Ignorance Of The Knipex Cobras

[Tbird22]

I know im a little late in the game, but im really trying to understand one question about the cobras and that is: do they replace/are they capable of doing the work of vice grips?
I have seen videos of them loosening worn bolts, and what not but I havent seen an answer to things like, grabbing spinning stabilizer links, stripped inner tie rod ends, rotating a rack and pinion to find the center etc.
I wouldnt necessarily chuck my vice grips, but if the cobras sole quality is to remove rounded bolts, Im not sure how much of a priority it is for me to jump on the knipex bandwagon.
what do people prefer for automotive work, the 7 1/4 or the 10s?
do people like the minis (5inch)?
Please feel free to add any more useful information!

 

[sparky 1971]

They do everything the traditional Channellock tongue and groove pliers do. Only better.

 

[Dave455]

They don’t really replace vice grips, although they can do some of the tasks.

All they really are is water pump pliers (to use a British term). They differ from other water pump pliers in that they have a push button to adjust (which works well) and they are available in small sizes.

I think they sell well in the U.S. because European style combination pliers (my most used pliers) are not commonly available. In fairness, you can get much more gripping strength with water pump pliers than you can with conventional ones, which can be useful.

I’ve picked up a few pairs of these and find them useful, probably the 10 inch most often, but I find the small ones incredibly useful as well.

With the small ones you can actually exert enough force to turn a small bolt or round shaft, which you can’t generally do with regular pliers of the same size. That’s useful in a small / flat tool, so quite often I find myself carrying the 6 inch Cobra’s and a bit driver, when I have no other tools on me!

 

[CallumRD1]

The only time I use a pair of vise grips over a pair of Cobras is when I need to grab something and have it stay grabbed when I let go of the pliers. If it's a situation where I'm holding onto the pliers, then I'll use Cobras and they've never failed me. (*They once failed me when I was trying to put a lot of force onto a very small piece of hardened tool steel and the steel ripped out of the jaws of the cobra mangling the teeth. My fault for putting them in a scenario where they were unlikely to come out intact.) My favorite size is the 7-1/4" because I do a lot of smaller work, but if I was to only have one pair it would be the 10" size. (I also have the 5" model in my desk at work for dealing with recalcitrant delicate parts in the laser lab and I have the 6" model in my desk at home for general around-the-house type work.)

 

[Firebrick43]

They come close to replacing vice grips but not quite. That being said if I could only have one it would be the cobras as they do many tough jobs quickly. Add a set of knives pliers wrenches and you really have a winning combo. Much better than a crescent wrench.

 

[finn]

Can’t use them as welding clamps, so the answer is no, they don’t replace Vice Grips.

 

[BFHtime]

No, they do not lock. Also they flex quite a bit compared to channel locks. They are lighter, but as strong or durable. They do not do well with twisting.

 

[Parrothead]

They can do some of the same tasks, but as a resident of the rust belt, Vise Grips will always be a necessary tool.

 

[metaleltr]

They don’t really replace vice grips, although they can do some of the tasks.

All they really are is water pump pliers (to use a British term). They differ from other water pump pliers in that they have a push button to adjust (which works well) and they are available in small sizes.

I think they sell well in the U.S. because European style combination pliers (my most used pliers) are not commonly available. In fairness, you can get much more gripping strength with water pump pliers than you can with conventional ones, which can be useful.

I’ve picked up a few pairs of these and find them useful, probably the 10 inch most often, but I find the small ones incredibly useful as well.

With the small ones you can actually exert enough force to turn a small bolt or round shaft, which you can’t generally do with regular pliers of the same size. That’s useful in a small / flat tool, so quite often I find myself carrying the 6 inch Cobra’s and a bit driver, when I have no other tools on me!

In a quick search for european combination pliers I find what Is generally referred to here as lineman's pliers. Which are somewhat common here, particular among the electrical trades.

 

[240sxguy]

I got a pair several years ago, they're awesome pliers. I tend to grab them first, the jaws are very sharp and can bite into dang near anything.

 

[RedneckWelder]

Replace vise grips? No

Replace normal water pump pliers with ones that grip like crazy? Yes. I have the biggest ones and they are awesome.

 

[WittHay]

Bought my first Cobra the 10" size last year. One of my least used pliers.

If it is easy any tool can be used to remove something. Slip-joint plier, European linesman/combo, water pump, Vise-grip, pipe wrench or Crescent wrench. If it is hard Vise Grip, pipe wrench, double wrenches/ wrench extenders or the open ends with teeth.

To me me you have to think about what use for a Cobra, Not too dirty, have access for a angled plier, something soft so those hard teeth can bite into like a brass pipe fitting but not too large or tough as the teeth grip and loosening force is governed by how strong your hands are.

 

[anndel]

Replace Vise-Grips? No way if you need to lock the grip. It's ok sort of like Channellocks but you have to press the button to adjust everytime. Channellocks just slide to adjust which I prefer. I bought the automatic adjusting Knipex Cobra last year and that's an awesome pair of slip joint pliers.

 

[ClappedOutBport]

The design of the vise grip gives a theoretical infinite mechanical advantage assuming completely inelastic material. That's not the case in the real world, but it is to say that no class 1 lever pliers will ever match the grip strength of vise grips due to their design. The biggest advantage of vise grips is the holding power, and less the locking.

 

[Avenging Bankroll]

nothing

 

[lardy1]

I've had a pair in a shopping cart for quite awhile now. I'm intrigued by their range of possible uses and effectiveness. In short, I think they are probably a very nice, useful tool.

But....every time I revisit that cart I try to think of something they will do for me that I don't already have covered by at least one other option and I can't justify it in my particular case. Very, very tempting, though.

 

[bwringer]

Crikey, why all the agony? Just buy a pair and try 'em out. They're not THAT expensive.

I've found that I use mine for all sorts of inappropriate things; they're made so precisely that you can use them to get an absolutely overwhelming grab onto surprisingly small stuff.

And as mentioned the teeth are very hard, so sometimes they'll dig in to stuff other pliers won't. (Obviously, marring the work like that isn't always a good thing.)

But no, they're not locking pliers and don't replace locking pliers in many uses.

I'd get the smaller pair; cheaper and you'll probably find more uses for them. If you don't like them, sell them off and you'll get some of your money back.

 

[qqzj]

They don't replace vice grip. In fact, they don't replace my Irwin pliers. Whenever I need a tool, I reach for the cheaper ones first. I grab the more expensive ones only when the cheaper ones won't work, which is never.

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