Lee Valley - Cobra Pliers

[jeffhay]

These look similar to Knipex but at this price they might be rebranded Irwins. Can anyone determine the OEM for these? http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.aspx?cat=1,43456,43400&p=71492

Either way, Lee Valley stuff is top notch and at $22.50 for an 8" and a 10", I might try them out.

 

[rice rocket]

The handles look a lot like the Knipex 1000V ones.

 

[MJB24]

There is "teeth" on both sides for position on the linked pliers but not on the Knipex pictured.

 

[rice rocket]

Yeah, it might be a hybrid of two Knipex pliers? The Irwins have the top jaw with the piece on top of the lower jaw (if looking at it as a stack).

 

[Hootbro]

I highly doubt Knipex is even involved with those. You cannot even get the rebranded Craftsman one that cheap. To many differences.

 

[OxJaw]

Look more like Irwins than Knipex to me.

 

[rice rocket]

I don't see any Irwin that looks remotely similar.

 

[larryq]

Those look like Knipex clones to me. I'd be surprised if there wasn't a licensing agreement involved somewhere. As the OP said, Lee Valley sells some great stuff. I've purchased from them before and have zero complaints.

 

[tomd]

with the absence of branding, I wonder if they could be Knipex blemished?

 

[Hootbro]

with the absence of branding, I wonder if they could be Knipex blemished?

Knipex does not do "blemished" sell offs. The average German has to much pride and their heads would explode just thinking about it. Besides, the arrow looking serrations on the button side of the pliers shaft is not something usually seen on a Knipex pliers.

 

[RKA]

I would call them before ordering. $22 isn't expensive, but it's not harbor freight cheap either. And in some cases I've received "Made in India" items from Lee Valley.

 

[kjbenner]

According to Lee Valley customer service, COO is Taiwan.

 

[Jsf721]

I would pick up a set if someone here had them and was happy with them. Somehow they look good but the price is making me hesitant. Guess I really don't need them either but I have been collecting stuff when the price is right and the quality good to replace tools lost in the flood.

 

[Basstracker34]

$8.95 shipping kills the deal for me.

 

[jeffhay]

$8.95 shipping kills the deal for me.

That was where I was at with it, too.

 

[mrbreezeet1]

$8.95 shipping kills the deal for me.

That was where I was at with it, too.

that is the trouble, they had a free shipping offer, but it's expired, think it was over $40.00 though.
I almost brought a set, but as someone else stated, I really don't need them.
I have the small pair, and a larger pair. in knipex.

 

[jeffhay]

I did end up getting these during last month's free shipping offer. Had to pad my order with some odds and ends to get up to $40.

There are no markings whatsoever on them and they come in a plain white cardboard box. No idea who the OEM is. They look to me to be about Irwin or typical Taiwanese quality. I'd say they're worth the $22.50. I like the red and black handles anyway. Now I can shuffle my Stanley channel style pliers to my away box.

 

[rice rocket]

Do they auto-lock like the Cobras?

 

[jeffhay]

Yes, they have the spring button, like Cobra pliers.

 

[jeffhay]

Lee Valley is now selling NWS brand pliers. They're German made and it looks like they're priced a little less than Knipex. They look nice, but since I recently bought the pliers from upthread, I have no need. If anyone has them, I'm curious as to your opinion of their quality.

Toolguyd says that Irwin is also rebranding these, so if you like blue and gold better than red and white, there's this option.

I'm not a schill for LV; just a fan. I just got my Fall 2014 catalog and these pliers were in there, so I thought I'd update the thread.

 

[jeffhay]

I just saw these come up again and I remembered this thread.

They're even $3 cheaper, at $19.50. 10" and 7" this time, instead of 10" and 8". I still like the ones I got a couple years ago. Maybe these will still be around when free shipping comes back up.

 

[skamath]

i think these are unbranded daiken pliers DWP-10AD
http://www.daikentools.com/index.php/product/view/123

i google searched on 'DIN ISO 8976'

looks like good quality