My Dad had the Knipex clone...

[OmegaDPW]

I don't know when he got it and I haven't found the larger ones (usually sold in a set) but it has worked well for me so far. I like the idea of adjustable pliers, would it be worth looking into the Knipex brand? So far, for my occasional use, these work great. Any comments on these? They're about 8 inches.

 

[Professional Tool User]

The teeth on Irwin ones aren't that great. The Knipex Cobras are carefully engineered to use no more material than necessary.

 

[Wrench97]

They aren't Knipex clones, they're ok but after a couple years the grips get loose and try to fall off while you're pulling on them and the teeth are just so so.

 

[Beerhippie]

I've EDC'ed a pair of the little Knipex 125 Cobras for the last year or so. I've tried to break them--using a five-inch cheater bar on five-inch pliers is abuse. I've so far failed to damage them at all. The design is also great--they work so well I often worry more about clearance for the handles than getting them oriented properly for the direction I'm going. They work better pulling against the bottom jaw, but do work the other way, even on pipe. Channellocks don't.

Color me impressed.

One thing I really like is that the five-inch pliers will just handle a garden hose end fitting. My five-inch Channellocks won't, nor my 6" Crescent wrench.

 

[seber]

I have both the Irwin and the Knipex. After two years I still find zero difference in use.

 

[N8sToolz]

The knipex definitely feel more refined in a few different ways. Especially when just grabbing at the tip. The Irwin will definitely grab and leave it's mark though. I do prefer Knipex over Irwin, but not by too much.

 

[N8sToolz]

Remembered that I have a gear wrench in the style too. The tip doesn't seem to ever line up correctly. If I broke it would not be upset over it. I have a channelock at home too.

 

[lardy1]

Unless it's absolute junk,I lean toward bought and paid for. Particularly for occasional use.

 

[Wiz02]

I don't like my Knipex pliers wrench that I bought because people were raving about them here. That pushbutton is a PITA in IMHO.

Plus I just like being a contrary old sourpuss.

 

[jimbothecricket]

I have regretted buying a pair of Cobras for regular retail price. Are they worth the cost? In terms of being a quality German made tool yes, but I have plenty of tongue and groove pliers that can do everything I need, and I can find USA made channellocks for a few dollars at estate sales. Now that I have them I use them, and yes in some ways they are nicer than the channellocks, but I didn't and don't  need them. I have yet to use them somewhere a pair of channellocks wouldn't have sufficed.

 

[Beerhippie]

I don't like my Knipex pliers wrench that I bought because people were raving about them here. That pushbutton is a PITA in IMHO.

Plus I just like being a contrary old sourpuss.

I wasn't real fond of the push button when I first got mine. One day, I changed pants and left the Knipex in the pocket of the old ones. I had need for adjustable pipe pliers that day and just grabbed a pair of Channellocks. I'd forgotten how frustrating the tongue-and-groove pliers could be! Every time I'd fumble with them, they'd slip back to the smallest opening. Adjustment is crude compared to the Knipex--always too tight enough or too loose (handles too far apart or too close together). Seems I don't work with anything that's the perfect size for the adjustments.

I also realized how used I'd gotten to adjusting the Knipex with one hand. The adjustments are a little finicky, being so fine-toothed, but I can quickly get them adjusted just how I want--and they stay there.

Guess I'm spoiled.

 

[scooby074]

Knipex are great. They bite hard. Handles and jaws are built using just enough material no extra. Makes them light in the hand. However, Ive seen lots of pics of broken jaws. They wont take the abuse of my old channelocks. That said, its like comparing a Porsche with an F150.

 

[Meursault74]

I have those in 8, 10, and 12 inch. They're ok for me as a DIY guy. I don't regret purchasing them. I bought them long ago. I'd never even heard of Knipex when I bought them. I don't have any Knipex for comparison. Other pliers are mostly Channellock.

If I was a pro or heavy user of them, I'd likely get something more heavy duty. But I'm not so that's that.

Yeah, one of the grips came off. Shoe Goo'd the puppy back on......... it's not just for tennis shoes anymore.

 

[dclark2171]

I can feel a big difference between Knipex and others. However, Channellocks ( and others) are more than adequate for most people's uses. I have lots groove joint (commonly called Channellock) pliers in many sizes. I also pick them up at estate sales when I see them. I have not picked up a crescent wrench in years. I just grab the Channellocks.

 

[AA/FC]

"My Dad had the Knipex clone..."​

Actually, Knipex is the "real thing" and Irwin is the "clone". For this particular design, anyway....