Difference between Knipex Cobra pliers

[Makapuu]

Other than price, does anyone know the difference between Knipex Cobra pliers "new extra wide opening design" seen here:

http://chadstoolbox.com/3x8702knipex3pcergogripcobraset.aspx

And the regular type:

http://chadstoolbox.com/9k-00-80-05-us-knipex-comfort-grip-cobra-set.aspx

Any experience, recommendations, reviews of the two types? I want to get set one or the other.

 

[bigdave39355]

not sure without looking at a catalog, but awhile back they came out with cobras that had a larger adjustment range

 

[GSMotorrad]

I'm in the market for a pair, and I'm wondering what the difference is between "cobra" and their "alligator" pliers. Do they both have a button? Which is better? Thanks.

 

[DodgeMech]

My cobra's I got off the snappy truck didn't look like either of those sets...mine have just a thin handle outcry the actual handle...i don't know tp tell you which is better than the other, but by god once you buy a pair you'll either use em all the time, and/or buy a bunch more...they're awesome

 

[yjWrangler]

I'm in the market for a pair, and I'm wondering what the difference is between "cobra" and their "alligator" pliers. Do they both have a button? Which is better? Thanks.

No button on the Alligators. I prefer the Cobras

 

[928'er]

It appears both sets are 87 02's in 180, 250, and 300. Same part numbers would seem to = same pliers.

The only difference seems to be "ergo" grip vs. "comfort" grip in the descriptions, but they appear to be the same.

 

[MikeF2316]

I'm in the market for a pair, and I'm wondering what the difference is between "cobra" and their "alligator" pliers. Do they both have a button? Which is better? Thanks.

Cobra vs. Alligator thread:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=244008

 

[GSMotorrad]

Cobra vs. Alligator thread:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=244008

Thanks! Don't know how you found that, but it's much appreciated!

 

[Lasu]

Left = Old , Right = New model,extra wide opening

http://chadstoolbox.com/9k-00-80-05-us-knipex-comfort-grip-cobra-set.aspx
I recommend these

 

[upgrading]

Here is a little info here.

Knipex Cobra Pliers
New sizes and wider jaw capacity. This fine crafted tool provides instant 11-30 position adjustment, memory retention of jaw opening and single handed, self gripping operation with a grip that wont' let go. Eliminates "knuckle-busting" and the "burring" of nuts, bolts and fittings. Its light weight and thin profile ensure ease of operation.
New for 2008 Knipex 8701250 10" now has 25 adjustment positions and increased opening size of 2"
New for 2009 Knipex 8701300 12" now has 30 adjustment positions and increased opening size of 2-3/4"
New June 2009 Knipex 8701125 Cobra 5" with 13 adjustment positions
New May 2010 Knipex 8701180 Cobra 7" now has 18 adjustment positions and increased opening size of 1-1/2"

Knipex 87 01 125 13 adjustments, 1" capacity
Knipex 87 01 150 11 adjustments, 1-1/4" capacity
Knipex 87 01 180 18 adjustments, 1-1/2" capacity
Knipex 87 01 250 25 adjustments, 2" capacity
Knipex 87 01 300 30 adjustments, 2-3/4" capacity
Knipex 87 01 400 27 adjustments, 3-1/2" capacity
Knipex 87 01 560 20 adjustments, 4-1/2" capacity
Made in Germany.

http://www.crawfordtool.com/knipex_cobra.html

 

[GSMotorrad]

Thanks for the info! I hope I got the new version, but I made sure the part numbers matched. I got the COBRA and the PLIERS WRENCH, both in 10-inch, or 250mm. Together, they costed $2 less than the kit with 5-inch COBRA and 6-inch PLIERS WRENCH! I just didn't get that carrying case, but got double the size.

 

[BFHtime]

I was using a pair on pipe the other day where the jaws opened wide enough but the length of the jaw, was not deep enough. They would be good for some situations, but I wish I had the channel locks with me instead. The channel locks seem more proportional in jaw length vs how wide they open. They are more rigid also, meaning less flex.

I noticed that there are different jaw shapes, some with a button, some without, with different styles of each.

IMO the the best are the parallel jaw ones, which are great for most fittings. I love them on A/N fittings.

Like anything else there are advantages and disadvantages. I think they are popular now kind of like a fad. It reminds of the Estwing hammers that alot of people had a while back, I never did like their hammers, poor balance and limited function. We will see how they do, but I think the channel locks are better, although heavier. I don't mind the weight of a better tool.

I bought the cobras because of comments I read on here, I figured I would give them a shot, after positive feedback that I read. I don't like how they flex when I squeeze them, although they are lighter. Twisting type motions, I am afraid to do, because I don't want to break them, which I expect would hurt. I would be willing to trade the cobras for channel locks, but the silver parallel jaws are keepers, for sure. Channel lock has nothing that I have seen like it. Maybe I should hit their website.

