Questions for Knipex fans

[theoldwizard1]

Although me pliers drawer is pretty full, I think I am going to "drink the Kool Aid" and buy some Knipex pliers

First, Alligators or Cobras ?

Second, what is the most commonly used sizes ?

 

[rlitman]

The Knipex pliers I own are several sizes of PliersWrench, and a set of their linesman pliers. Both are absolutely fantastic. I’ve seen cheap knockoffs of the PliersWrench that I wouldn’t touch, and more expensive German stuff that’s not significantly better, but their linesman pliers are absolutely perfect. Head and shoulders above Klein and SnapOn, among others (I own Utica, Boker, Mueller and several others to compare as well). Nobody else makes halfway as good a set.

Oh, and what’s a pliers drawer? Is it actually possible to fit ones pliers into a single drawer?

PS, this is strictly a matter of personal preference, so I understand why many would disagree with me, but I don’t like alligator or cobra pliers. Yes, Knipex does them really well. Possibly the best. But they’re just not my thing.

PPS, My most recent acquisitions have been Swedish pattern pipe wrenches (SnapOn PWZ series). They overlap too much with the cobra for me, and pipe wrenches have better grip on round things (the only place I’d use them anyway).

 

[2ndGearRubber]

IMO Cobras are faster and easier to adjust. Downside is in really filthy environments the buttons can stick with gunk. Standard 10" model is what you want, if you only have 1.

 

[Canyon56]

I am a fan of the Cobras in the 7, 10 and 12 inch sizes.

 

[Iowafox]

I say go with the Cobra pliers. They are great. I think they replace the standard slip joint pliers that grandpa always had on his belt.
I currently have 1 of the 5inch cobras I believe perfect EDC side. I have 2 of the 7inch pliers those are the best all around sized ones for everything from in the house to in the garage.
I also REALLY suggest getting the Knipex Crescent pliers in 7 inch size. That replaces the crescent wrench. I find for most house hold things the crescent pliers and the 7 inch cobras are the do 80% of bolt tightening up.
I love the brand and hope to someday have the whole set of cobra pliers in every size they make.

 

[mashguy4077]

Definitely get the Cobras over the Alligators. They are pretty awesome.

 

[Paul_The_Builder]

Cobras.

In my opinion, in the order of usefulness:

10" first
7" second
12" third
5" fourth
22" fifth
4" sixth

Your use case may vary.

I wouldn't bother with the Cobra "quickset" pliers... they're not that great. The auto adjusting pair is surprisingly good.. its like what the Craftsman Robo pliers aspire to be... with triple the price tag. The 10" slim end cobras are great also. Raptors are pretty meh to me, but some guys really like them. Again, depends on what you're working on.

But take my opinion with a grain of salt, I'm an unabashed Knipex fanboy.

 

[Jlarson]

Cobras


Probably my most used are my 7", same with my pliers wrench. They are just so handy, I'm grabbing them all the time for stuff.

 

[M635_Guy]

I love my pliers wrenches - have the 150mm/180mm/250mm sets (5"/7"/10") and they're just plain handy. So much faster/better than an adjustable/Crescent-style wrench that I always considered a necessary evil until I got the Knipex pliers wrenches, and they can help flatten metal and do a variety of other small-but-super-useful things.

I have the Cobras in 150mm/180mm and they've been great - can't speak to the other styles, but the cobras BITE and hang the hell on. They show use but not damage.

 

[RoundedNut]

Cobras, Pliers Wrench and CoBolt are their best. The rest may be overrated or under the halo of those pliers but they are good and were reasonably priced direct from amazon Germany a while back. The midrange 7" and 10" sizes are the most general purpose.

I have about 15 of them, lost count, some like the carpenter's pincers are surprisingly useful and aren't expensive.

 

[woody6904]

Definitely cobras, I still cant get the hang of the wrench when I have played with them, guess I'm just so used to adjustables.

I would start with a 10 inch Cobra and the 10 inch Cobra ES (narrower nose).

 

[Bessy]

Another big knipex fan here. I'd say my go tos are the 10" and 7" cobras, followed closely by the 7" plier wrench. I've also been happy with their cutters, both side cutters and end knipers.

The 5" cobras are great for leaving in your pocket and doing fine work (they allow you to put a surprising amount of force in a small package) but I recently picked up the 6" cobras, and though I haven't used them much yet, I think they fit my hand a little nicer than the 5".

Current setup includes:
Plier wrench 7" and 10"
Cobras 5, 6, 7, 10" and 10" slim.
8" side cutter
10" end knipers.

Sent from my Pixel 3a using Tapatalk

 

[DerekV]

Cobras, and get the 7” and 10” variants (both)

 

[sparky 1971]

Cobras. I have a set of Alligators and they don't like to adjust. This problem would probably go away with enough use to break in, but I don't like them. I have 7, 10, and 12 inch Cobras. I use the 10's daily and will never use a different type if given a choice.

 

[ElusiveKandyDC]

COBRAS COBRAS COBRAS

3x because you'll want at least 3 sizes


Personally, I tend to reach for the 7" most.

But I'd probably buy the 10" if I can only have one

 

[demarpaint]

Cobra 10" are tough to beat.

 

[Qualitytools]

Cobra 10" and 12" the later I use mostly for plumbing (more leverage). Also the Plierwrench in the same sizes, I tend to use the smooth jaw 12" Plierwrench for plumbing also.

 

[lardy1]

Cobra's and Pliers Wrench I find to be very useful. They serve different purposes so I can't compare the two. Cobra's see more use.

 

[FastJ]

Cobra 10" for most jobs then 12" and 5"

 

[bob from indiana]

I like the alligator 7" best. They are my go to pliers at work. I have cobra 7" and 10" but
prefer the alligators. I had cobra 5" but didn't care for them they were to big to be little and to little to be big. I gave them to a friend and he really likes them.

 

[bob from indiana]

I like the alligator 7" best. They are my go to pliers at work. I have cobra 7" and 10" but
prefer the alligators. I had cobra 5" but didn't care for them they were to big to be little and to little to be big. I gave them to a friend and he really likes them.

 

[speed bump]

I've got the 10 inch cobras and if your going to buy something that is what I would recommend. The knipex kool aid has never been much different to me so I would say get one pair and try it before buying several.

 

[M6erfan]

Yup. Cobras. 10".

 

[Cgw1984]

Id skip em personally. I hated my knipexs. Sold em after a week.

 

[Beemer]

Any opinions on their locking hose clamp pliers?