jeffmoss26
Well-known member
I have a pair of cable cutters, a pair of the electrical pliers, mini bolt cutters, and a couple pairs of pump pliers.
Anyone else like Knipex?
- Thread starter lincwelder225
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Kasal
Well-known member
They are well designed and made to last. The breadth and depth of the product range is extensive. I use the pliers wrench, cobra , snap ring , needle nose, and precision cutters frequently and they always work. I have Gedore bolt cutters because I got them at a low price and they are also well built and work as designed.
If you want to buy them, consider purchasing them from the EU. They are much less expensive even with shipping. Amazon.de (Germany) offers many German brands at prices well below US vendors even with sales.
As an example I just got some Knipex 25 01 125 side cutters for $13.07 (shipping is extra but cheap). The cheapest USA price I saw was Amazon US at $21.60.
Some tips when ordering to the USA.
Make sure the seller is Amazon and not a third party.
The notice that the item does not ship to the USA is not always accurate, so put it in your cart and check out to test it.
Pay in Euros as the Amazon exchange rate is not favorable. I use a credit card that does not charge foreign transaction fees to avoid that cost as well.
Opt for the standard shipping and be prepared to wait 2-3 weeks. Many packages arrive before the projected date but not always.
If you want to buy them, consider purchasing them from the EU. They are much less expensive even with shipping. Amazon.de (Germany) offers many German brands at prices well below US vendors even with sales.
As an example I just got some Knipex 25 01 125 side cutters for $13.07 (shipping is extra but cheap). The cheapest USA price I saw was Amazon US at $21.60.
Some tips when ordering to the USA.
Make sure the seller is Amazon and not a third party.
The notice that the item does not ship to the USA is not always accurate, so put it in your cart and check out to test it.
Pay in Euros as the Amazon exchange rate is not favorable. I use a credit card that does not charge foreign transaction fees to avoid that cost as well.
Opt for the standard shipping and be prepared to wait 2-3 weeks. Many packages arrive before the projected date but not always.
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Bessy
Well-known member
bsaint
Well-known member
I have some but generally avoid buying them.
seber
Well-known member
I have a few that have been around for years. I don't find them special. Recently I found a pair of cobras at a garage sale and put them in the drawer beside the Irwin knockoff. Using them interchangeably, I just can't tell any difference.
dagofast
Well-known member
I've had a pair of Alligators for over 20 years. So long ago that I can't remember exactly where I bought them but do recall that the place had a little display demo set up. Being curious, I gave them a try and discovered that they had incredible grip with far less hand pressure than Channel Locks so I bought them and have used & loved them ever since.
The pliers wrench looks interesting, but I already own a ton of SAE & Metric wrenches and even crescent wrenches from 4" to 36" long. Plus I'm retired now. If I ran across someplace local that stocked Knipex and I could try them out, I might be tempted enough for one to follow me home but thankfully online buying without trying isn't much of a temptation at all. :dodged bullet
The pliers wrench looks interesting, but I already own a ton of SAE & Metric wrenches and even crescent wrenches from 4" to 36" long. Plus I'm retired now. If I ran across someplace local that stocked Knipex and I could try them out, I might be tempted enough for one to follow me home but thankfully online buying without trying isn't much of a temptation at all. :dodged bullet
dnschmidt
Well-known member
Sort of a stupid question. EVERYBODY LOVES KNIPEX.
I carry these puppies with my everyday at work. I like them a lot better than any combo Klein makes, cobras also are awesome
Knipex Tools 13 88 8 US Electrical Installation Pliers : Amazon.ca: Tools & Home Improvement
Knipex Tools 13 88 8 US Electrical Installation Pliers : Amazon.ca: Tools & Home Improvement
www.amazon.ca
The cutters on these can cut through teck cable no problem, also really nice to carry around
Paul_The_Builder
Well-known member
Yeah, I've got a few....
This is an older picture, I've bought more since then... gotta get them together for another family photo some day.
I was also lucky enough to win a pair of golden cobras from them in 2020.
This is an older picture, I've bought more since then... gotta get them together for another family photo some day.
I was also lucky enough to win a pair of golden cobras from them in 2020.