 

[marinusdees]

Costed???

 

[tweedlestan]

Costed???

Yes, costed.

 

[GSMotorrad]

I just found the cheap knock-offs and changed my order. Do the Irwin GrooveLock pliers "lock" like the Knipex Cobras? Can you stand on them like they do in the Cobra videos? Or is that a special feature of the Cobras? They look like they should be identical in function.

I did my own reconnaissance and apparently they do:

He's standing on the same exact red tubing used in the Kinipex videos (or so he claims), I wonder how Knipex would feel about how the tubing they sent him is being used to sell me on the Irwins instead of the Cobras? Oh well, I sprung for a set of their plier wrenches, but had to save some money by going with cheap knock-offs for waterpump pliers, in order to afford their PlierWrenches. It's casual.

(that picture stolen from MARC LYMAN's blog). He compares the GrooveLock to the Cobra there.

 

[upgrading]

Groovelocks go on sale at Sears for $12.49 for the 8" & 10" set numerous times a year.

If you want them and don't need them now, you should wait.

 

[BFHtime]

In a recent post, last night. Someone posted that the Irwins did not hold up as well as the knipex or channel locks, but were cheaper.

 

[BFHtime]

Post 54 in this thread.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=73104&page=3

 

[GSMotorrad]

Groovelocks go on sale at Sears for $12.49 for the 8" & 10" set numerous times a year.

If you want them and don't need them now, you should wait.

Thanks for the heads up, but I'm more of a 6" and 12" kind of guy. Supposedly, you've gotta bump it up to the 12" in the Irwins for the same jaw-capacity as the 10-inch Cobras, with the benefit being more leverage on the twelves.

In a recent post, last night. Someone posted that the Irwins did not hold up as well as the knipex or channel locks, but were cheaper.

I realize they're in a different league, but both the Irwins and the Cobra's about match as far as the 5-star reviews on Amazon, with a few reviewers having experience with the Cobras and making direct comparisons. The Irwins seem like they'd be easier to warranty, but I don't know. They are both "warrantied for life".

Then again, the first post HERE says he had the same issues with the Cobra's and they are NOT covered by the warranty:

I was talking with my Cornwell dealer today. he showed me a large pair of Knipex groove joint pliers with worn teeth, about 15 yrs. old. He was denied warranty replacement for his customer,by Knipex, because the worn teeth were considered normal wear, and they were not "broken".

He told me the Knipex with the Cornwell logo, would be warranty in this case regardless, but Knipex considers that the lifetime of the tool was served in this case.

Kind of disappointing for a high end company like Knipex.

Channellock, on the other hand would warranty this type of wear, so the dealer says, and he does his fair share of warranty replacement.

for all it is worth.

Cobra's charge as much as the entire Irwins, just for their comfort grip, which is included in the < $10 Irwins. The Irwins also "ratchet" closed, without pushing the button - which some people like, and others dislike. It might just be what you're used to, and since these are my first pliers from either company, I doubt it'll be a problem for me.

It seems like a lot of the hate for the Irwins deems from their C.O.O. but "pliers" aren't usually a "precision" tool for me, so the money saved was worth it to me. I did spring for the premium Pliers-Wrenches though, so I should get a good feel for each brand.

 

[DodgeMech]

Thanks for the heads up, but I'm more of a 6" and 12" kind of guy. Supposedly, you've gotta bump it up to the 12" in the Irwins for the same jaw-capacity as the 10-inch Cobras, with the benefit being more leverage on the twelves.



I realize they're in a different league, but both the Irwins and the Cobra's about match as far as the 5-star reviews on Amazon, with a few reviewers having experience with the Cobras and making direct comparisons. The Irwins seem like they'd be easier to warranty, but I don't know. They are both "warrantied for life".

Then again, the first post HERE says he had the same issues with the Cobra's and they are NOT covered by the warranty:



Cobra's charge as much as the entire Irwins, just for their comfort grip, which is included in the < $10 Irwins. The Irwins also "ratchet" closed, without pushing the button - which some people like, and others dislike. It might just be what you're used to, and since these are my first pliers from either company, I doubt it'll be a problem for me.

It seems like a lot of the hate for the Irwins deems from their C.O.O. but "pliers" aren't usually a "precision" tool for me, so the money saved was worth it to me. I did spring for the premium Pliers-Wrenches though, so I should get a good feel for each brand.

My cobras ratchet closed...and it's the only thing I don't much care for about them...another guy at work has the irwin knockoffs, and the cobras just "feel" better in my hand...

 

[rmsg0040]

the cobras head is much thinner than the irwins, and the handles are slimmer, and I would say they are more ergonomic, I have handled both.

