If you turn iron for a living, a Ridgid heavy-duty straight wrench is the tool most professional plumbers reach for first. For the same grip with less weight, the Ridgid aluminium 814 does the job with a fraction of the heft. For all-round value the Bahco Stillson is the sensible middle ground, and a Footprint or Silverline sees you through for a spare.
At a Glance — Comparison
Model | Type | Best for | Approx price |
Ridgid 31020 14″ Heavy-Duty | Straight, cast iron | Daily heavy plumbing | £50 |
Ridgid 31095 814 Aluminium | Straight, aluminium | Reducing weight in the bag | £56 |
Bahco 450mm (18in) Stillson | Self-clamping Stillson | All-round trade use | £24 |
Footprint 12in Adjustable | Traditional pattern | Sheffield-made value | £31 |
WORKPRO 350mm Heavy Duty | Straight | General maintenance | £22 |
Silverline 350mm Stillson (WR90) | Straight, budget | Spare in the van | £9 |
Six wrenches here, from the pro-grade Ridgid through to a spare you won’t cry over if it walks off site. The Bahco Stillson in particular is excellent value at £24.
1. Ridgid 31020 14″ Heavy-Duty — Best overall
Amazon’s own “#1 Top-Rated” badge holder in this category with 5.1K reviews at 4.7★. The cast-iron heavy-duty pattern has the cleanest, hardest bite of anything at the price, and every wear part is replaceable.
- Cast-iron 14-inch
- Self-tightening hook jaw
- Every wear part replaceable
- #1 Top-Rated on Amazon UK
2. Ridgid 31095 814 Aluminium — Best lightweight
Same Ridgid jaws and self-tightening action, roughly 40% lighter thanks to the aluminium handle — the difference between aching forearms and not for anyone carrying a full set of wrenches.
- Aluminium body, ~40% lighter
- Same self-tightening Ridgid jaws
- 14-inch
- For working plumbers who value their backs
3. Bahco 450mm (18in) Stillson — Best value Stillson
At £24 this is excellent value for a proper forged-steel Stillson with self-clamping jaws.
- 18-inch, 60mm capacity
- Self-clamping jaws
- Induction-hardened jaws
- Induction-hardened jaws
4. Footprint 12″ Original Adjustable — Best budget that’s still worth owning
A 12-inch Footprint wrench — the same genuine Sheffield-made value proposition as their larger sizes: a forged wrench for the price of a cheap casting.
- 12-inch, drop-forged high carbon steel
- Sheffield-made heritage brand
- Solid value, not a lifetime professional wrench
- Solid value, not a lifetime professional wrench
5. WORKPRO 350mm Heavy Duty — General maintenance
A genuine WORKPRO 14-inch heavy-duty wrench — drop-forged steel for general maintenance and lighter duty use.
- 14-inch, drop-forged steel
- 70mm jaw capacity
- General maintenance and lighter duty
- General maintenance and lighter duty
6. Silverline 350mm Stillson (WR90) — Best spare
At £9 this is the cheapest genuine listing on this page — exactly the wrench you won’t cry over if it walks off site.
- 350mm (14in), 50mm jaw
- Cheapest genuine option here
- Fine for low-torque, occasional work
- Fine for low-torque, occasional work
How to choose a pipe wrench
A straight pipe wrench is the workhorse: a fixed lower jaw, an adjustable upper hook jaw, and a heel that lets it bite harder the more you pull.
Buy by the job, not by the box. A 14-inch wrench handles most domestic pipework up to around 2 inches and is the single most useful size to own.
Cheap wrenches use soft cast jaws that round off and cannot be replaced. Quality wrenches use hardened, replaceable jaws — a Ridgid will take a new set of teeth for a few pounds rather than a new wrench.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size pipe wrench do I actually need?
For most UK domestic plumbing and heating, a 14-inch wrench is the single most useful size and the one to buy first.
Are expensive pipe wrenches worth it?
For anyone using one regularly, yes. A Ridgid or Bahco costs more up front but the jaws are harder and the wear parts are replaceable, so the tool lasts years rather than months.
Can a pipe wrench damage the fitting?
It can, and that’s the point — the toothed jaws are designed to bite into round iron and steel. Use a pipe wrench on pipe and gas barrel, not on chrome or plated fittings.
What is the difference between a Stillson and a pipe wrench?
A Stillson is a specific traditional pattern of pipe wrench, named after its inventor. In UK trade use the words are often used interchangeably.
The Verdict
If you turn iron for a living, buy a Ridgid 14-inch and never think about it again. For the best balance of price and quality the Bahco Stillson is hard to beat. For a spare, the Silverline does the job for pennies.
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