Knipex Cobra knock-offs at Tractor Supply

[Revtach]

I stumbled upon these yesterday when I was browsing my local Tractor Supply store. They were in the clearance rack for $9.99 for a set of 10" and 12". They also had a 16" which was selling for $9.99 as well.

They are made in China out of chrome vanadium steel. They are clearly knock-offs of the Knipex Cobras. I bet the quality of the steel is lower than genuine Knipex, however the design is still very good with the locking slide mechanism and the narrow jaws. I'm wondering if for $9.99 this would still be a great deal despite being knock offs? Honestly they didn't feel too cheap when I handled them. The hinges on the 10" and 12" were pretty tight with not much side to side play, however on the 16" the tolerance in the hinges were very loose so I'd probably pass on those unless you could find a pair that happened to be machined better.

What do you guys think? Might be a good junkyard set.

<a href="https://ibb.co/g2zco5"><img src="https://preview.ibb.co/eUO3T5/IMG_2013.jpg" alt="IMG_2013" border="0"></a>
<a href="https://ibb.co/m1fvak"><img src="https://preview.ibb.co/jT4MFk/IMG_2014.jpg" alt="IMG_2014" border="0"></a>
<a href="https://ibb.co/mdNxo5"><img src="https://preview.ibb.co/bVXaak/IMG_2015.jpg" alt="IMG_2015" border="0"></a>
<a href="https://ibb.co/iCXxo5"><img src="https://preview.ibb.co/hfwOT5/IMG_2018.jpg" alt="IMG_2018" border="0"></a>
<a href="https://ibb.co/btUMFk"><img src="https://preview.ibb.co/nLD3T5/IMG_2019.jpg" alt="IMG_2019" border="0"></a>
<a href="https://ibb.co/i78sMQ"><img src="https://preview.ibb.co/hD78vk/IMG_2012.jpg" alt="IMG_2012" border="0"></a>
<a href="https://ibb.co/hUKMFk"><img src="https://preview.ibb.co/fv06gQ/IMG_2016.jpg" alt="IMG_2016" border="0"></a>

 

[jumbojak]

I looked at those a few weeks ago when I was in TS. The teeth are what really stand out about cobras to my eye and I can't imagine the knock offs would hold up, even very soft materials. If anyone gives them a shot I'd be interested to see how well they hold up over time.

 

[DonglordActual]

Those channels look sloppier and the metal tab the button presses into does not look as strong as a Knipex. I wonder if they are sufficiently distinct to not run afoul of the patents.

You would think that there would be more clones at hardware stores but I have not seen any with a button like a Knipex. I think it may be more of a Channellock / America thing than a patent thing. Europeans seem to have push-button channellocks.

 

[davethorik]

Those channels look sloppier and the metal tab the button presses into does not look as strong as a Knipex. I wonder if they are sufficiently distinct to not run afoul of the patents.

You would think that there would be more clones at hardware stores but I have not seen any with a button like a Knipex. I think it may be more of a Channellock / America thing than a patent thing. Europeans seem to have push-button channellocks.

Irwin makes a knockoff with a button, and I think Milwaukee makes one as well. I'll stick to Knipex.

 

[DonglordActual]

You're right. Now that I think of it, I remember the Irwin ones at Lowe's being not particularly smooth.

 

[Farmall450]

That's a very good clone for 2 for $10. Looks better than the Irwins even, although we have a few of those that have actually held up really well.

 

[CNGsaves]

I wish I'd read this thread earlier as went to TSC today to get 50 cent sockets.

Might check those out next time I'm there as $10 could work for extra set in other vehicle.

 

[SuperCat]

I'm a Channellock fan, but for 10 bucks, how can you lose? They look pretty solid to me. I have the Irwin clones of the Knipex and they are okay, but feel flimsy and I don't trust them not to break under pressure. Those look like the perfect set for the shed, truck, or junkyard, where they might get lost, stolen, or abused (or all of the above). Go for it, what else can you get for 10 bones?

 

[hefnerconstructionlc]

I have many pairs of the cobras and those knockoffs are very very close. I have both in my shop and use both equally. I am pleasantly surprised for a measly ten bucks. Will have to see how the teeth do over time.

 

[Sunset_Z28]

After reading this thread I ran over to my local tractor supply and picked up a pair. I'll give 'em hell at work next week.

 

[shockwave]

For light use these should be good but like mentioned before the teeth I would like to see after light use

Real tool reviews has a decent video of Irwin vs knipex cobra pliers

 

[Ign]

Knipex at TSC:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=350527

 

[maintguy]

I saw these yesterday while at tsc. I didn't pull the trigger after having them in my cart. They looked decent, I just didn't want to drop the $ 10. maybe next week

 

[ToolNuttt]

Doubt they'll last. Ive been using my cobras for years and it still grips good with a few chipped tooth.

 

[PureLeaf]

Cobras are the cheapest of the Knipex too. If you think Knipex are too expensive, then get channellocks.

 

[Tornado]

These seem to be clones of the older cobra design. Amazed at how close they are, slight difference in the jaws but amazingly close overall. As someone said earlier, time will tell how the jaws hold up.

 

[Empty Pockets]

I picked up a set today, going in the box in the car's trunk. Time will tell.

 

[B_Lafayet]

Picked up a set as well. Thanks to the OP

 

[Trey T]

anyone know why I can't find this type of knipex T&G style anymore?

These appears to be current T&G design w/ teeth instead

 

[LB-1911]

Where you been looking?

