Granted.
In my case, I just found I was mostly grabbing older Channel lock style pliers that I had over Knipex Alligators except in limited cases where I needed the narrower head. Cobras heads are also more narrow than Channel Locks, though maybe slightly wider (due to the button) than Alligators. My main point is, for those who want Knipex style pliers, my guess is Cobra will fit better for most -- so doubt it would be wise for most to buy Alligators for a modest cost savings. I use Channel Locks for big and Cobras for small ... mostly. For really large stuff like big pipes etc, I think mostly the wider head on Channel lock styles will better to get a better grip. But for smaller stuff, I do like the Knipex Cobra size + jaw shape, narrow width, durability, adjustment ease etc.
I own the knipex but I have not once chosen them over channelocks. I actually prefer the Knipex adjustments.
I do have some tiny channelocks though. I do not own really tiny knipex, nor Do I own any large ones.
I need to think about that, I do not often need to use padded pliers to use on chrome, But I guess when I do I might grab my Knipex.
From top to bottom, we have my smallest pair of channelocks, which I use more often than I thought I would. Some tiny wilde and a couple different sizes of the wilde, But I'm really not a fan of how they adjust.
Next coming is a Williams wrenche that in general I like, but the one pictured is a little tight so it is my least favorite of all my Williams; But I like the grips better on the Williams than I do on the channelocks, I think.
Next I have three sets of Knipex, all that have something that will protect whatever it is I'm trying to turn. The middle one is grippy. The other two just have sleeves and they are not grippy, and they also have straight sleeves that do not have an indent.
The truth of the matter is that usually when I do not want to damage the pipe I grab my old Craftsman Robo Grips that are still available under whomever it is that originally made them. I know there's not a Lot of love for these here, but they adjust really fast and they seem to work just fine for me, but those Knipex are definitely much grippier, so if I need better grip I really need to grab those even if I do not prefer how they adjust.
But if I have access to all my tools, the one I grab first is usually the channelocks.
Sometimes I even grab my Channellock snap rings first, but for sure my Knipex snap rings are much, much nicer. But I also paid hundreds of dollars for them instead of like 20 or 30.
