Anyone else like Knipex?

[lincwelder225]

C'mon show some love for the tools with the silent /not silent "K"

Here's my meager collection... their snap ring pliers are second to none. I still love channellock, and own was at more of their products then I will ever own of Knipex.. but just wanted to see everyone else's obsession collection.

 

[skernv99]

I'm starting to build up my tool collection. For pliers, I just have a 5 piece SK set. What Knipex models would be good to add (mainly for automotive and home improvement use)?

 

[Parrothead]

I'm starting to build up my tool collection. For pliers, I just have a 5 piece SK set. What Knipex models would be good to add (mainly for automotive and home improvement use)?

The only Knipex must have is the Mini Bolt Cutters. Those things are incredible and quite possibly one of my favorite tools overall. I’d replace them again if I lost them in 48hrs. Great tool.

I have the cable cutters, diagonal cutters, linesman pliers and the cobras. They’re nice, but there are other options just as effective. The cobras are nice too and I’d buy them again, but there are enough good knockoffs out there you can find similar. At one point Craftsman had the rebrands, they still might. Those are worth it.

 

[lincwelder225]

I'm starting to build up my tool collection. For pliers, I just have a 5 piece SK set. What Knipex models would be good to add (mainly for automotive and home improvement use)?

Their snap ring pliers set I highly recommend... they are pricey, but worth every penny. Don't waste your money on other snap ring pliers, they don't measure up. The bolt cutters are amazing as well. If you purchase them, get the 10" pair ( part number 71 31 250) for greater leverage. As far as their other pliers, I'll let others here recommend. I always liked channellock ( similar to the SK set you have already) simply for the price to quality value ratio that you get with them. Knipex are more expensive than channel lock, but are also if excellent quality.

 

[Davefr]

Love and hate relationship

Love = Cobra's, mini bolt cutters/most other cutters, plier wrench
Hate = Needle nose

 

[mrvm]

Knipex Pliers wrench are spendy but awesome! Strong grip without damaging the fastener or plumbing trim or chrome shiny parts. Best updated version of the trusty adjustable Crescent wrench. Got all the sizes for nearly any application.

 

[jumbojak]

Their cutters are all really good in my experience. The cobras are great too, they grip very well and open much wider than a channellock of the same length. That's more useful than you might think.

 

[JJ99SS]

I have zero issues with these. I do mostly automotive work on the Tacoma. I had CMan pliers that are over 20 years old and still fine, just not much variety. Just revamping the tool box with newer and more variety. The older ones now reside in my in cab tool box.

The hose pliers are awesome and extremely useful. Probably the best example (for me) for how easy a specialty plier can really help.

I have plenty of pliers now. I need a few more cutters. Some smaller ones for electronics and small wire.

A few smaller needle nose would be nice too, along with a few smaller pliers wrenches.

So I'm not done yet.

 

[Retroman]

Dam you guys are killing me. Just ordered the 10" mini bolt cutters!!

 

[lincwelder225]

JJ99SS- AWESOME! What part number are the needle nose that loop at the end?

Dam you guys are killing me. Just ordered the 10" mini bolt cutters!!

Only have one thing to say to you..

 

[rustbucket5]

they are my go to pliers, the diagonals are amazing, mini bolt cutters will cut through things you wouldnt believe, snap ring pliers are really nice but some other brands give better access in tighter spots. cable cutters are good but not sure how they stack up against other brands. pliers wrench and cobras are mandatory for a pro in my opinion

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Cobras are amazing. Linesmen are great, as are the snap ring pliers. Needle nose are simply acceptable, snap on makes a firmer pair with less flex. I have a couple pairs of their locking pliers, haven't used them much though.

 

[mrspeed]

Be careful. I started with a single pair of Knipex cable cutters. A couple years later I'm in deep.

I've got a Knipex pliers drawer for automotive and general use, a decision pliers drawer for electronics work, some ESD safe pliers and tweezers, and assorted strippers and crimpers for electrical work.



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[The Fall]

Their mini bolt cutters for removing old brake lines. Absolute must.

 

[Professional Tool User]

I only go with Knipex for certain styles of pliers. Based on what I have, the Cobras and Pliers Wrench are worth the money. The side cutters, not so much. I'll still be using my Klein ones. I may be adding a pair of mini bolt cutters down the road.

 

[TheMadMech]

The Cobra pliers are unbeatable.

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

 

[visionguru]

I have 5 pairs of Knipex pliers: 2 adjustables, and 3 cobras.
Somehow I feel that these German pliers are not as "honest and true" as Channellocks. The design is complicated and clumsy, and too expensive for the performance they offer.

