Knipex Cobra Pliers - MADE IN GERMANY

[woodstockva]

Hey Everybody

After I made a video back in August about the Knipex Pliers Wrench, I decided to make another one about the Knipex Cobras. I am sure many of you already own these and are just as happy with them as I am, but then again I only recently got them....so I figured there are also a lot of people who want to see what "makes them special" prior to dropping the cash on a pair.

So, luckily today I was able to get some good footage of them being used in a situation that normally would take a lot more tools & effort to get done....but I was able to use the Cobras & saved myself a lot of time and trouble. I was dealing with a VERY rusty 4wd vehicle that lived it's life on salty WV mountain roads & never got a bath. The tie rod end nut was almost completely flaked/scaled off with rust & there ended up being only a small ring of metal holding it in place. Had it broken, the front tire would have went sideways and it could have caused the vehicle to wreck or worse...roll over.

The Knipex Cobras literally "lock on" and dont let go, which allows you to have excellent control and gain additional leverage onto whatever you are working on, since you dont need to squeeze them to keep them in place while turning a fastener.

Check out the video to see them for yourself

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[toolmuchtool]

woodstockva great videos as always from you. thanks again

 

[Ruger_556]

I have the alligators...

 

[ADSR]

This is a tool that i haven't put in my box yet. WS, Does the lock work on a cam of some sort?

Great review. Also like the opening guitar riff!

 

[JDon99]

Great review. LORDDiESEL, I'm not sure exactly what you are referring to, but on the regular Cobras, you must depress the button to adjust the jaws open and close. Knipex does make a model that you simply slide to close w/o pushing the button.

 

[1foxracing]

Great video, I didn't know Cobra's are locking pliers and thought they worked like channellocks. I know what my next tool purchase will be now.

 

[Qualitytools]

Great video Woodstockva, Love it! I purchased my Knipex Cobras in 2007 and have used them many times and the German quality and innovation is outstanding. Additionally, I own a pair of Knipex Raptor 87 41 10, for removing rounded off fasteners.

 

[arz71]

Snap-On pliers have some flex in them and the jaws are machined as a set. This allows for you to grip the pliers and it is not so rigid.

Other pliers are rigid and almost hurt your hand trying to grip something with them. Metal quality of Snap-On pliers and/or Blue-Point (ones made in USA) is superior.

I have seen some the Knipex pliers but they do not have any flex to them very rigid and I do not care for them.

 

[firebox40dash5]

No Cobras yet, but they're on my short list of tools to add/upgrade. For whatever reason I bought a couple pairs of plier wrenches first. Which are pretty awesome as well, I use them a lot when messing with air hose fittings, and adjusting tie rods.

 

[Parrothead]

Get the Craftsman rebrands (still Knipex made in Germany) and save youself some coin.

http://m.sears.com/craftsman-2-pc-adjustable-pliers-set-7-in/p-00945433000P

 

[franzdom]

I thought that the K was silent. I always pronounced it nIpex

In any case. Great video . I just got a set of these, so I'm glad that I now know how to properly use them. Thanks!

And now you know how to properly pronounce them

 

[bcradio]

I love my Cobras... I would say it is definitely worth getting all 3 of the main sizes too (7,10,12).

 

[woody 73]

Funny story but yesterday I went to this store:

http://columbus.craigslist.org/tls/4695647033.html

At 50% off his already high prices I picked up a very old knipex 7inch cobras for $13.50 , expensive little boogers.

 

[pauls_workshop]

Woodstock, how about a followup with a direct comparison to the Irwin Groovelock versions vs. Cobras. Would be really interesting. - Paul

 

[steveo3002]

would be cool to see how much abuse /weight they will take until they will slip on a round bar

goes off to buy a set...

 

[nieuport17]

Thank u woodstock for another good review. Keep them coming

 

[Super Sport]

Get the Craftsman rebrands (still Knipex made in Germany) and save youself some coin.

http://m.sears.com/craftsman-2-pc-adjustable-pliers-set-7-in/p-00945433000P

Plus an easy, lifetime (of Sears) warranty!

