STOP BUYING The WRONG Pliers! Useful FEATURE Your Missing
2021 ж. 12 Мау.
160 268 Рет қаралды
STOP BUYING The WRONG Pliers! Useful FEATURE Your Missing In this video we test three pairs of slip groove pliers at different price points. KNIPEX Cobra Water Pump 10-in V-jaw Pliers which are the most expensive, IRWIN VISE-GRIP Quick Adjusting GrooveLock 12-in V-jaw Pliers which are priced in the middle, and finally the made in USA CHANNELLOCK 12-in Tongue and Groove Pliers actually are the most reasonably priced. Not all these pliers are created equally and if you buy the wrong pliers there is a useful feature you're missing! Find out which pair of pliers offers the best feature and value!
First
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@@VCGConstruction HAHAHHAA knew that was coming!
Project Farm has one of the most comprehensive torture tests comparing different pliers, and the Knipex showed they really have their heat treatment and metallurgy down to a science. You could see virtually zero wear on the teeth after his testing.
That price difference matters at least for knipex in pliers. My old chan locks are not turning shit. The teeth are all worn down, and I rarely use them outside of pipes, and even more rare that I used them for extreme torque. And oh god irwin, straight garbage, anytime I look at their pliers in store the pliers are misaligned like the quality of Pittsburgh bottom bin pliers.
Hello, I'm from the city where the Knipex ones are produced. A friend of mine works for them and I'm using products of the company every day. I tell y'all if you ever use a product of them you don't want anything else. Greetings aus Wuppertal
Ganz klar Knipex beschte
knipex!
It's true.
Great video! Knipex has the best metallurgy. They started out making blacksmith’s tongs and pliers almost 140 years ago. I wouldn’t use anything else.
As a combat Veteran I love my country through and through I bleed stars & bars but as a maintenance millwrite I trust knipex! they haven’t let me down yet they are truly a great tool! Built well & strong!
Exactly
Millwright or millwrite?
You're fucking stupid. IT is your money, pay the place that makes the BEST. Fuck this "American made" crap! You only pay lazy fucking union people to sit on their asses while the CEO tries to maximize profit. Buy Germna, Japanese or whatever is the BEST. Make the US compete for their business by making an actual quality product.
I also have all three, in various sizes. The irwins were good, until the teeth wore out. And then my second one wore out. And then the third. This is where Knipex shines. The teeth have reliably lasted 4 times longer (so far)... which means they're technically a lot cheaper.
I've observed the same. My Knipex have been used by me at work for the last 9 years and the teeth still look great.
@@gjk1504 ya this guy is kinda a shill for the big box stores. Knipex is the only way to go.
Knipex pliers have yet to disappoint me.
Same. I don’t know that I want to buy any other brand after using my cobra pliers.
I really want to buy some but not sure I'd get much use out of them
@@Nyle95 i’ve had blue handled channel locks i’ve been using for 20+ years and they are solid today and in my bag
@@olinshea I'm in a cast shop. My knipex alligators have taken abuse that would've killed several channel locks by now.
@@Uff-dada alligators for the win, I don’t care for the cobras. I actually sheered the button off in a tight space once. Them gators don’t have that weakness.
I’ve been using knipex pliers for years now - cobras, side cutters and lineman’s pliers - they’re the best in the game in my humble opinion 🤘🏼✌🏼
Agreed
I love my pair of alligators (don’t care for the lock button on the cobras), and cutters. Picked up a pair of the raptors recently, honestly expected it to be more of a novelty. Absolutely wrong. Knipex knocks every product out of the park.
@@wesleywinslow69 I bet man, honestly never heard of the raptors til now but I just looked them up. They look like an absolutely ideal set of pliers for anyone who uses hex hardware on a regular basis! Perfect shape and no teeth to mar the surface of what you’re working on👌🏼
Side cutters are linesman pliers…
@@atmacm not where I’m from boss, lineman’s are square nose, side cutters are just strictly cutters
Cobras are the best hands down. I only use knipex
He is using Craftsman pliers in this video. Look at minute 9:00 He’s trying to pass Craftsman pliers as Knipex🤦♂️
@@timelesswrld6758 He said he bought them at Sears so maybe Knipex was making a set for Craftsman to sell at Sears locations. I say this because they look Identical to Knipex and Knipex has a patent so there is no way Craftsman could have gotten away with copying Knipex pliers so I bet that Knipex made a version for Craftsman.
