Awesome and thanks for taking the time for the review.
I bought the Irwins 2 piece set years ago on Black Friday for $12.99 and they still sitl in my dwr. unused. Just like my Robogrips.
Not a good tool to me.
Knipex all day long in my world.
Thanx again.
No problem! Thanks for watching & taking the time to comment
I have some inside information here. I took an interview at Honeywell here in Phoenix about three years ago and the person that interviewed me there was a woman who at one point in her career had been the quality manager at Vise Grip. The original owner of Vise-Grip was Peterson Manufacturing, a family run company, which the Peterson family sold to Rubbermaid which is the parent company of Irwin. This woman told me that once this change occurred that the manufacturing was moved to China and that the spec for the steel used in the manufacturing of the Vise-Grips was changed to a far lesser quality. I think all of Irwin's tools have been negatively affected by this type of maximize profit corporate thinking. I don't buy Irwin tools since the day of this interview. If you've noticed a decline in the performance of your new Vise-Grips vs. your old this is the reason. What's good for the shareholders is seldom good for the customers.
I definitely prefer the older "Made in USA" Vise-grips to what you can buy in the store today.
Woodstock Va,
In one of your prior Knipex cobra videos you stated the cobra's are like locking pliers. How do you think the Cobra's compare to vise grips? From using my Cobra's i feel the jaw profile and tooth hardness allow them to progressively dig into a fastener or stud with increasing force allowing for a better connection to the fastener or stud. I am starting to think cobra's might grip better then vise grips.
Thanks for the great comparison video!
Thanks! I think Vise-grips (or that style of tool) are great for locking two things together and holding them in place....but for removing the types of fasteners (seized, rusted, damaged) that the Knipex Cobras can do with ease....is just not something that they excel in. The jaws are too wide and the heads are too large to get into many situations effectively.
If one was to get a pair of cobras....what is a good standard all around size pair to get to start off with?
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I like the 10" versions.....others here like the 7" versions more. It will be a personal preference I think.
Woodstock, thanks for the good comparison. I was one of those who mentioned the Irwins as an option at lower cost than the Knipex. The Knipex clearly are better, mainly I think so far in the better hardening of the teeth, but also come at a much higher cost. I like my Knipex Pliers Wrench and Knipex made Craftsman Cobra set, but also do like my Irwin Groovelocks for everyday, non-critical use. For heavy or critical use, I'll pull out my real Channellocks. I think the Irwins have a place too, but should improve their hardening processes especially. - Paul
No problem Paul! The Irwins are definitely a much cheaper option, and for many people they will work fine....but I had read on many comments online that "they are the same", which is why I made this video. It wasnt to bash Irwin...it was to show the differences in my experience with them......and I 100% agree with you......Irwin needs to completely change the "tempering process" (if you can even call it that) that they treat the teeth with on the Groovelocks.
Best alternative to the Cobras, not as good but way better than the Irwins and at the same price point of them. Very narrow profile like the Cobras. Those are really good, just don't have the push button which isn't a big deal to me.
I have seen them before....just havent used them. They look nice.
I see the Irwins finally got two votes. I wish those guys had told us why they feel Irwin > Knipex. Would have been interesting.
It's just the 2 Irwin tool reps that stop by the site from time to time...
I think the only thing decent about the Irwins is that usually after Christmas Lowes usually has a special where you get a small and a 10 inch pair for like $7.
However, the question is that since Irwin recently released some made in Germany pliers that aren't exactly cheap, will they release an improved set of German made groovelocks?
I have a pair of the Knipex hose clamp pliers, they take a little get used to but, once you get the hang of it, they're sweet!!!!
Two pairs for $7 isnt bad
Yeah, the new NWS rebranded Irwin pliers look nice.....but, I have only seen the side cutters in person (at Lowes).
I'm familiar with the company and I own a fair amount of their stuff. In fact, I just bought their 8 piece precision snap ring pliers set a few weeks ago. (Love them!) I just had never saw those hose clamp pliers before. I would love to see one of their catalogs. I know I would go overboard buying specialty pliers!
Here is a Knipex video about them...
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