That's what I own. I haven't had much opportunity to use them, but I thought this was a great review by the OP and I will have to make sure to find some uses for them now!

 

[woodstockva]

woodstockva great videos as always from you. thanks again

Thanks!

This is a tool that i haven't put in my box yet. WS, Does the lock work on a cam of some sort?

Great review. Also like the opening guitar riff!

The adjustment/jaws dont work the same as the Pliers Wrench. They both have the push-button adjustment, but these pivot like a normal set of pliers. I had a clip to show that, but I honestly thought people would be insulted that I went over something "too simple"....so I am trying to re-work future reviews to leave out the basic things when possible.

And Thanks! I like the intro too

Great review. LORDDiESEL, I'm not sure exactly what you are referring to, but on the regular Cobras, you must depress the button to adjust the jaws open and close. Knipex does make a model that you simply slide to close w/o pushing the button.

Thanks!

Great video, I didn't know Cobra's are locking pliers and thought they worked like channellocks. I know what my next tool purchase will be now.

Thanks I am glad I could show what makes them different.

I thought that the K was silent. I always pronounced it nIpex

In any case. Great video . I just got a set of these, so I'm glad that I now know how to properly use them. Thanks!

I used to think so, until I watched some Knipex produced videos & heard everyone there saying "ka-nip-ex". And thanks! I am glad you liked the video.

Great video Woodstockva, Love it! I purchased my Knipex Cobras in 2007 and have used them many times and the German quality and innovation is outstanding. Additionally, I own a pair of Knipex Raptor 87 41 10, for removing rounded off fasteners.

Thanks! I will look into the Raptors further

Funny story but yesterday I went to this store:

http://columbus.craigslist.org/tls/4695647033.html

At 50% off his already high prices I picked up a very old knipex 7inch cobras for $13.50 , expensive little boogers.

You poor thing....how did you come up with that much cash?!

Woodstock, how about a followup with a direct comparison to the Irwin Groovelock versions vs. Cobras. Would be really interesting. - Paul

Good idea! I will pick up a set of the 10" groovelocks and see if I can come up with something to show how each work (or dont work) with damaged fasteners. Thanks!

would be cool to see how much abuse /weight they will take until they will slip on a round bar

goes off to buy a set...

I think as far as the test-stand goes, I am about the limit that the hollow tube could handle....it bent when I stood on the pliers. I guess if someone used black pipe or something it could end up bending the handles on the pliers. But they take a tremendous amount of pressure and the teeth really dig in.

Thank u woodstock for another good review. Keep them coming

Thanks a lot!

Plus an easy, lifetime (of Sears) warranty!

That's what I own. I haven't had much opportunity to use them, but I thought this was a great review by the OP and I will have to make sure to find some uses for them now!

Thanks!

 

[woody 73]

woodstockva you don't know teasing when you see it...

 

[woodstockva]

woodstockva you don't know teasing when you see it...

Hahaha....I forgot the little winking emogi...

You got quite a deal on them!

 

[MagnumForce]

Don't know why I never realized these "locked" like that before. Went to Sears and got a pair of Craftsman branded ones. They are ****!

 

[DodgeMech]

They kick ***...until the teeth get wore in so bad they can't grip...and knipex doesn't consider that warranty-able believe it or not...but my snapon man gave me a new set anyways

 

[MagnumForce]

I bought the Craftsmans for ease of warranty, as long as I can still warranty Craftsman...

 

[Garage Junky]

Great review.... I hope they're paying you because you made a sale. I went and bought the craftsman branded ones this afternoon and I'm loving them so far.

 

[spoon671]

I have some smaller Cobras in my arsenal right now, and a couple larger Irwin. I will now be replacing my larger ones with Knipex Cobras. Thanks Woodstock!

 

[steveo3002]

got myself a pair of these after seeing the demo , they seem to work as advertised -very strong grip !

i wouldve passed by these thinking they were just another set of water pump pliers before i saw the vid

 

[youngridge]

Whats the difference between the cobra and alligator? which one would be better in a truck shop in your guyses opinion? been debating hard on a set of 3 of either cobras or alligators........would like to get a set before the first. Thoughts and opinions appreciated!