@@timelesswrld6758 craftsman re-branded from multiple companies.
Bought the Irwin, only because the Knipex weren’t available at Lowe’s in a 12”.
Alligator!
I have many pairs of knipex. Love my knipex. When buying tools I look at what is the best first then consider cost. Usually I decide what I want without looking at price then find it for a price I can afford or save up. One time I removed a spindle nut on a car by putting the pliers on the nut and pushing down with my foot while pulling up on the fender with both hands. Buy once cry once.
You're right. It's rare to be able to buy the best of anything for 30 bucks. It's expensive for a plier, but it's not expensive when you consider it's the best plier. How much time, work, frustration, injury, etc does it have to save before paying itself off? One bloody knuckle and a few swear words maybe? Easy choice.
Shout out to the Packout stack there , Vince is standing on top of them.
😂🤣😂
The unsung hero 😂
I like that for a comparison video you put a smaller pair of knipex up against larger competitor brands. I’ve owned and used all three pliers in this video; that being said, the knipex are the king!! I use them daily and the only reason I’ve had to buy a replacement is because I’ve either given them away or they were stolen. And although you didn’t mention it they do make a 12” size, but we don’t want to make the competition look bad now do we! Thanks for the biased review.
I love all things American made....but if it underperforms I'll choose the other. And that's why I love knipex products. By far the best pliers I've ever used....if u weren't getting enough torque Vince then just buy a longer set
I'm a electrician apprentice and I love my Knipex cobra
How dangerous is your job? My union offers classes and I will take an electrician class. I am also looking to get into a trade. Hvac sounds like a good option but idk.
@@saprissa9 i dont have professional experience as electrician, rather electrical engineering but it's a safe job when you respect safety rules (ie. be sober). Also don't assume something isn't live, you should know, never assume.
As a service technician for 25 years and a mechanic for 20 years, channel lock pliers were the industry standard. I wish I had a dollar for every time I pinched my hand using the channel lock pliers, I’d be a rich man. In 1989 I discovered the knipex pliers and never looked back. I was disappointed when you tried to compare two 12” pliers to the 10” cobras. I you had used the 10” knipex alligator you would have see that they would have blown all the pliers up with out the use of the locking button, which they don’t have. If you would have used the 12” alligator pliers and compared the prices, you would have seen that they’re the best bang for the buck. If you would have done your home work, you would have also noticed that the jaws are made to put 4 sides of the jaws around a nut if need be. You should never use slip jaw pliers on a nut or bolt, but in a pinch these will provide a secure way to tighten bolts.
Give him a break, at least he didn't use the pliers backwards.
Well said. Plumber since 99 and never thought I’d use anything but channel lock. Fast forward to 2024. I use nothing but knipex cobras and plier wrenches. Twin grips are also amazing.
As a locksmith I use Knipex cobras and their wrench pliers which have flat jaws and remain parallel. They are priceless and serve me every day
heh, I'm a locksmith, too, and i have both of them in my go bag. i also have a pair of the dikes, lineman's pliers, mini needle nose, and their combo jaw pliers with the cool cutout in the nose to grab stripped fasteners. I'm always checking to see if they have anything new
I stick with my knipex. Thank you very much.
I find knipex anything to be very well made and very pleasant to use. I am no building contractor though. I use knipex in the field of automotive repair. As a technician, they are great.
I'm a Channellock man, I use several different sizes and jaw types of Channels, and it amazes me the sheer use and abuse those things handle. A couple of weeks ago, I took a wire wheel to the jaws on my trusty decade old 430s, and once all the metal slivers, grease and crud was gone, I could see that the teeth are still in great shape...that really blows my mind knowing what I've put them through. I'm a plumber, so they are constatly wet, exposed to harsh chemicals and God knows what, they get used as a hammer enough that the back edge of the plier is starting to mushroom out a little, they get used to pry on things, etc, and while they aren't much to look at in general, the teeth have minimal wear. The other brands of pliers shown here are good tools too no doubt, but I just like good old Channellocks...they have never let me down in my 40 year career. The only reason I have ever replaced a pair is because they got lost or walked off in someone else's tool box or pocket. I have used other brands (not the ones in the vid), like a pair of Huskys that I bought to get me through a job after misplacing my 430s, and the teeth were damaged just doing that one job, plus they almost immediately started rusting. I'll just stick with Cannels for what's left of my career thank you.
