The vintage FACOM 187.20 CPY represents the classic generation of FACOM's flagship 200mm / 205mm (8-inch) Universal Combination Pliers (Pince Universelle), engineered and forged directly in France during the late 20th century. (23d)
As with the rest of FACOM's "Black Series" legacy plier lineup, the CPY suffix indicates a premium industrial finish before the company transitioned to modern bi-material handle designs:
- High-Polish Mirror Chrome (CP): The body of the pliers features a brilliant, thick chrome finish designed to actively shed greasy shop fluids and resist deep chemical corrosion or rusting.
- Classic Textured Sleeve (Y): The handles are protected by the legendary, dip-molded solid black PVC comfort sleeves. This streamlined grip style is heavily favored by vintage tool purists because it doesn't degrade or turn sticky when exposed to harsh automotive solvents like brake cleaner or motor oil.
Core Historical Specifications
- Jaw Profile: Features an aggressive, deeply serrated flat front zone for pinning sheet metal and wire, paired with a curved oval pocket lower in the jaws meant to lock tightly onto pipe stock, rounded fasteners, and heavy cabling.
- Piano Wire Capacity: Capable of cleanly shearing through high-tensile piano wire and steel fasteners up to a 2.2mm thickness specification (rated at 205 kg/mm²).
- Discontinuation Era: This exact build was retired from active manufacturing around 1998 to 2002 when FACOM phased out the old "Y" series dip sleeves to introduce their patented, two-tone red and black Comfort Performance Ergonomic (CPE) grips.
If you are trying to source a pair for a tool set today, the vintage item is highly sought after as New Old Stock (NOS). If you are looking to purchase a modern, actively supported equivalent of this exact tool, you can explore the current generation below:
- FACOM 187A.20CPE Comfort Grip Pliers
- Features: Standard modern direct replacement. Features updated red-and-black chemical-resistant handles, a built-in safety lanyard eyelet, and an active handle-opening compression spring.
- Where to buy: Available through Ultimate Garage
- FACOM 187AP.20CPE Specialized Screw-Extracting Pliers
- Features: A performance-tier upgrade to the standard tool. It uses the exact same high-leverage 205mm frame but adds perpendicular cross-gripping channels specifically engineered to bite into and extract stripped screws or stubborn nails.
