Extra slim Knipex 10" Cobra - any users?

[unclemat]

So while shopping for Knipex pliers, I noticed there is a distinct style of 10" Cobra, an extra slim one:

http://www.knipex.com/index.php?id=783&L=1&grpID=17&ukat=rohr17

Anyone has it? Opinions vs. the regular one? Note, for 2008 model the regular one has been revised, has more adjustment positions (25) and 2 inch wide opening.

 

[Lightning]

I have those pliers and would reccommend them as they are very good quality. I also have the wrench pliers which I love. Knipex pliers are excellent.

 

[nissan_crawler]

I have those pliers and would reccommend them as they are very good quality. I also have the wrench pliers which I love. Knipex pliers are excellent.

I don't have the slim ones, but if it has Knipex on it, it's good.
x2 on the plier wrench. I honestly don't use them as a "wrench" much (except axle nuts), but they are so handy for many other things.

 

[Elroy]

Knipex pliers are excellent.

What he said.

 

[eschoendorff]

I suer wouldn't mind having a pair of those...

But these Facom ones do me just fine! Easily my most used set of of pliers....

 

[nissan_crawler]

Oh, and check aktoolsonline.com for prices, they were the best I found, and great to deal with. Kerry helped me.

 

[unclemat]

I suer wouldn't mind having a pair of those...

But these Facom ones do me just fine! Easily my most used set of of pliers....

Hah, you are pimping the Facoms... I am intrigued to try. How are the ergo handles? On the softer or harder side? Softer example would be Craftsman Pro, harder would Knipex comfort handle.

Btw, I received a bunch of Knipex pliers, but I am sending all the comfort ones back. They **** for my hands. The vinyl ones are great. I ordered mixed set with smaller sizes in vinyl and bigger sizes in comfort. Sendng them back and exchanging for vinyl ones.

On the other hand, I really like Craftsman Pro soft handles, especially on the diagonal cutters (I like them better than Knipex cutters, at least feel wise).

 

[unclemat]

I don't have the slim ones, but if it has Knipex on it, it's good.
x2 on the plier wrench. I honestly don't use them as a "wrench" much (except axle nuts), but they are so handy for many other things.

Could you school me on benefits of their plier wrenches vs. cobras?

 

[Lightning]

Could you school me on benefits of their plier wrenches vs. cobras?

The plier wrench has no teeth and the jaws are always parallel with reference to each other. It grips the surface of the fastener like a wrench and unlike adjustable wrenches it does not slip as easily because it compresses the fastener as the pliers are pulled. It is like having a wrench in a pair of pliars without the slipage problems common with adjustable wrenches. This is a great tool to have in your tool chest.

 

[unclemat]

The plier wrench has no teeth and the jaws are always parallel with reference to each other. It grips the surface of the fastener like a wrench and unlike adjustable wrenches it does not slip as easily because it compresses the fastener as the pliers are pulled. It is like having a wrench in a pair of pliars without the slipage problems common with adjustable wrenches. This is a great tool to have in your tool chest.

Thx, for the explaination... but somehow I never believed in adjustable wrenches... when would it be better vs. dedicated wrench/socket? (assumming you have correct one).

 

[nissan_crawler]

Thx, for the explaination... but somehow I never believed in adjustable wrenches... when would it be better vs. dedicated wrench/socket? (assumming you have correct one).

For an actual nut (although I do use it for axle nuts, setting wheel bearings all the time), it's not that beneficial, IMHO. The benefit is having smooth, non-marking parallel jaws for straighten/bending things, bringing two pieces together that are too far apart, so you can get a bolt in, etc. I use mine all the time, just not usually for nuts.

 

[Lightning]

Thx, for the explaination... but somehow I never believed in adjustable wrenches... when would it be better vs. dedicated wrench/socket? (assumming you have correct one).

I do not even own an adjustable wrench because they are so prone to slipage. I have 34 snap on combination wrenches including a set of the flank drive plus which I love. If I cannot use a socket wrench, using a real wrench or the wrench plier would be the second option. The wrench pliers are nice because the jaws are flat and will not mar the surface of the nut or bolt. The old rule was never use pliers to remove fasteners but the wrench pliers will not mar the surface even on soft metals like brass.

The flank drive plus wrenchs are really nice but the open end has aggressive serrations which will mar soft metal fasteners. In those situations where you are not concerned with scratching the bolt head or flare nut and you cannot use a socket, the flank drive plus wrenches are great tools when other open end combination wrenches might open up and slip.

 

[Lightning]

Thx, for the explaination... but somehow I never believed in adjustable wrenches... when would it be better vs. dedicated wrench/socket? (assumming you have correct one).

I do not even own an adjustable wrench because they are so prone to slipage. I have 34 snap on combination wrenches including a set of the flank drive plus which I love. If I cannot use a socket wrench, using a real wrench or the wrench plier would be the second option. The wrench pliers are nice because the jaws are flat and will not mar the surface of the nut or bolt. The old rule was never use pliers to remove fasteners but the wrench pliers will not mar the surface even on soft metals like brass.

The flank drive plus wrenchs are really nice but the open end has aggressive serrations which will mar soft metal fasteners. In those situations where you are not concerned with scratching the bolt head or flare nut and you cannot use a socket, the flank drive plus wrenches are great tools when other open end combination wrenches might open up and slip.

 

[Stick]

I've got sets of both the cobra pliers, and the plierwrenches. The plierwrenches see use on stuff like hydraulic fittings (often for a quick retightening of a leaky fitting), and the cobra pliers are more of a general purpose plier or used like a pipe wrench. Two different applications for two different plier sets.

 

[eschoendorff]

Hah, you are pimping the Facoms... I am intrigued to try. How are the ergo handles? On the softer or harder side? Softer example would be Craftsman Pro, harder would Knipex comfort handle.

Btw, I received a bunch of Knipex pliers, but I am sending all the comfort ones back. They **** for my hands. The vinyl ones are great. I ordered mixed set with smaller sizes in vinyl and bigger sizes in comfort. Sendng them back and exchanging for vinyl ones.

On the other hand, I really like Craftsman Pro soft handles, especially on the diagonal cutters (I like them better than Knipex cutters, at least feel wise).

No, not really pimping them. Just a fan. These are hands-down the best ergo pliers I have ever used. The handles are unlike anything else on the market... I know what you mean about the Knipex ergo handles. I have a set of those too.

 

[unclemat]

Ok, but are the Facom handles actually soft? E.g. like Craftsman Pro or Snap-On soft grip screwdrivers?