People dont realize how much the teeth get dirty and sometimes a bit dull. Both very fixable. Same on pipe wrenches
I’m in the mine and there channelock is KING Literally the only tool you really need
My dude, you don't know what you're missing till you try the knipex cobras and I say that without anything but the best of intentions for you. I used to be of the same opinion as you of the channel locks, however, after trying the cobras two years ago, I look at channel locks as if they are a harbor freight tool and I refuse to bring them with me even as a spare. The difference is that absurd. I mean this video shows enough with how they fail to grip because of their design alone. The channel spacing also makes certain size pipe and bolts almost impossible to work on without fatigue and discomfort. Though they do take abuse well, that just doesn't make a tool good on it's own, the design makes them so inferior that they are hardly useful. Although yeah you can get the job done and claim that they never let you down your whole career, however, struggling unnecessarily to get something done is all this tool is good for. Believe me, this doesn't become a self apparent realization until you work with a tool that is so superior, that you can't help but accept what a shame it is you didn't give them a try years ago and just as I'm doing now, you will do whatever you can to help your peers find out what they're missing out on, even if they're a stranger and might ignore your comment that took 15 min to write because you wanted to convince them that bad. If not you, hopefully someone else out there
@@nocandopdx I can open channel locks with one hand, they’re lighter than my same size knipex, they’re cheaper, they get the job done just as fast. The knipex are nicer don’t get me wrong, but I don’t agree they’re so much nicer channelock isn’t in the same ballpark. I own channelocks older than me. Value wise channelock still is at the top imo
@@JuryRigJohn I also still own channellocks and I can assure you without a doubt, they are not lighter, nor do they grip like a cobra, they also get into spaces the channellocks do not. There simply is no comparing the two brands, Knipex is the industry leader period.
Knipex for life, everytime someone can't get something loose I bring my cobras over and get it done worth every penny to me
I have channelock, Milwaukee, and knipex and I prefer the knipex, the feel and positive grip they give is amazing, and always grip then the others can’t
Same, I like the milwaukee least of the three but i dont feel so bad using them as a hammer.
@@fixerupperer hell yea I got a pair of Milwaukee so I can use to punch out holes in junction box and for heavy duty work the cobras are better for getting in tight spaces and feel way better and lighter in hand when I tighten conduit cuplings I have to use both and it's perfect I love channel locks but these two just work perfect for commercial electrician
Can you really put a price tag on a tool that helps you not only get the job done correctly but also saves your body overtime from wear and tear and breakdown
Nope
I use to use the Vise Grip channels but I had the push adjustments on several pair break! But I have original Channel lock pliers that are over 10 years old and are still working!!
I bought all of the knipex cobra sizes. I tried all 3 of those pliers but like the build quality and compactness of the head better on cobras. Dont get me wrong channellocks are great i have many but once you get used to the cobras its hard to go back.
Knipex. Is the best same like u. When a tru cobra. Hell not going to buy other brand
Hello sir thanks for all of your reviews. In my experience these pliers are for much different uses. In Hydraulics and working on engines we use the Cobra pliers to finish taking off loosened but still to tight for hand nuts and fittings when the wrench would fatigue your hand and is unwieldy in that space. We do not even really use the Channellock as they are to big and heavy. Same for the Irwin. To big and heavy. We do not work with pipes or use them the way you do at all. For us the price premium is because they are the lightest, thinnest and least fatiguing plier out there. It is not completely apples to oranges comparison but definitely (the Cobra) is a use specific plier that the other two would never even be considered for!
I've had and used both Channel-lock (the traditional style) and the Knipex Cobra. I just find that the Knipex Cobra has better increments for adjusting to the jaw size you need. I like the fact it stays locked in place for whatever I'm doing. I also found the Cobra had stronger teeth bite and that the arch design of the jaws made it more conducive for turning pipe or other things.
The Vise Grip pliers looks like a great value. You know what I’m impressed with it that Packout worktop table. Wow! You were applying some serious torque on the pipe and vise and the Packout worktop handled it no problem. Great video as always, have a great rest of the weekend! 👍🏻
Love my knipex 10" and 12" cobras. Man do they bite! They work so well for the smaller 1/2 to 1" piping as the jaws are nice and skinny and much easier to work with than pipe wrenches. I also have some 16" channellocks for the bigger stuff, they work well too.
