FYI we tried two diff settings (wider, narrower) on the pliers for each test, like you see at 2:34 but top values scores are shown. You don't go beating a flarenut wrench with these in the wrong setting. These nuts are just really soft steel. The best performers have been added to our winners only Amazon page: www.amazon.com/shop/torquetestchannel What other types of tools do you want to see compared like this? Peak torque and strength is one thing, but for us it's usually the fastener that's getting buggered up before the tool. Torque who started TTC is working for Astro Tools in product development, which includes flarenut tools. Always consider multiple sources when looking at a tool!
Try a open end Flank Drive Plus snap on wrench and a Icon Open end with the teeth in wrench. I know I've taken off some pretty tight stuff with flank drive open end wrenchs, Even tighten larger bolts in to pump motor where a socket or box end wouldn't fit on cause of the clearance
? I win the vise grips competition among all groups I'm in. They ask me to come snap them down because they can't get a grip. With mechanical advantage you can make the grip into pretty close to a weld.
My favorite rusty nuts extractor has a flat on the ends of the handles so i can apply some external flat jawed help, probably a safety issue, certainly not the biggest one when i'm working, taught my tinkerer uncle how to do it, he bit his hands with the pliers and got some blood clots, but was still very happy.
The knipex plier wrenches are my daily go to. I do plant maintenance style work and the 5" is my "pocket wrench" I carry at all times. Extremely useful plus they have a ratcheting effect once you get use to them.
Same! I don't know how I did stuff before having these in my tool box... I end up selling a set to almost every maintenance guy at every plant I go to. I've got almost every size now in both. The mini cobra and the mini pliers are always in my back pocket though...
I have several sizes of Knipex pliers wrench tools and have found that maximum gripping force is only achieved by correctly adjusting the jaw opening. The sliding jaw should be adjusted so that the handles are close together when the jaws are gripping the workpiece. If the handles are too far apart, the cam part of the sliding jaw is much more easily deflected away from the workpiece. Much more clamping force is developed with less effort at the handles when adjusted properly.
I have the opposite luck with Knipex pliers wrench. The only time they have slipped was when I stripped out the locking button. I have stood on the handles of my 7 inch pair, and im 275 pounds. They will literally put new flats on rounded nuts if you squeeze hard enough. I always clamp or zip tie the handles before using a cheater on them though.
I use mine routinely to reshape/straighten sheet metal, Im right there with you. The only time any of my knipex tools slip is if I don't have them adjusted 100% right or if I had bad placement on the fastener for whatever reason.
I straight up broke my pliers wrench BY HAND. Still absolutely my favorite set of pliers and I think I'll replace them with the HF version (I know, blasphemy) but warranty is nice
I've had a pair of 7" Cobra pliers for probably 10 years now. I found them in a local u pull yard, and just wiped out the jaw in em in the past year. Warrantied through one of my tool guys and we're back in business. Best free pliers I've ever found 😂🍻
As a semi trailer mechanic knipex pliers wrench are the best hands down. I can get things loose with them better than I can with a good set of adjustable wrenches.
The pliers wrench work off the handles creating a 10X increase in jaw clamp force based off the cam design. Since you’re not squeezing the handles this is affecting the teeth not grabbing. Also, on the cobras on many occasions you didn’t apply the fastener correctly in the pliers, which causes them to slip. Like at 8:37. You had the flat on the flat of the jaw and not in the V notch.
It also looks like they didn’t check for metal shavings stuck in the teeth. Its happened numerous times working on cheap fasteners where the coating will scrape off and get stuck in the teeth causing them to slip more. Similar to when you use a blade to cut aluminum and they start to bond. I don’t think it will make an astronomical difference, but I do think they could have got better results.
Yep. This Pliers Wrench testing was the handgun equivalent of "limp-wristing" - i.e., inducing a failure in the device by not following proper usage guidelines.
The note on the Knipex flat edge wrench possibly needing compression on both handles is accurate-and possibly why it shows lower ratings here. The jaw system is a four bar linkage, which only locks at one point and isn’t effective at clamp loading with force on one handle alone. The four bar linkage design is to allow for the flats remain parallel and reduces the probability of rounding off a bolt head, compared to the cobra pliers.
I would love a TTC hand ratchet test. There’s tons of other channels that have done it but they’re not as accurate as this channel. This channel and Project Farm are the most professional channels and I trust them the most. Love the videos guys keep it up!
You are right on. TTC and Project Farm are the most honest, professional and unbiased tool review in RUclips. TTC should do a test of the Amazon cordless ratchet.
Just saw this video but found knipex about a year ago. I've tried every brand you can get at home Depot, Lowes, and a few off tool trucks. I bought 1 pair of knipex and I won't go back to any of them. They grip amazingly, they are angled properly and damn that are tough. I use them to hammer on crap and they still don't have a scratch on them. Thanks for doing this video, help get more knipex into more tool boxes.
You guys are quickly becoming the industry testing standard for various tools we didn't know how to compare. I love this addition to the channel. Now we might as well test the other knock off pliers wrenches like Capri and Icon. I do like that Capri has a thick grip but my gripe is they're a knock off that is not that much cheaper than a Knipex. They have no history of well made pliers like Knipex so for a knock off brand you'd hope they would be significantly cheaper. It would be well worth finding out through your testing if they're worth it.
As a licensed mechanic (now non practising!) I can tell you - those particular vice grips (not the 'usual' ones!) have SAVED many a rusty nut on an inverted flare brake line for me. The ability to clamp down tight, then be able to wiggle back and forth (try that with pliers) until they break free is incredible. I must have got one of the first sets when they came out, as I think I've been using them for near 20 years now.
I remember when those came out, and it was closer to 30 years ago. I wasn't super excited about them back then, but maybe the design has been refined a bit since. 🤷♂️
Some of us swing both ways. I have my Knipex love but my cobras are Milwaukee. Never got fervent brand loyalty. I like having multiple colors in my bags its easier to find stuff. Except for cordless.. Give me Makita or give me death.
It’d be the Milwaukee guys for sure. I’m in a packout group and if those guys even see the colour yellow in the picture of a rainbow they have a full blown rabies like break down.
@@mattfleming86 I have a similar blind loyalty to Dewalt... well not really, but I got a few of them cheap and now I have so many batteries there's not much point in going to a different brand.
I absolutely LOVE, and regularly depend on, knipex pliers. The way the design "bites" harder as you push (kinda like a pipe wrench) is just awesome. You could literally break head bolts loose with a nice new pair of the "cobra" style ones!
I use them at work, doing assembly. While I could tell just by looking at them they are miles better than the traditional Channel lock pliers, I found it interesting they are also better than average flare nut wrenches.
Im a plumber and thats exactly why i love the cobras. Theyre like a pipe wrench that fits in your pocket. Also they open up way wider than other pump pliers.
It’s a lot easier just using a regular ratchet and socket when working with bolts if you can’t get one loose then just use a breaker bar a breaker bar is far more affective than any plier whenever it comes to breaking loose a bolt.
The knipex pliers wrench is almost tailor made for HVAC. We deal with large brass flare nuts and caps all the time. They are also good for bending sheet metal. I have used them for 15 years now. My opininion is that the 10 inch is the sweet spot. I believe that something about the geometry lets you apply more pressure with the jaws when you squeeze the handles, even more than the 12 inch size.
I've used Knipex Cobra 10" pliers for since they were released and could not be happier. They just plain work. I've tried several other brands but haven't found anything better. I've recently purchased the smaller version for tight spaces.