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Impressive collection! But where are the Knipex snap ring pliers?? Glaring omission
Edit- your plier wrench collection also needs more additions
I have a lot of Knipex; but even with the snap ring pliers it's probably about 50% of what you show
Paul_The_Builder
Well-known member
Don't worry, I've bought a full set of snap ring pliers and 2 more pairs of pliers wrenches since the picture.Impressive collection! But where are the Knipex snap ring pliers?? Glaring omission
Edit- your plier wrench collection also needs more additions
I have a lot of Knipex; but even with the snap ring pliers it's probably about 50% of what you show
They're fine I think. Honestly I think I own way more pliers than I really need.
Are they better than all the other European pliers? I've got some of those Swiss-made Wiha pliers and they're really nice, probably better, but it's the sort of nice you get when you look at a hand tool through a jewelers loupe.
Are they better than all the other European pliers? I've got some of those Swiss-made Wiha pliers and they're really nice, probably better, but it's the sort of nice you get when you look at a hand tool through a jewelers loupe.
Jeff
Well-known member
Bessy
Well-known member
I have the 300mm and 100mm cobras on order. Next paycheque will be looking at the linesman and twin grips, but willing to wait on sales as they're not an immediate need item. The 300mm cobras would have saved my hide when I was doing brakes on the car a couple of weeks ago for holding the hub while I screwed in the retainer screws, as the 250mm pair didn't quite have enough jaw width to hold the assembly without very wide hands.
I haven't tried any twisty motions with the needle nose yet, but I'll report back once I do, comparing them to the very old set of Gray long needle nose pliers that they're complementing.
I haven't tried any twisty motions with the needle nose yet, but I'll report back once I do, comparing them to the very old set of Gray long needle nose pliers that they're complementing.
Knipex needle nose are not for twisty motions- the tips are way too thin. This is about the only complaint I've seen here on Knipex. If you want a quality and beefier set of needle nose, without buying SO, then check out NWS; they are not as beefy as SO, but way more than Knipex. Last I checked, Knipex called these "radio pliers" - and not twisting 3/16" cotter pin pliers
Shed of tools
Well-known member
I plan on getting the mini bolt cutters yet but I have some knipex pliers I bought because of hype. I was actually disappointed they don’t offer any advantages over other quality brands but cost more.
Paul_The_Builder
Well-known member
Ya know, this is weird coming from an admitted Knipex fanboy, but I'm really not that crazy about plier wrenches. They have their uses, and I do like mine, but if I can use a regular combination wrench, or even a crescent wrench, I find I use those over a plier wrench most of the time.Ok, partially forgiven, but you still need more plier wrenches
My pliers wrenches get the most use from just handling and bending sheet metal. I keep 1 pair of 7" pliers wrenches in my cars as a roadside emergency type tool, but other than that, I just don't find myself using them that much.
I use mine for home plumbing 99% of the time. I have a bunch, but my only two in matching size is the 180mm; these are ideal around the house and what I almost always use. I don't think I've used an adjustable wrench since I got a full set of plier wrenches. And I don't think I've ever used a plier wrench working on a car.
I will eventually try to put up some pics of my Knipex.
I might be following MrSpeed's footsteps..........been using 7" and 10" cobra pliers for a while but recently acquired 5" cobra plier and 7 and 10" ratcheting plier. Ordered 8" mini bolt cutter as well. Just used the 10" ratcheting plier with protector to install 3 shower heads.....man, this thing is awesome. None of that wrap it in the towel stuff that typically slips or scratches.
Sal Bandini
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- Joined
- Aug 30, 2012
- Messages
- 989
Ok, so since I've busted Paul the Builder's ba!!s , I guess I need to put up some pics. I have more, but these are the easy ones. I will have to clean off a table for the others, and I'm in the middle of a project, so it'll be a while.
Snap ring pliers with some Wilde, Proto, Milbar, and one lone HF (lower RH). The HF is from the 80s, Taiwan, and I bought a set, used them quite a bit professionally, and no failures. When I bought the Knipex I gave the HF away but evidently missed this one.
The usual Knipex stuff with some Channellock orphans that never get touched any more and just look on with jealousy.
, I guess I need to put up some pics. I have more, but these are the easy ones. I will have to clean off a table for the others, and I'm in the middle of a project, so it'll be a while.Snap ring pliers with some Wilde, Proto, Milbar, and one lone HF (lower RH). The HF is from the 80s, Taiwan, and I bought a set, used them quite a bit professionally, and no failures. When I bought the Knipex I gave the HF away but evidently missed this one.
