Knipex Pliers - You Can't Teach a Dog New Tricks

mobiledynamics · Mar 15, 2015

Gent's -

What am I missing here.
The only time I use adjustable pliers or wrenches is probably during plumbing renovations....

I OWN the full set of Cobra Pliers and Flat Wrench Knipex sets.

I find myself grabbing the trusty channellocks and proto adjustables whenver I need one.

For example, with the standard crescents, it's just a single handle.
With the Knipex, depending on application....you still need to hold both handles.

For pliers, I just engage the width easily with my trusty channelock, that's got specks of solder stains on it, etc. With the Knipex, I have to mess with the detent if it's not wide enough.

What am I missing here.
, I've never gotten the ~hang~ of the Knipex Pliers/Wrenchs set.

rmsg0040 · Mar 15, 2015

^^ same, I bought into the hype and still dont get knipex wrenches. It just sits there looking pretty, I rather grab a traditional ajustable wrench

Cobras on the other hand I really enjoy using

Kaane · Mar 15, 2015

With Knipex flat wrenches they keep getting tighter as you apply pressure, with adjustable wrenches they can strip a fastener in no time. I love mine.

mobiledynamics · Mar 15, 2015

One more thing.....I have to find the thread ----not that I've use my Cobra's that much.

There was a blurb that the teeth on the Knipex were softer than other crescent's....and I believe someone had said Knipex made them soft/softer by design to not mar the nut.

AJH · Mar 15, 2015

If you have to make multiple turns of a hex fitting, the pliers wrench is super handy because it has a ratcheting action. You turn the nut, ease pressure on the handle, reposition and repeat. No readjusting with each turn like you have to do with an adjustable wrench to keep a tight fit.

Man Cave · Mar 15, 2015

I like the precision that knipex sells. Very well made. I use the smooth jaw channel locks for aluminum aircraft AN fittings. The small smooth jaw channel locks do a nice job squeezing countersunk rivets on nut plates on panel edges.

JAKE-THE-TOOL-MAN · Mar 15, 2015

I only have the smallest sizes of the pliers wrench and cobra but I definitely prefer the standard Knipex pliers to the cobra style. Channellocks are still my go to for any plumbing work.

jgorm · Mar 16, 2015

I absolutely love mine, one of my favorite tools. I have 2 of the middle size crescent wrench, and one big and one small. I'll have one or more of them next to me for every project. They are 1000x better than a sloppy crescent wrench and they ratchet!

ecally · Mar 16, 2015

I really love the cobra's, I use them all the time, for many different applications.

I have never gotten the hang of the pliers wrench, although many here love them. I usually grab my adjustable wrench instead.

btbsandman · Mar 16, 2015

I am on the fence about Knipex Pliers. I can see using one for a car tool bag, but I can not justify the tool for it's price.

I have my combination wrench set.

Champo · Mar 16, 2015

I use my plier wrenches for cable glands and damaged nuts/bolts. They grip alot tighter than regular adjustables and won't mark surfaces

trever · Mar 16, 2015

I've used my cobra`s nearly every day at work since I got them in 1997. Just picked up the plier wrench don't think they`ll get as much use but don't regret buying them.

shampoop · Mar 16, 2015

They seem like they're really for fasteners where ugly damage from traditional pliers is unacceptable. Sometimes a crescent wrench might substitute, but you don't have the ratcheting action, and it's not going to fit as tight, probably less chance of rounding off the fastener.

Ever looked at public restroom plumbing? The nasty teeth marks that you normally see on the fittings? The pliers wrench would fix that.

er3456df · Mar 16, 2015

How bout the diagonals? Aren't they really what made a name for Knipex? (I don't have em, just a small set of Alligators that I LOVE, mainly because they fit in the skinny pockets on my toolbag)

ADSR · Mar 16, 2015

OP, sell me your cobra set at a ridiculously low price!