I am an electrical apprentice into my third year now, but I have been using Knipex brand pliers and hand tools way before this when doing plumbing, auto maint, sprinkler installation, etc...And I am ALWAYS recommending new tools to guys on the job, esp when they ask to borrow a pair of cobras or linesman, and are surprised how AMAZING they feel and work! - But, it is HILARIOUS how many brands have now adapted the 'cobra' locking water pump plier mechanism...Snap-on/Mac Have STRAIGHT UP borrowed the blueprint...Luckily, Knipex did NOT patent it, or maybe they did and they are making a killing! Even US brands like Channellock and Irwin are now doing the same!
As an avid user of each and every size of pliers wrench for work and play, I don't think they were adjusted quite right. The cheater was also choking up on the one handle and pushing the two handles apart from each other. I can generally extract ludicrous beans from mine, especially on challenging or rusty fasteners.
As far as I understand, for the Knipex plier-wrench, you should start with a perfect fit against the nut and then squeeze??? (not squeezing in order to make it a perfect fit)!!!
You had the wrong position selected for the pliers wrench. It may not seem like it would make a big difference, but because of the cam, they work best when almost closed. This makes it so that the jaw has to overcome the cam. This effect doesnt work perfectly for every size, so you have to find the right pliers for every bolt. I bought them when my mac guy used them to loosen the RBRT display bolt that someone had overtightened. He put all of his weight on a 90% rounded bolt, and it removed it.
i can honestly say the knipex are some of the best hand tools ive ever used. Now i carry a 7 1/4pliers wrench and the 7 1/4 cobra as a side carry every day
@@femto505 Its not like a normal piers, its more like an adjustable wrench that doesn't slip. for me its handy to always have the right size wrench on me because I'm not always right next to my tools. it absolutely doesn't replace a normal wrench, but a good 95% of the time its all you need
@@femto505 depends if you have a tool box next to you or are making a field repair open end is the way to go if you have them with you but if your going somewhere that you don't want to carry a whole wrench set adjustable pliers are the way to go because we all know adjustable cresent wrenches suck donkey dong.
@@femto505 I use them for the most random things, but rarely just removing most regular bolts or nuts. Someone moved the wrench that should lay on top of mig welder to remove the bottle? Grab the pliers. Knob of a valve fell off in the shitter? Grab the pliers. Boening part fell off and is hot? Grab the pliers.
in some tests it seemed like the cheaterpipe pushed the lower grip open helping to slip/release on the nut. i use the 12" wrench pliers and the 10" parrot pliers for HVAC flaring stuff. works exeptional well ! never had one of these slip on other usages like water pumps and stuff. (but i do keep some tention on the unloaded grip aswell)
Yeah its a shame he didn't learn to use the tool before doing the test. If a 255 lb guy can hang off of them then there's clearly and issue when they're slipping off constantly under his use
As plumber, I use rothenberger 1" pipe wrench and knipex cobra 300, makes perfect pair for wrenching steel and cast iron. Round things is their case. They wear out in a year from day to day use. But it is a case when you're okay to destroy look of things. Otherwise knipex flat jaws. It's very rare when I use standard wrenches, occasionally, when something is gona be visible afterwards and cannot be chewed by teeth of cobra or pipe wrench. Usually all pipe fittings are weird size, somewhere in between sizes 22.5 mm or 23mm, or 24 as example. Often casting of fittings is very rough and nothing fits except pipe wrenches.
I'd like to see a comparison of open end wrenches. I sprang for the the Snap-On flank drive plus many years ago and I still love them. They have saved my bacon (and a couple of other guys at the shop) quite a few times over the years.
I love my wrightgrip for the same reason as the flank drive plus, sk X frames as well. I use run of the mill SK superchrome most of the time, if I feel it may slip I grab the wrightgrips. The wright wrenches have the biting feature, but when it's not needed they fit a little tight and aren't as smooth because of it.
@@krogunlimitedfahrenkrog6110 i was going to mention wright wrenches they work amazingly for a mid level price tool, my only complaint is they almost always mess up the finish, I would never use them on something like a Harley-Davidson for example.
@@AtomicReverend yes, but so do Flank drive plus, and other designs with anti slip like that. The cheap gearwrench sets that have it don't as bad, but they are far lower quality and don't work nearly as well as thw snap off or wright versions. The SK X frames work fantastic as well, but they have more limited use. I like whatever tool works best, if it's $5 ot $500 regardless of brand lol. Not a lot of snap off that justifies the price, but their flare nut wrenches are the best of the 10 or more brands I have owned, and any brand I have used that I remember. There are other specialty ones that are as strong or stronger, but they aren't for the same applications, and they limit access which I find to be 1/2 the battle on most line/flare fittings I mess with.
Knipex pliers wrench works best when adjusted to where the handles are closest together but not touching. Surely you see how the pivot works and that if the little tab interlocking the lower jaw is pointed towards the jaws the less it will want to push back?
I’m glad you confirmed that the pliers wrench needs to have both handles squeezed together in order to avoid slipping. I’ve found the same thing when using the pliers wrenches… which is why I still use old-fashioned adjustable wrenches for plumbing if I’m in a tight spot and can’t squeeze both handles on the pliers wrench.
I edc the mini knipex pliers wrench running service calls. They have saved me at least 1000 trips back to the van...and almost made my Leatherman obsolete. I'm not a mechanic breaking rusted bolts, but they fit every fastener that I come across at my job. Worth $40 for me.
As a heating engineer, Knipex "grips", I believe they're called "Alligator" are THE best you can buy. Mechanics rarely seem to use grips and plumbers likewise with traditional spanners.
Another good type of pliers wrench is the Snap On PWZ0, PWZ1, or PWZ2. These are badass and great for alignments such as inner tie rods or jam nuts here in the rust belt.
but aren´t these not just pipe wrenches with the swedish pattern? so comparable to Knipex 83 10 015 or Gedore "Eck-Schwede" and it´s most likely a relabeled BAHCO Ergo pipe wrench but the labeling makes sense, since BAHCO belongs to Snap-On, is swedish and came up with the pipe wrench and the adjustable wrench in 1890 or so o.0
I was looking for some nice channel lock type pliers, and my uncle had the Knipex Cobra i loved it. I bought one when it was on sale, im pretty sure its the 10" version. They're the pliers i use for everything, unless i need a needle nose pliers, I'm using my knipex cobra. They will bite in to stuff that locking pliers slip on. 100% worth the ~$30 i spent on then.
very cool! I use the cobra all day long and I agree with you on the Pliers I run into slippage often! For those raptors if you cut off 2" of the handle you will magically have a 7" ":) well done keep up the great tool reviews!
I carry a the knipex mini pliers 86 03 125 in my pocket all the time at work. It's tiny but it can reliably grip up to 23mm (7/8 inch). Absolutely love this tiny tool.
I was hoping for a comparison between pliers wrenches and adjustable wrenches. And squeezing pliers wrenches during use has always been a necessity to use them correctly. Gedore's design makes that especially obvious.
A set of Channellock 410 pliers would also work. They are made to remove studs. They also don't have the button sticking out the side. One of my favorites is the Knipex small spring clamp pliers that work quite good for removing spring clamps. Remember that usually a tube nut gets corrosion welded to the tubing, so many times a small hacksaw is the best tool. Just admit that you will need to make a new line.
