I purchased two of those special purpose hose-pinching pliers from Sears long ago. They turned out to be total garbage, always popping open at the worst time and never really sealing well. Not sure if it was the tools fault or Sears. 
  
  I never had any problem with the needle nose vice grips. Of course, you can't "shower down" on the hose. I usually close on the hose using the adjustment screw until I can not turn it any more, then open them and add an extra turn. 
  
  One can not carry an arsenal of tools around with you so finding one that has multiple purposes is a bonus. Hence the needle nose vice grips are one of my favorites.

  I really do like the idea of fuel hose slipped over the jaws.

Ken Lewis
http://neksiwel.20m.com/