Adjustable Crescent Wrench vs Knipex Pliers Wrench

[GJFan78]

I'm working on a project to minimize my tool collection because I'm moving into a small condo and will put most of my stuff into storage. As part of the minimizing process, I'm looking for opportunities of overlap in function.

I have a 7" and 10" adjustable crescent wrench as well as a 7" and 10" Knipex Pliers Wrench. I am putting my fixed wrenches into storage because as a non-pro, I hardly use them. I find that adjustable wrench and socket set are sufficient for my needs.

Can I pare down further and just go with the Knipex Pliers Wrench? Or is an adjustable crescent wrench sufficiently different? I'm not throwing anything away, but it will be in a "deep" storage that's not easily accessible.

Also, whatever I pick, should I throw in a 12" version to round things out?

 

[dailydR1ver]

Keep one of each. I recommend the 10" Knipex and 7" adjustable.

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

 

[Wakefield]

I would suspect that the Knipex is more convenient and works well if gorilla force is not required but suspect a traditional adjustable would hold up better to extreme force if used correctly (racked tight by rocking while the knurl is tightened), on nut,fully engaged and pulled from the fixed jaw side
it has been said that an adjustable is not as strong as the conventional open end wrench but I think they are if the adjustable wrench is big enough so that it is only open to about 1/2 of its maximum gape to hold the hex or square
it would be hard for an adjustable to match a Flank Drive Plus (Snap On's pro offering) or Wrightgrip

 

[Can I try?]

I have a set of Irega-made Klein adjustables I use at work, and a 10" Knipex Plierswrench I use primarily for home projects.

If I could only keep one it would be an adjustable wrench.

It wouldn't even be a hard decision. The Plierswrench is a great tool, I just prefer a quality adjustable over it. Just my opinion.

 

[T45]

The two tools don't really overlap, contrary to popular belief. The pliers wrench is a non-marking jaw plier. Its not a wrench, in terms of the shape and geometry of the head. For a household, I'd take the 10 inch PW and pair it with an 8 inch (preferably wide jaw) adjustable.

I'd also frankly keep a set of box-end wrenches around. Not big ones, but up to 16mm or so is about right. Also SAE because lag bolts and all the building supplies are still fractional. To save weight/bulk, get these as short combo or short DBEs.

And I keep a 1/4 socket set handy up to 14mm + SAE to 9/16. Again any old brand is fine here, I think my husky one was like $12 bucks or something not on sale a couple years ago.

I never needed a 3/8 socket set living in an apartment; I'd only keep one handy for a car or lawnmover (or project of similar ilk).

 

[PureLeaf]

I agree with T45. They can do the same job, but they don't overlap completely. I've had instances where the adjustable wrench physically fit in a situation like a cramped closet working on a water heater, and the knipex were just a bit awkward in that situation.

Must be a very small apartment if you're trying to cut down that much. Its an apartment though, so everything should be fixed for free by your management team.

So figure out the types of jobs you're likely to need them for, and keep the ones you actually use the most..

 

[outdoorspace]

Between the two, I would keep the adjustable wrench in the open. The ability to quickly back off and reposition the pliers wrench is helpful but I have encountered situations where they were too cumbersome to use. It does seem like a waste to put something as expensive as the pliers wrench into deep storage and not get your use from though.

 

[gdocktor3]

Buy a nice leatherman or similar multi tool. Then you'd have a knife, screwdrivers, pliers, file, etc etc

 

[larry_g]

What do you do with the tools your going to save? Nuts and bolts I would keep out adjustable wrenches. Household and such where plumbing is involved then the plier wrench would get the nod from me. Mechanicing I will use a adjustable much more than pliers .

lg
no neat sig line