Knipex- Chrome vs. Black

[lardy1]

Is there any real difference in the functionality of Knipex pliers wrenches in black or chrome?

I want the ten inch version and it seems the price goes up every few days. The black can still be bought for just over fifty bucks. The chrome is always more and I don't know why? Is it just aesthetics?

 

[Landru]

i have been considering the same question. From my reading it seems that the chrome version will better resist rust.

 

[measuredtwice]

Prices look reasonable to me. As landru said, the chrome will have greater rust resistance. But all of them can rust. There are rusty ones on the shelf at my local Menards --it's probably from all the tire kickers handling them.

Chrome dipped $48.54-->
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005EXOK22/?tag=atomicindus08-20
Black dipped $51.99-->
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07JNFYMLX/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Chrome comfort grip $53.89
Black comfort grip $56.10
-->https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000X4J2EI/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[lardy1]

I'm also not sure of the difference between the 250 and the 250 SBA. Apparently a difference in the handle offset? The SBA seems to be priced a bit lower.

 

[measuredtwice]

I'm also not sure of the difference between the 250 and the 250 SBA. Apparently a difference in the handle offset? The SBA seems to be priced a bit lower.

This comes up a lot. There is no difference except the packaging. SBA is self service packaging. The other comes bulk packed and heavily oiled and wrapped in plastic bag. Buy whatever is cheaper. I think the bulk packaging is a better way of storage.

 

[American Locomotive]

I looked through the Knipex catalog and didn't see a mention of "SBA". I did see that they do offer a 15 degree offset handle though.

https://www.kctoolco.com/knipex-86-43-250-10-pliers-wrench-15-degree-angled-handle-plastic-grip/

I've had my black-finish pliers-wrench for about 6 months now, and they aren't rusty except for some very tiny little specs of rust on the flats of the jaw where they get abuse. I usually keep them in the center console of my truck.

I will say they are basically my most used tool now. I started keeping them in my truck instead of my toolbox because I got to a point where I'd be out somewhere or at a friend's house and constantly wishing I had them with me.

 

[Tallpilot]

I have both. The black versions will rust slightly on the polished areas. Easy to prevent with a little oil. There are also several different handle types. I like the grippy textured ones better than the slick vinyl.

 

[M6erfan]

I have black Cobras and chrome Pliers-Wrench. No functionality difference at all, but the black does get a tiny bit surface rust from time to time. Easily cleaned. Chrome can chip I suppose but my mine are years old and no sign of chrome failure. Matter of fact they look like new. Now, use them as a hammer and, YMMV...

 

[lardy1]

Thanks for the input. It cleared the confusion and I ordered the ten inch in chrome. That will give me the five, seven and ten inch models now. Excellent tools, by the way.

 

[egdede]

I thought the ones I bought years ago were nickle plated.

 

[Skin]

The chrome chips off the Cobra jaws. I bought one pair and it will be my last. The black atramentized also don't really rust unless you bathe them. Otherwise they hold up far better to cosmetic rusting than your standard steel finish like Channellock.

 

[Handyandy23]

Thanks for the input. It cleared the confusion and I ordered the ten inch in chrome. That will give me the five, seven and ten inch models now. Excellent tools, by the way.

What size do you find you use most for general use? Been wanting to get a pliers wrench for a while now to try out, but never sure on which size makes the most sense.

 

[lardy1]

I first bought the two pack of the five and seven inch models. My girlfriend does chain maile and immediately absconded the five inch pair. I've been using the seven inch to hold opposite fasteners and to hold small object firmly. The jaw range is decent on the seven inch but it seems too small in the handle to use at its upper capacity. For fifty bucks I think I'll get a lot of use of the ten inch. I have a lot of good, USA made adjustable wrenches and I've never liked using them. These make them almost obsolete.

 

[Handyandy23]

I first bought the two pack of the five and seven inch models. My girlfriend does chain maile and immediately absconded the five inch pair. I've been using the seven inch to hold opposite fasteners and to hold small object firmly. The jaw range is decent on the seven inch but it seems too small in the handle to use at its upper capacity. For fifty bucks I think I'll get a lot of use of the ten inch. I have a lot of good, USA made adjustable wrenches and I've never liked using them. These make them almost obsolete.

Thanks for that info. My main uses for adjustable wrenches are things like plumbing and other random jobs around the house. If I'm in the garage working on a car I've got a million "proper" wrenches to choose from.

Since most plumbing fittings are fairly large I was leaning 10", but wasn't sure if it would be obscenely large.

 

[M6erfan]

^^^ for plumbing 10", for automotive 7". I don't do much plumbing so I use my 7" probably 85% of the time.

 

[Dave455]

Difference in functionality - pretty much zero!

I have quite a few older adjustables, and the NON plated definitely last longer. The reason being that you don’t get chips, and you can stone out any dinks or burrs if you pick them up. If anyone thinks their wrench is likely to see hard use, perhaps get the black.

For general use, especially plumbing where it might get wet, the plated version probably has the edge. I doubt you will regret getting the 10 inch.

I find that most of the things I tend to use my pliers wrench on are not too hard on the jaws, so my plated ones are relatively unscathed, despite a fair amount of use. The way the tool works also helps though. The jaws are always clamped tight, so there’s no slipping, which is what generally causes damage.

