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Knipex disappointment

LB-1911

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Sep 24, 2011
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5,742
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Northwestern Il.
For you guys with the Plier Wrench, are they a decent substitute for an adjustable wrench?

I've been looking at the Snap On Flank Drive Plus adjustable wrenches but they are quite pricey. I was looking at the Plier Wrench and wasn't quite sure if they are what I need or not and I haven't seen any locally to pick up and look at.

I need something for air line fittings on trailers and equipment. The **** I work on is so old that everything is different so I end up with every wrench in my box out in the yard or under a trailer to replace a line, fitting or whatever. A normal adjustable sometimes works but sometimes is too fat to fit when I need two wrenches for example or where someone cobbled multiple fittings, reducers, etc to make something work. Also, sometimes these things get pretty tight from either someone over tightening them or because there is corrosion from road dirt and salt, dissimilar metals, etc. so the adjustable or even normal wrenches can slip off or round brass fittings easily. The Flank Drive Plus adjustables are thinner than normal adjustables and open up to a pretty large size compared to similar sized Crescent wrenches. I have used Flank Drive traditional wrenches and they work really well so I like the Flank part. And I have use similar SO adjustable so I'm confident the SO will do the trick. I'm just not sure I want to spring for $160 or so for two adjustable wrenches. The Plier Wrench may be a decent compromise.

No complaints w/ the 10" & 6" -

You may find the video below informative
 
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maxpower_hd

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Apr 17, 2015
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Massachusetts
Here I've been pronouncing this NI-PEX and only after watching a video I realized kenipex. The things you learn from You Tube.
 

IndyGarage

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Apr 29, 2010
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Indy
Knipex pliers are not what you think if you've never had them before. The surface finish is a bit rougher than some American Brands and the handle cover doesn't appear very substantial on first picking them up(aside from the comfort grip models) - they aren't really made for looks, they are made for function.

I don't have any other pliers that work better though. The head angle and handle leverage is superior to every other brand I've used. I will pick up the Knipex over Kleins, Channel lock and several other brands I have almost every time.
 

barnonline

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Nov 2, 2014
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Location
Denmark
Regarding the pronounciation, I don't know why many people says

kInipex, perhaps because the Sound kni does not exist in english? Right now I can't find an example of the sound kni in english.

Here is a video where the name is pronounced in german.

Maxpower_hd, i find the plier wrench not only a decent substitute, but in many cases a vastly superior substitute.

With my Bacho adjustable wrenches I often feel the need to tighten the jaws when i have put them on the bolt, only to loosen them slightly in order to reposition them for the next turn.

The plier wrench is fast like a rachet, and at the same time can grip the bolt really really tight preventing slipping and rounding
 
Last edited:

MagnumForce

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Jun 3, 2014
Messages
1,392
Location
Ohio
My last name is Kneebush, pronounced just how it looks. Good and German. Was originally Knaebusch, pronounced Kin-eh-busch and that is how it was on Grandpa's birth certificate (born in 1901) until it was Americanized during WW1.

Sent from my VS986 using Tapatalk
 

WVBrady

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May 5, 2005
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Location
WV
Regarding the pronounciation, I don't know why many people says kInipex, perhaps because the Sound kni does not exist in english? Right now I can't find an example of the sound kni in english.../QUOTE]

I think that the first part of "canoe" is like the "kn" part of Knipex.
 

maxpower_hd

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Apr 17, 2015
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2,230
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Massachusetts
I think I am going to end up with the SO. Looking at the specs for the Knipex plier wrench they are fairly thick compared to the SO Flank Drive Plus. They are a fair amount thinner for the spaces I need to get into at times.
 

1950mercury

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Mar 26, 2013
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2,246
Location
metro detroit
ehh. i think he gets a pass here. too much weeble wobble and jaws dont line up and nice pretty hands get all banged up...its a legitimate concern

op, now if youre asking about the tiny 1/32 of an inch **** hoir of play from side to side, then see1950mercury post above.

Check out post #5 he posted a pic....definitely a tool polisher
 
OP
I

iScream

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Apr 8, 2014
Messages
777
Location
Middle TN
ehh. i think he gets a pass here. too much weeble wobble and jaws dont line up and nice pretty hands get all banged up...its a legitimate concern

op, now if youre asking about the tiny 1/32 of an inch **** hoir of play from side to side, then see1950mercury post above.

Check out post #5 he posted a pic....definitely a tool polisher

:thefinger :thefinger :thefinger :thefinger :thefinger :thefinger

-Chris
 
OP
I

iScream

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Apr 8, 2014
Messages
777
Location
Middle TN
I had some more Sears points that were going to expire so I ordered three more pairs of kanipex pliers to try out.

6" Cobra
High Leverage Combo
Flat Nose

Gonna cost me less than $15 per pair after points and Bank of America cash back.

-Chris

NewKnipexOrder_zpsxdgnkaeg.png
 
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Wakefield

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Aug 26, 2010
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5,132
Location
Arlington VA (but would like to get out to country
Regarding the pronounciation, I don't know why many people says

kInipex, perhaps because the Sound kni does not exist in english? Right now I can't find an example of the sound kni in english. [The surname "Knipling"]

Here is a video where the name is pronounced in german.

Maxpower_hd, i find the plier wrench not only a decent substitute, but in many cases a vastly superior substitute.

With my Bacho adjustable wrenches I often feel the need to tighten the jaws when i have put them on the bolt, only to loosen them slightly in order to reposition them for the next turn.