 

[Shehzada]

7 inch and 10 inch Cobras (Craftsman)....and the 10 inch pliers wrench here. Now, although I have never needed it, will have to purchase the mini bolt cutters.

Sent from my mobile device

 

[Parrothead]

Dam you guys are killing me. Just ordered the 10" mini bolt cutters!!

You’ll love em. They’re right up there in usefulness with Vise Grips in my opinion.

 

[AS556]

Love and hate relationship

Love = Cobra's, mini bolt cutters/most other cutters, plier wrench
Hate = Needle nose

I love my Knipex needle nose.

Their Cobra pliers are my favorite though.

 

[anndel]

Love/hate relationship:

love: needlenose, spring hose clamp, auto adjusting and cobra/raptor (prefer Channellocks) pliers
hate: wrench pliers

 

[lincwelder225]

Excellent! Keep em coming!

 

[lincwelder225]

Be careful. I started with a single pair of Knipex cable cutters. A couple years later I'm in deep.

I've got a Knipex pliers drawer for automotive and general use, a decision pliers drawer for electronics work, some ESD safe pliers and tweezers, and assorted strippers and crimpers for electrical work.



Sent from my Pixel 2 using The Garage Journal mobile app

That's insane! I love it!

 

[PugetDude]

Love and hate relationship

Love = Cobra's, mini bolt cutters/most other cutters, plier wrench
Hate = Needle nose

^+1 on this^

My Knipex mini bolt cutters are one of my favorite tools.
My Knipex needle-nose pliers were garbage. The jaws were made out of a semi-metallic cheese-like substance. They made the $.99 pliers from the grocery store look good. Gave them to my brother to try. He hated them too, I believe he tossed them in the trash.

 

[Handyandy23]

I have a pair of knockoff (Mastercraft) Cobra style pliers, and I find them clumsy as heck to use. I can never seem to get them to adjust when I want them to, but then when I don't want them to, they move all over the place.

Kind of torn on buying a set of the Knipex ones in the hopes that these are just poorly made rip-offs, but scared to spend the coin on a pair that I might hate.

 

[measuredtwice]

I like Knipex

 

[tonyciambrone]

I am definitely not the foremost collector here,

But I do have the 7,10,12 and 16" Plierswrenches.

I also have the 7,10,12 and 22" Cobras.

Among others...

I bought the big ones thinking I would hang them on the wall in the shop as Art, but they ended up being really useful in certain situations at work. The 22" Cobras are a MONSTER.

 

[Steve_P]

I have a good selection across the line. Love the plier wrench, Cobolt cutter, snap ring pliers, side cutters.

The problem many have here with their needlenose is cultural and not that they use inferior metal. The Germans treat needlenose like a precision instrument and the tips are very, very thin. They're not made for bending cotterpins. There was a thread on this months back and the Snap On tips are giant in comparison, I'll guess twice as tall tips, so it's not magic that they're 8x as strong- because that's the moment of inertia at work.

 

[MikeF2316]

My friend had sidecutters, the ones on the extreme right in my picture. I'd never heard of them before, but was impressed by how well they held their edge in the auto repair environment. You know they're good when the cut steel wire all day and can still make a complete, clean cut through electrical tape.

I bought a pair of those, then the bigger ones, then I joined GJ...

I have a pair of the medium size Alligators, but they live in the basement tool box. And in my world, the "K" is not silent.

 

[Davefr]

I have a good selection across the line. Love the plier wrench, Cobolt cutter, snap ring pliers, side cutters.

The problem many have here with their needlenose is cultural and not that they use inferior metal. The Germans treat needlenose like a precision instrument and the tips are very, very thin. They're not made for bending cotterpins. There was a thread on this months back and the Snap On tips are giant in comparison, I'll guess twice as tall tips, so it's not magic that they're 8x as strong- because that's the moment of inertia at work.

Yes, but the problem is that the Knipex cutters close before the tips. I can pick up a 40 AWG magnet wire with the big SO talon grips (which are beveled at the tips) but can't with the Knipex.

The other problem is the Knipex needle nose use the old fashioned serration pattern that grip in only one dimension. Just about everyone else has gone with a diamond or tangential serration pattern.

Here are Knipex:

And here are the SO talon grips. I'd gladly use SO, Klein, Channelock and even HF Doyles over Knipex needle nose pliers even for precision work.

 

[JJ99SS]

JJ99SS- AWESOME! What part number are the needle nose that loop at the end?

