WideAzz Wrench 2.0: Baby got bolt

I wrote about Channellock's 8-inch WideAzz wrench last year, which was thusly named due to its jaw capacity--quite generous for such a short handle.

Well, at the risk of further alienating prudish plumbers, the company has debuted its new WideAzz. This one has an even shorter 6.25-inch handle, and a 1.34-inch-wide jaw capacity.

As a jaw-to-length ratio, they're comparable.

But on a shorter handle, that Azz just looks bigger.

The wide opening is great for larger nuts, and the short handle can get into tighter spaces. But, as the handle gets shorter, you can't pull with as much torque.

Wide-jawed wrenches often have foot-long handles because torque is something those big nuts and bolts often need.

The $25 wrench has the quality you'd expect from Channellock--smooth knurled adjustment, jaws that hold a firm setting, and an easy-to-grip handle.

It'd be a fine wrench to have around if you only used it for nuts in the 1/2-inch neighborhood (that's what a tool this size would typically tackle).

But hey, if some big booty bolt comes along, the WideAzz'll be there, ready to bite into that thang with both jaws.

More: Our gallery on adjustable wrenches.

And our review of Crescent's ratcheting socket wrench.