cody1325
Well-known member
Honestly not that bad given the Knipex markup through the Mac truck. Don't even ask what I paid for my Twin Grips..... Had nothing better to do while the car got the oil changed last year.
Snap On pulling a Harbor Freight on Knipex?.....new water pump pliers....
- Thread starter Buckgnarly
- Start date
Honestly not that bad given the Knipex markup through the Mac truck. Don't even ask what I paid for my Twin Grips..... Had nothing better to do while the car got the oil changed last year.
mreisner
Well-known member
Heard from another guy possibly a hundred but either way that's not terrible especially with as aggressive as the grips look to be. I didn't get any of the knipex because I didn't think they would have enough bite looks like these might.
KnurledNut
Well-known member
The wide mouth adjustables are still made in Spain.
So are soft grip punches and chisels, some pliers, T-handle nut drivers, mini bolt cutters, precision electronic screwdrivers, and more I am forgetting.
scooby074
Well-known member
Least Used Tool on YT just dropped a video on this one. I swear he spys on us for "inspiration ". Where's our cut? 
mngundog
Well-known member
I'm disappointed I even gave him a view, figured he actually had the new Snappy, you're right he just repeated what's been wrote here.Least Used Tool on YT just dropped a video on this one. I swear he spys on us for "inspiration ". Where's our cut?
ChevyEFI
Well-known member
Thanks. I believe in not clicking.
Always forget about the wide jaw versions.
I wonder if those and the other stuff you listed will change COO if the "rumor" above is true.
Big LOL
At least the Snap on isn't an attempt at an absolute duplicate. They aren't trying to make them hard to tell apart in a side by side comparison........like HF does.
Snap on clearly is using the Knipex as inspiration. But at least they aren't trying to duplicate it then sell it for cheap.
Snap on clearly is using the Knipex as inspiration. But at least they aren't trying to duplicate it then sell it for cheap.
Jack Ryan
Well-known member
I realise a lot of people are passionate about what tools are called but where would one find that definition?
I would have thought that names like "water pump pliers" would have come from a group that called their adjustable pliers by their use. Companies selling pliers to that group would likely use the same name.
So seriously, and without wanting to cause an argument, where is the definition?
Thanks
Jack
They were closing out a lot of Bahco Spain stuff last year and replacing it with made in Taiwan units. Bahco is a major European brand and responsible for the majority of Snap on, the company, international sales. Their sockets and ratchets were made in Spain as well as the other stuff mentioned above. I really liked the water pump plier with the adjustment button at the top of the handle which was originally made by a French company that Snap on shut down. SK offers a China version now, and Bacho’s is now made in Taiwan although you can still find the Spain made ones. I believe water pump comes from them looking like a hand powered water pump. The Taiwan made stuff seems indistinguishable from the Spain made stuff in the case of these
"Least Used Tool"
I got tired of the daily CountyComm Titanium shilling and unsubbed. I can only watch so many videos of overpriced boutique tools, knives and flashlights.
Jack Ryan
Well-known member
Quite a lot of Bahco stuff is now made in China. As most moves of manufacturing is to reduce cost, not to improve quality, I usually use the move as a sign to change brands.
Jack
I hadn’t noticed that. What do they produce in China?
Jack Ryan
Well-known member
At the local tool shops, many of the tool sets (I've mostly checked socket sets, ratchets and combination spanners) now list China as the country of origin. I checked seven sets recently and four were made in China.
Jack
neophyte
Well-known member
So is there a spring mechanism hidden in the Snap-On branded bump on the side?
Andres26tnt
Well-known member
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They look great but at 80$ msrp and not made in the USA.. nope. The Knipex is a much better value at 36$ currently on amazon.
I would assume so. I didn't look too deeply at its construction. But there is no button like on the Knipex, that "S" logo is flush.
You just slide the handle up and down. It self adjusts/locks into the grooves. We'll see how it holds up over time.