One "trick" I've used to maintain tension on both handles in a situation where I can't grip both is to place a number a appropriate sized rubber bands- keeps a constant force and easy to adjust up or down just by adding/removing
Oh my God this is my dream video topic. This is what I’ve been wondering and what I was tempted to do myself! I expected the Knipex to do better, and it took me a full 24 hrs to accept the results, but data trumps expectation.
I started as a diesel mechanic a little over 30 years ago and the 410 and 414 pliers were the predecessor to all these pliers we have now. They were life savers for me!
I've been using the nut pliers and cobra pliers for years at work. They are one of the most used tools in my job. They really do work well on the field and on multiple types of items. (keeping in mind the turning direction) The cobras has to have clean and decently fresh teeth to work good (sharpening helps as well). As for nut pliers, it is more important to get perfect adjustment of the handles than it is for the cobras. I adjust them at largest settings while still feeling the clamping force on a nut/bolt, that's when I get the best leverage of the clamping force while doing less work for it and getting more usable torque out of it.
Snap on makes a big ass pipe wrench type tool. As a diesel mechanic, I always used the knipex cobras until I got the big ass snap on pipe wrenches. I'd love to see you test those. The pipe wrench from snap on is a similar design where you only push on the top handle.
If they're not being squeezed the way a person would squeeze them ( and use them in service)..then the data is flawed... sorry That one handle is a marketing Ploy it's not the way that they're expected to be used... not really
I've used a four foot cheater pipe with this 250 lb man pulling down on just one handle of my Irwin 12" equivalent pliers. They simply do not slip after taking an initial set from squeezing just a little. 😂
The Knipex pliers wrench was a lifesaver while i was working on hydraulics on mine equipment! If there was one busted hydraulic hose , in a package of 10-15 hoses varying from 3/8 to 1 1/2 inch , all i needed to bring from the truck was usually the pliers wrench and a deadblow hammer.
I know with the Cobras only the teeth have the highest level of harness, Knipex claims 61HRC. I’m a professional tradesman and usually not super biased between brands of tools, other than I think you usually get what you pay for. The $5 dollar pair of side cutters rarely out performs the $50 pair. I don’t really care one brand or another as long as the tool lasts along time and is comfortable to use, but I will say I think the only tool I have an extremely strong bias towards is the Knipex Cobras, you have an apples to oranges comparison here, test them against their real competitors standard channellock pliers not just in terms of maximum strength but also comfort, grip strength and tooth longevity. I also think just pressing on the top handle is sort of a gimmick they are way stronger when pressure is applied to both handles no matter how they advertise. Not a Knipex fanboy I just think the Cobras are an excellent design for a water pump plier.
What $5 pair of cutters out perform a $50 set? I'm calling bs on that period I use nothing but knipex and snap on cutters ain't no $5 nothing beating them period!
as a plumber I only use knipex cobra pliers it came down to me breaking a pair of Milwaukee ones every 6 months. they definitely took some getting use to totally different feeling and design
I enjoy your channel - it's interesting and informative, but in this video I feel the need to question your hardness measurements. You used an Ultrasonic Contact Impedance (UCI) hardness tester and this hardness tester technology requires and extremely smooth surface before accurate, repeatable readings can be obtained. Using an air grinder and sanding disc (at 09:25) is unlikely to result in the surface finish need for accurate, repeatable measurements
The surface DA was well within the range required for this type of measurement. We use the highest newton push down force version to avoid needing a mirror like surface.
I purchased a set of the Amazon basic pliers wrenches a year ago and I use them in industrial maintenance situation and I have been happy with them every day. I have a lot of the other brands but I always seem to go grab the Amazon basic ones because of something happens to them they are easy and cheap to replace.
Cobra 180 and 250, are the 2 most used pliers on ,maintenance and plumb jobs. I've used these for many years and I couldn't live without them. I still carry a Cobra 150 every single day, even though I'm retired from my job,because of health issues. While I was working, the Cobra 180, were costantly in my cargo or back pockets, almost every day! One of the best tools ever made a genius design!!!
I bought the Knipex pliers for daily use in the house, not necessarily a tool for the shop. Love that I have a fun to use aesthetically appeasing piece of art from Germany that will let me grab little 1/4" nuts to tighten for some things around the house. These tools probably can't top a socket or box end wrench, but for simple stuff like adjusting my kitchen scissors or replacing a seal on my bidet, I couldn't be happier. A tool that's a joy to look at and use is more likely to find a purpose in my case. Using a quality tool that's a little strange just brings me joy, what can I say.
I got a set of those Knipex knockoff water pump pliers from the cheap tools bin at Tractor Supply a few years ago for very very cheap and they have been pretty good so far, though I haven't abused them much.
German here: As with any adjustable tool, You need to take the time to properly adjust it for the best possible fit. If done so, these COBRA-pliers mean most of the time the difference between getting the job done or not. My dad & I have used them for literally decades on various farming equipment, when our proper combination wrenches or socket sets didn't work anymore due to rounded nuts/bolt-heads. On nuts&bolts in proper condition, however, we ALWAYS use good box-wrenches or sockets.
I actually bought a pair of Knipex pliers wrench to keep in my kitchen drawer with some other commonly used tools. I use them for small silly things, just yesterday I used them to adjust the locking nut on a pair of scissors after I adjusted them. They might not be earth shatteringly powerful, but I can say for sure they are strong enough I could destroy the soft stainless screw holding my scissors together if I strong-armed it, so they're more than adequate for around the house jobs.
90° pipe wrench works great on nuts and bolts. And a 3/4" model fits in your pocket as wel. Never had one slip on a bolt, with of without a cheaterbar.
I've a pair of knipex cobra water pump pliers. They are just awesome. If you're only gonna have one set of pliers in your tool box, it has to be these.
Cool test and all data is good data, but I think the natural test is a test of various pliers wrench style vs the Cresant wrench style of adjustable wrench. Yes, I am a Knipex fan and have multiple sizes of several of their tools, but I have yet to put a cheater pipe on any of them. I'm just not sure that represents an actual use case.
Test is valid ofc, but these pliers are for substituting an adjustable wrench in our bags. Used a Stanley locking adjustable wrench (which is on the ISS) as an industrial electrician for a few months until I got sick of their lack of capacity.
Justt a theory, as to why the pliers opened slightly more easily, even though they are designed to only be pushed on the top handle: When you push down on the top handle, the torque applied to the handle itself wants to rotate the handle around the pin, actually compressing (and thus tightening the grip). Using a breaker bar in this way, creates a similar torque (only much bigger), but not quite with the same rotation point - instead, the breaker bar tries to rotate around the end of the handle, where the end of the handle pushes against the side of the pipe. This creates a great moment turning the pliers overall, but the part of the bar extending over the handle actually wants to counterrotate the handle, opening it. It certainly is much smaller than the overall torque, but might be just enough to have the pliers not grip just as tight. Of course, no one uses a perfectly fitted breaker bar (if they were, it would probably be much longer pliers in the first place), but clearly a well fitting bar is beneficial.
Loving the channel I'm a plumber have been for over 15 years my go to channel lock type of pliers is 100% vice grip blue and yellow v Grove. man they make my life gravy doing black iorn gas piping they bite like a pit bull
My goto is good old Irwin Vise-Grips, the curved jaw variety for small tube nuts (1/4-5/16) I use the small curved jaw variety most times, and jump to the larger curved jaw ones (10"). They hold best, and lock, allowing you to apply heat or penetrating oil while turning. The locking is also easier on the hands, especially with the rubber covered 10" model. Thanks for the test!
