Knipex channel lock type pliers

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jdsmith

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I did some searching here and a few other places and it looks like anybody who has used Knipex Cobra or Alligator pliers recommends them highly. I'm looking for more specific feedback about what model you have and why you do or don't like it.

Any info about Cobra vs. Alligator series?

Has anyone tried the Cobra ES extra slim design? It looks like they would be nice sometimes, are they good enough to use exclusively?

Ultimately I'm looking for something to replace my Channel lock 10" and 12" pliers and Klein 10" pliers, which are basically the same as Channel lock.
 
I actually use the Cobra pliers exclusively and they are well worth it. They are actually the best pliers I have used in the course of my career. They lock into place positively and theres no chance of slippage while using them. IMO get em.
 
I bought a pair on a whim a few years ago, and have never looked back.

These are the cat's meow :D

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I have heard nothing bad about Knipex products, and I own a pair of Knipex dykes and they are great.

That said, tools get lost, stolen, ruined, or just plain wear out. So I'm not big on spending extra money on decent tools. Channelock is good enough for me.

But now you guys have me I'm interested in these Knipex pliers. ;)
 
I use the Cobra and threw away my Channelocks.
I also use the 7" for a lot of stuff.
Knipex is very high quality. Well worth it.
 
I got rid of all the Klein stuff years ago - as I nearly had to give up the trade due to a extremely painful back and sciatic nerve pinch. The bags were first to go - then anything that I carry on the body needed to get a lot lighter.

The pump pliers (AKA Channel Locks) IMO are far superior to other brands due to weight to strength ratio. The alloy used allows the tool to be less mass, and the design of the tool is equally superior for our (electrical trade ) purposes. The jaws grip more sides of the nut-like objects like couplings, conduit and lock nuts. The teeth are sharper and stay sharper longer. The tool is also much more ergonomic than the original and re-copied 'channel lock' design, allowing often longer reach into tighter places, and with more positive leverage on the object at hand.

There are two or three types/models. A regular slip joint which is extreamly reliable. And the model shown above with the little button on the side - which IMO is a bit better for the money. It locks at the same size for repeated tasks without slipping to a different size like the slip-jointed model or channel-lock design. There is also a self-adjusting one, but I have not used it....

FYI they also make screw sdivers and other pliers. I find thier Linemans and Dykes much better than Kein or Ideal. For simular reasons above.
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peter d said:
That said, tools get lost, stolen, ruined, or just plain wear out. So I'm not big on spending extra money on decent tools. Channelock is good enough for me.
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How true.... But depending on the arrangments of dealers at where you buy tools, Knipex are comparable in cost or cheaper. For instance, some tool distributers force dealers to make the competition higher in price, or just not allow them to carry anything but them... A supply house I go to recently stopped carrying Fluke because they would have to stop carrying Greenlee, and Harris just wont sell to them anymore for the same reason. Klein raised their prices to them because they carried Knipex and WiHa.

FYI the same is true for all other products. In our situation the same is ten fold in Lighting. If your supply house agrees contractualy not to sell Halo/Cooper/Juno, etc - Lightoilier gets cheaper. Or Halo gets cheaper if they agree not to sell Elco. T&B gets cheaper if there isn't a single Raco or Hubbell to be found in the place.... Coca-Cola is cheaper if you don't carry Pepsi - the list can go on, and on.....
 
I'm all for buying USA, but Knipex makes the finest water pump pliers around, hands down. Everyone sells Ideal, Greenlee, and Klein. I promised myself if I ever start to sell electrical supplies, I'm going to handle as many Knipex tools as I can. Their lineman's and dikes hold an edge better than Klein, but I don't really like them. They don't have the same familiar feel in the hand as the Klein and Ideal lineman's do.
 
e57 said:
FYI the same is true for all other products. In our situation the same is ten fold in Lighting. If your supply house agrees contractualy not to sell Halo/Cooper/Juno, etc - Lightoilier gets cheaper. Or Halo gets cheaper if they agree not to sell Elco. T&B gets cheaper if there isn't a single Raco or Hubbell to be found in the place.... Coca-Cola is cheaper if you don't carry Pepsi - the list can go on, and on.....
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The owner of a little market I stop at sometimes told me that the company that makes "Monster" energy drink took their free display cooler out of his market because he also started to sell Red Bull. That's pretty hard core. You either make a good product or you don't.
 
IMPO I think Klein, Channel-Lock and Ideal better get on the ball if they want to compete - sure they have some time-less designs - but time is up on a few of them. I would rather buy Klein (or any other US made product ) - if they made something for me now...
 
mdshunk said:
The owner of a little market I stop at sometimes told me that the company that makes "Monster" energy drink took their free display cooler out of his market because he also started to sell Red Bull. That's pretty hard core. You either make a good product or you don't.
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Starbucks and Peet's which are both responsible for the demise/crushing of the local Mom & Pop coffee shop - and both share board members - had reciprocal agreements not to compete in many geographical areas for many years. I guy I knew had a coffee shop years ago had to put in his lease not to sell food, because a neighboring restaurant, then juice - due to the juice bar across the street owned by the same land-lord. Then (while negotiating those two items) same land-lord then came asking for $50K as an off-set for a contingency in the lease he would later sign with Starbucks to not re-new his lease at all. Really its not the product - but the negotiations to eliminate competition that makes something successful these days.
 
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Cobra is the type with the push button. The alligator uses the slip-joint typemechanism. The generic name for the Channelock type pliers is groove joint pliers.
An important feature of both the Knippex types is the V jaw. This enables them to grip a round object such as a pipe at four points. These will generally self adhere to the object without touching it. Interestingly enough, ChanneLock also makes some V jaws available such as my GL-6.
~Peter
 
I cary one 1 Knipex & 1 Chanel Lock slip joint pliers.

The Knipex are far better for holding onto something.
The head fits in tighter places.
They are also lighter.

I do like the Chanel Locks much more for reaming pipe.
The Chanel Lock (if I remember right) has a slightly wider grip.
Also the Chanel Lock slips around the pipe easier for reaming.
So to sum it up what makes the Knipex good also makes it less desired for reaming. What makes Channel Lock bad makes them ream pipe better.
 
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