Knipex Pliers!!!

[YellowDB]

So I have the 10" Wrench Pliers and I find so many uses for it from battery work, to straightning a piece of sheet metal, to you name it. Any way I bought the Knipex Cobra pliers, mini bolt cutters and a pair of side cutters. What I want to know is who else has some Knipex tools new or old and would like to share some of your experiences!

 

[seatonii]

I just purchased a set of 10 inch wrench pliers yesterday as well. I have not had a chance to use them yet but they seem like a very nice tool. I did get an excellent deal on them from Sears after all the coupons and discounts. I paid $28 out the door with a set of pliers tip covers as well. They were $52.99 before the discounts.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[ConnerSmith]

I have the 10 inch if I recall. I learned about them from a couple of guys at work. They really do have a million uses. My main use was to squeeze rivets ( I used to work in the field of aircraft maintenance/repair). I love them!

 

[rice rocket]

I have the 10 and the 7", I like them both.

Now how can I rationalize the 16" XL ones...

 

[JettaGetUpandGo]

I've had the standard Craftsman pliers for 10+ years in my tool box and in the trunk of both cars. These were a huge upgrade from sub $5 pliers from China I had before.

When I added a toolbox in the garage I filled it with Knipex from Sears one at a time. With surprise points they were an incredible deal. I haven't used the bolt cutters yet, but the diagonal pliers, end nippers, cable shears, combination pliers, pliers wrench, Cobras, etc. are all amazing. Not that there's anything wrong with the Craftsman stuff I've been using, but I love the Knipex. At full price they're hard to justify for DIY use. At Sears with massive discounts they're not significantly more than Craftsman which may or may not be USA made anymore.

 

[YellowDB]

Knipex is a german Company if I recall

 

[davethorik]

I only have the mini bolt cutters, bought them at a flea market for $30 new. I have cut a lot of stuff with them and the cut edges still look new. Very nicely made. I would consider more Knipex however my other pliers, mostly Channel lock and some Diamond Tool & Horseshoe, work fine and are most importantly paid for. If I had any gaps I would consider Knipex though.

 

[kctyphoon]

i recently bought about 10 - 12 different sets of lineman pliers and diagonal cutters from many different premium brands to try out at work.. all the regular hand tools in my lineman pouch are now Knipex.. i bought and used Klien, Channellock, Crescent, NWS and others, the Knipex stuff is nothing short of amazing. i use the 8" diagonal cutters, (i have the 10" model also), 10" alligator pliers, Lineman pliers, and mini bolt cutters. they are superior IMO to eveything else ive tired.

i used my channellock cutters and after two days of work the jaws wore down, doing the same job ive been using my knipex stuff for months.

 

[racecar]

I use knipex 1000v lineman pliers many times daily now. Have been for the last year and still feels damn near new still. 99.5% new. I got another pair just in case my goes missing.

 

[Boost Creep]

i have like 20-25ish knipex things

 

[Ericgst]

I only use Knipex for mechanically uses. I think their Cobras, pliers wrench, diagonal cutters and cobalt are great and prefer them over other brands. I use Channellock for common pliers types and Grip On for locking pliers(or re-branded ones such as Proto).

While I love the Knipex pliers I mentioned above, their precision snap ring pliers are so much better than their competitors that I think they probably my favorite item that they make. I have had several types/brands of snap ring pliers and I was always frustrated with them. Knipex precision snap ring pliers are worth their weight in gold.

 

[hautpot]

Installation pliers is my absolute favorite, I have no need to buy separate Cable shears and narrow nose pliers. Another useful thing is that they are spring loaded

When the cable shears and strippers are worn out I can still utilize the other parts.

 

[Karl_B]

I just happened to use my pliers wrench today to replace a GM high side service fitting. I never have wanted to spend the money on a special socket, and now that I've used the pliers wrench, I don't think I will unless I find one I can't reach otherwise.

I've had the Craftsman branded Cobras for a while and they have been extremely handy, too. I definitely plan on adding more Knipex tools to my box.

 

[Dtruth]

Knipex makes great pliers I use them almost every day [/IMG]

 

[Adam.C]

Knipex designs great pliers. I like the plier wrench and the design of the cobra. Their manufacturing however, leaves something to be desired. Their jaws are soft and fit and finish are not jaw dropping for pliers costing this much money.

Side by side, similar models compared, Snap On pliers are far superior. Better grips, stiffer jaws, hold better, better finished. I think I prefered my old craftsman pro black handles (made in France?) to Knipex. And based on knipex kool aid drinkers here, I bought ALOT of knipex pliers. Honestly, they just aren't that nice. Plier wrenches and Cobras are must haves. I like the snap ring pliers. But that's about it.