Knipex Alligator Pliers

https://www.google.com/search?q=ALL...e&ie=UTF-8#q=knipex+alligator+pliers&tbm=shop

 

[67King]

anyone know why I can't find this type of knipex T&G style anymore?

Not looking in the right places? Those are Alligators. I have several Cobras I bought due to the hype, but actually prefer the less expensive Alligators. Here are a few places from which I've bought Knipex that have them listed.


http://www.tooltopia.com/search.aspx?find=knipex+alligator

https://mobiledistributorsupply.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=knipex+alligator

https://chadstoolbox.com/search.php?search_query=knipex+alligator

 

[Trey T]

lol... I wasn't. Got confused w/ gator and cobra ... learned something new today.

 

[cashishift]

Tractor Supply is basically the rural Harbor Freight.

Everything is from overseas.

 

[IndyGarage]

I actually have had good luck with the Irwins as well as the Milwaukees.

The Irwins are actually quite a good substitute. I really like their button open but ratchet shut design - makes it much easier to use. Irwin jaws are a little less sharp than Knipex.

Milwaukees are a bit bulkier to handle and the head is a bit different shape. They seem to be built a bit beefier than either Irwin or Knipex. Milwaukee button is the same as Knipex - push to open and close. If you hold the handle near the end, the Milwaukee has an ergonomic bend to it that makes them really nice to hold.

The Knipex are the crudest looking of all three, but they have great ergonomics and they are very thin light and strong, I look at them every time I go to Menards and then see the price and settle for the others.

 

[LandofRath]

Real Tool reviews did a review on them today

 

[B_Lafayet]

Real Tool reviews did a review on them today

Thanks for the post. Time for a return of those knock offs that I bought next time I go to TSC

 

[ADSR]

After that review from Daniel, I'd buy all 3.

 

[Local]

After that review from Daniel, I'd buy all 3.

Did you see the end of the video? I was going to go try them out until the jhe showed the jaws at the end of the video.

 

[lightning02]

not worth buying the fake ones at any price. the teeth dont last. doesnt matter how good they are if the teeth dont last they are useless. he used them just in testing and they showed all that ware.

 

[ADSR]

Did you see the end of the video? I was going to go try them out until the jhe showed the jaws at the end of the video.

I'd keep them in a road kit, and if they save you just one time, it's worth the 10 beans.

 

[oldtools]

I am guessing the patent expired.

 

[Revtach]

I wonder if this thread inspired him to make the video lol?

Interesting though. I'd say that for $20 for all 3 sizes, it is still worth it despite the teeth showing wear so quickly. I find all sorts of applications for my regular Knipex Cobras, and hardly ever do I need them to clamp down really hard on something and apply my full bodyweight to twist. No doubt the teeth will wear faster on these knock offs, but for the price I believe the design alone makes them worth it for something like a junkyard set.

 

[jumbojak]

I grabbed the 16" version this Tuesday. I needed some big honkin' pliers and happened to be passing by TSC on the way to pick up some parts. They work okay, but the locking mechanism is a bit rough. You really have to jiggle them for the lock to catch.

One suprise though. When I squeezed them I felt some resistance but didn't think much of it. After a few uses the resistance got progressively weaker to the point I thought the handles were going to snap off. Finally there was a "ping" as the too long screw that holds the locking tab snapped off!

They had me worried for a minute...

 

[FSrepair&fabrication]

sounds too cheap to be any good. I made the mistake of buying the irwin pliers set last year. They wore out really quick so now all theyre good for is pinching your fingers every time you try to grip something the lock just slips on the teeth and you squeeze your fingers between the handles. knipex are well worth the extra $, if you want decent cheapish pliers some regular blue channelocks cant be beat.

 

[jumbojak]

They are very cheap but when they start to wear I'll just put them in one of the farm trucks for emergency use. Heck, they're heavy enough to function as a hammer in a pinch so there's always that. Fairly substantial any way you look at them.

 

[McFarmer]

I personally consider it a moral obligation to not support companies that blatantly produce cheap knockoffs.

If on the other hand patents have expired and the field is wide open, then maybe.


But that's me.

 

[geartow]

so after having these for over a year . i give them a good to go for the money. the 10 inchers have been in my drive line bag which goes on every tow ,pulling air fittings from air tanks is there main use and installing air fittings to air up trucks for towing . also using them to twist coat hanger ends together to hold up driveshafts.

 

[Mohawk Dave]

I have the Knipex and the TSC.

I leave the TSC ones on my work bench for what I call "demo work". Use them for dirty, nasty, stuff. Use them to hold stuff that I have to heat up with a torch. Use them to brutally bend metal in demo situations. Pretty much any scenario where I don't want to ruin or damage my Knipex.

For the $20 I spent, I definitely got my $ worth.

Also, Ive said it before, I don't carry cheap tools in the vehicles. I carry the best, b/c being stranded *****, so I want to mitigate any chance of failure from vehicles to tools to being prepared.

 

[Jeremy77]

I have a pair of the 16” ones. The push button tends to twist while opening and closing them, it then prevents them from locking in position. It happens frequently enough that I threw them in my “junk” tools bucket. I bought them on a whim...looking back, I definitely could’ve spent my 10 bucks better. Can’t speak to the smaller sizes.

 

[maico]

Don't you American guys ever tire of buying knock-off low quality tools

The pile it high and sell em cheap hucksters live on it seems, or in the case of the HF anvil quite expensive but still Chinese pot steel junk !