I like my cobras

 

[bcradio]

the cobras head is much thinner than the irwins, and the handles are slimmer, and I would say they are more ergonomic, I have handled both.

I like my cobras

This is definitely the main difference between the two and the biggest advantage for the cobras. I have both of these pliers and virtually only use the cobras because they are narrower. I do use Irwins for the jobs that might screw up any set of pliers since they are cheaper to replace.

 

[Monte]

Maybe you can get the Cobras for a good price labelled as Craftsman with a coupon or so.

 

[5ferraris]

Smaller head if you carry in tool pouch. The other for cart or box.
Get both.

 

[Darius6t9]

Sears has some that look just like the cobras.

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-2-pc...0945433000P?prdNo=15&blockNo=15&blockType=G15

They look more like cobras in person than in the pic. Seen them at my local sears. Still would choose the cobras. If nothing else, for the quality I KNOW Knipex has.

 

[monomach]

Sears has some that look just like the cobras.

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-2-pc...0945433000P?prdNo=15&blockNo=15&blockType=G15

They look more like cobras in person than in the pic. Seen them at my local sears. Still would choose the cobras. If nothing else, for the quality I KNOW Knipex has.

These Craftsman are exactly the same as the Knipex because they are made by Knipex. I have them. Exact same quality, just cheaper and easier to warranty.

They're probably the only Craftsman tool made in Germany.

 

[Darius6t9]

These Craftsman are exactly the same as the Knipex because they are made by Knipex. I have them. Exact same quality, just cheaper and easier to warranty.

They're probably the only Craftsman tool made in Germany.

As for the quality, I do not know. I only say that because years ago I worked for sears busting tires. After that I worked for Firestone. I mention this because it is relevant to what I am about to say. At sears, they have firestone tires with the sears badge on them. When I went to Firestone, I found out that sears got them from Firestone that way (yes, I was much younger then.) and they were not the same quality as actual Firestones. That was when I learned that companies do a lot of that. As an example, sears buys knipex for less cost so they can sell them at a lower price than knipex. Yes, sears here has the same knipex as the ones they are trying to undercut. In order to get them at a lower price, they get made with lower quality material. They look and feel the same as the original. But might not hold up as long. I do not know if this is the case for these knipex. As I am just guessing. But I would rather buy the tool I know I trust than pay slightly less and find it does not hold up as well. At the time I bought mine, it was a matter of just a few dollars difference.

 

[Mgnu]

Here is a little info here.
Knipex Cobra Pliers
New sizes and wider jaw capacity. This fine crafted tool provides instant 11-30 position adjustment, memory retention of jaw opening and single handed, self gripping operation with a grip that wont' let go. Eliminates "knuckle-busting" and the "burring" of nuts, bolts and fittings. Its light weight and thin profile ensure ease of operation.
New for 2008 Knipex 8701250 10" now has 25 adjustment positions and increased opening size of 2"
New for 2009 Knipex 8701300 12" now has 30 adjustment positions and increased opening size of 2-3/4"
New June 2009 Knipex 8701125 Cobra 5" with 13 adjustment positions
New May 2010 Knipex 8701180 Cobra 7" now has 18 adjustment positions and increased opening size of 1-1/2"

Knipex 87 01 125 13 adjustments, 1" capacity
Knipex 87 01 150 11 adjustments, 1-1/4" capacity
Knipex 87 01 180 18 adjustments, 1-1/2" capacity
Knipex 87 01 250 25 adjustments, 2" capacity
Knipex 87 01 300 30 adjustments, 2-3/4" capacity
Knipex 87 01 400 27 adjustments, 3-1/2" capacity
Knipex 87 01 560 20 adjustments, 4-1/2" capacity
Made in Germany.
http://www.crawfordtool.com/knipex_cobra.html

I just wanted to go on record, in case other google this thread.

I just received the Craftsman 7" and 10" version, and they match exactly the specs I quoted above for the Knipex equivalents. This confirms that the Craftsman versions are indeed the "New Knipex" versions, in case anyone was wondering....

 

[BikerDad]

In order to get them at a lower price, they get made with lower quality material.

Not necessarily. When Knipex builds them as "Craftsman" and sells them to Sears to sell to us, Sears bears the entire cost of warranty and marketing. Knipex doesn't have to worry 'bout that, so they can sell the exact (except for name, color and packaging) tool for less.

 

[seanh303]

I know this thread is dead but I came across it in a google search and the ? in the OP was never answered, so....

The 2 links in the OP both contain the exact same pliers, just in different retail packaging. I got the 9K 00 80 05 US set from Sears awhile back on a rare Knipex sale for $79.43 + tax. The asking price of $88.99 at Chad's is a good price, and these are great tools. There's no reason to spend an extra $30 bucks for fancy retail packaging.