Great test - thanks for doing that! I was a little surprised about the pliers wrenches losing grip but it kind of makes sense when you're approaching the limit of what the design can handle. While they are self-locking, they are still PLIERS and I guess at some point in time the self-locking feature hits a limit, and then you'd have to manually keep them squeezed together - and since you're using a cheater bar, there's no way a human hand can apply enough force to keep them closed. The reason I'm glad I have the Cobras over a generic version is that the steel used by Knipex is exceptional. When you look at tests that also check for jaw damage, they usually come away looking new - something I doubt you'd see with the Amazon basics. The good news - and something you glossed over a little bit - is that the pliers wrenches removed the flare nuts. A single $50 wrench will do the job of a bunch of dedicated wrenches, so that's a win-win in my opinion.
The knipex pliers wrench work pretty well when squeezed. Because they clamp parallel with the faces, when turning, the corners of the the hex tend to try and lever the jaws open again. But the advantage provided by the little Cam mechanism is usually enough with a good squeeze. They are certainly good enough to recommend giving they a try to see how you get on with them. I like how it's often possible to get a fast open and close ratcheting action going on. If I lost them I would definitely replace them fairly quickly.
Snap off is the best on flare nut, i've used knipex hundreds of times to remove damaged fasteners. I use them instead of vice grips now! Cobra's, not the pliers wrench. The pliers wrench is great for fragile, not damaged fasteners including line nuts. They do damage some by crushing to avoid rounding.
My favorite plier is the knipex 83-30-005 s-type pipe wrench fallowed by channel lock 307 nut buster. I use the channel locks all the time for stubborn line nuts.
Wow, those Amazon Basics are identical to the old Craftsman version they used to sell at Sears, until they all went out of business. Identical hand grips & all. I still have my set that I bought at Sears a decade ago. Still work great. I really like the handle material on them. That's a great deal on Amazon.
American style pipe wrenches vs Swedish pipe wrenches. For doing vehicle and truck alignments I got rid of all my stand pipe wrenches and went to the snapon Swedish pipe wrench. I will never look back.
I'm an elevator mechanic and I have used a pair of the 7" Knipex Cobra pliers daily for damn near everything over the course of 5 years. They are my swiss army knife and the teeth still look good. I They have earned my loyalty
Knipex Cobra and Alligator are a must for every hand tool collection. Hands down. They are extremely reliable. My +30yr old gator still out performs other pliers to this day.
You're right- it really does look like you influenced some of the tests by differing grips. Project farm did a similar tests but used a method that minimized this 'limp wristing' (as you called it) unduly influencing the test results. One more note- the pliers wrenches arent meant or designed to be used with one hand only, and simply using them with your hands will immediately show you that as you can feel the bottom handle want to spread when torquing on a bolt. Because of the design (jaw angles and lack of serrations) it is not "self gripping" like the cobras.
I try not to be a fan boy about brands. But I have been happy with my cobras and pliers wrench from knipex. The wrench is built like a tank and having the chrome finish is great. The cobras are showing some ware but I have had these wrenches is my bag for the past four years and have been happy with them. A good alternative to the cobras are the irwrens, really good for the price, haven't tried the icons yet but I want to.
I feel like I agree with some of the other folks in the comments regarding the pipe influencing the handles to open, I've never had they slip as long as they are set properly and I have little hung off of them without squeezing the handles together as it self tightens
I got the ICON brand pliers wrench and I LOVE it. Don't get me wrong, there is only certain times that they're really useful. But they are SUPER useful in those times...
The pliers wrench have their uses for sure but when trying to do up hydraulic fittings real tight it’s a struggle. Great for when you want to grip something and not mark it too much. I use my 400mm Cobras on cylinders etc. and they bite in hard, very effective, the 560mm are next. Only downside is they mark the work.
Your jack handle is interfering with the clamping force of the pliers wrench, the end of the pipe is contacting the lower handle stopping the handles from closing further . . .
In the right hand cargo pocket of my pants I've got a 6" Knipex cobra wrench & ibelieve a 5" pliers wrench .I've carried these 2 tools with me for years & they've proved to be useful more times than I can count. but they are Knipex & they are spendy.
thats extremely impressive how close the cobra pliers were, to not even add the facts of the MULTIPLE sizes that is contained in the one too. Knipex really went above and beyond creating one hell of a product for the world
I have a full set of the Knipex pliers wrenches but I would only use the parallel jaw ones without the serrations for low torque work where you don't want to damage the threads. They are a high-tech version of a Crescent Wrench and would not be my choice for high toque applications. It should be kept in mind each tool for its purpose and not everything is the highest torque.
Knipex cobras are my go to. I have 5 of them, all sizes. Also have 7 other pliers from Knipex...bit of an addiction but never regretted a dime spent. Outlast everything else I've had. I do industrial mechanical repair work
FYI we tried two diff settings (wider, narrower) on the pliers for each test, like you see at 2:34 but top values scores are shown. You don't go beating a flarenut wrench with these in the wrong setting. These nuts are just really soft steel. The best performers have been added to our winners only Amazon page: www.amazon.com/shop/torquetestchannel What other types of tools do you want to see compared like this? Peak torque and strength is one thing, but for us it's usually the fastener that's getting buggered up before the tool.
Torque who started TTC is working for Astro Tools in product development, which includes flarenut tools. Always consider multiple sources when looking at a tool!
Can you try against the parrot pliers from mac tools
Tsunami_stu should be the same as knipex
@ Torque Test Channel should have tried the snappys that hold the coin with incredible force with only a rubber band around the handles
Try a open end Flank Drive Plus snap on wrench and a Icon Open end with the teeth in wrench. I know I've taken off some pretty tight stuff with flank drive open end wrenchs, Even tighten larger bolts in to pump motor where a socket or box end wouldn't fit on cause of the clearance
It would be interesting to see what the opening measures on the pliers wrench in positions that you use.
We all know that soul crushing feeling of the pliers letting go no matter how tight you squeeze the handles.
? I win the vise grips competition among all groups I'm in. They ask me to come snap them down because they can't get a grip. With mechanical advantage you can make the grip into pretty close to a weld.
My favorite rusty nuts extractor has a flat on the ends of the handles so i can apply some external flat jawed help, probably a safety issue, certainly not the biggest one when i'm working, taught my tinkerer uncle how to do it, he bit his hands with the pliers and got some blood clots, but was still very happy.
but still grip hard as a mf
My knuckles know that feeling
@@trevorclausen6945 Clod. Think things through beforehand.
The knipex plier wrenches are my daily go to. I do plant maintenance style work and the 5" is my "pocket wrench" I carry at all times. Extremely useful plus they have a ratcheting effect once you get use to them.
Same! I don't know how I did stuff before having these in my tool box... I end up selling a set to almost every maintenance guy at every plant I go to. I've got almost every size now in both. The mini cobra and the mini pliers are always in my back pocket though...
@@caseyt8447 Yelp I have both set and they are unbeatable in my opinion. Those Germans know what they are doing lol
@@jameskyser9423 I just bought the 7” and 10” I think are the sizes. They’re amazing for alignments
Do you have the 16" yet? No set is complete without it! (I service gas stations. I don't always use the 16", but sometimes it is very nice to have.)
Same...that new slip joint pliers ifrom Knipex is really nice too...
I have several sizes of Knipex pliers wrench tools and have found that maximum gripping force is only achieved by correctly adjusting the jaw opening. The sliding jaw should be adjusted so that the handles are close together when the jaws are gripping the workpiece. If the handles are too far apart, the cam part of the sliding jaw is much more easily deflected away from the workpiece. Much more clamping force is developed with less effort at the handles when adjusted properly.