The usual Knipex stuff with some Channellock orphans that never get touched any more and just look on with jealousy.
Mr Ratchet
Well-known member
I like mine quite a bit. I started out with a Craftsman Cobra set and expanded with the brand from there. I have a set of Raptors and Twin Grips on the way that should be he later this week. All of my Knipex have worked extremely well.
ste6168
Well-known member
I don’t want to put all of mine together for a picture, I’ll get depressed thinking about the overall cost…. And I am nowhere near that Paul the Builders collection.
Brownsfan
Well-known member
Just scored this set at the local pawn shop Brand New for $35. Could not be happier with my purchase. Have a couple other Knipex products. To me Knipex cutting pliers are the best
www.matcotools.com
KNIPEX 3 PIECE UNIVERSAL PLIERS SET PU3SA | Matco Tools
Bessy
Well-known member
Finally snapped a pic of the two newbies to the collection (bringing my total count to lucky 13). 100mm plier wrench, cobolts, and twin grips are on my list still, but I had a new impact driver follow me home yesterday so I blew my tool budget for the Month of March before it even started...
While we are on the subject of NWS, I really like the look of those pistol grip long nose pliers they make, but I'm curious if they'll fit in my drawer on edge or if they will need to lay flat? My pliers drawer is getting a little bit out of hand currently, but I'm considering moving the snips and adjustable wrenches elsewhere because they really don't see a ton of use.
While we are on the subject of NWS, I really like the look of those pistol grip long nose pliers they make, but I'm curious if they'll fit in my drawer on edge or if they will need to lay flat? My pliers drawer is getting a little bit out of hand currently, but I'm considering moving the snips and adjustable wrenches elsewhere because they really don't see a ton of use.
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Even without the plastic protectors it wouldn't scratch the chrome, that thing is awesome, made for that kind of job.I might be following MrSpeed's footsteps..........been using 7" and 10" cobra pliers for a while but recently acquired 5" cobra plier and 7 and 10" ratcheting plier. Ordered 8" mini bolt cutter as well. Just used the 10" ratcheting plier with protector to install 3 shower heads.....man, this thing is awesome. None of that wrap it in the towel stuff that typically slips or scratches.
FrogBlastTheVentCore
Active member
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- Oct 22, 2021
- Messages
- 26
You probably haven’t heard of them, they’re pretty obscure.
A few more. I bought the two large bolt cutters 5+ years ago on Amazon when there were price drops. I'm sure I'd be shocked on what they cost today. The two large ones have only been used a few times each. The larger of the Cobolts only had the dipped handle option for some reason when I bought them.
A few more. I bought the two large bolt cutters 5+ years ago on Amazon when there were price drops. I'm sure I'd be shocked on what they cost today. The two large ones have only been used a few times each. The larger of the Cobolts only had the dipped handle option for some reason when I bought them.
That is still the case on the 250 length Cobolt, still plastic dipped only. Interestingly there are two models of the 250. Look the same but one is 10 grams heavier and has a little bit higher cut capacity rating. 71 31 250 (heavier, higher) and 71 01 250. Something to note when shopping for them.
Seth
Iridium rand
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- Joined
- Sep 23, 2021
- Messages
- 218
Do you find the full size bolt cutters to have anything particularly special about them? Been thinking of picking up a pair but aside from some brands using different designs for leverage or being able to fold, bolt cutters all seem pretty much the same to me so hard to justify the current price, which yes probably would shock you.A few more. I bought the two large bolt cutters 5+ years ago on Amazon when there were price drops. I'm sure I'd be shocked on what they cost today. The two large ones have only been used a few times each. The larger of the Cobolts only had the dipped handle option for some reason when I bought them.
Honestly, no; there's nothing special about them. They are 100% Knipex quality, beautiful and perfect, the grips are nicer than what I think anyone else offers; and if you were going to use them a lot, then go for it. If it's just something you might use once a year, like me, then HF would probably be fine. I didn't need the Knipex; there is no way that I will use them enough to justify the cost. And if I was rational I would've never purchased them. But with the price drops at that time, I could somehow justify it.