Im in the automotive field, and the Knipex haven’t failed me yet. I lost one and the first thing i did was buy another one right after.
I’ve been using various Knipex Cobra pliers for nearly 20 years and they’ve yet to fail me.
Personally I choose my Ridgid pipe wrenches everyday for piping installation and demo. I'd like to see a comparison between Ridgid, Lennox, Milwaukee and other top brand pipe wrenches for doing piping work.
Hard to go wrong with ridgid. I have the 12", 18" and 24".
Ridgid pipe wrenches are legendary...you have to SERIOUSLY abuse them before they will ever break (think 4 foot cheater pipe on a 10" wrench and even then you can usually get away with that in a pinch). I use several decades old Rigid wrenches that have been used to death, and I have zero doubt they will still be getting used long after I retire.
@@eyellgeteven9928 when you find them at yard sales just clean the teeth with a wire wheel and maybe file the teeth a bit and voila ready for some more decades of abuse.
Finally someone who understands these are crap for pipe cranking! Yeah, Ridgid! The rest are weak copies at best. I have 8”-24” Alum and steel 36” and 48”. Knipex, is a top notch tool and I use those too, but not on pipe.
@@robertopics For sure! I remember back in the day when I first started out, when I was using a pretty much worn out Ridgid "12 aluminum, installing some galvanized pipe, and it kept slipping and was really pissing me off, and the welder said something about being tired of watching me fight it after a week or so, so he grabs it from me and takes his grinder to it. Freaked me out at first because I was responsible for the wrench, but after a few minutes going over each tooth with his cutting wheel, he gives it back you me and says try it now...I couldn't believe the difference! It was almost too "grippy" by not letting you "ratchet" it back without loosening the adjuster. Blew my mind, it performed like new if not better...yeah Ridgid wrenches are something you buy used, clean them up and sharpen the teeth, and you can fully expect to use them for decades. I need to try some Knipex...they're so damn expensive though.
I lace the knipex pliers and they are great, main thing I like about them vs the channel locks is they stay at whatever size you set them at and won’t slip out.
For its simple design, reliability and being made in the USA, Channellock is my choice. The Channellock 440 you are using isn’t the right model for turning pipe. There are other models better suited for what you were demonstrating. However, I have used the 440s for turning pipe when I didn’t feel like grabbing my Ridgid pipe wrench and they almost always did what I needed them to do.. The 440 is a plumber’s tool, and this plumber has used them for forty years. There are certain plumbing tasks the 440 will do that neither of the other two in the video could possibly do. If you were a seasoned plumber, you would know you can use a pair of 440s by applying pressure to just the top handle - you just need to select the right channel for the job.
Still doesn't hold a candle to knipex... the teeth don't last and they aren't as comfortable to use. I don't care where a tool is made. I only care that the tool does the job I need it to do every single time I need it to for years and years. Knipex wins that competition hands down. There's a reason snap on, matco, Mac, and Cornwell all sell knipex on their tool trucks
@Louis i can’t think of a situation where I would need a pipe wrench, or any wrench for that matter, for cast iron. Not unless I was going to use it to bust the pipe or fitting instead of using a hammer.
@Louis yes, I’ve got ridgid aluminum pipe wrenches as well, though not for cast. I use the pop-cutter for cast.
By far my favorite are the knipex. I’ve broken many pairs of channel lock and vise grips
Wasn't expecting to see you standing on them haha. I've got the Irwin vice grip ones and I love em
Just got some knipex linemens pillers, really like them. I really hate loosening my grip and my channel locks give. Super frustrating when doing work in tight locations.
Channel lock makes a “Parrot Beek” that works like a pipe wrench. Put it on & just push or pull on one handle. Had mine for 35 years.
Yup
Those things are a BEAST. I believe they are the Channellock 420’s.
Thanks Vince. Definitely going to order the channelocks with the grip lock. I have small hands and it’s always hard to get good leverage while maintaining a good grip.
I live in NW PA about 30min from Meadville pa and the channel lock factory and yes I own a ton of their pliers. I also have the Irwin pair and absolutely love them as well.
I went through several channel locks in the passed year before finally settling down with a pair of knipex cobras and so far they've been the best, Irwin taking second. Channel lock brand I had this same issue, a lot of slippage on black iron pipe from doing this same thing, I also had a pair of crescent brand channel locks that wouldn't fit anything right causing a lot of slippage. The knipex are well worth the price, but for nearly half the price and if you don't want to pay for the cobras, go for the irwins.