I have the opposite luck with Knipex pliers wrench. The only time they have slipped was when I stripped out the locking button. I have stood on the handles of my 7 inch pair, and im 275 pounds. They will literally put new flats on rounded nuts if you squeeze hard enough.
I always clamp or zip tie the handles before using a cheater on them though.
That's my go-to trick for ALL the beans. Either the tool is gonna fail or that thing is coming loose haha
I use mine routinely to reshape/straighten sheet metal, Im right there with you. The only time any of my knipex tools slip is if I don't have them adjusted 100% right or if I had bad placement on the fastener for whatever reason.
I straight up broke my pliers wrench BY HAND. Still absolutely my favorite set of pliers and I think I'll replace them with the HF version (I know, blasphemy) but warranty is nice
I've had a pair of 7" Cobra pliers for probably 10 years now. I found them in a local u pull yard, and just wiped out the jaw in em in the past year. Warrantied through one of my tool guys and we're back in business. Best free pliers I've ever found 😂🍻
100 percent my experience, including breaking the teeth out of a pair
As a semi trailer mechanic knipex pliers wrench are the best hands down. I can get things loose with them better than I can with a good set of adjustable wrenches.
The pliers wrench work off the handles creating a 10X increase in jaw clamp force based off the cam design. Since you’re not squeezing the handles this is affecting the teeth not grabbing. Also, on the cobras on many occasions you didn’t apply the fastener correctly in the pliers, which causes them to slip. Like at 8:37. You had the flat on the flat of the jaw and not in the V notch.
It also looks like they didn’t check for metal shavings stuck in the teeth. Its happened numerous times working on cheap fasteners where the coating will scrape off and get stuck in the teeth causing them to slip more. Similar to when you use a blade to cut aluminum and they start to bond. I don’t think it will make an astronomical difference, but I do think they could have got better results.
Yep. This Pliers Wrench testing was the handgun equivalent of "limp-wristing" - i.e., inducing a failure in the device by not following proper usage guidelines.
I’ll wait until project farm does a real test.
Very well said.
He does squeeze the handles. He explicitly mentions it.
The note on the Knipex flat edge wrench possibly needing compression on both handles is accurate-and possibly why it shows lower ratings here. The jaw system is a four bar linkage, which only locks at one point and isn’t effective at clamp loading with force on one handle alone. The four bar linkage design is to allow for the flats remain parallel and reduces the probability of rounding off a bolt head, compared to the cobra pliers.
I would love a TTC hand ratchet test. There’s tons of other channels that have done it but they’re not as accurate as this channel. This channel and Project Farm are the most professional channels and I trust them the most. Love the videos guys keep it up!
You are right on. TTC and Project Farm are the most honest, professional and unbiased tool review in RUclips. TTC should do a test of the Amazon cordless ratchet.
Just saw this video but found knipex about a year ago. I've tried every brand you can get at home Depot, Lowes, and a few off tool trucks. I bought 1 pair of knipex and I won't go back to any of them. They grip amazingly, they are angled properly and damn that are tough. I use them to hammer on crap and they still don't have a scratch on them. Thanks for doing this video, help get more knipex into more tool boxes.
You guys are quickly becoming the industry testing standard for various tools we didn't know how to compare. I love this addition to the channel. Now we might as well test the other knock off pliers wrenches like Capri and Icon. I do like that Capri has a thick grip but my gripe is they're a knock off that is not that much cheaper than a Knipex. They have no history of well made pliers like Knipex so for a knock off brand you'd hope they would be significantly cheaper. It would be well worth finding out through your testing if they're worth it.
have you never watched project farm?
@@m1stertim nope never, I'm only a subscriber to PF for several years.
Hi, project farm tod just did a video on pliers,
Between this and PJ you don't need anything else
@@m1stertim TTC, Project Farm, and Ave are my go to channels for tool reviews.
As a licensed mechanic (now non practising!) I can tell you - those particular vice grips (not the 'usual' ones!) have SAVED many a rusty nut on an inverted flare brake line for me. The ability to clamp down tight, then be able to wiggle back and forth (try that with pliers) until they break free is incredible. I must have got one of the first sets when they came out, as I think I've been using them for near 20 years now.
you made me realize that the Cobra pliers in my "road" tool kit are 22 years old!
@@lohikarhu734 - If they’re not broken, don’t fix ‘em!
I remember when those came out, and it was closer to 30 years ago. I wasn't super excited about them back then, but maybe the design has been refined a bit since. 🤷♂️
You can't put it on the dino, but it would be really fun to test which is the stronger fan base Knipex or Milwaukee...
Some of us swing both ways. I have my Knipex love but my cobras are Milwaukee.
Never got fervent brand loyalty. I like having multiple colors in my bags its easier to find stuff.
Except for cordless..
Give me Makita or give me death.
lol
@@mattfleming86 I'm the same, I have both and honestly enjoy both. Whichever I see first in my tool draw is the one I use.
It’d be the Milwaukee guys for sure. I’m in a packout group and if those guys even see the colour yellow in the picture of a rainbow they have a full blown rabies like break down.
@@mattfleming86 I have a similar blind loyalty to Dewalt... well not really, but I got a few of them cheap and now I have so many batteries there's not much point in going to a different brand.
I absolutely LOVE, and regularly depend on, knipex pliers. The way the design "bites" harder as you push (kinda like a pipe wrench) is just awesome. You could literally break head bolts loose with a nice new pair of the "cobra" style ones!
I use them at work, doing assembly. While I could tell just by looking at them they are miles better than the traditional Channel lock pliers, I found it interesting they are also better than average flare nut wrenches.
Im a plumber and thats exactly why i love the cobras. Theyre like a pipe wrench that fits in your pocket. Also they open up way wider than other pump pliers.
It’s a lot easier just using a regular ratchet and socket when working with bolts if you can’t get one loose then just use a breaker bar a breaker bar is far more affective than any plier whenever it comes to breaking loose a bolt.
Would you mind spanding $26 for a backup set
@@cgg6450 yeah right
The knipex pliers wrench is almost tailor made for HVAC. We deal with large brass flare nuts and caps all the time. They are also good for bending sheet metal. I have used them for 15 years now. My opininion is that the 10 inch is the sweet spot. I believe that something about the geometry lets you apply more pressure with the jaws when you squeeze the handles, even more than the 12 inch size.
Are they good for gas pipe?
@@iceesrule75 Bit late sorry but yeah they are, I've done gas lines with this style of pliers both for wrenching and backwrenching
I've used Knipex Cobra 10" pliers for since they were released and could not be happier. They just plain work. I've tried several other brands but haven't found anything better. I've recently purchased the smaller version for tight spaces.
I am an electrical apprentice into my third year now, but I have been using Knipex brand pliers and hand tools way before this when doing plumbing, auto maint, sprinkler installation, etc...And I am ALWAYS recommending new tools to guys on the job, esp when they ask to borrow a pair of cobras or linesman, and are surprised how AMAZING they feel and work! - But, it is HILARIOUS how many brands have now adapted the 'cobra' locking water pump plier mechanism...Snap-on/Mac Have STRAIGHT UP borrowed the blueprint...Luckily, Knipex did NOT patent it, or maybe they did and they are making a killing! Even US brands like Channellock and Irwin are now doing the same!