Please notice the models people rave about (Cobras, plier wrenches, snap rings). They may make nice linesman pliers. I don't care for them as I am not an electrician. For automotive electrics I use duck bills, needle nose, long needle nose and the tiny electronics pliers.

Oh I have the knipex auto stripper and like that, but it's mostly plastic.

 

[Monte]

So I have the 10" Wrench Pliers and I find so many uses for it from battery work, to straightning a piece of sheet metal, to you name it. Any way I bought the Knipex Cobra pliers, mini bolt cutters and a pair of side cutters. What I want to know is who else has some Knipex tools new or old and would like to share some of your experiences!

-cable shears maybe ?
they cut thin and thick cables nicely without squeezing the cable/insulation.






some Knipex pics from various Garagejournal threads for inspiration:

View media item 28790

or how about some more or different side cutters:

(to cut a nail i would recommend a Knipex cobolt mini bolt cutter though )

 

[RedneckWelder]

Definite Knipex fan.

I lust over the 22" Cobras and will be buying a pair soon.

I have the 10" Plierswrench and like them. Also have a pair of the small cable cutters for doing wire work.

Yes, I will definitely be buying more Knipex in the near future.

 

[defektes]

My knipex dykes are excellent, they are rated to piano wire, and I cut a lot of copper and bailing wire with them here at work. They last and have excellent leverage.

 

[helterskelter]

Knipex designs great pliers. I like the plier wrench and the design of the cobra. Their manufacturing however, leaves something to be desired. Their jaws are soft and fit and finish are not jaw dropping for pliers costing this much money.

I checked the jaw hardness of a pair of Knipex cobras on a rockwell hardness tester and while I don't remember the exact number, they were about as hard as you'd expect tool steel to get. Somewhere in the 50-60 HRC range. Not sure where you got a pair of soft ones, but mine were definitely heat treated correctly.

 

[Parrothead]

I have some Knipex, and some of it is absolutely worth the money, some there are equal alternatives but cheaper. I am VERY pleased with the mini-bolt cutters, I don't think there's a comparison out there. I think they should be a requirement in every box. I also like my cable sheers, as they make a nice smooth cut. The linesman pliers are nothing special and no better than my old Utica linesman pliers. They're not bad, just nothing special and not worth the premium price in my opinion. Fortunately they were a deal on Amazon. I'd say that's generally true of most brands, they have their gems, and the rest shop around for deals.

 

[Cruzomatic]

I have the 7" pliers wrench and love it. Just picked up some of the angled wire cutters and needle nose. Haven't used them, but like how are they are constructed.

Judging by the pics above, I have lots of shopping to do to catch up to you guys.

 

[JettaGetUpandGo]

I just bought the Raptor and self adjusting Cobras from Zoro. They arrived today and I noticed the handles are different than the rest of my Knipex pliers (purchased within the last 6 months). My existing ones have a bight orange smooth, almost glossy handle. The new ones have a darker orange textured handle. It looks like the print is already wearing off in a couple of spots and they're brand new.

Anyone else notice this? They're tools, so they're going to get used and marked up, but my OCD side is a little irked that they're different.

 

[hautpot]

cobras have porous finish on the handles except the large sizes and self grip.

The pliers wrench have that smooth finish you are talking about and the Large Cobra.

Just different handles, the markings are not that durable.

 

[lilscorpion]

... I noticed the handles are different than the rest of my Knipex pliers (purchased within the last 6 months). My existing ones have a bight orange smooth, almost glossy handle. The new ones have a darker orange textured handle.

When my first set of Cobras were coming out of the box I had the same reaction as you. After looking and asking around, it has always been that way. I'm guessing there's a good reason (like grip) but I don't know what it is.

Good news is you'll get over it quick, they're just as awesome.

 

[JettaGetUpandGo]

cobras have porous finish on the handles except the large sizes and self grip.

The pliers wrench have that smooth finish you are talking about and the Large Cobra.

Just different handles, the markings are not that durable.

Now that you mention it, my Cobras are the Craftsman branded ones and the handles are textured black. All other Knipex pliers I own (pliers wrenches, cable shears, needle nose, bolt cutter, combination, maybe others) are the smooth finish.

Sears had the Alligator pliers in the store, not the Cobras. I don't remember if the handles on those were different. Oh well, still happy with the purchase. Zoro 30% off made them a great deal!

 

[Ilikeike]

I bought a pair of the smooth jaw sliding type pliers last winter, I think I paid around $50 for them. they've just been sitting in my box at home so I haven't really used them yet, I've been meaning to take them to work to see if I can get use to using them on projects.

 

[Ridwaan Gallow]

I don't have any of their pliers, but recently found a vise grip at s pawn shop for R20 / $1.50.. Very old and used, but still working solidly.. Also got a Petersons Vise Grips.. R30 / R2