Knipex locking pliers, my first experience.

[Strouty]

I had been reading about brands of locking pliers and thought I would order some of the Knipex, I also ordered a pair of Gedore at the same time. I currently have a bunch of grip on (some napa) and a bunch of USA made Vise-Grip brand (some Irwin, most Petersen). Well let me tell you, the Gedore are very nice, the unlocking tab is wider than normal, but seems to work very well. The Knipex on the other hand are very loose, the jaws don't line up because they are so sloppy. I went through my older pairs of vise-grips and I could not find one that was as loose. Is this a fluke or are they not as good as some of their other offerings?

Both pliers were under $35 from amazon, about the price of grip ons as well.


The two models I ordered were:

Knipex 4114250 Universal Jaw Locking Pliers 10-Inch
GEDORE 6406700 10" Grip Wrench

 

[Strouty]

Here are a couple of pictures showing the Knipex pliers. These two pictures are of the pliers laying on the same side, all I did is release them and pushed the jaws to the limit of the slop one way and then the other.

 

[Strouty]

These are the Gedore, the release tab or lever is larger than most, it looks like you could use your palm to release it. They feel very rugged and are on par or above my grip on, but they have the old Petersen feel and look. They had no slop in the jaws, but the jaws were not perfectly aligned, but close.

 

[JonnyMac]

The finish on the knipex looks very poor...

 

[mossyboy6]

Hmm... These Knipex quality control issues seem to be on the rise.

I wonder if they are having a difficult time keeping up with their rise in popularity?

 

[Moose-LandTran]

I have a pair of Knipex locking pliers. Same problem, they're **** and overpriced. I think NWS pliers are better quality than Knipex anyway.

 

[Strouty]

I have no complaints with my other Knipex, except the needle nose, they bent way too easily. I do like my cobras and my pliers wrenches! I have been eyeing the Irwin NWS versions, I like the colors better than the red and white that NWS comes.

 

[AceofSpad3s]

That is pitiful, even my china grips have better finish then those.

 

[HairMetal]

Now I'm even more confused about locking pliers.I can't find ones I like.Gedore has that weird jaw design, Stahlwille jaws are too bulky, Grip On's look stupid, USA vise grip's are getting hard to find and postage is too much, now Knipex is no good, what's left?.I have Stanley Maxsteels which are ok but the jaws a little soft.I need another pair and want something better.I had the same issue with my Knipex needle nose pliers, messed up the tips on those way too easy.

 

[Wamsutta]

Thanks for the pictures! The Gedore pliers look to be much better quality with a very nice water satin finish to boot.

 

[Sam'sAutoParts]

I'm liking those Gedore pliers

 

[BK13]

I'm liking those Gedore pliers

Me, too. I am a little disappointed in the Knipex.

 

[Skin]

Strouty can correct me if I'm wrong but the Gedore have no teeth on the end of the jaws. Knipex and Vise-Grips do. Those teeth matter a-lot when trying to grab a broke stud or bolt. Likewise the Godore teeth are far more large and aggressive which, in my experience, is only better at tearing metal up as opposed to gripping and holding firm.

 

[neophyte]

Now I'm even more confused about locking pliers.I can't find ones I like.Gedore has that weird jaw design, Stahlwille jaws are too bulky, Grip On's look stupid, USA vise grip's are getting hard to find and postage is too much, now Knipex is no good, what's left?.I have Stanley Maxsteels which are ok but the jaws a little soft.I need another pair and want something better.I had the same issue with my Knipex needle nose pliers, messed up the tips on those way too easy.

I would recommend Facom, but you probably won't like the price and/or the release lever. I'm referring to the 500, 501, 506, 511, and 516.

http://www.ultimategarage.com/shop/index.php?cPath=35_68_113

 

[HairMetal]

I would recommend Facom, but you probably won't like the price and/or the release lever. I'm referring to the 500, 501, 506, 511, and 516.

http://www.ultimategarage.com/shop/index.php?cPath=35_68_113

Those 513's look nice.

