Ton ton
Well-known member
Which knipex pliers is the most addictive? I know this could come across as an ignorant question. Just curious which one is the one you can’t live without? Thank you for your time!
Gateway pliers for the Knipex brand?
- Thread starter Ton ton
- Start date
Firebrick43
Well-known member
7” cobra would be the one I would suggest and my second most used.
A 5” plier wrench is almost always in my pocket or belt pouch. Much more useful than a POS leatherman.
A 5” plier wrench is almost always in my pocket or belt pouch. Much more useful than a POS leatherman.
richfinn
Well-known member
It depends what you need to get done, the Cobra versions of the Hose Clamp pliers were a game changer for me, Twin Grips are a really good twist on slip joint pliers, and the Pliers Wrench has made me rethink the adjustable wrench as a viable tool to carry.
I would say the regular stuff is of very decent quality and well priced, but the specialized stuff is where they really shine with innovative designs.
neophyte
Well-known member
Knipex seems to focus on innovation nowadays, as well as copying most major “classic” plier styles from other major manufacturers, particularly ones that may have been designed for particular specific industrial jobs.
The two plier designs that really got Knipex noticed in the USA were the “Plier Wrench”, parallel jawed pliers, and the “Cobra” water pump pliers.
Both of these got notice because of the adjustment mechanism, that allowed much finer incremental adjustment of the jaw opening compared to previous wrench/plier designs such as slip joint or groove joint (ie. Channellock) adjustment mechanisms.
The push button adjustment mechanism isn’t as fine for opening size as a screw adjustment, but is much quicker.
The “Cobolt” mini bolt cutters are the next design Knipex got noticed for, which a large number of other manufacturers copied once the patent ran out.
The more recent designs that are getting copied are the “Twingrip” pliers, which are sort of a “slip joint” style plier, but with a bush button mechanism similar to the Plier Wrench and Cobra pliers, and end screw gripping jaws similar to a number of Japanese screw extracting pliers,
And the Raptor pliers, which sort of have a jaw shape me and gripping design similar to older battery pliers, but without the serrated jaws, and with the Knipex bush button adjustment mechanism.
There are also the Knipex “Siphon and Connector” pliers, which are basically what are usually referred to as “Canon Plug Pliers” but with the advantage of the fine Knipex push button size adjustment system.
These Connector pliers aren’t always needed, but for certain jobs are excellent, and the Knipex adjustment system is way better than the slip joint system used on most Canon plug pliers for this type of job.
The Plier Wrench and Cobra pliers come in a bunch if different sizes, with 7”, 10”, and 12” being the original sizes, so maybe the best to start off with.
The Cobolt come in a few sizes, and variations in handle design, (spring or no spring) and angled or straight jaws, and some with notched jaws for easier cuts on thick wire.
The Raptor and Twingrip and Connector pliers, are basically just a single size maybe with a couple handle variations, although the Connector pliers come in a serrated version, and a version that is more expensive that has soft jaws, that also has the serrations under the soft jaws if you remove the jaws.
In case you don’t feel like reading all of the above.
Plier Wrench, parallel jaw wrench
Cobra, water pump pliers
Cobolt, mini bolt cutters
Twingrip, screw slip joint pliers
Raptor, nut pliers.
The two plier designs that really got Knipex noticed in the USA were the “Plier Wrench”, parallel jawed pliers, and the “Cobra” water pump pliers.
Both of these got notice because of the adjustment mechanism, that allowed much finer incremental adjustment of the jaw opening compared to previous wrench/plier designs such as slip joint or groove joint (ie. Channellock) adjustment mechanisms.
The push button adjustment mechanism isn’t as fine for opening size as a screw adjustment, but is much quicker.
The “Cobolt” mini bolt cutters are the next design Knipex got noticed for, which a large number of other manufacturers copied once the patent ran out.
The more recent designs that are getting copied are the “Twingrip” pliers, which are sort of a “slip joint” style plier, but with a bush button mechanism similar to the Plier Wrench and Cobra pliers, and end screw gripping jaws similar to a number of Japanese screw extracting pliers,
And the Raptor pliers, which sort of have a jaw shape me and gripping design similar to older battery pliers, but without the serrated jaws, and with the Knipex bush button adjustment mechanism.
There are also the Knipex “Siphon and Connector” pliers, which are basically what are usually referred to as “Canon Plug Pliers” but with the advantage of the fine Knipex push button size adjustment system.
These Connector pliers aren’t always needed, but for certain jobs are excellent, and the Knipex adjustment system is way better than the slip joint system used on most Canon plug pliers for this type of job.
The Plier Wrench and Cobra pliers come in a bunch if different sizes, with 7”, 10”, and 12” being the original sizes, so maybe the best to start off with.
The Cobolt come in a few sizes, and variations in handle design, (spring or no spring) and angled or straight jaws, and some with notched jaws for easier cuts on thick wire.
The Raptor and Twingrip and Connector pliers, are basically just a single size maybe with a couple handle variations, although the Connector pliers come in a serrated version, and a version that is more expensive that has soft jaws, that also has the serrations under the soft jaws if you remove the jaws.
