Do any Cobra owners still use Channellocks?

[Jswain]

Buying cheap tools is a waste of money, especially if you work with them. Upgrade when they break? Why not just buy the better stuff to begin with?

I have actually had a pair of 8 year old Irwins in my pocket daily(12hrs/7 days per week) for the last two years and have yet to find the job they couldn't do, even with slightly worn down teeth. Only thing that has stopped them would be working on something that needed more torque then the leverage provided, never once have they slipped. I work on a $20 million dollar oil rig, but I guess the Irwins aren't good enough for Hondas?

Not everything has to be overpriced to get the job done. I'm not saying Knipex is a bad plier in any way shape or form, but I also wouldn't run to the store and empty my wallet to switch over my plier drawer to knipex

 

[plinker]

I got a set of Craftsman Knipex pliers, got them for a warranty replacment of a different pair. They are nice enough, but I dont really like them. Too fine of an adjustment for one and they feel wrong to me. 10" Channellocks any day for me.

 

[rice rocket]

Dumb question - did a pair of 415's not meet your needs?

https://www.channellock.com/415-Smooth-Jaw-Plier.aspx

The leverage ratio on the Knipex 10" pliers wrench is probably double if not triple that of the 415s.

 

[atwageman]

I wish Channellock offered smooth jaws in sizes other than just the 415.

 

[Mohawk Dave]

I wish Channellock offered smooth jaws in sizes other than just the 415.

I grind em down with a flap disc....well, now I use my Burr King. And if it's going to be a high torque situation, grind them so the jaw front ends meet slightly before the rear. It "locks" them in and displaces any flex. Kinda like Bahco adjustable wrenches.....

 

[95riosnake]

I'll admit I didn't know what Knipex was until I opened this thread... I know, I should probably be ashamed of myself. I'd seen the bright red/yellow stuff in people's toolbox pictures on here before but never paid it much attention.

Now I think I'm in trouble, because I want some Knipex in my life like you wouldn't believe. Just what I need, more expensive things to buy lol.

EDIT: I just realized I have enough reward points through my credit card to cash them in for a $500 Lowes gift card.... Knipex here I come.

 

[chiz1180]

I have various brands of these style pliers, Craftsman cobra style, Channellock 420 and 426, Proto grove joint, husky groove joint, and some no names of various sizes. I tend to use them all in different situations. For example the cobra style is thinner than the Channellocks both can be handy. Also there are times that I don't want a sharp teeth on the pliers but, still want some teeth. And cheap pliers are great for tasks such as cleaning gutter down spouts.

a small selection of what I have.

(also I may be mistaken but I do not believe that cobras come in a size as small as the pair on the far left)

side profile comparison of the Husky (super cheap), channellock 420, and the craftsman 10 cobra style.

chiz1180

 

[rice rocket]

(also I may be mistaken but I do not believe that cobras come in a size as small as the pair on the far left)

They do.

 

[chiz1180]

They do.

thanks for sharing, didn't know that

chiz1180

 

[decaf]

What is channellock? ha ha ha....knipex for life!!!

 

[decaf]

The finish on these ones are absolutly amazing!!!!! You got too try them out!!!

 

[Monte]

Knipex to me is a bit on the overpriced side considering you can get a pair of Irwins for ten bucks regular priced and they are damn near identical?

apples and oranges....professional long lasting quality made in Germany vs. DIY quality from China...

 

[Fcvapor05]

I'll admit I didn't know what Knipex was until I opened this thread... I know, I should probably be ashamed of myself. I'd seen the bright red/yellow stuff in people's toolbox pictures on here before but never paid it much attention.

Now I think I'm in trouble, because I want some Knipex in my life like you wouldn't believe. Just what I need, more expensive things to buy lol.

EDIT: I just realized I have enough reward points through my credit card to cash them in for a $500 Lowes gift card.... Knipex here I come.

Do it.

I recommend:
Pliers Wrench
Cobra/alligator (depending on which style of adjustment you prefer)
Twinforce cutter
cobolt

I love Knipex but their needlenose pliers aren't great, I'd go with Snap-On or Klein for needlenose. I'm betting you can get Klein needlenose stuff at Lowe's.

 

[decaf]

I'll admit I didn't know what Knipex was until I opened this thread... I know, I should probably be ashamed of myself. I'd seen the bright red/yellow stuff in people's toolbox pictures on here before but never paid it much attention.

Now I think I'm in trouble, because I want some Knipex in my life like you wouldn't believe. Just what I need, more expensive things to buy lol.

EDIT: I just realized I have enough reward points through my credit card to cash them in for a $500 Lowes gift card.... Knipex here I come.

Thats the spirit soldier! Welcome on board!
Don´t forget to post some pictures when you have bought some pliers!

 

[chadster1]

They do.

My favorite one.

 

[JoeMA]

EDIT: I just realized I have enough reward points through my credit card to cash them in for a $500 Lowes gift card.... Knipex here I come.

Dan- You may have trouble finding Knipex at Lowes. Lowes formerly carried Knipex but no longer does--just clearing out old stock. Although still listed on its website, I wouldn't expect that they have much (or any) inventory left.

 

[95riosnake]

Dan- You may have trouble finding Knipex at Lowes. Lowes formerly carried Knipex but no longer does--just clearing out old stock. Although still listed on its website, I wouldn't expect that they have much (or any) inventory left.

