My current favorite is a Stanley model 10-989 but, they are a little pricy. They're called Channelocks because that was the original and traditional brand. I feel, in a pinch, the arc-joint will do almost anything a wrench will do and, it will do many things the wrench won't. Others disagree with this, saying the smaller is likely to do most jobs and is more convenient to use. Now we have to talk about hand saws and this is where my experience clouds my advice.
Many people say a hand saw is a basic tool.
Yet, I didn't own a hand saw for my entire adult life until last year. With a circular saw, a little skill and a saw guide you can do almost any lumber or plywood cutting you need to do. I am not suggesting a circular saw is a basic tool but, if you progress to stage II of home repair you'll probably want to get one. These small saws are easy to store and carry and will do most hand sawing jobs. Now we come to the electric drill .