Teeny Tiny Knipex Cobras

[garfunkle24]

I just rounded out my Cobra collection by picking up the new 5" model. They are even tinier than I expected.

I have pictured them with my other Cobras and a 13mm wrench for scale. The other Cobras are 7", 10", 12", 16" and 22". I also have a 6" set but they're at home so they didn't make the family photo.

 

[arkangel06]

Now those are some nice little plyers!

I have yet to get myself some knipex

 

[twostall]

I've been looking at those - attracted to the design, but not really sure what they'er used for. Matter of fact, I often feel a bit guilty picking up my channlelocks, since it's usually because I've failed to do something the right way, resorting to squeezing the krap out of some bolt, marring it, rounding the corners, slipping off the grip and painfully pinching of some part of my hand somewhere, ultimately removing - and making a mess of - whatever part I'm working with. I don't like using adjustable, i.e. Crescent wrenches either, and pliers seem to be a crude substitute for an adjustable, which are themselves a crude substitute for an open-end.
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Back to the Knipex: does that angle in the jaws fit around the corner of a hex bolt or something? Do you ever use them without leaving gouges? Do you use them in applications where you don't mind if somebody sees you?

Help me justify starting a set of those Knipex! - they'er just too cool...

 

[Merkava_4]

I can't say anything nice about those 5 inchers.

 

[garfunkle24]

The one thing I really like about my Cobras is that they are "self-tightening". They work much like a pipe-wrench when tightened on, needing force to be applied to only one handle.

I work on the road and space in my toolbox is at a premium. My Cobras serve as waterpump and slip-joint (regular) pliers and pipe wrenches in 1/3 the space.

As far as the teeth marking stuff, I wouldn't use them (with any force at least) on anything that you wouldn't use a pipe wrench on.

The jaw shape is actually quite versatile, being fairly well shaped for flat, hex, round and square work pieces. I believe much of the design of the jaw is to give the "self-tightening" attribute.

FYI The jaws are hardened to about 60HRC accordibg to Knipex.

 

[Danglerb]

Knipex has the smooth jaw plier wrench, but smallest I know of is the 7".

 

[nissan_crawler]

I have the 5" pair of them, also. I use them all the time. All my slip-joint pliers got retired, haven't touched them once after getting that one.

While they can be used for bolts/nuts, I use them for much more. For one, forget ever using a pipe wrench again. If you're bending something, they work great. If you're trying to get a cap off something, they work great. If you're trying to squeeze something into/out of place, they work great.

 

[autoace]

I can't say anything nice about those 5 inchers.

Why not? You can never have too many variations of pliers, sometimes small ones come in handy.

 

[Merkava_4]

Why not? You can never have too many variations of pliers, sometimes small ones come in handy.

They look like frickin' dwarf midgets.

The 7 inchers are the way to go.

 

[fatfillup]

They look like frickin' dwarf midgets.

The 7 inchers are the way to go.

Merk, you crack me up! Thanks!

My cobras get used everyday and never on a bolt. Mostly use as a pipe wrench, just a smaller, lighter tool with serious bite ability. I personally would buy the big ones before the 5" as I don;t have either.

Of course, since when did needing something ever stop anybody here from buying a tool

 

[Mike83]

I have the Channellock versions that have the self gripping feature, just that the adjustment mechanism does not have a button. And they only cost $20 for the 9" and 12" set.

 

[garfunkle24]

They look like frickin' dwarf midgets.

The 7 inchers are the way to go.

If you've looked in the engine bay of a car lately, some tiny pliers that bite like hell and open to 1 1/8" have only about a million uses..

 

[Monte]

cute !

 

[FNFS2000]

Knipex has the smooth jaw plier wrench, but smallest I know of is the 7".

They also make some smaller, the part number size is 150mm It's around 5-6 inches. I like them.

 

[Art From De Leon]

I keep a set of them on my reloading bench.

 

[Monte]

How do you like the Hazet wrench ?

 

[garfunkle24]

How do you like the Hazet wrench ?

I love my Hazets! Right now I only have them in 8, 10, 13, 17 and 19mm (my key sizes, I work on Austrian equipment) but I plan on completing the set as funds allow.

I particularly like the design of the box end of these wrenches. Compared to my Snap-on and Mac wrenches, the Hazets have much better clearance when you have two fasteners very close together due to the box/offset design. They also have a nice thin box end which is great for those fasteners in a tight spot.

BTW, I follow your "Tools from the Old World" thread with great interest, it's actually my favourite thread on this board. I'm hoping to win the lottery so I can try and equal your collection of fine European tools!

 

[Monte]

@garfunkle24: I only wondered because of the let`s say "different" finish of the Hazet vs. Snap-on, Mac etc. (the forging, the surface and how they are grinded)

 

[garfunkle24]

@garfunkle24: I only wondered because of the let`s say "different" finish of the Hazet vs. Snap-on, Mac etc. (the forging, the surface and how they are grinded)

I am a big fan of teutonic design and I actually prefer the more utilitarian, "industrial" look of European tools as compared to their extra-chromed shiny US/Asian counterparts. I think the lettering forged into the wrench looks really cool also.

More to the point, I don't care what my tools look like anyway. Function always trumps form for me.