Knipex Cobra Hose Clamp Pliers

[woodstockva]

Hey Everybody

I wanted to put together a video to show how the new Knipex Hose Clamp Pliers actually work. The pliers are based on the Cobra frame w/a unique jaw design that has two pivot points on either jaw that will spin 360 degrees. This allows you to grip onto a spring type clamp and remove it.....while turning the pliers left/right in order to get around obstacles.

There are still going to be many places that these are not going to work (clearance issues).....but I run into the same thing with the cable operated hose clamp pliers not fitting in simple places such as under the power steering fluid reservoir. So, no one pair of hose clamp pliers is always going to get the job done....but these will work in many situations.

The 2nd feature that they have built in the jaws, is the ability to grasp onto the hose & remove it from the fitting. This will save a step, and you can replace things (such as a heater hose) with just one tool.

Check out the video to see how the work!

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/tLk9gXezfeY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[Cope]

Thanks for the video.

I think the main problem with any hose clamp tool is the fact that when the engine is assembled, the assembler cares not how hard it will be to service it later, and this affects the angle at which the clamp is installed.

 

[dnschmidt]

These are very nice pliers. However, they are incredibly overpriced by at least a factor of two. I talked to the Knipex importer at AAPEX and he agreed that the price is completely nuts. When he told the Kinipex factory people this they said, I suppose in German, "We don't care." If you look at these pliers they are easier for Knipex to manufacture than a standard Cobra as they have no teeth which is a high cost manufacturing step these pliers don't require. Putting in the rotating cups is simple. The Germans priced this way too high. If they sold them for $50 they would be worth it and sell like hotcakes. At $100 the importer admitted that they are not selling well and frankly they aren't going to. When he approached Snap-On to sell these pliers on their trucks THEY TOLD HIM they were priced too high. If Snap-On tells you you're asking too much, buddy, you're asking too much.

 

[woodstockva]

Thanks for the video.

I think the main problem with any hose clamp tool is the fact that when the engine is assembled, the assembler cares not how hard it will be to service it later, and this affects the angle at which the clamp is installed.

You have that right!

These are very nice pliers. However, they are incredibly overpriced by at least a factor of two. I talked to the Knipex importer at AAPEX and he agreed that the price is completely nuts. When he told the Kinipex factory people this they said, I suppose in German, "We don't care." If you look at these pliers they are easier for Knipex to manufacture than a standard Cobra as they have no teeth which is a high cost manufacturing step these pliers don't require. Putting in the rotating cups is simple. The Germans priced this way too high. If they sold them for $50 they would be worth it and sell like hotcakes. At $100 the importer admitted that they are not selling well and frankly they aren't going to. When he approached Snap-On to sell these pliers on their trucks THEY TOLD HIM they were priced too high. If Snap-On tells you you're asking too much, buddy, you're asking too much.

I saw the test setup at AAPEX & SEMA, and the funny thing was that while I was standing at both booths....these were the pliers that everyone continued to try out and comment on. I agree that the price is at a premium, but I think the reason behind that is going to be the fact that it is a specialty tool that obviously is not going to hit the sales numbers of the standard Cobras & the fact that they had to pay for new dies/tooling for them specifically....not too mention if they designed them or are paying licensing royalties to use that design. On Amazon they are $75....

 

[Fedwrench]

Great review and video!!

I really want to like my Knipex hose clamp pliers but, I keep reaching for my older SP/Mayhew/KD/cable versions first. It takes some getting used to using them with the hold fixed handle against one clamp ear and slide the other jaw against the other jaw and squeeze. No lock feature is drawback too. I do like the small jaws that freely swivel though. I hope I get used to them but, I think they might get more drawer time than use though.
As for price, I think I paid about $70 when they first came out so, I don't think they're overpriced. All anyone has to do is get cut or pinched using a cheap pair of hose clamp pliers and you'll gladly pay more for something that won't draw blood.
I would actually like to see a smaller sized pair.

 

[Krokodil]

I've got a pair of these and like them a lot. Used them again today.