Knipex Wrenching Pliers mini review

[zuspiel]

I've had those pliers for a couple of months now and wouldn't want to live without them anymore. They are awesome. Here's some pics to start with:

They have a 11:1 ratio built into them so even with minimal pressure on the handles, you get a really good grip on whatever you want to hold.

The jaws are smooth and so don't mark what what you're gripping:

I came across a great test: Removing carb studs. Here they are in action:

And here's the stud after removal:

NO TOOLMARKS!!! nissan_crawler, are you listening?

Two of the studs came right out, the other two needed a bit of PB. I'd estimate that it took about 30 ft-lb to get them out. And that's smooth yaws on a round stud... And, yes, I know they make extractors for those. You gotta do what you gotta do...

Any square or hex bolt is no problem whatsoever and they don't push out the corners like an adjustable wrench. I guess I've applied as much as 50-60 ft-lb with those things (gas tank drain). I would imagine that they'll also be mighty useful for plumbing but wasn't forced to try that, yet.

Verdict: You need a pair!

 

[bchee]

They have a 11:1 ratio built into them so even with minimal pressure on the handles, you get a really good grip on whatever you want to hold.

Nice review and picts. I just bought the 7" and 10", but with the regular red handles.
I noticed on mine that when fully closed, the jaws are not exactly parallel, although pretty close.


What do you mean by 11:1 ratio, or how did you figure that out? Thanks

 

[Joe B.]

I really like the looks for those. Too late for this years Christmas list so I guess I'll wait another year.

 

[billymade]

Zuspiel, can you give us an idea the prices on these and a good supplier you got yours from?

 

[bchee]

The 7" and 10" run anywhere from $35-45 each, without shipping.
http://chadstoolbox.com/
http://www.aktoolsonline.com/

 

[Danglerb]

Double nut those studs, no cheating.

I did a little searching, using keywords Knipex plier wrench, and came up with the usual suspects. Looks like the grip is changing from the dipped style to a comfort grip, and we just missed a close out at Graingers for $17, most other places are around $35+ for the 7" and $45+ for the 10".

The Raptor style also looks interesting an a bit cheaper.

 

[elect]

good review, nice pliers thanks.

 

[Diesel-Mech]

I have I think the 10" of those with the older red dipped handles, they work awesome especially considering that the Jaws are smooth.

 

[chammyman]

I can't think when I would ever use those. If they had teeth then maybe.

 

[born lucky]

Yeah!! I have been eyeing for months now. First saw them in Griots Garage catolog. I did some research and found that Knipex makes them.
So, I researched some more and found AK Tools. Dam best prices on Knipex Tools! I like their service, They found of pair of Knipex pliers that just came out this year model 90-20-185.They are for cutting flexible tubing.
Getting back to those plier they sure look nice!

 

[Merkava_4]

How the hell can it grab the carburetor studs with smooth jaws?

 

[chrisexv6]

I just purchased a set of the Craftsman badged Cobras so I could use them for some plumbing stuff around the house. Along with the wrenches I felt the need to buy a set of the jaw covers so they wont mar the finish on the "finish" plumbing Im doing.

Your review has got me thinking of just buying these flat jawed models instead!!!

 

[3 at 8]

How the hell can it grab the carburetor studs with smooth jaws?

I would like to know that too...

 

[Stuey]

I just purchased a set of the Craftsman badged Cobras so I could use them for some plumbing stuff around the house. Along with the wrenches I felt the need to buy a set of the jaw covers so they wont mar the finish on the "finish" plumbing Im doing.

Your review has got me thinking of just buying these flat jawed models instead!!!

If you want to save a bit of cash, look for Channellock's smooth jaw tongue-in-groove style pliers.

 

[zuspiel]

Double nut those studs, no cheating.

That's what I tried first but the studs were too stuck. I couldn't keep the nuts from turning together...

 

[zuspiel]

I just purchased a set of the Craftsman badged Cobras so I could use them for some plumbing stuff around the house. Along with the wrenches I felt the need to buy a set of the jaw covers so they wont mar the finish on the "finish" plumbing Im doing.

Your review has got me thinking of just buying these flat jawed models instead!!!

If I were you, I would go for the Knipex. I'm sure they work awesome for pluming.