Tanro · Mar 17, 2015

Channel locks are not precise enough for auto work. I love my cobras for holding fastners in a pinch breaking loose old hoses that a pick would rip, I'm sure I will find other use for them.

Skin · Mar 17, 2015

I have a pair of 8" diagonals. They've been just fine. Just ordered a couple cobras, locking pliers, mini bolt cutter, and a precision tweezer, so i'll get a better grasp of the brand. I always liked the way their cobras lock on and I believe they also are designed so you cant pinch your fingers. I smashed my fingers in channels many times.

jeremy v · Mar 17, 2015

I usually grab my Channellocks first. I just like them more and they always act exactly as I expect during use.

I still have all my Channellocks, but I recently sold off all my regular Knipex Cobras, because I just didn't use them. I will never get rid of my Knipex Pliers Wrenches, and I also still have my Raptor and Cobra ES pliers. I find the longer needle nose like jaws of the Cobra ES pliers to be useful in tighter engine compartments.

When looking over my tools as a whole I find that the Knipex stuff I ended up keeping and loving is the stuff that fills a void that no other tool can fill. Any time I have purchased a Knipex product that has a functional equivalent in another brand I seem to end up preferring the other brand.

skylinegtr20 · Mar 17, 2015

I use my Cobra's daily for most engine work tasks.... I cant stand a none locking adjustable.

I also use the plier wrenches alot for hydraulic and air fittings. Specifically under heavy equipment when you dont know the exact size you need and its a pita to keep climbing in and out. They are far superior to a crescent wrench in the majority of those situations

dede2897234 · Mar 17, 2015

jeremy v said:
I usually grab my Channellocks first. I just like them more and they always act exactly as I expect during use.

I still have all my Channellocks, but I recently sold off all my regular Knipex Cobras, because I just didn't use them. I will never get rid of my Knipex Pliers Wrenches, and I also still have my Raptor and Cobra ES pliers. I find the longer needle nose like jaws of the Cobra ES pliers to be useful in tighter engine compartments.

When looking over my tools as a whole I find that the Knipex stuff I ended up keeping and loving is the stuff that fills a void that no other tool can fill. Any time I have purchased a Knipex product that has a functional equivalent in another brand I seem to end up preferring the other brand.

jeremy v,

Which size of the Cobra ES pliers do you own? Can you please specify which car repairs do you use these pliers on?

Thanks,

Dave

jeremy v · Mar 17, 2015

dede2897234 said:
jeremy v,

Which size of the Cobra ES pliers do you own? Can you please specify which car repairs do you use these pliers on?

Thanks,

Dave

As far as I know they only come in the 10" size and that's what I have. In as far as usefulness, they often take the place of my 8" needle nosed or duckbill pliers, but they also have most the functionality of a pair of pump pliers. Since the jaws are set at an angle in relation to the handles it also allows me to get into areas that regular straight handled pliers have a hard time reaching comfortably. That's when I find them the most useful. Since the jaws are thinner, longer, and adjustable in terms of parallel spread, I also find them pretty handy for quickly grabbing and pulling out blade style fuses, automotive relays, etc.

GirchyGirchy · Mar 17, 2015

ecally said:
I really love the cobra's, I use them all the time, for many different applications.

I have never gotten the hang of the pliers wrench, although many here love them. I usually grab my adjustable wrench instead.

Same opinions here.

mobiledynamics · Apr 1, 2015

I take it back.....I did actually find a need for it

I was wrenching in some new gas pipework and in certain situations, a valve was tight to the body, etc - where even a small 10" adjustable was a bit too fat. I used my Knipex flat pliers for this application. I prefer a flat if I'm working on something with a flat side - could always use a wrench with teeth. I have one big 18" adjustable I used on one end of a union and I used my largest knip flat to hold the other end of the union.