 

[fatfillup]

Nice review Woodstock. I have been using the Knipex alligator and cobra pliers for years and they are an exceptional product. I sell and service industrial pressure washers and use them all the time on pipe and fittings. Very handy, quick, well made. Probably have 10 pairs of the various sizes between truck, cart, bench and home. Would think I bought my first pair in mid 90's

I have worn out many pairs so I think I speak from experience. They do grip and when they are new they will "lock" though I would not call them locking pliers. As they wear, you often need to squeeze the handles some to keep them from slipping. I have removed some stubborn rounded fasteners with them and most times they have worked well.

One of the few tools, that if I needed a pair and couldn't find some good used ones, (I also sell used tools) would pay retail for.

One poster was correct in that Knipex doesn't warranty worn jaws. The tool trucks often will if you bought it from them, but be careful, as the Snap on or Mac logos are laser etched on and will wear off long before the tool wears out and if you don't have a good relationship with your tool man, you may be SOL.

Well worth having them and from what I have seen, Sears has had good pricing on them in the past.

 

[wagzilla]

They work really well. I have 5 different sizes love them

James

 

[barnonline]

I thought that the K was silent. I always pronounced it nIpex

In any case. Great video . I just got a set of these, so I'm glad that I now know how to properly use them. Thanks!

Rocket1420 regarding the pronouciation, non native speakers have a tendency to pronounce based on how the word is spelled.

I can't recall a word in english where K as the first letter is pronounced.
Like H as first letter in french.

But in Germany the K is pronounced.

But it had my toes curling when he in the video pronounces it: Kenippex

Search on youtube: knipex zangen to hear how it is pronounced i German.

and oh yeah, it is pronounced Folkswagen, not Volkswagen

 

[RedneckWelder]

The big 22" Knipex Cobras will take off cylinder glands/heads on hydraulic cylinders very well.

 

[General Geoff]

The OP's video is an excellent demonstration of what the Cobras are capable of. I've yet to encounter a rounded or rusted fastener they failed to loosen.

 

[Boost Creep]

i've got two 10's and a 7" cobra. they're pretty nice

 

[TomB19]

Ordered just now. Thanks.

Nice review.

 

[rick carpenter]

Good review, woodstockva. I already have the Pliers Wrench and the 614 stripper pliers from Knipex, but I'm going after a pair of the Craftsman rebrands of the Cobras sometime soon. They are the non-self-adjusting version but that's OK. I played with the Alligators in the store, they seemed to get stuck too easily halfway between one detent and the next.

 

[AllAboutTools]

The cobras and the pliers wrench are definitely awesome!

 

[saryon7]

I have had those pliers forever and didn't realize they could lock like that. Seemed strange they never did it for me since I have used them a ton. I went out to the shop today to test it out. No locky! I bought them about 18 years ago though so maybe they didn't always have that feature. I bought them back in the day when Cornwell tools just scoured the globe for the best tools out there and then re-branded them Cornwell.

 

[ticci]

In locking ones usually there is "self-locking" written on a handle, I think I've also seen cobras without that.

Thought 18 years of use should wear that kind of prints out.

 

[Blöckw@rt]

 

[Sal Bandini]

Rocket1420 regarding the pronouciation, non native speakers have a tendency to pronounce based on how the word is spelled.

I can't recall a word in english where K as the first letter is pronounced.
Like H as first letter in french.

But in Germany the K is pronounced.

But it had my toes curling when he in the video pronounces it: Kenippex

Search on youtube: knipex zangen to hear how it is pronounced i German.

and oh yeah, it is pronounced Folkswagen, not Volkswagen

I think you mean where K is first letter followed by an N. Otherwise there are English words, like kettle ketchup kidney kite.

And actually, it's Folksvagen , not Folkswagen.

And lastly, for all my other fellow Americans, when ordering a good beer the P is not silent in Hacker Pschorr.