 

[zuspiel]

Sorry, I should probably have explained how they work. It's quite a neat design. Their power comes from the extremely short "forward" lever arm. Here's a comparison pic with some large channellocks:

The ratio of the red to the blue lever arm gives the "force multiplier" of the pliers. On the traditional pliers, the distance from the tip of the jaws to the fulcrum is 75 mm. From the fulcrum to a point close to the end of the handle, it's 250 mm. If you apply, say 10lb of force to that point on the handle, the tips of the jaws will experience

10lb * (250/75) = 33.3 lb

of force. Now for the Knipex ones, we get

10lb * (200/13) = 153.8 lb (4.6 times more)

That's what makes the Knipex ones so unique. The whole jaw is pushed up by that much larger force because the forward distance is so small.

I used two hands for the studs and I'm sure I developed at least 50lb of force on the handle. That means the jaws were clamped shut by a 770 lb force!!! That allowed the flat face to grip a smooth fastener.

Actually, when you play with the things and put your finger in them, it takes almost no force on the handle for it to start hurting

bchee, you're right. When fully closed, there is a small angle between the jaws. I think that's there on purpose. It takes up the slack of the whole mechanism when you apply some force. Kind of like pre-tensioning it. When you clamp down on something, they do seem parallel.

I've also used them on dirty brass AC fittings (elbows with square corners). The load was distributed so evenly that they hardly disturbed the grease and dirt on the fitting... From other times I've used them, I know that they work a bunch better than the "vise-grips plus wrench" approach, as well.

chammyman, the lack of teeth is what makes them so attractive to me. You don't have to worry about tearing stuff up.

Stuey, I have to check out the channellocks you mentioned. Do they work on the same principle?

Finally, thanks for the "thanks for the review"s. I like reading reviews here a lot, myself.

I hope this post helps. Otherwise, fire away

 

[Bolster]

Great review. You 'sold' me, I want some. I spend way too much time plumbing without a good adjustable wrench, and this would fit the ticket.

I'm confused regarding the above explanation, seems to me the Knipex red line should extend from the hinge to, say, the midpoint of the bottom jaw, since they're parallel jaws. If the nut were actually gripped at the tip of the nub that is at the end of the red line, then I could follow the argument. But that nub's force is transferred to the much larger bottom jaw, thus reducing its mechanical advantage. With the Knipex you actually have the "lever" in two parts. But you have to add them up, and as that lever gets longer, it loses some of its force.

I think the purpose of the nub is not so much a 'force multiplier' as it is a way to transfer parallel pressure (as opposed to a pivoting pressure in the channelocks).

But what do I know, only physics I ever took was in high school. I'm sure someone with more education will chime in.

And my comments are beside the point, because I really like these pliers and this review has put them at the top of my shopping list. Thanks Zuspiel!

PS: So, what keeps the pliers from sliding around once they're set...is that a button you push at the hinge, to lock it in place?

 

[zuspiel]

Thanks and you're welcome!

They beat an adjustable wrench any day of the week, not only because they don't round off the corners of the nut, but also because you can just open them a bit and then grab the next face. No pulling the wrench off, putting it on the next face and then tightening it back down...

The thing with the force is as follows: since they are parallel jaws which ride on rails, the little nub pushes the whole lower jaw up with whatever force. The whole jaw experiences the force generated at the top of the nub. In the case of the carb stud, that force acts on the line of contact that the stud has with the jaws. It doesn't matter where on the jaws the stud is. With traditional (hinged) pliers, the force varies from front to back. But even at the very back of the jaws, you're not as close to the hinge as the nub on these pliers.

I hope that helps...

BTW, one thing I don't know is how well these will hold up over time if you use them a lot. They are built really well but the high forces generated might take a toll after a while...

 

[zuspiel]

PS: So, what keeps the pliers from sliding around once they're set...is that a button you push at the hinge, to lock it in place?

Forgot to answer that: Yes, you press in the button and adjust them to the right size. When you release it, it locks the hinge in place.

That gives me an idea... (going to garage to take another two pics...) Duhh, should have thought of this earlier. Here are two pics with the pliers adjusted to the top most position.

For that huge move of the handle, the jaws opened up less than 7mm...

 

[Merkava_4]

Sorry, I should probably have explained how they work. It's quite a neat design. Their power comes from the extremely short "forward" lever arm. Here's a comparison pic with some large channellocks:

DANG ....

 

[zuspiel]

I take it you're "unconfused" now

 

[bchee]

Actually, when you play with the things and put your finger in them, it takes almost no force on the handle for it to start hurting

thanks for the info and extra picts.

first thing I did when I got mine was smash my fingers!

My 7" has a "Y" where the red circle is, and the 10" has "SC"
I'm trying to figure out what those letters mean.

