I've used, even continue to use, some "economy" tools. Yet, I've had plenty of disappointments.
I've had "allen wrenches" twist like candy canes; pliers and hammers shatter under modest use, ratchet heads split after an 18" fall on to asphalt.
Under 'performance," I've been unable to remove nuts with an 'economy' ratchet - then easily remove the same nuts with a similar size quality ratchet .... that's how much energy is lost in the cheap mechanism. Ditto for the results caused by poor screwdriver handle designs.
Which brings us full circle to the OP's question: does it matter with linemans' pliers? In my experience, it certainly does. While I am no fan of the Klein Company, linemans' pliers are one tool they get right.
