Knipex Sliding jaw Plier Wrench-Anyone here using one?

[jjjrmx5]

Picked up a Knipex 8" mini bolt cutter today:



and while looking thru the Knipex tools, saw the 10" sliding and locking jaw Pliers Wrench as they call it.



Looked great, felt great and at $49, it should be great, but that's quite a bit of coin for a tool that may be gimmicky, given that I;ve not seen a similar design out there.

I;m keen on the alligator pliers, but not sure what these bring to the table, so to say.

Thanks for any and all help.

 

[lbgradwell]

I don't have a pair (yet - they are on my list) but the reviews here and elsewhere are overwhelmingly positive for the Plier Wrench.

Try a search & you should get many hits...

 

[JamieK]

Are there no teeth on the jaws? If so, they would be good for plumbing - for tightening nuts without scratching the chrome. Also would be handy for pinching off rubber lines, without digging into the line.

 

[jjjrmx5]

Thanks. I did a search here on GJ and nothing applicable directly came up. Hmmm.

Guess I need to get one then. Damn. LOL

 

[jjjrmx5]

Are there no teeth on the jaws? If so, they would be good for plumbing - for tightening nuts without scratching the chrome. Also would be handy for pinching off rubber lines, without digging into the line.

Correct. No teeth in the jaws. I found it strange, but since the jaws close flat to each face as opposed to an arc (centered usually on the connector pin), they act like a sliding open ended wrench in a sense.

My OP really is a result of my purchase of Craftsman Robogrip Pliers a decade ago, which are the among the worst tools in my box (YMMV). I don;t care to get burned again.

 

[GeorgiaHybrid]

You will use them most around the house (great on chrome plumbing fittings) and on cars or equipment where you would normally cheat out and grab a pair of slip jaw pliers and ****** up the nut. I also use them in place of adjustable wrenches as I can get a good solid grip with them and not round off a fastener.

 

[tonydanzah]

the pliers wrench are awesome. The grip like a pipe wrench even thought they have a smooth jaw. It has a 10 to 1 ratio on the handle.

 

[Bustawrench]

I've used them..........nice pliers. Jaws are a bit on the thin side, great for low clearance, like pulling powerheads off Sporlan TXV's.

 

[lbgradwell]

Thanks. I did a search here on GJ and nothing applicable directly came up.

Try the links here.

 

[Danglerb]

I use mine for squishing things, not in place of an adjustable wrench.

Surprised nobody has been talking about the original Plierench by Eifel made in the USA starting back in the 1920's.
http://www.practicalmachinist.com/vb/general-archive/plier-wrench-ever-used-one-87613/

 

[RKA]

FWIW, I saw these on the shelf in sears this week. Messed around with them for a bit and really liked them. But for $49, they stayed on the shelf (this time). I'll probably go back and pick them up if/when a need presents itself.

 

[jjjrmx5]

Try the links here.

Thanks!

I never though to go outside of GJ to search for threads INSIDE GJ.Hahaha.

They are well built pliers. Awesome hand-feel. Then I had the "a-ha" moment of wow, this looks like a slip joint pliers and an adjustable/Crescent wrench made sweet love and this was the "offspring."

Thus my mental bout with use and practicality.

 

[pj_rage]

I really like them. I don't think we can post links to stores or whatever here, but I got mine for $35 on the net. So you can search around.

Mine have replaced my regular adjustable wrenches for a lot of tasks. They are extremely well made as well. Very cool tool. As mentioned, the jaws close perfectly parallel and give you something like a quarter inch clearance (maybe a touch more, I'm going off memory) from open to close. They operate just like the knipex cobra pliers where you hold them open, press the button, slide to size, and use.

 

[3 at 8]

I really like them. I don't think we can post links to stores or whatever here, but I got mine for $35 on the net. So you can search around.

Mine have replaced my regular adjustable wrenches for a lot of tasks. They are extremely well made as well. Very cool tool. As mentioned, the jaws close perfectly parallel and give you something like a quarter inch clearance (maybe a touch more, I'm going off memory) from open to close. They operate just like the knipex cobra pliers where you hold them open, press the button, slide to size, and use.

You can definatly post a link to were you got them and the price you paid. In the future you can post finds like this in "The Hot Deal Index" thread. Deals like this are very much appreciated and utilized.

 

[Jack Olsen]

You use the toothless ones like you'd use and adjustable wrench. Then you use the 'Cobra' ones like you'd use pliers.

Once you get used to them, you will see some dust gathering on your adjustable wrenches and pliers.