 

[Stuey]

Actually, when you play with the things and put your finger in them, it takes almost no force on the handle for it to start hurting

Stuey, I have to check out the channellocks you mentioned. Do they work on the same principle?

I do the finger test frequently as well. For knives, it's the "shave a finger nail" test.

The Channellocks I mentioned look like regular tongue in groove pliers, but have smooth jaws instead of serrated ones, nothing special. But they're cheap, maybe $15-$18.

I didn't mention it yet, but I too think you did very well with this review! Nice pics, too!

 

[chammyman]

I never even thought of lever forces, good review and explanation.

 

[zuspiel]

Thanks. Next time, I'll try to put all the relevant info in one post... Not three distributed over the course of a whole day

 

[Stuey]

Thanks. Next time, I'll try to put all the relevant info in one post... Not three distributed over the course of a whole day

That's never going to happen. =) No matter how much you anticipate what people are going to want to hear or read, there will always be unforseen inquiries.

Your review initial review is good, as were your follow ups.

 

[Chris Adams]

Lousy review.




Because now I have to buy some.

This place costs me money every time. Just bought the Craftsman Cobra style, now I need a sale on these wrench pliers.


Seriously, awesome review, nice pics, great explanations.

 

[zuspiel]

Lousy review.

Because now I have to buy some.

This place costs me money every time. Just bought the Craftsman Cobra style, now I need a sale on these wrench pliers.

I guess this is just a little preview of phase two of Stuey's "Save the economy" master plan

 

[john w]

Great review and thread! I'm going to help save the economy too. Nissan said that A-K is where he gets his Knipex stuff at good prices.

 

[charlie_nj]

I've been looking at these for a while. I just ordered a set of 10 inch ones from S and J Discount Tool:

http://www.sjdiscounttools.com/kni8603250.html

$37.79 (regular grips) and shippping to my location, New Jersey, was only $2.50. Thought this was a pretty good price.

 

[zuspiel]

first thing I did when I got mine was smash my fingers!

My 7" has a "Y" where the red circle is, and the 10" has "SC"
I'm trying to figure out what those letters mean.

Glad to know I'm not the only that sticks his fingers where they don't belong

Maybe it's a date code. My 10" ones are marked "SA"...

 

[84scrambler]

Been trying to find the 12" ones with the newer comfy style grip but no luck. Has anybody found them?

Perhaps I don't need the 12" one and the 10" and 7" will suffice. For those of you that have been using these do you see the 10" able to accommodate all your needs or are you looking at getting a 12"?

 

[zuspiel]

I just checked the Knipex web site (link) and they don't seem to have the 12" with the red/blue grip...

For me, 10" seem to be the sweet spot. The 7" still won't get into any cramped place and I haven't felt the need for anything bigger than the 10". If I got another pair, it would probably be the 12" ones, though.

 

[Metric]

I might missing something really stupid here but what's the difference between these two:

http://www.sjdiscounttools.com/knp8603-10.html

and

http://www.sjdiscounttools.com/kni8603250.html?

 

[zuspiel]

Yeah, that's not very obvious... If you read the descriptions carefully, the first (more expensive) ones say

Grips all sizes up to 2-3/8"

I guess that would be the 12" and not the 10". So they might have the length wrong...

 

[Stuey]

I might missing something really stupid here but what's the difference between these two:

http://www.sjdiscounttools.com/knp8603-10.html

and

http://www.sjdiscounttools.com/kni8603250.html?

Yeah, that's not very obvious... If you read the descriptions carefully, the first (more expensive) ones say

Grips all sizes up to 2-3/8"

I guess that would be the 12" and not the 10". So they might have the length wrong...

It looks like they're both 10" versions, but one of them has a larger jaw opening range than the other. Taking a look at the two photos reveals that one of them does in fact have a longer "gear channel" to provide for the greater capacity.

 

[Bolster]

Received my 86 03 250 Knipex 10 inch PLIERS WRENCH today from Chad's Toolbox, $40 + 9 shipping. They have a 110% price guarantee (10% less than competition) but I did not know about SJ Tools at time of order. Shipping was expensive but very fast.

I am really going to like these. I only have one minor crit, I tend to pinch my fingers in any pliers where the handles can close together closer than about 1". I am going to have to be careful with these, because on certain middle settings the handles touch.

Thanks Zuspiel for the review, would not have known about these if you'd not posted.

 

[bchee]

zuspiel posted the original review

 

[Crawlin]

Got my 10" wrench pliers from Aktools yesterday. Think the total was 46 and some change shipped. They are pricey but I dont know how I lived without them. It will be hard to use an adjustable now.