As an avid user of each and every size of pliers wrench for work and play, I don't think they were adjusted quite right. The cheater was also choking up on the one handle and pushing the two handles apart from each other. I can generally extract ludicrous beans from mine, especially on challenging or rusty fasteners.
I constantly carry a knipex pliers wrench in my pocket, and to develop max torque they MUST BE SQUEEZED HARD. IMO the test is not valid.
As far as I understand, for the Knipex plier-wrench, you should start with a perfect fit against the nut and then squeeze??? (not squeezing in order to make it a perfect fit)!!!
Love seeing this with hand tools. This channel and Project Farm gives me the warm and cuddlies! :D
You had the wrong position selected for the pliers wrench. It may not seem like it would make a big difference, but because of the cam, they work best when almost closed. This makes it so that the jaw has to overcome the cam. This effect doesnt work perfectly for every size, so you have to find the right pliers for every bolt. I bought them when my mac guy used them to loosen the RBRT display bolt that someone had overtightened. He put all of his weight on a 90% rounded bolt, and it removed it.
i can honestly say the knipex are some of the best hand tools ive ever used. Now i carry a 7 1/4pliers wrench and the 7 1/4 cobra as a side carry every day
I never understand why people like pliers for removing fasterners. I don't run into issues with with open end wrenches.
@@femto505 Its not like a normal piers, its more like an adjustable wrench that doesn't slip. for me its handy to always have the right size wrench on me because I'm not always right next to my tools. it absolutely doesn't replace a normal wrench, but a good 95% of the time its all you need
@@femto505 depends if you have a tool box next to you or are making a field repair open end is the way to go if you have them with you but if your going somewhere that you don't want to carry a whole wrench set adjustable pliers are the way to go because we all know adjustable cresent wrenches suck donkey dong.
@@femto505 I use them for the most random things, but rarely just removing most regular bolts or nuts. Someone moved the wrench that should lay on top of mig welder to remove the bottle? Grab the pliers. Knob of a valve fell off in the shitter? Grab the pliers. Boening part fell off and is hot? Grab the pliers.
how this channel only has 300k subscribers is beyond me. most informative, quantitative stuff we have.
in some tests it seemed like the cheaterpipe pushed the lower grip open helping to slip/release on the nut.
i use the 12" wrench pliers and the 10" parrot pliers for HVAC flaring stuff. works exeptional well !
never had one of these slip on other usages like water pumps and stuff. (but i do keep some tention on the unloaded grip aswell)
Yeah, especially with the 5" Knipex pliers.
Yeah its a shame he didn't learn to use the tool before doing the test. If a 255 lb guy can hang off of them then there's clearly and issue when they're slipping off constantly under his use
Yeah I saw that too..
As plumber, I use rothenberger 1" pipe wrench and knipex cobra 300, makes perfect pair for wrenching steel and cast iron. Round things is their case. They wear out in a year from day to day use. But it is a case when you're okay to destroy look of things. Otherwise knipex flat jaws. It's very rare when I use standard wrenches, occasionally, when something is gona be visible afterwards and cannot be chewed by teeth of cobra or pipe wrench. Usually all pipe fittings are weird size, somewhere in between sizes 22.5 mm or 23mm, or 24 as example. Often casting of fittings is very rough and nothing fits except pipe wrenches.
I'd like to see a comparison of open end wrenches. I sprang for the the Snap-On flank drive plus many years ago and I still love them. They have saved my bacon (and a couple of other guys at the shop) quite a few times over the years.
I love my wrightgrip for the same reason as the flank drive plus, sk X frames as well.
I use run of the mill SK superchrome most of the time, if I feel it may slip I grab the wrightgrips. The wright wrenches have the biting feature, but when it's not needed they fit a little tight and aren't as smooth because of it.
@@krogunlimitedfahrenkrog6110 i was going to mention wright wrenches they work amazingly for a mid level price tool, my only complaint is they almost always mess up the finish, I would never use them on something like a Harley-Davidson for example.
@@AtomicReverend yes, but so do Flank drive plus, and other designs with anti slip like that.
The cheap gearwrench sets that have it don't as bad, but they are far lower quality and don't work nearly as well as thw snap off or wright versions. The SK X frames work fantastic as well, but they have more limited use.
I like whatever tool works best, if it's $5 ot $500 regardless of brand lol. Not a lot of snap off that justifies the price, but their flare nut wrenches are the best of the 10 or more brands I have owned, and any brand I have used that I remember. There are other specialty ones that are as strong or stronger, but they aren't for the same applications, and they limit access which I find to be 1/2 the battle on most line/flare fittings I mess with.
I have the 10” Knipex Cobra pliers, although they’re Mac branded. Easily my favorite set of pliers and I use them daily!
I appreciate the direction this channel is heading! Thanks for the great content!
Knipex pliers wrench works best when adjusted to where the handles are closest together but not touching.
Surely you see how the pivot works and that if the little tab interlocking the lower jaw is pointed towards the jaws the less it will want to push back?
I’m glad you confirmed that the pliers wrench needs to have both handles squeezed together in order to avoid slipping. I’ve found the same thing when using the pliers wrenches… which is why I still use old-fashioned adjustable wrenches for plumbing if I’m in a tight spot and can’t squeeze both handles on the pliers wrench.
I edc the mini knipex pliers wrench running service calls. They have saved me at least 1000 trips back to the van...and almost made my Leatherman obsolete. I'm not a mechanic breaking rusted bolts, but they fit every fastener that I come across at my job. Worth $40 for me.
Hi, I’m very happy to see you expand with your testing, outstanding quality video ty so much,
As a heating engineer, Knipex "grips", I believe they're called "Alligator" are THE best you can buy. Mechanics rarely seem to use grips and plumbers likewise with traditional spanners.
Another good type of pliers wrench is the Snap On PWZ0, PWZ1, or PWZ2. These are badass and great for alignments such as inner tie rods or jam nuts here in the rust belt.
but aren´t these not just pipe wrenches with the swedish pattern? so comparable to Knipex 83 10 015 or Gedore "Eck-Schwede" and it´s most likely a relabeled BAHCO Ergo pipe wrench
but the labeling makes sense, since BAHCO belongs to Snap-On, is swedish and came up with the pipe wrench and the adjustable wrench in 1890 or so o.0
I was looking for some nice channel lock type pliers, and my uncle had the Knipex Cobra i loved it. I bought one when it was on sale, im pretty sure its the 10" version. They're the pliers i use for everything, unless i need a needle nose pliers, I'm using my knipex cobra. They will bite in to stuff that locking pliers slip on. 100% worth the ~$30 i spent on then.
very cool! I use the cobra all day long and I agree with you on the Pliers I run into slippage often! For those raptors if you cut off 2" of the handle you will magically have a 7" ":) well done keep up the great tool reviews!
I carry a the knipex mini pliers 86 03 125 in my pocket all the time at work. It's tiny but it can reliably grip up to 23mm (7/8 inch). Absolutely love this tiny tool.
I was hoping for a comparison between pliers wrenches and adjustable wrenches. And squeezing pliers wrenches during use has always been a necessity to use them correctly. Gedore's design makes that especially obvious.
It's easier to keep the knipex pliers wrench from opening up if you adjust them so the handles are closer together when using them. Try again.
I’d like to see an adjustable wrench in the mix too
A set of Channellock 410 pliers would also work. They are made to remove studs. They also don't have the button sticking out the side. One of my favorites is the Knipex small spring clamp pliers that work quite good for removing spring clamps. Remember that usually a tube nut gets corrosion welded to the tubing, so many times a small hacksaw is the best tool. Just admit that you will need to make a new line.