 

[zer0cell]

They definitely requite some getting used to. I'm not saying that they are difficult to use or that they are ineffective. Not at all. They also seem to be very sturdy. The thing is though, I for one keep reaching for my adjustable wrench for household tasks. Yeah, an adjustable wrench does not grip at tight and it far more likely to cause nut rounding for example. However, you might find that until you force yourself to really start using them and getting accustom to their usage, they might end up as nothing more than an expensive decoration.

 

[fflintstone]

There on my "when I find them at a deal" list.

 

[matthew]

I have a set of pliers wrenches, and haven't used them much yet, but that will be changing soon. They are definitely not a gimmick - just brilliantly designed. Apart from the fact the jaws move parallel, which is great as far as wrenches go, the cam design in their jaws means you can apply quite a bit of force with the leverage they give. Way better than an adjustable wrench, and I'd say they're better than an open end wrench in places where they fit.

 

[reptilezs]

as a bicycle mechanic i love the pliers wrench. smooth jaws are great for holding spokes. broke a few spokes trying to unseize some *******

 

[fordbroncodave]

you can get a set of the cobras for like $65

 

[Monte]

They´re really nice ingenious pliers.

 

[kissmeimgerman]

I have the 7" version, one of my best buys..

 

[hifi_hokie]

Have 2 - one of the 12" and the 7".

Love 'em

 

[jjjrmx5]

you can get a set of the cobras for like $65

Yes...but they are different tools for different jobs.

I'm not among the "cheepies" here on GJ and am happy to pay handsomely for the right tool.

Looks like this is one of them.

Oddly, years and years of boarding weekly tool trucks from several makers and I've not run across these. I'm elated, but somewhat sad that I somehow missed the "It's 2006 and that's so cool of a pliers set so buy some ASAP" memo.

5 years too late. Oh well. LOL.

 

[BQuicksilver]

Once you get used to them, you will see some dust gathering on your adjustable wrenches and pliers.

I have 2 pair. They are some of the best tools I own. They are easier to use than an adjustable wrench and you can squeeze the fitting rather than just have your adjustable round things off.

 

[treasureseeker]

I have both sizes and have used them once in four years. I see them as a gimmick.

 

[gatewaysysop]

I have three different sizes of the pliers wrench and I love them. Great for all kinds of stuff, not just automotive. They are worth the money, I say cry once and buy 'em.

 

[PrecisionTools]

NWS has a similar plier as well don't they? So which works the best?

I was going to go all NWS for my larger stuff but I'm not sure now...

 

[ash95608]

NWS 166K-49-250 are very similar you can see them here
http://www.german-hand-tools.com/nws-plumbers.html

NWS has a similar plier as well don't they? So which works the best?

I was going to go all NWS for my larger stuff but I'm not sure now...

 

[d33pt]

why are the cobras called "water pump" pliers?

 

[Boost Creep]

 

[Jononon]

The smallest size lives in my household tool bag. Unlike mole wrenches etc. they don't chew the **** out of even brass fittings.

I bought 86 05 150. If I were buying again, I'd go for the less bulky (and cheaper) dipped 03 handles.

why are the cobras called "water pump" pliers?

Because they're designed for 1 1/2" slip nuts, as used on water pumps.

 

[Danglerb]

Eifel Plierench, and I think Nopak also made one.

http://www.nopak.com

 

[american lockpicker]

I've been meaning to get one ever since I seen them at Sears.

 

[shieldcracker]

Awesome tool I just got the 10" version and now I am shopping for the 12".
Adj. wrenches stay in the truck now, I only bring them out if I have to pound on the fastener to get it loose.

 

[BloodySinner]

I've got a branded Mac Tools Knipex plier.

 

[lwlobo]

I really like my 10" pair. I'd like to complete the set some time with 7" and 12".

I often use them like a small portable vise. Squeezing, holding, straightening, or bending something. Also great for plumbing. Good tools.

 

[bart1]

I like my 10" ones. I got them basically to use as a big adjustable wrench. Using them as a small crushing device is good, too.

I tried to really test them out once - tried to remove a big rusty nut to remove my lawn mower blades. Couldn't get them to work for that, ended up using a long breaker bar and a 6 pt socket.

Looks like the NWS don't have the compound leverage you get with the Knipex. Generally I would say NWS is my favorite plier, but nobody seems to have this unique product except Knipex.
BTW, I got mine at Sears with some discount codes and stuff for like $38 out the door.

 

[MrSmiley]

I have both sizes and have used them once in four years. I see them as a gimmick.

I'll gladly buy them off you if you don't want them

 

[bcradio]

I'll gladly buy them off you if you don't want them

He's probably only used them once more since the four years that he's posted that.