But as I said, just an initial impression. They feel good in my hand, they feel solid.
2ndGearRubber
Well-known member
Knipex won't warranty wear. If you're chewing Cobras up on a regular basis these are probably ideal.
Same idea as paying 2x for the now defunct Eagle Grips via snap on. I've destroyed 3 pair of the snap on, warranty means I paid less than buying eagle grips 3 times. Now that you can't buy anything but NOS eagle grips, snap on is the only option for what are probably the best locking pliers on the market.
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mreisner
Well-known member
Out of curiosity how did you destroy them? That must be some pretty heavy duty use, because those are damn tough tools!
KnurledNut
Well-known member
I use Cobras secularly and I have mixed feelings about these.
The features make them well suited for vehicle mechanics, which is their median market.
For people that work on stuff that doesn't move, Knipex are a toolbox staple. They have honed the Cobra series in so well that it simply works and very well.
-The wider jaw of the Snap-on will be too wide for some common trade applications, as the Cobras often barely fit.
-The short grip on the Snap-on falls short for my preference and looks like it would be an uncomfortable wear spot.
-I think I would find the rapid adjust annoying for general use. I like the locking button on Knipex, and when I want easy adjustment I use the SmartGrips which do all the work for me.
I have Cobra Quicksets but they have never been my first choice.
-The aggressive Talon diamond jaw pattern is great until it chews up what you’re working on. Again, great for mechanics, not so much other fields.
I’d like to try these out just for the heck of it, but I’m not in need of a better mousetrap. Very satisfied with Knipex and feel like they are still superior between the two. Again, just my 2¢.
The features make them well suited for vehicle mechanics, which is their median market.
For people that work on stuff that doesn't move, Knipex are a toolbox staple. They have honed the Cobra series in so well that it simply works and very well.
-The wider jaw of the Snap-on will be too wide for some common trade applications, as the Cobras often barely fit.
-The short grip on the Snap-on falls short for my preference and looks like it would be an uncomfortable wear spot.
-I think I would find the rapid adjust annoying for general use. I like the locking button on Knipex, and when I want easy adjustment I use the SmartGrips which do all the work for me.
I have Cobra Quicksets but they have never been my first choice.
-The aggressive Talon diamond jaw pattern is great until it chews up what you’re working on. Again, great for mechanics, not so much other fields.
I’d like to try these out just for the heck of it, but I’m not in need of a better mousetrap. Very satisfied with Knipex and feel like they are still superior between the two. Again, just my 2¢.
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2ndGearRubber
Well-known member
Tooth wear.
Imagine locking them onto a shaft, running the other end with a 1/2 impact, with the plier body locked against the frame of the car or similar. If it slips, and you do this enough times, you flatten the teeth like any other pliers. They're still the best I've ever used and all I plan to ever buy. They're also tolerant of using something like Knipex Cobras to get more advantage to close the pliers versus your hands which is nice.
Sometimes you just need crushing levels of grip and there's no good way around it. Sway bar links are a good example of that.
Andres26tnt
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Not sure how you destroy stuff, but I take care of my tools and haven't destroy anything enough to need replacements. We have snap-on grip on at work they have been good for years now. I get the warranty point, and agree if you gonna need to replace stuff left and right. But how often will you need to replace a plier like this? I can see locking pliers, as people like to beat the ever living ... Out of them.
2ndGearRubber
Well-known member
Well, you get paid a flat fee no matter what goes wrong or sideways, no approval for more parts or work, you eat the repair for no pay. You cannot further disassemble for access as its a 10yo rust belt vehicle and you'll need thousands of dollars in bolts, control arms, cutting stuff in half with a torch.
So yeah, pliers take one for the team. I don't like it either, but I don't really have an option. They still work pretty good even with some flat teeth, but why use them in subpar condition if I can just get them replaced?