 

[neophyte]

Those 513's look nice.

I'm thinking those might be made for Facom by Grip-On. Ultimate Garage is pretty good at mentioning when items are made in France, and it's not mentioned with those. The type of rivets and jaw design also looked like the Grip-On pliers.

 

[HairMetal]

Yeah I didn't realize these were the same, i've played around with Grip On's in my local toolstore and I wasn't impressed with the quality.The Facom do look look better than powdercoated Grip On's though.

 

[neophyte]

Yeah I didn't realize these were the same, i've played around with Grip On's in my local toolstore and I wasn't impressed with the quality.The Facom do look look better than powdercoated Grip On's though.

The French made Facoms are nice. The jaws also use a design that allows the ones I mentioned to open far wider than a regular pair of locking pliers eliminating the some of the need for multiple sizes. Unfortunately, unless you find a good deal, such as Zoro had at one point, the cost can be three or four times that of a pair from Grip-On.

 

[Strouty]

Strouty can correct me if I'm wrong but the Gedore have no teeth on the end of the jaws. Knipex and Vise-Grips do. Those teeth matter a-lot when trying to grab a broke stud or bolt. Likewise the Godore teeth are far more large and aggressive which, in my experience, is only better at tearing metal up as opposed to gripping and holding firm.

I am not in front of them right now, but I am pretty sure that you are correct. I find that there is not one pair or brand of locking pliers that does everything you want, so I have been collecting different brands and configurations. Grip on has a lot of different styles and I feel they are as tough as my Petersens. For the price I paid for the Knipex, I would have expected them to be tight, I can't imagine what would actually happen when using them if they are that loose to start with. Who knows, maybe it is a special design and I will never know what I am missing. I chose to return them.

I have yet to find a pair of grip ons that seem inferior, I have channelock versions, napa versions, and regular grip on versions. So far I have not had a lot of opportunity to abuse them, when I do, I will report back.

 

[Strouty]

Just confirming that the Gedore pliers have no teeth on the tips of the jaws.

 

[lilcraigford]

Regarding the Knipex locking plier quality issues; I want to say I read in an older thread that they aren't made "in house". I'll see if I can track that information down.

 

[Skin]

Well heres my 2 cents since I just got these. Nice appearance at first glance. They don't have the same heavy cast/pebble feel as old school vise-grips, but they feel solid enough. The 41-14-250s (funky jaw) have a bit of side to side play, but not much more than a pair of USA Irwin Vise-Grips usually came with. The 41-04-250s have basically no side play in the jaw. Teeth are cut nice and clean, chrome is also nice. For roughly $15 each ($30 for both) I honestly cant complain and am frankly quite pleased. As long as the jaws are hardened well I could see myself getting a few more pair.

 

[pauls_workshop]

If you want the best, get some old beat up Petersens! Rusty or not, they are hard to beat! Derust them, oil them or paint them, they'll be good for another 50 years.

For Knipex, just get their Cobras (or cheaper Craftsman equivalent two pack), and some of their Pliers Wrenches, as they are pretty unique and good. - Paul

 

[jetdawg]

I doubt knipex actually makes their branded locking pliers so that isn't a reflection on the rest of their lineup which is superb. Perhaps Monte can chime in.

 

[Monte]

I doubt knipex actually makes their branded locking pliers so that isn't a reflection on the rest of their lineup which is superb. Perhaps Monte can chime in.

The Knipex locking pliers are made by Bollmann

 

[upgrading]

Does Rennsteig make locking pliers for any other company?

 

[jetdawg]

Well then there you have it, thanks Monte!

 

[AceofSpad3s]

If you want the best, get some old beat up Petersens! Rusty or not, they are hard to beat! Derust them, oil them or paint them, they'll be good for another 50 years.

For Knipex, just get their Cobras (or cheaper Craftsman equivalent two pack), and some of their Pliers Wrenches, as they are pretty unique and good. - Paul

I like petersons but I don't love em. I got 3 ish petersons, 1 old welding clamp that I don't got much use for, and 2 standard old ones, one pre vice grip logo and one with the logo but pre quick release lever. They lack the teeth on the tip of the jaws which causes them to slip most of the time when getting screws or bolts out, I have to use my china grips for that type of stuff.