Those are the 38 91 200. They are for grabbing round things like spark plug boots or small diameter hoses like fuel and ATF hose. I actually use those a lot more than I thought I would. Makes getting vacuum lines or any ******** hose off so much easier and it doesn't tear up the hose.

Damn Mr Speed, I to am on my way to that collection as well. My piddly drawer has about 300-400 dollars in Knipex. Yours I'm guessing is probably close to 1500?

 

[mrspeed]

The other problem is the Knipex needle nose use the old fashioned serration pattern that grip in only one dimension. Just about everyone else has gone with a diamond or tangential serration pattern.

Knipex has both. They have needle nose pliers with the serrations in one direction, and they also have them with cross hatched serrations. They're different model numbers.

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[Spacey_G]

My Knipex needlenose have cross-hatching and tips that come together quite precisely.

Davefr apparently bought the wrong model and never misses an opportunity to tell us about it. I don't even know how many times I've seen that same post from him.

 

[measuredtwice]

I think that pliers is defective. I have a different model but mine is one of the variations with horizonal serrations and the tip closes. I don't have 40 gauge handy but I can grab 30 gauge wire with the tip of the pliers.

 

[mrspeed]

Here are some pictures of the Knipex pliers without cross hatching next to the ones with cross hatching and also next to the Snap On Talon grip pliers.




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[Davefr]

Here are some pictures of the Knipex pliers without cross hatching next to the ones with cross hatching and also next to the Snap On Talon grip pliers.


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Thanks for the images. It looks like cross hatch is limited to only their 38 series (w/o cutters) while the vast majority of the lineup is still straight serration. I'm curious why they haven't moved their entire line to opposing diagonal or cross hatch like everyone else? Once you use cross hatch or opposing diagonals you'll never go back to straight serrations.

The Germans treat needlenose like a precision instrument and the tips are very, very thin. They're not made for bending cotterpins. There was a thread on this months back and the Snap On tips are giant in comparison

But the SO jaws are beveled at the very tips to give you the best of both worlds. (precision + jaw strength). If I need more precision, I'll drop down in size to the Swanstrom series or the older SO E703BCG's. I just don't see a need for 8" pliers that have rather flimsy jaws.

I think that pliers is defective. I have a different model but mine is one of the variations with horizonal serrations and the tip closes. I don't have 40 gauge handy but I can grab 30 gauge wire with the tip of the pliers.

Maybe my pair of 26 11 2000's are manufacturing dregs. They've since been demoted to my junk drawer. Maybe I'll try their 38 series some time.

The OP asked for Knipex "opinions" and that's what I provided. (good and bad)

 

[measuredtwice]

Maybe my pair of 26 11 2000's are manufacturing dregs. They've since been demoted to my junk drawer. Maybe I'll try their 38 series some time.

The OP asked for Knipex "opinions" and that's what I provided. (good and bad)

No worries about showing them. But it would be a waste not to have Knipex warranty replace them. Those aren't really useable.

 

[AngryBeaver]

I have a pair of knockoff (Mastercraft) Cobra style pliers, and I find them clumsy as heck to use. I can never seem to get them to adjust when I want them to, but then when I don't want them to, they move all over the place.

Kind of torn on buying a set of the Knipex ones in the hopes that these are just poorly made rip-offs, but scared to spend the coin on a pair that I might hate.

don't......

knockoffs are just that. I have had cobras for over 15 years and every time I'm at my dads I just loathe using his channel locks...

the botton on the cobra is hard for some to get used to. the alligators are the same pliers without the button.

I have so many sets now between my service truck, home shop and work, that they are second nature to me and can't image anyone not trying them out.

 

[Qualitytools]

My first Knipex was the plier wrench when it was featured in a magazine showing that it earned a design and enovative award. That was my first purchase and awareness of the brand, since then my collection grew, will post some pictures later. I Love my Knipex tools

 

[slik560]

I got two pairs of the wrench-pliers. Extremely good quality, but using them takes a little practice to get comfortable with how they work. I also got a complete set of the snap-ring pliers, which will probably serve my great-great-grandchildren well....built to last.

That said,

Last night I decided to get a new pair of side cutters, as it turns out I only have one cheap pair from who knows where. I know I had some good ones....somewhere.

I almost went with Knipex, but decided to ante up for Snap-On. Knipex has a limited-lifetime guarantee, but you have to ship the broken tool to them and they don't pay postage. With Snap-On, all I'd have to do is chase down a truck...with receipt in hand, of course. The likelyhood of either brand failing is small, so maybe I'm over thinking this.

I do see some Knipex cobras in the future, though.