I'm talking about running an M18 high torque or Astro Thor with these clamped onto a shaft. The 2967 is struggling, eventually the pliers can shift from vibration or tearing the clamped upon metal apart, which then spins the shaft at high rpm, beating up the teeth. I think I get ~ 18months out of a pair of the 10 inch common round jaw style. Nothing better than these pliers IMO. Regular Cobras can suffer the same fate if you're securing something while impacting against it.
EDIT: I take zero pride or accomplishment in tearing stuff up, it's annoying. But sometimes that 3/8 ratchet is all that fits, and you put your body weight into it. Is what it is.
A bit surprised Snap On sells such a close copy of Knipex. Even the mechanism is very similar to the Quickset Cobra version (at least in the important direction).
But this also goes to show just how impactful the Cobra plier designs are on the whole industry.
But this also goes to show just how impactful the Cobra plier designs are on the whole industry.
Knipex defnitely has a warranty. I've even seen them reach out to people on the Tools subreddit when people post problems with a Knipex tool.
Same and felt bad I seen hundreds of his videos over the years but it is what it is"Least Used Tool"
I got tired of the daily CountyComm Titanium shilling and unsubbed. I can only watch so many videos of overpriced boutique tools, knives and flashlights.
Damn bro didn’t I just see you saying in another thread you were done with tool trucks forever
I didn't say forever. In fact, I remember saying something to the effect of I will still buy from the tool trucks on occasion. That's what this was.
It also helps control spending and those impulse buys when my dealers are an hour away. I moved and don't have any tool truck dealers out here yet. Honestly trying to keep it that way too, I don't need the temptation.
That said, Snap On and tools in general are like an addiction, I still need even that occasional fix.
CHI_Tool&Die
Well-known member
Personally, I kill pliers like my Cobras trying to grab and pull on dowel pins and similar stuff at work. The jaws get chewed up pretty regularly. That is where Snappy’s warranty comes into play.
The mechanism kind of reminds me of the Facom/MAC plier wrench. I think they operate in a similar manner.
Pliers with sharp teeth that grip objects like this are a consumable if you use them enough. Do we really need to debate this? I've got several pairs of the GJ worshipped Peterson Nebraska vise grips that have the teeth worn out. Tiny sharp teeth are no match for a relatively huge bolt or object that's hardened a few points less - it's surface area that rules in this case. You can have the best alloy, highest yield strength, but if I hit it with something that's half the strength but 10X larger, which "wins"?
I'm sure they do, but I wouldn't expect them to replace a pair of pliers that you used for years and wore out. Maybe I'm wrong, but their pricing structure doesn't support the tool truck "I wore it out" replacement method, and I would never ask them for that; but I'm reasonable. If you expect a "it's worn out" warranty then you need to buy from the tool truck and not Knipex, Wiha.... Almost all tools are consumable, like shoes, if you use them enough.
mreisner
Well-known member
For medicinal purposes No Doubt!
KnurledNut
Well-known member
All of the tool trucks sell Knipex too. They put their brand on them for warranty purposes. I have some from Snap-on, Cornwell, Mac and Matco.
Sure. And how much of a premium do you pay for that warranty? This is my point.
Fair. That sounds like something a bit beyond a warranty, but does sound like how HF handles theirs...
But I was mainly reacting to the statement that Knipex effectively had no warranty.
Andres26tnt
Well-known member
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I'm not debating warranty, just asking how y'all destroy pliers to need multiple replacement a year. I work heavy hydraulic backshop(a&p), we get corroded stuff and other super stuck items all the time. But I gotta say I've never destroyed a pair of piers and we're working with the good old set of regular snap-on's.
Now that I've think about it these will be great replacement for the old ones we use lol.
We are in agreement here tho, if you gonna replace stuff every year, a good warranty is king.
Now that I've think about it these will be great replacement for the old ones we use lol.
We are in agreement here tho, if you gonna replace stuff every year, a good warranty is king.