Need New Pliers...
- Thread starter JoeyMitch
- Start date
wafrederick
Well-known member
I used to like Channelock,not anymore and made the switch to Knipex.Matco has a new rebranded set made by Knipex,angled set and I bought a set last week Friday.Will be coming out as a Knipex set later on this year.Matco got it first.
habit maybe. they can adjust to a larger size, and seem to be adapted to a large number of jobs. they are often reasonable priced and to some extent are expendable(lose one grab another pair). many people carry them all of the time when working. often times in a leather pouch or in pants with a pocket designed to hold them. i am sure there are countless members who can't recall their father or grandfather not having a set on them at all times or within arms reach. maybe nostalgia more than anything
Buckgnarly
Well-known member
I recently got the Knipex hose pliers from Amazon, not impressed. The chrome looks cheap and the action is no smoother than other pliers, especially my SO.
I do have the Cobras and like them very much, but why do some of you guys like Knipex so much? I think it may be the finish as I am not a fan of chromed pliers. Not bashing Knipex here, just expected more I guess?
I do have the Cobras and like them very much, but why do some of you guys like Knipex so much? I think it may be the finish as I am not a fan of chromed pliers. Not bashing Knipex here, just expected more I guess?
wafrederick
Well-known member
Easier to adjust with a push of a button.Convential channellocks are a pain to adjust.My Matco tool dealer stocks more Knipex pliers than Matco pliers.The Germans make better good products tool wise and Knipex pliers are one.The Knipex pliers have a better design than Channellock too,a boxed design which is stronger.
N.I.
Well-known member
Fair enough, but apart from the price point, I personally can't find a reason to buy a pair (which is surprising considering the side effects of this forum).
Don't judge them on their finish, judge them on the quality of their steel, how long their their teeth and cutting edges stay sharp and the precision they are manufactuered to. That is how Knipex got their name.
They are also at the cutting edge of technology and have managed to come up with with some great ideas in recent years, e.g. as the Cobras, the Twinforce, the Cobolts and the pliers wrench.
DARKSCOPE001
Well-known member
shop around. My pliers drawer is a mix mash of channellock, Snap on and Knipex. Yes snap on makes some very nice pliers and im really satisfied with all my snap on pliers I think the price is a little absurd sometimes for what you get. Just shop around you can find some really nice stuff. Lowes puts knipex on good deals sometimes.
Thanks actually to this form I got my first set of Knipex pliers in aviation school when lowes was clearance out a 2 pack of cobra pliers for less than just 1 8" set. I think I payed like 21 bucks for two pliers. Killer deal and I love them. untill someone stole my one pair
Good Luck
Sean Scott
Thanks actually to this form I got my first set of Knipex pliers in aviation school when lowes was clearance out a 2 pack of cobra pliers for less than just 1 8" set. I think I payed like 21 bucks for two pliers. Killer deal and I love them. untill someone stole my one pair
Good Luck
Sean Scott
nahuebsch82
Well-known member
I second this! looove my knipex
ganymede
Well-known member
They are the first pliers I grab. If I need more leverage or better grip I go to vise grips or my Channelocks. If I'm going to a job where it's very unlikely that I'll need pliers I like to have them anyway just in case but instead of carrying Channelocks and cutters I take the slip joint pliers because they can do both.
SlimChance
Member
- Joined
- Dec 27, 2010
- Messages
- 19
I use to use the irwins and channelocks T&G then I got the knipex cobras. Now I wonder why it took me so long to discover Knipex.
+1 up north here I don't see them used very often either. I have a couple pair but I rarely grab them in favour of other types.
There's tongue & groove pliers, slip joint pliers, nose pliers, diagonal cutting pliers, duck bill pliers, combination pliers, locking pliers, hose gripping pliers, hose clamp pliers, water pump pliers, end cutting pliers, electronics pliers, safety wire pliers, lineman's pliers... the list goes on and on. Just starting a thread saying, "I need new pliers," doesn't tell me anything. 
Knipex by a mile. Second in my mind would be NWS for cobra / quattrogrip styles. Knipex is sold on my Snap On truck and for good reason. They couldn't touch the quality with an in brand offering.
The only reason I will pick up Channellock is to grip things that are still glowing white hot as I don't want to mess with the temper on the hardened teeth of anything I care about.
It is unfortunate that Channellock doesn't up their game to use a bit of new technology. I guess their name is associated with the outdated adjustment mechanism that they use so might be hard to change. To my knowledge there is not a USA made equivalent to the Cobras. It would be nice to see a USA competitor, but all the knock offs I see are made in China garbage from formerly American made companies.
I cringe every time I adjust a channellock and have to fidget around to get it to the right size. They are durable, which is a requirement for me as they are frequently thrown out of frustration when I am done using them.
The only reason I will pick up Channellock is to grip things that are still glowing white hot as I don't want to mess with the temper on the hardened teeth of anything I care about.
It is unfortunate that Channellock doesn't up their game to use a bit of new technology. I guess their name is associated with the outdated adjustment mechanism that they use so might be hard to change. To my knowledge there is not a USA made equivalent to the Cobras. It would be nice to see a USA competitor, but all the knock offs I see are made in China garbage from formerly American made companies.
I cringe every time I adjust a channellock and have to fidget around to get it to the right size. They are durable, which is a requirement for me as they are frequently thrown out of frustration when I am done using them.
Justin1776
Well-known member
The first time I used my cobra's was like:
If I know I will be using slip joints all day (like running conduit) I bring my Knipex in from home. It can be so frustrating using Channellocks and having to adjust the damn things constantly. Set and forget with the Cobra's.Thunderbisciut
Well-known member
If NWS makes it, then I buy from them. No fancy handles or finishes either, just the basic of the basic works for me.
Unless I need something bigger they are the pliers I use, I find they are very easy to control. While they may not be the best for a job they are great for a number of different applications.
They grip pretty good too, only down side is the teeth can really tear up what your working on.
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My plier selection consist mainly of the standard issue Craftsman stuff and the Channelock 420's
I will probably pick up the knipex pack from Lowes as well as this interesting guy I found at sears.
http://www.sears.com/knipex-10-in-plier-wrench/p-00929112000P?prdNo=8&blockNo=8&blockType=G8
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shoturtle
Well-known member
If you want an excellent chrome finish plier the wiha are the ones to get. Especially their vde ones.
MattPersman
Well-known member
I have been happy with snap on pliers as well as knipex
d.mcfarland
Well-known member
Any decision JoeyMitch? Any did you ever decide which style you need, or are you buying a dozen different pairs?