DeWalt Compound Action Long Nose Pliers

I tossed these long‑nose pliers into my electrical pouch for a few weeks of real work—panel prep, light fixture installs, and a handful of household repairs. They promise extra cutting power via a compound‑action linkage, hardened cutters, and a grippy, cross‑hatched nose. On paper, that’s a compelling mix for anyone who cuts and manipulates wire all day. In practice, they shine in a few key areas and stumble in a couple that matter, depending on how you work.

Design and build

These are unmistakably DeWalt in black and yellow, and they feel substantial without being unwieldy. At 11.1 inches overall with 4.25‑inch handles, they offer good leverage and a confident, full‑hand grip. The steel is vanadium/chrome vanadium, and the pivot came tight with minimal side play on my sample. The nose is a straight, long‑nose profile with an aggressive cross‑hatched tooth pattern that runs close to the tip. Tip width measures about 0.5 inch at the widest, but the profile tapers well enough for most panel and junction box work.

A metal locking lever rides on the handle to keep the pliers closed, and there’s a return spring to bias them open. The cutters sit behind the nose, as you’d expect, and they’re induction‑hardened. The handles are bi‑material sleeves—firm core with a softer outer layer—which gives a pleasantly sticky grip without being squishy.

Warranty is a 1‑year limited plan. Packaging is a simple hanging card.

Ergonomics in the hand

Handle geometry is excellent. The contour and spacing make it easy to choke up for tip control or slide back for maximum leverage. I used these gloved and barehanded; the overmold never got slick, even with a little drywall dust and occasional mineral oil on my fingers. The 11‑inch length gives these a more “lineman‑like” feel than compact long‑nose pliers. If you prefer short‑handle finesse, these will feel big. If you value leverage, they’re right in the pocket.

Balance is slightly forward of the pivot, which helps when you’re using the tips to fish or bend small leads. Still, they’re not nose‑light like some precision models; the compound linkage and heavier build shift some mass into the head.

Cutting performance

The compound‑action is the headline feature, and it does what it says: it boosts cutting force at the blades without you white‑knuckling the handles. In daily tasks:

• 14 and 12 AWG copper (solid and stranded) cut cleanly with noticeably less effort than my traditional long‑nose.
• 10 AWG stranded takes more squeeze, but still easier than non‑compound pliers of similar size.
• Zip ties, braided picture wire, and light aluminum all snip without drama.
• Small machine screws are a no‑go. These are not dedicated bolt cutters, and I wouldn’t risk nicking the blades on hardened fasteners.

The cutters are sharp and left tidy ends on THHN. Over a couple of weeks, I didn’t detect any deformation or micro‑chipping at the edge. If you cut a lot of cable ties or soft metals, the added leverage pays off every day.

One trade‑off with compound linkages is movement ratio—your hands travel more to close the jaws the same distance. That’s true here. You get speed and power, but a touch less “telegraphed” tip feel than a traditional single‑pivot long‑nose. It’s not enough to be a deal‑breaker; just something you notice if you do delicate electronics.

Grip, bend, and pull

The cross‑hatch tooth pattern is aggressive in a good way. It grabs fish tape, pulls staples (the not‑fully‑seated kind), and holds wire securely while you form hooks around terminal screws. I liked it for twisting pairs of 14 AWG; you can choke up near the tip for tight bends without slippage.

Jaw alignment on my sample was solid—no visible daylight when closed, and the tips met evenly. The 0.75‑inch jaw capacity is plenty for gripping lamp stems, small conduit fittings, or pulling a stubborn grommet. The head is not as needle‑like as true electronics pliers, and the nose is a bit shorter than some classic, extra‑long‑reach models. In crowded boxes where every millimeter matters, you’ll occasionally wish for more nose length. In most residential electrical work, the reach is adequate.

The mechanism: spring and lock

Here’s where the otherwise strong experience shows some seams. Out of the package, my spring action felt dry and a bit “gritty.” A drop of light oil at the pivot and on the spring improved it immediately, and after a week of use the motion smoothed out further. Still, once in a while the return spring hung up slightly, especially if dust or debris found its way near the linkage. It never seized, but it interrupted the flow.

The lock is the bigger quirk. The lever can self‑release if it gets bumped or jostled in a pouch. I had it pop open twice while clipped in a tool bag pocket, which is annoying but not catastrophic. The lock holds better when you squeeze the handles firmly as you set it; if you just flick the lever with a light squeeze, it’s more prone to creeping open. Personally, I ended up ignoring the lock entirely on the job and just leaving the pliers open in a pouch sleeve.

If the lock drives you nuts, you can simply keep it in the open position and treat the tool like a non‑locking plier. I wouldn’t modify the lever (filing or bending) unless you’re comfortable risking the warranty.

Durability and maintenance

The chrome‑vanadium build and hardened cutters seem up to the task. The finish resisted scuffs, and the teeth didn’t round off with normal electrical work. Keep a bit of oil on the pivot and blow debris out of the linkage occasionally—the compound mechanism has more places for grit to hide than a single‑pivot design.

With a 1‑year limited warranty, you’re covered for early defects, but these feel like they’re built to outlast that easily if you avoid abusive cuts.

Day‑to‑day use cases

Where these pliers excel:
- Frequent cutting of small‑gauge copper, aluminum, and ties where reduced hand fatigue is welcome
- Gripping and forming conductors in panels and boxes
- General household fixes: bending picture wire, freeing stuck plastic clips, pulling small nails/tacks

Where they’re less ideal:
- Ultra‑fine electronics work that needs very long, needle‑thin tips
- Situations where a reliable lock is critical for storage or belt carry
- Cutting hardened fasteners or heavy steel (use the right tool)

Pros and cons

Pros:
- Compound‑action delivers real cutting power with less squeeze
- Sharp, durable cutters leave clean ends on electrical wire
- Cross‑hatched jaws grip confidently with good tip alignment
- Comfortable, secure handles with useful leverage
- Robust overall construction

Cons:
- Locking lever can self‑release with bumps; not confidence‑inspiring
- Return spring can feel sticky without lubrication and occasional cleaning
- Nose length is a bit shorter than some long‑reach competitors
- Less tactile tip feedback than a traditional single‑pivot long‑nose

Who should buy it

If you’re an electrician, facilities tech, or serious DIYer who cuts a lot of small‑gauge material and values lower hand strain, these pliers fit well. The compound linkage and hardened cutters earn their keep immediately. If your work leans toward precision in tight spaces—thermostat wiring, electronics, or tasks demanding ultra‑slender tips—look for a slimmer, longer‑nose pattern without a compound head. And if you insist on a foolproof locking mechanism, you’ll be happier with a non‑locking design or a model with a more positive latch.

Recommendation

I recommend these long‑nose pliers with caveats. The cutting performance and grip are excellent, the build feels stout, and the ergonomics reduce fatigue over a long day—exactly what the compound action is supposed to do. However, the lock is finicky and the spring benefits from a dab of oil and occasional cleaning. If you can live without relying on the lock (or simply ignore it), you get a powerful, comfortable long‑nose that handles everyday electrical tasks with ease. If a rock‑solid lock or ultra‑long, needle‑fine tips are priorities for your work, consider a different pattern.