In case you don’t feel like reading all of the above.
Plier Wrench, parallel jaw wrench
Cobra, water pump pliers
Cobolt, mini bolt cutters
Twingrip, screw slip joint pliers
Raptor, nut pliers.
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brandonsmash
Well-known member
- Joined
- Sep 8, 2016
- Messages
- 215
10" Cobras are my go-to. Between the shop, the garage, the warehouse, and the work vehicles I probably own 9 of this size alone.
Pliers Wrenches are a second to Cobras, at least in my shops.
Pliers Wrenches are a second to Cobras, at least in my shops.
Nick Rivers
Well-known member
10" Pliers Wrench. It is used more to squeeze and straighten metal than for wrenching fasteners.
Also have a 5" pair to augment my motorcycle tool kit.
Also have a 5" pair to augment my motorcycle tool kit.
sparky 1971
Well-known member
10" Cobras for me day to day at work. Outside of the job, I really don't have a favorite but I do know I don't like Cobras in a shop setting, too much screwing around adjusting the size. If I didn't have enough Channellock pliers in the shop to supply an army, Alligators might get the nod there.
Dave455
Well-known member
The regular combination pliers for me.
I like 7 inch pliers for general use (6 inch are too small, 8 inch I can’t open enough with my hand size) but not every manufacturer offers them.
I’ve got multiple pairs, though admittedly I’m in the U.K. and Knipex tools are cheaper than the U.S.
I like 7 inch pliers for general use (6 inch are too small, 8 inch I can’t open enough with my hand size) but not every manufacturer offers them.
I’ve got multiple pairs, though admittedly I’m in the U.K. and Knipex tools are cheaper than the U.S.
oldschoolcraft
Well-known member
5 years and over 4k posts and you dont own any knipex pliers? Is this real life?
I probably have around 40 pairs. I like Cobras, Pliers Wrench, Cobolt, Wire Strippers, Twin Grips, VDE Handle Linesman Pliers.
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KnurledNut
Well-known member
All of them!
High leverage diagonal cutters. 10"/250mm. I don't have a comparable tool in size, quality, and capability in any other brand. No other diagonals have taken the abuse I've put them through.
I've carried a 6"/150mm Cobra on me every day for years. Its impressive what that little thing can accomplish and it's earned its keep as a highly valued sidekick.
Wamsutta
Well-known member
The pliers wrench for me, cobra next, followed by the smallish bolt cutters. That's my collection the rest are SO and Klien. A better Gateway is a bottle of JD old #7 and a pretty girl for me...tho.
Paul_The_Builder
Well-known member
Cobras for sure
Once you go Ka-nip-ex, you don't go ka-back-ex.
Once you go Ka-nip-ex, you don't go ka-back-ex.
RedneckWelder
Well-known member
Cobras.
oldschoolcraft
Well-known member
It won't stop there. I got all of the sizes. And then start getting multiples of some sizes so I could have a pair of them in one kit. And then I started getting triplicates and quadruplicates because I wanted to put them in multiple kits. Then I started getting different finishes and grip styles.
This hobby gets expensive. Get out while you still can! Just go buy Quinn pliers at Harbor Freight.
cody1325
Well-known member
For me, it was the 125mm Cobras; shortly followed by the 140mm linesman's.
I now have those two, plus the 250mm Cobras (currently missing--been stuck with my old Channellock 420s in their place), 160mm linesman's (for in-between staves on fencing jobs), 200mm linesman's (which are in my basement toolbox as my regular linesman's for that box), 200mm Cobolt (mostly for fencing, but they cut anything I shouldn't cut with my linesman's), and TwinGrips (best slip-joint style pliers ever!).
I now have those two, plus the 250mm Cobras (currently missing--been stuck with my old Channellock 420s in their place), 160mm linesman's (for in-between staves on fencing jobs), 200mm linesman's (which are in my basement toolbox as my regular linesman's for that box), 200mm Cobolt (mostly for fencing, but they cut anything I shouldn't cut with my linesman's), and TwinGrips (best slip-joint style pliers ever!).
I got my first pair of Cobras (10") like 25 yrs ago off a Matco truck. I had never heard of Knipex before that. They weren't a "game changer" for me (I hate that term/pharse), I just got em cause I hated Channelocks or tongue & groove pliers. I still have em too, they don't have as many notches/positions as current models.
Wasn't until quite some yrs later that I started buying more sizes of Cobras. But Pliers Wrench I was excited about. Cost more than I wanted to spend for pliers but I liked em so much I ended buying more too.
7"/180mm is also my favorite size (but if I could only have one it would be 10") for both but I unintentionally eventually ended up with every size. But they're not all organized nicely in a single drawer, they're scattered in a few different places.
Yeah I know there are the baby models now but I don't care for them. 125mm is already borderline too small IMO & the baby sizes are way overpriced IMO for what they are.
I did recently get these "blackies" (well they're not really black anymore, more like gunmetal gray these days). Didn't need em, just wanted them but Pliers Wrenches are even more expensive now. Had a 3Camel alert set for a while & when the price finally dropped to what I was ok with (briefly) I jumped on them. All my others are the older style.