I guess we've come full circle

IFMJohn · Apr 1, 2015

I picked up a set of cobras and was amazed at how well they grip whatever they are on. They've got very well designed teeth for sure.

anurag1990 · Apr 2, 2015

rmsg0040 said:
^^ same, I bought into the hype and still dont get knipex wrenches. It just sits there looking pretty, I rather grab a traditional ajustable wrench

Cobras on the other hand I really enjoy using

If you dont mind sending your plier wrench to me. I have an obsession with anything thats knipex.

DanielC99 · Apr 2, 2015

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decaf · Apr 2, 2015

anurag1990 said:
If you dont mind sending your plier wrench to me. I have an obsession with anything thats knipex.

Obsession for knipex, i think i know that feeling :deathmeta

When it comes to their plier wrenches, i think you can apply them to allmost everything.

PelicanPines · Apr 2, 2015

I drank the Knipex koolaid and Love Them. I go to them before all others. My old adjustable wrench collection has moved to my tools to trade box... my channel locks too.

cm_osu · Apr 2, 2015

PelicanPines said:
I drank the Knipex koolaid and Love Them. I go to them before all others. My old adjustable wrench collection has moved to my tools to trade box... my channel locks too.

Would you consider them robust enough for oilfield work? I was looking at picking up my brother a couple new adjustables and chanellocks for his b day next month. It would be nice to knock that down from two pairs of pliers and 2 wrenches to just 2 the pliers since he has to carry most his tools in his pockets. They're pretty rough on tools though so I don't want to get him something that won't hold up.

espyking83 · Apr 2, 2015

Knipex pliers wrenches are one of the most versatile tools out there. My pair opens up to 2 3/8" (I think), and they're gentle enough for aluminum/brass. They also make phenomenal rivet squeezers.

NE Guy · Apr 2, 2015

They are tough enough for railroad work. I know it's not a perfect comparison but I hope it helps.

bobcatdan · Apr 2, 2015

I have the plierwrench and love it for what it is. It is not a replacement for a standard adjustable, but depending on the job are awesome. As for cobras, I only have the king. It is a good pliers and I like it, but a standard 20" channellock will open wider. As for bite, they bite good, but pale to pwz3 pipe wrench pliers. Their side cutters do nothing to excite me, my SOs are better in my experience. Nothing wrong with knipex, good quality tool, but they didn't rewrite the book enough to make everything else obsolete.

Gmonkee · Apr 2, 2015

l used the Cobra style and was unimpressed. Too flexible and too narrow jaws. No, not enough advantage to replace my other WP pliers even before considering cost.

The Plierwrench should fit my plans/manner of working especially at home. Oddly there are about 47 miracle wrenches already here that are supposed to be so incredible l can lose all the others and do perfectly well with the one.
Maybe the Knipex would be the first to meet the promise head on even though they don't claim it so boldly.

l just have to find them in my market now.

PelicanPines · Apr 2, 2015

cm_osu said:
Would you consider them robust enough for oilfield work? I was looking at picking up my brother a couple new adjustables and chanellocks for his b day next month. It would be nice to knock that down from two pairs of pliers and 2 wrenches to just 2 the pliers since he has to carry most his tools in his pockets. They're pretty rough on tools though so I don't want to get him something that won't hold up.

Provided you pick the correct overall size... robust... yes. If you are using the cobras at its max opening... probably not. That said, the cobras are thin... but for me grab better.

jgorm · Apr 8, 2015

It's funny to see how many people like the cobras over the crescent style. I have one of the cobras and hardly use it. The crescent ones are used on nearly every project.

mobiledynamics · Apr 8, 2015

JG. See my OP and then my followup. The key is ~thin~ in applications where you need it.
I never really used my Knipex till this recent plumbing job where valves where tight against a adjacent thing, crescent was too fat to into the space and properly snug it down. The Knipex saved the day for the times I needed it.

I still prefer regular crescents/fully adjustable *no detent* pliers, but indeed, the Knipex has at least for this recent job, not become the garage queen in the plier drawer

michiganman18 · Apr 13, 2015

I like channellocks better but use em all the time

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