 

[Monte]

Does Rennsteig make locking pliers for any other company?

Rennsteig = Knipex

 

[upgrading]

Rennsteig = Knipex

Thanks Monte.
That is what I thought.

My Rennsteig's are pretty solid and don't suffer this issue.

 

[davewo]

Whew! I'm glad to hear ****** Knipex locking pliers aren't really a Knipex product; they are just sold under the name and marked up 300%!

 

[Skin]

Like I said im pretty happy with them so far. Don't know where 300% markup comes from since they only cost a few dollars more than Chinagrips.

 

[davewo]

My mistake, they are only 200% when China grips are not on sale, and 500% when Irwin is dumping products. Still, whatever the condition, I'll buy from Germany first.

 

[anurag1990]

Disatisfied with your knipex locking plier??? You can send it over to me.
Finish isnt too bad in my opinion. Will you give that plier as a free give away? lol.

 

[pauls_workshop]

I like petersons but I don't love em. I got 3 ish petersons, 1 old welding clamp that I don't got much use for, and 2 standard old ones, one pre vice grip logo and one with the logo but pre quick release lever. They lack the teeth on the tip of the jaws which causes them to slip most of the time when getting screws or bolts out, I have to use my china grips for that type of stuff.

Sounds like your Petersens have worn out teeth. Mine don't. You can make your own new teeth by grinding them in with a dremel. If you did a direct comparison, you would find the grip of those Petersens to be better than anything I've seen without slipping (must have teeth of course). Now there are lots of applications of gripping pliers that don't require top grip strengh, so you may prefer something else there. But when you really need it to not slip, I love Petersens best. This does not include Irwin US, or Irwin China but before that era. - Paul

 

[MagnumForce]

I have Cobras, Alligators, Dykes and Pliers Wrench from Knipex. I was going to continue to build my collection until I discovered that Channel Lock stuff aside from the Pliers Wrench was built better, looked way better, worked just as good, held up to use better (my cobras have very stripped jaws, my channel lock grip locks look like brand new with even use), are made in the US , and the kicker they cause half as much or more.

My decision became easy and I have a drawer of gorgeous blue handled pliers with grey finish and polished working edges.

I am convinced Knipex is a cult.

 

[anurag1990]

Hardly there is a tool brand that everybody has liked and loved using it. Snap on gets bashed by some, knipex, and some did not find any reason why hazet or stahlwille is so hyped.
After all tool is a tool, it will get worn after use. Many times I see people feeling proud that their tool is made in usa using us steel.

Knipex is not a cult, its as good as it advertises. For me atleast. Even if one product from it turns out bad, its fine. No brand has 100% satisfaction regarding tool manufacturing.

 

[MagnumForce]

Thing is I have purchased and used Knipex tools extensively and they are not as good as advertised compared to Channel Locks, especially when the higher price is calculated. The only thing I can endorse is the pliers wrenches, those are swell for some applications and amazingly well built.

Nothing else is that special, don't get me wrong, it's very nice but not as nice as the cult of Knipex carries on about and the price suggests.

I could care less about country of origin on most things so it isn't that at all.

 

[Heaty]

I use the new Milwaukee torque lock vice pliers, they're a force to be reckon with. Professionally made. Check out Milwaukee torque lock pliers.

 

[anurag1990]

Thing is I have purchased and used Knipex tools extensively and they are not as good as advertised compared to Channel Locks, especially when the higher price is calculated. The only thing I can endorse is the pliers wrenches, those are swell for some applications and amazingly well built.

Nothing else is that special, don't get me wrong, it's very nice but not as nice as the cult of Knipex carries on about and the price suggests.

I could care less about country of origin on most things so it isn't that at all.

Ok bro, i need your less used knipex then lol. Calculating depreciation on it, let me see, its close to a free give away lol. Save it for me....