One "trick" I've used to maintain tension on both handles in a situation where I can't grip both is to place a number a appropriate sized rubber bands- keeps a constant force and easy to adjust up or down just by adding/removing
Oh my God this is my dream video topic.
This is what I’ve been wondering and what I was tempted to do myself!
I expected the Knipex to do better, and it took me a full 24 hrs to accept the results,
but data trumps expectation.
I'd like to see channellock's parrot nosed 'nut buster' model 410 pliers compared.
I started as a diesel mechanic a little over 30 years ago and the 410 and 414 pliers were the predecessor to all these pliers we have now. They were life savers for me!
I've been using the nut pliers and cobra pliers for years at work. They are one of the most used tools in my job. They really do work well on the field and on multiple types of items. (keeping in mind the turning direction)
The cobras has to have clean and decently fresh teeth to work good (sharpening helps as well).
As for nut pliers, it is more important to get perfect adjustment of the handles than it is for the cobras. I adjust them at largest settings while still feeling the clamping force on a nut/bolt, that's when I get the best leverage of the clamping force while doing less work for it and getting more usable torque out of it.
Omg yes the video I needed and didn’t even know it!
Very nice test comparing apples to apples. Job well done fella.
It would be very neat to see the Wera Joker 6004 self-setting spanners in this kind of comparison.
came here for this
Snap on makes a big ass pipe wrench type tool. As a diesel mechanic, I always used the knipex cobras until I got the big ass snap on pipe wrenches. I'd love to see you test those.
The pipe wrench from snap on is a similar design where you only push on the top handle.
Look up round coupling nuts. That might be a good way to test grip of pliers on round shapes. Without having to redesign your tester
I had never heard of Knipex pliers but those look like a tool my grandfather would’ve loved.
If they're not being squeezed the way a person would squeeze them ( and use them in service)..then the data is flawed... sorry
That one handle is a marketing Ploy it's not the way that they're expected to be used... not really
We did each both ways and used the highest value. Which we show.
It's far from a marketing ploy. Sorry you incorrectly use the tool.
I've used a four foot cheater pipe with this 250 lb man pulling down on just one handle of my Irwin 12" equivalent pliers. They simply do not slip after taking an initial set from squeezing just a little. 😂
The Knipex pliers wrench was a lifesaver while i was working on hydraulics on mine equipment!
If there was one busted hydraulic hose , in a package of 10-15 hoses varying from 3/8 to 1 1/2 inch , all i needed to bring from the truck was usually the pliers wrench and a deadblow hammer.
I know with the Cobras only the teeth have the highest level of harness, Knipex claims 61HRC. I’m a professional tradesman and usually not super biased between brands of tools, other than I think you usually get what you pay for. The $5 dollar pair of side cutters rarely out performs the $50 pair. I don’t really care one brand or another as long as the tool lasts along time and is comfortable to use, but I will say I think the only tool I have an extremely strong bias towards is the Knipex Cobras, you have an apples to oranges comparison here, test them against their real competitors standard channellock pliers not just in terms of maximum strength but also comfort, grip strength and tooth longevity. I also think just pressing on the top handle is sort of a gimmick they are way stronger when pressure is applied to both handles no matter how they advertise. Not a Knipex fanboy I just think the Cobras are an excellent design for a water pump plier.
What $5 pair of cutters out perform a $50 set? I'm calling bs on that period I use nothing but knipex and snap on cutters ain't no $5 nothing beating them period!
Knipex tools cost so much because they wear very slow. Use them daily for years and can't tell the difference between old and new.
There is no such thing as a $5 side cutter outperforming a $50 cutter.
@@svn5994 whoops typo on my part! You’re right!
@@marcowens3522 Agree completely, sorry it was a typo!
as a plumber I only use knipex cobra pliers it came down to me breaking a pair of Milwaukee ones every 6 months. they definitely took some getting use to totally different feeling and design
I enjoy your channel - it's interesting and informative, but in this video I feel the need to question your hardness measurements. You used an Ultrasonic Contact Impedance (UCI) hardness tester and this hardness tester technology requires and extremely smooth surface before accurate, repeatable readings can be obtained. Using an air grinder and sanding disc (at 09:25) is unlikely to result in the surface finish need for accurate, repeatable measurements
The surface DA was well within the range required for this type of measurement. We use the highest newton push down force version to avoid needing a mirror like surface.
Torque Test Channel and Project Farm and both amazing channels and one of the few that give empirical metrics for rating tools with integrity.
I purchased a set of the Amazon basic pliers wrenches a year ago and I use them in industrial maintenance situation and I have been happy with them every day. I have a lot of the other brands but I always seem to go grab the Amazon basic ones because of something happens to them they are easy and cheap to replace.
Can I get some tests for my Wera Joker guys?
I love my Knipex pliers wrenches for plumbing on finished surfaces like shower heads and chrome drains/traps. No marring and great bite.
No thanks, I'll buy once and cry once...it's Knipex for me.
save 20bucks on a tool and fuck up a 50buck fitting.
Cobra 180 and 250, are the 2 most used pliers on ,maintenance and plumb jobs. I've used these for many years and I couldn't live without them. I still carry a Cobra 150 every single day, even though I'm retired from my job,because of health issues. While I was working, the Cobra 180, were costantly in my cargo or back pockets, almost every day! One of the best tools ever made a genius design!!!
I bought the Knipex pliers for daily use in the house, not necessarily a tool for the shop. Love that I have a fun to use aesthetically appeasing piece of art from Germany that will let me grab little 1/4" nuts to tighten for some things around the house. These tools probably can't top a socket or box end wrench, but for simple stuff like adjusting my kitchen scissors or replacing a seal on my bidet, I couldn't be happier. A tool that's a joy to look at and use is more likely to find a purpose in my case. Using a quality tool that's a little strange just brings me joy, what can I say.
126K SUBS?? I remember watching your videos in the thousands! Congrats! This channel is amazing!
I got a set of those Knipex knockoff water pump pliers from the cheap tools bin at Tractor Supply a few years ago for very very cheap and they have been pretty good so far, though I haven't abused them much.
German here: As with any adjustable tool, You need to take the time to properly adjust it for the best possible fit. If done so, these COBRA-pliers mean most of the time the difference between getting the job done or not. My dad & I have used them for literally decades on various farming equipment, when our proper combination wrenches or socket sets didn't work anymore due to rounded nuts/bolt-heads. On nuts&bolts in proper condition, however, we ALWAYS use good box-wrenches or sockets.
Knipex have never slipped in my 15+ years of use. Cobras are all you need, but the pliers wrench is excellent at not marring even soft brass fittings.
Just bought the pliers wrench for bicycles work I’m happy to see they are nearly the same at a typical wrench 🥳
I actually bought a pair of Knipex pliers wrench to keep in my kitchen drawer with some other commonly used tools. I use them for small silly things, just yesterday I used them to adjust the locking nut on a pair of scissors after I adjusted them. They might not be earth shatteringly powerful, but I can say for sure they are strong enough I could destroy the soft stainless screw holding my scissors together if I strong-armed it, so they're more than adequate for around the house jobs.
I've got Cobra's and I went up from a set of old Channel locks, these things are just well made and I love them.
90° pipe wrench works great on nuts and bolts. And a 3/4" model fits in your pocket as wel. Never had one slip on a bolt, with of without a cheaterbar.
