Knipex Pliers - Comfort Grip vs. Dipped

[CC268]

I'm about to pull the trigger on a set of Knipex Cobras, Pliers Wrench, Long Nose Pliers, and Diagonal Cutters - that said, I'm torn on whether or not to go Comfort Grip or go Dipped. From my previous research on here, it seems like most people actually prefer Dipped for its slimness. That said, if your not worried about being mobile, wouldn't the Comfort Grip be the way to go?

I know some folks might prefer the Comfort Grip for the Diagonal Cutters for instance, but in general, assuming no cost difference, which would you pick - Dipped or Comfort Grip?

 

[Pexto]

For general use, with the pliers you mention above, I prefer the dipped handles. Even though I have large hands, I often find the comfort grips awkwardly large and thick (not just Knipex, but other brands too).

That said, there are a few cases where I prefer the comfort grip. For example my 10" Cobolt cutters. When I'm cutting heavy wire with those I appreciate the comfort grips.

 

[garfunkle24]

Dipped. More control, better power transfer, hold up better in a shop, take less toolbox room and stops delicate flowers with soft hands borrowing my pliers. JK but I've honestly never really found any pliers particularly uncomfortable to squeeze. No sense no feeling

 

[ste6168]

I personally like the Knipex comfort grips better, 90% of mine are comfort grip, but I do own a few of the dipped handles. Comfort grip in the two “daily driver” tool bags, dipped in my small tools pouch, and dipped in my inspection/estimate bag.

Comfort grip much better, IMO

 

[Kasal]

I prefer the dipped all the time. Comfort grip is too fat for me

 

[sparky 1971]

About 10 years ago, Lowes brought in Southwire tools and clearanced out Knipex. I bought a pair of Knipex linemans pliers with the comfort grip for $7 among a bunch of other items. I absolutely hated those pliers because of the grip. They sat unused in my basement up until about six months ago when I traded them to a buddy for a pair of Klein linesmans. Those now sit in my basement unused because I use Knipex dipped handle linesman pliers every day.

 

[PelicanPines]

Comfort Grip ***** but sometimes I get AWDeals on them. Forcing me to get them and mess up my OCD storage drawer of pliers.

 

[Poolshark314]

I've seen that it's an old trick of the trade to actually go no grips and use the handle to deburr the insides of conduit, so maybe that should be an option lol

 

[rancherbill]

I bought dipped tools when I was young and now that I'm older I wished they were ALL COMFORT grip.

 

[egfdevos]

Knipex Cobras, Pliers Wrench, - Dipped
Long Nose Pliers - Comfort grip
Diagonal Cutters - Insulated grip

 

[SRSemenza]

I have a mix of both and chose depending on the particular pliers. I like both just depends on the use. I think you need to try them to really know.

For me -------------------

Cobolts, Diagonal Cutters, needle nose, flat nose ------------- Comfort grips.

Cobra, Pliers Wrench, ----------------------- dipped.

Seth

 

[SRSemenza]

Here are some comparison pictures that I took a while ago for someone else. Should also be noted that the Knipex comfort grips are not soft, mushy, grippy material.

First two are Knipex 160 length next to Snap On 97cf (9"). Third pic is 200 length Cobolt next to SO 10" slip joint. Fourth is 160 needle nose Knipex next to 7" Channellock slip joint. No doubt they are fatter than the Channellock dipped. Personally I tried the dipped in the Knipex needle nose and found them too skinny to manipulate well.

I really think it depends on the user and the use and that you need to try them to know. I like both types ............... depending.

Seth

 

[f121]

Can you add a third category 'it depends'...

In general, dainty stuff, like small side cutters, small pliers, dipped.

Big stuff, like big side cutters and pliers, comfort grip.

But also cobras, dipped.

 

[ste6168]

Here are some comparison pictures that I took a while ago for someone else. Should also be noted that the Knipex comfort grips are not soft, mushy, grippy material.

First two are Knipex 160 length next to Snap On 97cf (9"). Third pic is 200 length Cobolt next to SO 10" slip joint. Fourth is 160 needle nose Knipex next to 7" Channellock slip joint. No doubt they are fatter than the Channellock dipped. Personally I tried the dipped in the Knipex needle nose and found them too skinny to manipulate well.

I really think it depends on the user and the use and that you need to try them to know. I like both types ............... depending.

Seth

Nice post. People always mention the comfort grips being “too bulky” though I have never experienced this… Can’t even think of a time where the grip would actually get in the way, and I work on boats in some tight and awkward spaces.

the comfort grips are not that much different in size than the dipped and are so much more comfortable to hold in use.

 

[JradM]

As a general rule of thumb, comfort grips on 6” tools, dipped for 8” and larger. Small tools that are meant to be pocketable should also be dipped.

 

[Nosferatu]

Yes

 

[oldschoolcraft]

I like dipped because of the aesthetics and streamlined nature. But I have some of the mini bolt cutters in like 10” that are dipped and they are hard to use.

 

[kngelv]

Dipped all day and every day. The comfort grip take up way too much room in a tool bag plus they look like insulated tools but are not. If I have to deal with grips like that they might as well be insulated too.

James

 

[AEAdam]

Dipped all day and every day. The comfort grip take up way too much room in a tool bag plus they look like insulated tools but are not. If I have to deal with grips like that they might as well be insulated too.

James

Picking nits - they ARE insulated. Of course they offer more insulation than dipped. They just aren’t rated to 1000V.

If you need insulated, you should have 1000V rated tools. And you’d better not stop there. There‘s other PPE you really should have.

But a house hold electrician is better off/safer with comfort grips than he would be with dipped.

100% understand and agree with your point tho.

 

[T45]

I'm going to generally agree with...

for very low/ occasional use that you carry everwhere,
dipped is much lower volume.

but then again so are smaller design pliers.

if you are debating smaller vs larger,
CG sometimes is middle ground

nothing is black and white...
YMMV

 

[AEAdam]

I’m surprised by the answers. I much prefer the comfort grips.

Snap On pliers have wide handles that are dipped. They are nicer than just about everyone else’s imho. Comfort grips get you closer to that feel. I think the wider the grip, the harder you can squeeze.

 

[CS454]

10" comfort grip Cobras vs 7" dipped for my daily pairs.

 

[PBCampbell]

I'm just old enough to remember the "old timers" gripes about vinyl gripped pliers vs nicked bare metal and in truth a lot of those early attempts were too slick compared to a textured metal handle.
I have both "dipped" and "comfort" in Klein and Knipex. The comfort grips took some amount of use before I accepted that they were just as okay as the dipped and I no longer care. I think it's a lot of preconceived notions about what is "normal", although I can understand maybe smaller hands having a difficult time with the comfort grips.