Here in the U.K. there’s little difference between the price of the plated and the black, so I wouldn’t pay much of a premium for a plated one!

I use these things all the time, often for things I didn’t think I would. The reamer adjustment shown below is a metric size, but non standard, so out comes the pliers wrench! Similar deal with the machine vice. I’d normally find a square socket, but the pliers wrench works better, and doesn’t stress the corners.

I use these so much I carry the 10 inch in my road box now.

 

[KnurledNut]

Is there any real difference in the functionality of Knipex pliers wrenches in black or chrome?

I want the ten inch version and it seems the price goes up every few days. The black can still be bought for just over fifty bucks. The chrome is always more and I don't know why? Is it just aesthetics?

Depends. There are two designs. The original and an updated version.
You’ll want to be aware of which you are getting.

The original only came in chrome.
The 250mm opened to 46mm.
To my knowledge, it was only offered with the glossy plastic coated or multi-component grips.

The updated version can be had in chrome or grey atramentized (black).
The same size as above opens to 52mm.
In addition to the original style grips, the black comes with a dull textured non-slip coating like the Cobra.
This update also added a laser etched measurement scale to gauge the opening width.
They are lighter, being thinner in some areas.
The handles also function differently than the original, requiring a wider grip.

So if comparing old to new, yes they are different.
If comparing new to new, only the grips and color are different.

Owning and using both in the workforce, i would highly recommend buying the old style. For me, other than the wider opening, the new “features” make the tool lighter duty, which i dont need.

 

[pizza]

i'd go chrome.

the way i see it, it equals less rust and less maintenance over time.

here's my logic. lmk if you disagree..

can chrome chip? sure. but anywhere it chips, i would assume the black coating would have worn off just the same.

the way i see it, a chromed tool starts off needing no oil (no surface that can rust).
over time, some chipping may occur, and those small areas are then unprotected. at that point, you can oil it if you like.

compare that to a non-chromed tool which starts off with having a bunch of unprotected surface and likely accumulates more as the black coating gets scratched off.

eventually, both need oiling to fight corrosion, but the chromed one will always have less unprotected surface.

also, chrome looks sweet!

The chrome chips off the Cobra jaws. I bought one pair and it will be my last. The black atramentized also don't really rust unless you bathe them. Otherwise they hold up far better to cosmetic rusting than your standard steel finish like Channellock.

isn't it expected that the chrome would chip off on the working surface for something like that? would you not get chrome in the future just because it's more expensive or what?

edit: here's a fun read. not 100% applicable to knipex, but still relevant https://www.germantoolreviews.com/pros-cons-chrome-plated-pliers/

 

[Skin]

I wouldn't get chrome Cobras because it serves no purpose other than to fail. And no, not all chromed pliers have that problem. My Facom hand pliers are actually holding up. The atramentized ones wear just as hard and don't really rust either.

I'm not really bothered by cosmetic rusting on pliers. My channellocks, snap-ons, and craftsmans (WF) all have some variation of cosmetic corrosion and i'd rather have that than chipped chrome but the knipex black finish does work.

 

[American Locomotive]

I know people who have had the black Knipex cobras for a long time without any real meaningful amount of rust. I really wouldn't worry about the black coating.

I also wouldn't worry about the new vs. old revision of the pliers wrench. I have the newer version with the laser etching, the 2" opening and the slightly wider-set handle. Yeah the forgings are slightly "thinner" in some areas, but I've put a disgusting amount of force on my 10" unit without even the slightest sign of distress.

 

[Kasal]

It is still late, but I think you should go for the submerged handles, the comforts are too bulky and can be uncomfortable.

 

[PDub88]

Depends. There are two designs. The original and an updated version.
You’ll want to be aware of which you are getting.

The original only came in chrome.
The 250mm opened to 46mm.
To my knowledge, it was only offered with the glossy plastic coated or multi-component grips.

The updated version can be had in chrome or grey atramentized (black).
The same size as above opens to 52mm.
In addition to the original style grips, the black comes with a dull textured non-slip coating like the Cobra.
This update also added a laser etched measurement scale to gauge the opening width.
They are lighter, being thinner in some areas.
The handles also function differently than the original, requiring a wider grip.

So if comparing old to new, yes they are different.
If comparing new to new, only the grips and color are different.

Owning and using both in the workforce, i would highly recommend buying the old style. For me, other than the wider opening, the new “features” make the tool lighter duty, which i dont need.

What part numbers are the older models? I've been meaning to find a set of the older ones for this exact reason! Please and thank you!

 

[pizza]

afaik the part numbers are unchanged for the updated tools.

 

[Orangina]

Hello everyone,

I love chrome/chromium - also at my old cars and old tools in my hobby garage...

But some old chromium processes are no longer allowed today in some countries because of environmental toxins
(chromium VI, today used chromium III is also in discussion and could be banned someday).
And at tools for heavy duty this hard chrome layer can always flake off and cause lacerations and more.
I see it also at my old tools and old tool collection, that the chrome is not so durable over time at some tools also if well made.

So chrome looks nice and protects somehow against rust - but it is not always for all the best finish.
It depends what your are using the tools for... but IMHO bling-bling chrome is not my first choose at work.


Nickel plating is also now uncommon on body contact items (jewellery) due to nickel allergies -
I don't think this is used on hand tools any more of big brands.

regards,