, this is an accessible entry into an unusual plier style. It is compact enough to carry in a smaller tool kit and can be used in much the same way as a conventional lineman-style multiplier.

If you mostly work with straight access and standard leverage, a conventional pair of pliers will serve you fine. If you regularly deal with recessed fasteners, tight vision paths, or awkward pulling angles, the offset format genuinely earns its place. The pistol grip layout makes it a different animal from straight pliers, and that difference is the whole point.

Conclusion

The Gedore 8248-160 is a well-made, comfortable, and thoughtfully angled multiplier with a few quirks: slightly uneven jaw seating under light pressure, a small sharp burr on the jaw edge, and a cutter that is best used away from the joint. For $35, it is an easy way to explore a different kind of plier, and for anyone working in recessed or awkward spaces, the 60 degree offset quickly proves its value.