Wasn't until quite some yrs later that I started buying more sizes of Cobras. But Pliers Wrench I was excited about. Cost more than I wanted to spend for pliers but I liked em so much I ended buying more too.
7"/180mm is also my favorite size (but if I could only have one it would be 10") for both but I unintentionally eventually ended up with every size. But they're not all organized nicely in a single drawer, they're scattered in a few different places.
Yeah I know there are the baby models now but I don't care for them. 125mm is already borderline too small IMO & the baby sizes are way overpriced IMO for what they are.
I did recently get these "blackies" (well they're not really black anymore, more like gunmetal gray these days). Didn't need em, just wanted them but Pliers Wrenches are even more expensive now. Had a 3Camel alert set for a while & when the price finally dropped to what I was ok with (briefly) I jumped on them. All my others are the older style.
First, I thought it was pliers wrench. Then I got tired of the space limitations and the fumbly, inconvenient (to me) adjustment. I liked the jaws and performance of the Cobras but the same issue with the adjustment. I bought Alligators and like them better but still think adjusting is a pain. The Twin-Grip nearly made my top recommendation because I reach for them so often.
But.......my favorite Knipex (that I have) is the 08 21 185. These are some tough sonsabitches. I used the hell out of them wiring my basement and now they have become my go to needle nose pliers. Mind you, I own around a dozen pairs of needle nose and these are by far my favorites. Been pondering the smaller set but have been getting by without them.
As for fisrt time buying Knipex, I suggest you handle them and consider what you will be using them for. Knipex makes great products but I've found that some of them lean toward gimmicky. Probably because they're more of a specialty thing. Consider your own needs before you pay for a high dollar pair of pliers that you won't like or use.
But.......my favorite Knipex (that I have) is the 08 21 185. These are some tough sonsabitches. I used the hell out of them wiring my basement and now they have become my go to needle nose pliers. Mind you, I own around a dozen pairs of needle nose and these are by far my favorites. Been pondering the smaller set but have been getting by without them.
As for fisrt time buying Knipex, I suggest you handle them and consider what you will be using them for. Knipex makes great products but I've found that some of them lean toward gimmicky. Probably because they're more of a specialty thing. Consider your own needs before you pay for a high dollar pair of pliers that you won't like or use.
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I've had maybe 6 other Knipex pliers. The Cobra's and TwinGrip at are what I actually use and sold the others.
john.k
Well-known member
My meagre Knipex collection all come from breakins to the yard next to mine ......seems thieves want to use the best when they are cutting fences in the dark ..... then discard the evidence .............the Cobolts are great for sure ,but no way Id be paying that much for a small cutter .
scooby074
Well-known member
150mm Plierswrench. So damn handy!
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oldschoolcraft
Well-known member
You did what to the other tools? Sorry, I dont understand the sentence you wrote there
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
My favorite Knipex pliers are the 08 21 185.
just a real handy pair of pliers
just a real handy pair of pliers
I have the 145mm/6" version of those. They are 1 of 3 of my most favorite needle nose pliers I have ever owned in my life. I like them so much I purchased a second one last month
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I'm solidly in the 10" cobras camp for this one
You did what to the other tools? Sorry, I dont understand the sentence you wrote there
I passed them along so others could use and enjoy them more than I did.
I'm not a tool collector... although these days I'm on the path to holding that title.
oldpliers1
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jun 30, 2021
- Messages
- 731
It’s a great question! And playing on your words ( can’t live without) The Wire strippers and plastic pliers, i strip “alive” wires with the strippers and contect and fit that “alive “ wire with the plastic plier. ( working live is now outlawed but it was common practice as banks and computer rooms etc wanted no down time). As you know I have a lot of knipex I think there good stuff !
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GarageHobbyist
Well-known member
I don't have the Knipex Plier Wrench, but I have a different brand and I use them way more than I thought.
Buy what you like and what you think would work best, be the most useful for whatever you're doing with it, whatever you're working on.
There is always cross over, but every tool really is designed to serve a purpose, a task it does better than others.
What do you want a pair of pliers for? What do you work on? Of the knipex I own (more than reasonable...), my favorite are my linesman's pliers. But the ones I use the most are the 10 or 12" cobras, or maybe the dykes, because those match the stuff I'm working on. so figure out what you use most -- or would use, if you have a gap in your line up -- and get those. (or ask about them first, if you'd like. The knipex lineup isn't perfect, there are some pliers that are not as good as they could be. I have some knipex locking pliers, which are .... fine. they work, but they're not really any better than a pair of vise grips were when pedersen made them in NE.)
john.k
Well-known member
I also have a couple of Knipex Alligators ..the old style straight slot ones ......some druggie left these when I caught him trying to steal transformer cores in broad daylight ...........I had to explain what he was stealing was actually PCB filled line capacitors ,and the PCB might kill him...he says he might try some later on...................i find the alligators surprising...youd think the slot would widen out and the joint would slip under load,but it doesnt ..........never the less ,if I want to do anything serious ,Its the channelock for me ...they cant slip or spring.
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oldschoolcraft
Well-known member
Its not an addiction until you've electrocuted yourself for it.