Locking pliers have a biomechanical advantage because you don’t have to waste any muscle power holding the jaws shut. You adjust them to firmly grip the item, clamp them shut, then focus all your effort on twisting.

• Grip damaged heads.

• Grip at an awkward angle.

• Grip a sheared shaft.

• Look for thick comfortable handles.

• Unbranded items may have weak serrations.

• Always wear eye protection.

• Consider impact protecting gloves.