We used them doing alignments on fleet trucks because they can grip the adjustment sleeve without crushing it
Absolutely love mine. And folks that shiny coating is not a coating is the steel and it stays looking that good
I've a pair of knipex cobra water pump pliers. They are just awesome. If you're only gonna have one set of pliers in your tool box, it has to be these.
Cool test and all data is good data, but I think the natural test is a test of various pliers wrench style vs the Cresant wrench style of adjustable wrench. Yes, I am a Knipex fan and have multiple sizes of several of their tools, but I have yet to put a cheater pipe on any of them. I'm just not sure that represents an actual use case.
Test is valid ofc, but these pliers are for substituting an adjustable wrench in our bags. Used a Stanley locking adjustable wrench (which is on the ISS) as an industrial electrician for a few months until I got sick of their lack of capacity.
Justt a theory, as to why the pliers opened slightly more easily, even though they are designed to only be pushed on the top handle: When you push down on the top handle, the torque applied to the handle itself wants to rotate the handle around the pin, actually compressing (and thus tightening the grip). Using a breaker bar in this way, creates a similar torque (only much bigger), but not quite with the same rotation point - instead, the breaker bar tries to rotate around the end of the handle, where the end of the handle pushes against the side of the pipe. This creates a great moment turning the pliers overall, but the part of the bar extending over the handle actually wants to counterrotate the handle, opening it. It certainly is much smaller than the overall torque, but might be just enough to have the pliers not grip just as tight.
Of course, no one uses a perfectly fitted breaker bar (if they were, it would probably be much longer pliers in the first place), but clearly a well fitting bar is beneficial.
Loving the channel I'm a plumber have been for over 15 years my go to channel lock type of pliers is 100% vice grip blue and yellow v Grove. man they make my life gravy doing black iorn gas piping they bite like a pit bull
My goto is good old Irwin Vise-Grips, the curved jaw variety for small tube nuts (1/4-5/16) I use the small curved jaw variety most times, and jump to the larger curved jaw ones (10"). They hold best, and lock, allowing you to apply heat or penetrating oil while turning. The locking is also easier on the hands, especially with the rubber covered 10" model.
Thanks for the test!
Great test - thanks for doing that! I was a little surprised about the pliers wrenches losing grip but it kind of makes sense when you're approaching the limit of what the design can handle. While they are self-locking, they are still PLIERS and I guess at some point in time the self-locking feature hits a limit, and then you'd have to manually keep them squeezed together - and since you're using a cheater bar, there's no way a human hand can apply enough force to keep them closed. The reason I'm glad I have the Cobras over a generic version is that the steel used by Knipex is exceptional. When you look at tests that also check for jaw damage, they usually come away looking new - something I doubt you'd see with the Amazon basics. The good news - and something you glossed over a little bit - is that the pliers wrenches removed the flare nuts. A single $50 wrench will do the job of a bunch of dedicated wrenches, so that's a win-win in my opinion.
The knipex pliers wrench work pretty well when squeezed. Because they clamp parallel with the faces, when turning, the corners of the the hex tend to try and lever the jaws open again. But the advantage provided by the little Cam mechanism is usually enough with a good squeeze.
They are certainly good enough to recommend giving they a try to see how you get on with them.
I like how it's often possible to get a fast open and close ratcheting action going on.
If I lost them I would definitely replace them fairly quickly.
Snap off is the best on flare nut, i've used knipex hundreds of times to remove damaged fasteners. I use them instead of vice grips now! Cobra's, not the pliers wrench.
The pliers wrench is great for fragile, not damaged fasteners including line nuts. They do damage some by crushing to avoid rounding.
My favorite plier is the knipex 83-30-005 s-type pipe wrench fallowed by channel lock 307 nut buster. I use the channel locks all the time for stubborn line nuts.
Wow, those Amazon Basics are identical to the old Craftsman version they used to sell at Sears, until they all went out of business. Identical hand grips & all. I still have my set that I bought at Sears a decade ago. Still work great. I really like the handle material on them. That's a great deal on Amazon.
Those were made by knipex
I have had knipex cobra's for more than 20years, still have them, still just as good when new.
7:52 the parakeet flew away.
Those Amazon basic pliers reminds me of Craftsman rebranded knipex pliers.
American style pipe wrenches vs Swedish pipe wrenches. For doing vehicle and truck alignments I got rid of all my stand pipe wrenches and went to the snapon Swedish pipe wrench. I will never look back.
I'm an elevator mechanic and I have used a pair of the 7" Knipex Cobra pliers daily for damn near everything over the course of 5 years. They are my swiss army knife and the teeth still look good. I They have earned my loyalty
Knipex Cobra and Alligator are a must for every hand tool collection. Hands down. They are extremely reliable. My +30yr old gator still out performs other pliers to this day.
These are very helpful videos, quite beneficial when tool shopping. Would like to see flare nut wrenches grip compared to flare nut sockets grip. 👍
You're right- it really does look like you influenced some of the tests by differing grips.
Project farm did a similar tests but used a method that minimized this 'limp wristing' (as you called it) unduly influencing the test results.
One more note- the pliers wrenches arent meant or designed to be used with one hand only, and simply using them with your hands will immediately show you that as you can feel the bottom handle want to spread when torquing on a bolt. Because of the design (jaw angles and lack of serrations) it is not "self gripping" like the cobras.
I try not to be a fan boy about brands. But I have been happy with my cobras and pliers wrench from knipex. The wrench is built like a tank and having the chrome finish is great. The cobras are showing some ware but I have had these wrenches is my bag for the past four years and have been happy with them. A good alternative to the cobras are the irwrens, really good for the price, haven't tried the icons yet but I want to.
I feel like I agree with some of the other folks in the comments regarding the pipe influencing the handles to open, I've never had they slip as long as they are set properly and I have little hung off of them without squeezing the handles together as it self tightens
I got the ICON brand pliers wrench and I LOVE it. Don't get me wrong, there is only certain times that they're really useful. But they are SUPER useful in those times...
The pliers wrench have their uses for sure but when trying to do up hydraulic fittings real tight it’s a struggle. Great for when you want to grip something and not mark it too much.
I use my 400mm Cobras on cylinders etc. and they bite in hard, very effective, the 560mm are next. Only downside is they mark the work.
Your jack handle is interfering with the clamping force of the pliers wrench, the end of the pipe is contacting the lower handle stopping the handles from closing further . . .
In the right hand cargo pocket of my pants I've got a 6" Knipex cobra wrench & ibelieve a 5" pliers wrench .I've carried these 2 tools with me for years & they've proved to be useful more times than I can count. but they are Knipex & they are spendy.
Got to account for the operator in this experiment. Several repeated tests needed with other operators. Awesome work ;)
I have the tiny versions (you can hide them in your palm) of both Knipex you tested here and those are so nice to have around!
thats extremely impressive how close the cobra pliers were, to not even add the facts of the MULTIPLE sizes that is contained in the one too. Knipex really went above and beyond creating one hell of a product for the world
I have a full set of the Knipex pliers wrenches but I would only use the parallel jaw ones without the serrations for low torque work where you don't want to damage the threads. They are a high-tech version of a Crescent Wrench and would not be my choice for high toque applications. It should be kept in mind each tool for its purpose and not everything is the highest torque.
Knipex cobras are my go to. I have 5 of them, all sizes. Also have 7 other pliers from Knipex...bit of an addiction but never regretted a dime spent. Outlast everything else I've had. I do industrial mechanical repair work
I own 25 keep going man😂