knipex : cobra or alligator?
- Thread starter pete379
- Start date
Diesel-Mech
Well-known member
Cobra, the push button lock is much better than the tongue and groove style.
boogerboy72
Well-known member
- Joined
- Aug 30, 2009
- Messages
- 212
IndyGarage
Well-known member
Cobra - by a mile.
garfunkle24
Well-known member
Definitely Cobras. I can't actually think of an advantage of the Alligator.
Z06 427
Well-known member
Don't buy the Cobras. Once you buy the first you will want the whole set. Same with the plier wrenches.
fatfillup
Well-known member
I have owned and used both for quite a while. I used alligator for many years (15+) and love them. Got my first cobras a few years back and didn't care for them at first as they were stiff to adjust compared to the alligators. After using them a while and getting them broke in so they adjust easily, I probably prefer the cobras. The adjustment stays locked in place until you push the button and move it. The alligators will move on their own when you sit them down.
The alligators open wider then cobras which can be an advantage. If I was buying new and paying retail, I'd buy the cobras. That said I bought a pair of alligator 10 inch at an auction Friday night along with a few other pliers and paid $17 for a new pair of alligators and the others.(the others weren't much) I'd have gone a little higher if necessary.
To give you an idea of how much I like and use them, I worn out at least 5 pair and my regular customers know if I ask them to get my red pliers, they come back with the right tool.
You can't go wrong with either but I'd reccomend the cobras
NOTE: They are used multiple times daily and every mechanic that I have had has bought at least 3 pair after using mine.
The alligators open wider then cobras which can be an advantage. If I was buying new and paying retail, I'd buy the cobras. That said I bought a pair of alligator 10 inch at an auction Friday night along with a few other pliers and paid $17 for a new pair of alligators and the others.(the others weren't much) I'd have gone a little higher if necessary.
To give you an idea of how much I like and use them, I worn out at least 5 pair and my regular customers know if I ask them to get my red pliers, they come back with the right tool.
You can't go wrong with either but I'd reccomend the cobras
NOTE: They are used multiple times daily and every mechanic that I have had has bought at least 3 pair after using mine.
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whaler2001
Well-known member
I love my Cobras. Use them DAILY.
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Screw the snake, buy alligators. I have both types. I personally prefer the alligators. I'm not a fan of the push button adjustment despite it being easy to use. I'm just a dinosaur and my personal preference is the alligators. Both types will serve you well.
Merkava_4
Banned
The Cobras are better and easier to use.
wellstig1
Well-known member
I have EVERY size of the cobra and I like them so much I find excuses to use them on things you normally wouldn't. I've tried the alligators and not having the push button I'm used to sucked. I also have all of the plier wrenches which are great too.
wantedabiggergarage
Member Emeritus
I have the Cobra's and then regular water pump pliers when getting into the larger sizes (16"), as I don't use the larger ones enough to justify them, yet.
However, watching the video, I learned something new. I have NEVER seen them with the comfort grip, so is that an add on?
However, watching the video, I learned something new. I have NEVER seen them with the comfort grip, so is that an add on?
tonydanzah
Well-known member
I used to have pair of bahco adjustable but don't know where they went. Anyone have both to compare the push button bahcos with the knipex cobras?
fatfillup
Well-known member
I bought a pair of16 inch bahcos off ebay from a link here a while back. They were about $36 with shipping and were new. Then bought a similar size cobra used at a sale for $35. After using both, the new bahcos went in the showroom with a price tag on them. The used cobras grabbed harder and didn't slip. The bahcos weren't bad and I really liked the way they adjusted but the didn't bite as hard.
At least I learned how to pronounce Knipex from the video
The Cobras are nice pliers, they grip pipe really well, I've used the **** out of a pair and they still work like new. Mine are used nearly every day and I've installed 1000s of feet of 3/4 rigid conduit. Didn't like them at first and guys who use them for the first time don't seem to like them if they're used to Channellocks.
The Cobras are nice pliers, they grip pipe really well, I've used the **** out of a pair and they still work like new. Mine are used nearly every day and I've installed 1000s of feet of 3/4 rigid conduit. Didn't like them at first and guys who use them for the first time don't seem to like them if they're used to Channellocks.garfunkle24
Well-known member
Cobra FTW: 
garfunkle24
Well-known member
Time to upgrade your 250 and 300
I was already thinking that....
Like I haven't spent enough already....
garfunkle24
Well-known member
nice collection !!
But 1 pliers wrench is missing
I'm bad enough already and you guys are making it even worse
Get the Cobra's .. you won't be sorry
I'm bad enough already and you guys are making it even worse
Yep, it's not complete- that's totally unacceptable, time to buy some more
MIght be a little off topic...
When Knipex made the change to 'extra capacity' on the cobras, did they make the change to the 7" pair? I've been waiting to buy them because I want the latest 'extra capacity' version if they are changing the 7". I know my 10" Knipex are an updated design from my 10" Cman / Knipex rebadged.
When Knipex made the change to 'extra capacity' on the cobras, did they make the change to the 7" pair? I've been waiting to buy them because I want the latest 'extra capacity' version if they are changing the 7". I know my 10" Knipex are an updated design from my 10" Cman / Knipex rebadged.
garfunkle24
Well-known member
I'm sure they did. My 6" and 5" are updated.
See here:
New Knipex products
Part# 87 01 180 - 30% more capacity
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wellstig1
Well-known member
I was already thinking that....
Like I haven't spent enough already....
What is there to upgrade on them?
Thanks for the confirmation, garfunkle!!