Craftsman = knipex rebrand or copy?

[c-moe_117]

At sears today and saw craftsman adjustable pliers that are made in Germany that resemble the knipex cobra's.

Anyone care to share input?

 

[Jsf721]

I own both. And they both are excellent tools but I would not say identical.

 

[kiatech]

Same thing, easier warranty for now.

 

[KnurledNut]

Rebranded.

 

[pedrodagr8]

At sears today and saw craftsman adjustable pliers that are made in Germany that resemble the knipex cobra's.

Anyone care to share input?

Knipex is the OEM. Craftsman just rebranded them. Both made in the Knipex factory in Germany with different colors. I picked up a like new pair (7" + 10") recently on Amazon Warehouse deals for $32. Very good build quality on these,very clear they are Knipex and not the usual Craftsman China stuff.

 

[T45]

Made in germany if that answers the question.

Not chicom knockoffs or whatever,

they are OEM relabels made in EU for cman by knipex.

they aren't perfect copies of Cobras maybe

but in the same league

 

[HomeTheaterMan]

They are made by Knipex for Craftsman. They are the Cobras with different grips and a better warranty. You can also get them pretty cheap if you wait for a sale and surprise points. I think I paid $25 for the set with both pair a few months ago.

 

[Avgas]

I think it is safe to say they are made by knipex in germany for craftsman

 

[Wamsutta]

I've seen and handled those at the Sears store. In my opinion, they are NOT up to the quality level of my Knipex pliers that I've got from the industrial supply store. Just looking at them in their package, they look VERY similar, but that all changes when you start handling them. Granted, it helps to have something to compare them to...

 

[HomeTheaterMan]

I've seen and handled those at the Sears store. In my opinion, they are NOT up to the quality level of my Knipex pliers that I've got from the industrial supply store. Just looking at them in their package, they look VERY similar, but that all changes when you start handling them. Granted, it helps to have something to compare them to...

I've handled both and saw no differences other than the grip. What kind of differences did you see?

 

[General Geoff]

I have handled and used both, they're essentially identical.

 

[gdocktor3]

Craftsman still has a few gems hidden in the Sears stores. I've always liked all their pliers. These are indeed made by Knipex, while the standard channelocks are made by Western Forge, the same as SK and a few other brands I believe. I love my USA made Cman channelocks and while I own the Knipex version, can honestly say I've never really used them. Then again I'm a plumber by trade and grew up using your normal Channellocks.

 

[928'er]

This forum does have a search function....

 

[valentine]

Craftsman version is a good tool. Have no fear buying them. I believe they'll serve every bit as well as the Knipex branded ones. As others have pointed out, you can find them on sale once in a while and then it's simply a deal too good to pass up. You'll like the Craftsman version.

-Valentine

 

[M4A1Carbine]

I bought a set for $35 after hearing they were made by Knipex. They look and feel identical to me, minus the black grips.

 

[winlinmac]

I find the handles are easier to clean on the Craftsman compared to the Knipex Cobras. The handles on the original Cobras seem less resistant to staining; or may be I just have dirty hands.

 

[DeliveryGuy]

Rebrands. I have a 10" version of both Craftsman and Knipex. They're identical, except for the Craftsman handles have been plasti-dipped a 2nd time in black plastic. The black grip has a rough texture, and is a little nicer to hold imo.

 

[Can I try?]

I find the handles are easier to clean on the Craftsman compared to the Knipex Cobras. The handles on the original Cobras seem less resistant to staining; or may be I just have dirty hands.

I've found that the handle material Knipex uses on the Cobras responds well to a cleaning with WD40. It's definitely more difficult to clean then the plastisol handles they use on their other pliers. I presume they use the material that they do on the Cobra (best I can describe it is it's like a porous matte plastisol) because it offers the user better grip than plastisol.

 

[Wamsutta]

I've handled both and saw no differences other than the grip. What kind of differences did you see?

The pair I handled at the store had a very sloppy joint; so much so, that the jaws would move side to side if you wiggled the handles and they did not meet squarely.

 

[General Geoff]

All of my Cobras have a bit of play in the joint. The Craftsman branded ones that I gave my dad for x-mas last year, had the same (small) amount of play.

 

[Fedwrench]

What's unusual is the fact that when Knipex is rebadged under a tool truck brand, they just stamp MAC, MATCO, ETC on the grips and leave the Knipex name on the steel. However, the Craftsmans are unique with different grips.

 

[jd_1138]

I have some 2 pairs of Channellocks (medium size), but those Knipex or CM ones are looking nice. I am gonna have to buy some -- maybe a large pair and a small pair.

 

[Crazyjake8493]

I believe they are the older Knipex Cobras that are re-branded as Craftsman. The newer Cobras have more teeth on the jaws, the Craftsmans have the same teeth that the older Cobras had. Still high quality though, better than any non-German pliers you'll find in a Sears store.

 

[HomeTheaterMan]

I believe they are the older Knipex Cobras that are re-branded as Craftsman. The newer Cobras have more teeth on the jaws, the Craftsmans have the same teeth that the older Cobras had. Still high quality though, better than any non-German pliers you'll find in a Sears store.

They are the newer ones, but for some reason Sears still uses the old picture on their website.

 

[1950mercury]

They are not as good as the robo grips

 

[Honda 1]

I have the Sears set of the Cobras and they were purchased on sale. A really nice set !