The plier wrench is fast like a rachet, and at the same time can grip the bolt really really tight preventing slipping and rounding

Those German videos really make me want more of those Knipex! The fuse puller! And the pronunciation sounds natural.
 

gbh

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Joined
May 2, 2012
Messages
611
$15 wont get ANY Knipex products were I am. I envy the prices and range of choices you have in the U.S
 
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I

iScream

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777
Location
Middle TN
$15 wont get ANY Knipex products were I am. I envy the prices and range of choices you have in the U.S

$15 won't normally buy them here either. Sears keeps sending me $15 off $50 in surprise points, plus I'm getting 10 percent back from Bank of America on anything I buy at Sears right now.

There isn't much else I want from Sears these days so I've been searching through their Knipex items for already marked down pliers then applying the surprise points to take off another 30 percent from their marked down price. Then I get another 10 percent off from B of A.

Today I had $5 worth of surprise points about to expire and found that they had Komelon 16' tape measures marked down to $4.59. So I bought one using my 5.00 of expiring points. It was completely free. Just have to swing by the store and pick it up.
 

Youngguns

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Jul 11, 2014
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643
Location
Mtns of Western Maryland
I don't mean to steal this thread, but it seemed to have resolved, and my post is fitting.

Anyways, I ordered and received a pair of Knipex locking pliers from Amazon Warehouse Deals. They're shiny as all hell, but they do seem a little unresponsive. When I hit the release lever, should these puppies spring open? They just kinda pop a little bit (enough to release the jaw pressure) but then I have to flick them out of the way. I doubt this is the case, but I'm wondering if this bulge has anything to do with it? Does anyone else have a pair with this bulge? Should I return these, or am I just being too picky? Also, I don't know if you can see it in the final picture or not, but there's a blob where there should be a much cleaner weld!
 

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justtools

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Aug 16, 2008
Messages
416
I would have to disagree to a degree. Cobra's are nice with the locking feature and are more adjustable, but Alligator's jaws will open further. Has come in handy for me a number of times.

I am a real Knipex fanboy, probably have a dozen pair between shop, truck and home.

A dozen? That is a GOOD Start. The best thing I can say about knipex is they are likely the best pliers I have used. Been a tech for 30 years. Have had all the truck brands, chanellocks, Kleins etc. Now I recently bought a bunch of NWS pliers. about a dozen assorted. Going to give them a try. See how they hold up to knipex.
 

Sine Swept

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Joined
Feb 2, 2014
Messages
440
I walked into a pawn shop the other day and spent $21 on a new pair of Knipex mini bolt cutters and a Gray #2 Phillips.

Lowes in Canada wants $54 before tax for those same pliers.
 
OP
I

iScream

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Middle TN
So I got the combo pliers and they were much more what I ignorantly expected when I ordered the alligator pliers. The cutter section makes contact with just a tiny little sliver of light still showing between the teeth of the pliers jaws.

I keep getting surprise points from Sears and there just isn't much new Craftsman stuff I want to order these days so I've been ordering some more Knipex and a few Gearwrench items.

So here's my current pliers drawer. Knipex, Gearwrench, Klein and a little bit of Craftsman. Nowhere near as impressive as some folks around here but I can't think of much more that I would actually need. I've got a Gearwrench 5 piece mini pliers set coming but those will go with my RC car tools rather than in this tool cart drawer. Not sure where I will keep the Robo Grip pliers I've had for years. I've used the hell out of those things and still like them.

PliersDrawer_zpsi3yehu8r.jpg
 

Squddle

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Aug 3, 2015
Messages
316
I never had a pair of Knipex before, but they sure look nice. This will be my next tool purchase! Oh, what is that hole for in the second picture?
 

rick carpenter

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Jan 20, 2011
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3,773
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Huntsville, East Texas
I may have come off with the wrong tone, and may still have the wrong tone, but all I'm saying is, don't give up on Knipex. I don't have a single Knipex tool I'm disappointed in. That list includes: 8" combination pliers, 8" diagonal pliers, 8" needle nose pliers, 10" plier wrench, 7" plier wrench, 10" Cobras, 7" Cobras, 5" Cobras, 8" mini bolt cutters, and 6" electrician pliers.

How do you like the 7" pliers wrench and what do you use them on? I have the 10" and like them, and have wanted a smaller pair for quite some time.
 
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iScream

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Middle TN
I never had a pair of Knipex before, but they sure look nice. This will be my next tool purchase! Oh, what is that hole for in the second picture?

I didn't even notice it until I saw your post. None of my alligator pliers have it but my little 6" cobra pliers do. No idea here. I looked in their catalog and didn't see the little indent mentioned. My best guess would be that something goes in the hole during manufacturing to keep the part in the correct position.

I'm curious now though.
 

Youngguns

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Jul 11, 2014
Messages
643
Location
Mtns of Western Maryland
How do you like the 7" pliers wrench and what do you use them on? I have the 10" and like them, and have wanted a smaller pair for quite some time.

I love the 7" pair. I use them much more than the 10" pair (which, truthfully, I bought on a whim at the beginning of my tool career). The 10" pair is just too bulky for most of the things I do. I use them on things all around the house, but mostly in bicycle repair. There's really only so many sizes on a bike, but sometimes I just don't feel like pulling everything out. Honestly, I think the 6" pair may be better suited for this, but the 7" is what I bought and they perform well.

I'd definitely recommend a smaller pair, and most likely the 7" pair.
 
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