Knipex Cobolt or Gedore or ? Notched or full edge?

[measuredtwice]

I'm interested in buying a Cobolt or something like it and could use some advise.
Is Knipex the best or do you recommend the one from Gedore or another brand? Nothing from China or Taiwan, please.

Do any of you have both the notched and full edge Cobolt? Which do you prefer? I want something for general use... cutting steel springs, fencing, nails, hard wire. Will I be able to use the notched area for those things or is it only for larger stuff? Would it be better to get the full edge for 3mm and under hard wire so that I can use the edge closest to the joint for more leverage. Or do I need the notch for hard wire?

 

[Dave455]

I have the Knipex Cobolt. Great tool, just fills in the gap between big wire cutters and my smallest bolt croppers.

I have the notched ones, based on my experience with bolt croppers, and so far no complaints. I use these for everything.

If I was setting up a new set of tools, I’d probably include a pair of these, and just a small pair of regular wire cutters for thin wire and locking wire. I even use the Cobolts for cable ties!

 

[Mr_B]

knipex been about best i used and sensible pricing .

 

[Outwest]

I have Knipex cobalts and they are great. I just bought a pair of Bahco's from toolsdelivered, but haven't put them to the test yet.

 

[Professional Tool User]

I would buy the Knipex mini bolt cutters. It's the only option that I know of where I can buy it from a local dealer.

 

[Steve_P]

Another happy Cobolt user. The notch is for larger diameter stock.

They make 200 and also a 250 mm length one. I'm not sure if the 250 is new-ish, or just not as common, but I only discovered it recently: 71 31 250

 

[Firstram]

I use the 8" smooth, I wish I'd gotten the notch.

 

[measuredtwice]

Thank you for the feedback. I appreciate it .

 

[JBH]

Never seen the Gedore. If they don’t have a notched option the choice is Cobolt. If they do, they’re likely basically the same in use.

Mine are Cobolts but I often prefer Gedore pliers generally.

 

[Skin]

The Gedore ones seem like a cheap knock off. There is no return spring or lock.

 

[measuredtwice]

Never seen the Gedore. If they don’t have a notched option the choice is Cobolt. If they do, they’re likely basically the same in use.

Mine are Cobolts but I often prefer Gedore pliers generally.

Thanks for the input.

The Gedore ones seem like a cheap knock off. There is no return spring or lock.

The majority of the Knipex Cobolt don't have a spring or a lock either. It's only on a minority of the variations. I was actually looking at the Knipex without them. Is the spring worth the extra cash?

 

[Skin]

All my knipex have the comfort grips. I don't remember them having a version without the assist spring when I ordered mine. I'd pay an extra few bucks for it.

 

[measuredtwice]

I do prefer the dipped handles but will consider whether I want the spring (and therefore the comfort grips).

 

[SRSemenza]

Thanks for the input.



The majority of the Knipex Cobolt don't have a spring or a lock either. It's only on a minority of the variations. I was actually looking at the Knipex without them. Is the spring worth the extra cash?

I have the spring version. Not a deal breaker but it is really nice when you are doing a bunch of cuts in series.

I have the 8" with multi component (comfort) grips. Really like the grips! They are not soft or squishy at all. You get a little extra grip but they do not feel rubbery or tacky. And they can be wiped clean. What is really nice about them on the bolt cutter is the added thickness. Much easier on the hand when squeezing hard.

Seth

 

[JBH]

Is the spring worth the extra cash?

Yes.

 

[mrspeed]

Between Knipex, Gedore and Bahco, they all seem high quality to me. Knipex is made in Germany, Gedore in Austria and Bahco in Spain.

Knipex offers the widest range of configurations with different lengths, handle grips, spring or not, and notch or not. You can see in the pictures, it's the one I usually reach for, mostly because of the extra leverage I get from the extra length of the 250mm handles. I believe the longer 250mm version just came out a year or so ago.

I think the Bahco may have a stouter design though. With the Knipex and Gedore, the only pivot point is where the two rivets are that you see in the cross plate. The Bahco though seem to also have a sliding joint between the faces of the two handles where they cross below that. I'm not sure you can see it in the pictures, but I tried to show it.

In the end, I prefer the longer handles available on the Knipex, the textured dipped handles of the Gedore and the extra reinforced hinge of the Bahco.




Sent from my Pixel 2 using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[MJK]

250mm Knipexes work a treat, and are quite reasonably priced on Amazon.de. I wish there were a hard handled version available, but I rarely have to use enough pressure that it matters. I'd buy them again in an instant.

 

[measuredtwice]

Thanks for the photos and opinions. Very helpful!

 

[Steve_P]

I'm not a huge fan of the comfort grips but in this case I prefer them. I wish they offered the 250 mm in comfort grip. No idea why they don't

 

[measuredtwice]

Thanks for the feedback. During the clearance sale yesterday, I ordered the 200mm Cobolt with notch and spring

 

[measuredtwice]

Got them today. Seems like I'll be happy with the choice to go with the notch, spring and fancy grips. Paid $37 at Wally World during their pricing battle with Amazon.