Icon "s-jaw adjustable pliers"

[AJHD]

Does anyone have a pair of these pliers?

I've seen some older posts and videos on YT, but nothing recent and nothing really about how well they work or hold up over time.

Speaking of these "Swedish style pipe wrenches" (brand not important)...

What do you use them for and how often do you use them?

Do you recommend owning/using them or do you opt for an alternative tool that works better for your use?

I had a pair of the Snap On PWZ pliers a few years ago, but I don't think that I ever used them and traded them back into my dealer at some point.

 

[four.cycle]

Does anyone have a pair of these pliers?

^ That particular design of "pipe wrench" is actually quite old. They've been popular in Russia and eastern Europe for decades.

I do not own any of this type. I have over a dozen conventional "pipe wrenches" here, none of which see much use, and all of which are on the block (unless I already shipped them out to unwitting GJ members.)


Lever Pipe Wrench 2020 Novoborisk Tool catalog pp 15

 

[KnurledNut]

I use a 600mm version. The jaws open to around 85mm. It doesn’t get used often, but has been beneficial to have around on several occasions.
Mine have a head angle similar to the ICON version, maybe a little steeper, and will get where a standard 90° pipe wrench won’t work.
I’ve also used them as giant pliers for pressing things together, also not possible with a fixed handle pipe wrench.
They have a narrower jaw and have worked where a 24” pipe wrench jaw was too wide but I needed more leverage than my 400mm cobras offered.
For general pipefitting, I still prefer Ridgid aluminum pipe wrenches, for similar reasons why I will sometimes choose an adjustable wrench over my Knipex pliers wrench.

 

[rust in the eye]

That is a Swedish pipe wrench. Can't speak to the Icon version but expect it would be good quality.
I like them a lot as they have a powerful grip but they do take some getting used to after using Stillson types for years.

 

[Hakeem]

I have a few of the Snapons because they were on special one week, including this 30” beast:


They’re a bit more versatile than pipe wrenches but not as well suited for pipe fitting/plumbing. I’d compare them to vice grips. Mine come out for moving stubborn, oddly shaped objects. Mangled fasteners, recalcitrant oil filters, etc. I’d say the 13” and 21” sizes are most useful.

 

[Mr Ratchet]

Yep, I have the 21" Icons. They have worked well on every thing I have used them on so far
I mainly use them for removing the top/lid on my pools chlorine hopper. I've also used them for some plumbing and every thing else where I need a bigger capacity opening. I think the curved jaw works better on pipes than the flat jaws. One on my techs at work also has the 30" SO.

 

[sparky 1971]

I have one of each of the three sizes of Icon's. So far I've used the small set running 1/2" black pipe for my air compressor. They took some getting used to but eventually I liked them more than a pipe wrench. The other two sets have sat in the bottom of my box since the day I brought them home over a year ago. There will be a time and place that they come out, but hopefully not in the near future.

 

[Steel_Rain]

I purchased these recently and will put them to use later this year for a plumbing project / home refurb my buddy bought in the Spring:



Build quality is solid and I like the grips, but I have zero time using them yet.

 

[Nobody-named-Olli]

It’s a heavy duty tool. For most stuff I prefer 180 or 250mm Cobras, but when stuff needs to move that doesn’t want to move and you preferably have two hands to operate the tool …





Kind regards,
Olli

 

[KnurledNut]

It’s a heavy duty tool. For most stuff I prefer 180 or 250mm Cobras, but when stuff needs to move that doesn’t want to move and you preferably have two hands to operate the tool …





Kind regards,
Olli

Thats such a cool looking wrench! Whats the length of it?

 

[Nobody-named-Olli]

@KnurledNut Those Heyco are sweet!

I would call mine roughly 300mm give or take, but they are a lot beefier than the typical 250mm quick adjusts.

Here are some pictures with measuring tape.







Kind regards,
Olli

 

[YesIHaveAHammer]

I have a Knipex one in the fast adjust variant. They're made by their subsidiary Rennsteig, and also available directly in their own colour:

Pipe Wrenches for construction and industry | RENNSTEIG Quality tools

Pipe Wrenches from RENNSTEIG for construction and industry – for demanding applications and reliable results. View the range now!

www.rennsteig.com

What do you use them for and how often do you use them?

I got the 420mm (16.5") one with the S type jaw. I didn't have anything comparable that's relatively long and will bite onto anything, for when you have some really stuck mashed up thing, or an awkward shaped thing, or a stuck round pin you're trying to loosen, that needs to be twisted or held in place while you twist or hammer it something else. I've used it on a couple of old gate hangers and eyes.

It satisfied my curiosity anyway and I've had some use of it, so at those Icon prices in your screenshot I'd certainly try one, if only the 17" initially. But if I thought 100% with my head I'd probably go for a large cobra in the same size, for my purposes.

Do you recommend owning/using them or do you opt for an alternative tool that works better for your use?

The question I considered was should I get one of these, a normal pipe wrench, or a 400mm water pump Cobra type plier. Cobras are more versatile and open wider (90mm vs. 60mm), normal pipe wrenches are less versatile and more cumbersome for the same capability. The teeth are coarser than on a same size Cobra and the jaw is wider.

I have a couple of bookmarks here from back when I was choosing one, that may be of further interest:

1. https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/swedish-pattern-pipe-wrench.182356/
2. https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/tools-from-the-old-world.28952/page-834#post-9181380
4. https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/knipex-cobra-vs-s-type-pipe-wrench.518134/
5. https://www.garagejournal.com/forum...-pipe-wrench-users-jaw-forms-din-5234.482549/
6. https://www.garagejournal.com/forum...a-vs-vise-grip-vs-swedish-pipe-wrench.533281/