Hmm damn, I saw they had a decent selection on the site, maybe I'll inquire about whether they have them in stock before I get the gift card. Home Depot is also showing Knipex in stock on their site, I could get a card for them also, unless you know of another chain that sells Knipex that I could hopefully snag a gift card for. The gift card is about the only way it's happening for me any time soon, I've binged somewhat in the past couple months on tools and machinery so I'm not getting any new tool purchases past the wife unless it's this way, haha.

Just now looking on the Lowes site and it's showing 0 available for almost all of the Knipex stuff, no shipping available either

 

[stonesfan68]

Yeah for the massive version of the Channelock... not sure if Knipex makes a cobra that big, but it'll be pricy if so.

I bought a Channellock 460 a few months back. Recently I had a swimming pool plumbing project where I needed two CL460-size pliers and considered buying Knipex as the second pair right up until I saw the 3-4X price difference. As a DIY the big Channellocks are more than sufficient.

I could see investing in the Knipex as a pro.

 

[jrobb316]

I use my cobras for smaller stuff. I haven't had the want to drop the cash to replace my 460 Big Azz. I still use my channellocks at home and use channellock slip joints and small needle nose pliers at work.

 

[jjjrmx5]

I bought a few sets of USA made channel lock T&G pliers last Black Friday and was not impressed.

I opened one set and use on occasion, but the other will be a GJ Secret Santa gift this year.

I use msot of my Knipex far more than C-L, but there are several C-L items that do not come in Knipex or NWS form or Knipex versions are hard to obtain.

Use what you like, but the Knipex stuff is at the top of the food chain for me.

 

[RedneckWelder]

I've never really liked channellocks (the pliers style, not just the company), they always seem to be aggravating to use and I always pinch my hands. They don't seem to really grab anything well, they always seem to slip off whatever I'm trying to loosen or tighten.

I do like Knipex, though, and soon as I have some money the Cobras and plierswrenches will be mine...

 

[J.A.Varela]

Do it.

I recommend:
Pliers Wrench
Cobra/alligator (depending on which style of adjustment you prefer)
Twinforce cutter
cobolt

I love Knipex but their needlenose pliers aren't great, I'd go with Snap-On or Klein for needlenose. I'm betting you can get Klein needlenose stuff at Lowe's.

Ahem.Check Mate

 

[monomach]

Ahem.Check Mate

That's just what the Gearwrench was re-badged from. They're ok, but no one's going to go jumping for joy over them.

 

[3xpendable]

I jumped on the knipex wagon when lowes put them on sale. I like them and there is no arguing they are great made tools. But I found the t&g kinpex a pain in the *** to use. Like others have said the adjustments are to fine making it hard to get the right setting I just find the CL's easier to use with one hand laying under a sink or something like that

 

[shampoop]

It's not that confusing, channellocks are great for your average homeowner DIY'er. They're pretty cheap but they're still good quality steel that will last a long time and will take abuse. Not the worthless chinese garbage.

Knipex/NWS are for professionals the homeowner doesn't really NEED anything that nice and it's much harder to justify the 2X+ price tag vs channellocks if you don't use them often. It's easy to justify if you use them professionally all day.

 

[domain]

Honestly no. My knipex are far superior.

 

[Travisnd]

What is channellock? ha ha ha....knipex for life!!!

This is Channellock....nothing wrong with Blue.....GO USA!!

 

[bindernut]

I use channel locks for bending metal(belt guides on mower decks & such). I've also been known to use my 15" crescent wrench to bend metal as well.

 

[monomach]

On my lunch break, I got the 10" Pliers Wrench on clearance for $31. I didn't have anything at hand that I would normally use an adjustable wrench on, so I used them to take off some lower ball joint and outer tie rod end nuts. They worked. I was pretty surprised at how much torque I could get with them.

Once I get some more sizes of these, I'm guessing my Crescent wrenches are going to end up being sold off right along with my Channellocks. Some day, I'd like to try to use these on a brake fitting instead of a line wrench.

It's kind of amazing that Knipex has managed to completely replace two hand tool designs that have lasted so long.

 

[kngelv]

It's not that confusing, channellocks are great for your average homeowner DIY'er. They're pretty cheap but they're still good quality steel that will last a long time and will take abuse. Not the worthless chinese garbage.

Knipex/NWS are for professionals the homeowner doesn't really NEED anything that nice and it's much harder to justify the 2X+ price tag vs channellocks if you don't use them often. It's easy to justify if you use them professionally all day.

This is a ridiculous statement. Channellock are used all day every day in professional settings. I have both. Knipex can be a pain in the *** to use in a professional setting because of the way they adjust. Channellocks are much easier to adjust with one hand than Knipex. This can be quite "handy" - pun intended - when you are holding something in the other hand. BTW I'm an Electrician at Ford.

James

 

[95riosnake]

Thought I'd share my excitement; cashed in some credit card rewards points and scored 4 Home Depot gift cards which I quickly turned into an order for the beginning of my Knipex collection. Ordered the following, set to arrive Sept. 10-12:

8-3/4 Long Nose Pliers
Cobolt Lever Action Bolt Cutter 8"
Cobra Pliers 5"
Cobra Pliers 6"
Cobra Pliers 7"
Cobra pliers 10"
Cobra Pliers 12"
Cobra Pliers 16"

I had the 22" Cobra in the cart but couldn't justify the $120 price tag since I rarely have a need for pliers that huge, lol. I'll post pics in here when they arrive. I probably should have waited until then to post but I had to share my excitement with someone, and my wife just wouldn't understand... haha.