Seeing you do that on top of your packout has helped me make a decision to purchase a packout set.
I am the same way. I use Channellocks because they are made in the USA. If I need to work pipe then I get a pipe wrench.
My first knipex was the pliers wrench. Smooth parallel jaws and long handles. Love that brand. Nothing better. If some of want to keep using your channel locks your are either not doing real work or just so close minded and hard headed it just amazes me. I guess that is where the saying "there's nobody dumber than a plumber" comes from.
Happy Sunday! Thanks for the video & the content 👍
The production quality on your videos is excellent. Don't stop.
Ya I've had the vise grip for a while and I love them plus I like the button because it does keep accidentally switching size on me
The alligator pliers are my go-to, then price the 10-in competitively to everything else to the point where you're paying the same for the Irwin's, the difference that I've experienced is they last three times longer than the channel lock teeth do
I Definitely Agree "
I have an original pair from 1933 and they still work fine, but the De'arment family has improved their Channellock pliers over the years and they reached their peak when the riveted construction was introduced. I have a lot of their pliers, maybe not perfect but you can't beat the price and they have always been reliable for me.
I have several Channellock's and ever since my purchase of my first pair of Cobra's from Knipex, all they have been doing is collect dust. Simply put, Knipex are the industry standard, the vise grip is just a inferior clone once the patent had expired. Also, you don't have to compare a 10 inch Cobra to a 12 inch vise grip, they also make the cobra in 12 inch and bigger.
Long time Channel Lock guy. I honestly never knew other pliers offered a 1 handed feature. Now it’s got me thinking.
Had the 8 and 10 inch vice grips in my tool bag for work for years and they're great at not rounding bolt heads
I've used all three and they're all great. I would buy one with with a push button adjustment that doesn't require you to keep squeezing
Love my Irwin vice grips!
I have all three as well but my Cobras always get me out of a jam but only because there smaller in size witch helps out in tight areas and allows me to add as much force as possible…. It’s all about what gets the job done
I'm a Channellock guy. the pliers wont slip if you use 1 hand and squeeze them The push button has it's drawbacks you can't adjust them one handed like the channels
I work in the dirt and mud a lot and the push button design gets jammed up pretty quick. In those type of conditions the channel lock seems superior. They just don’t jam up like the push button style. I reserve the knipex for jobs I know won’t be getting dirt in the mechanism and they are excellent pliers
good day... what does the Teath on them look after wear or time? i am big fan on KX
I was wondering if in any video you talk about mounting the vise on that tool pack. I would like to do that for a portable vise.
Made in USA all the way baby!! I always look for tools made in the USA!! That one handed feature of the other 2 would be nice I never knew they were capable of doing that!! Iv always bought channel lock going to have to give the vice grips a try now.
I make the sacrifice to buy all my tools that are made in America. If they don't make that particular tool in America then I search for the second best option which would be Germany or Taiwan.
USA pliers are rubbish. Try German tools if you want quality
@@Ricardo-yl2bu yup, after watching a few vids i think knipex owns. At least with pliers.
That may be the case but in my mind I’d rather keep my American money in the pockets of American workers. Even if there not the best there is there almost always still a quality tool. There isn’t that many places still make things here and if I can help an American base company making things here and giving people jobs here I will even spend more for a tool with the made in USA stamp!!
@@terrycalvert7812 deluded
I really enjoy these hand tool "competition" videos. I really wish VCG would do a comparison on multitools. In the military I was issued Gerber 600 series multi-pliers, and I've carried one everyday since then. I'd like to know how the competition stacks.
You can buy all three of these at Menards too. 11% mail in rebate but personally I don't think the rebate is ever worth it... I was put into the mind set to carry 2 of each tool I use alot so I keep 2 of each of my pliers that I use. Personally I'm slowly converting all my hand tools to Milwaukee hand tools. Gotta Milwaukee everything.
I uave been plumbing for 25 years and tried them all.Bought some knipex a couple of years ago and gave all my other ones away.They are the best of the best
Knipex all the way...Im a home owner that has heavily used them for over 20 years and hands down my go to adjustable pliers...worth the extra costs and Im still using ones that are 20 years old...have the knipex cobras and the knipex slip joints but prefer the cobras...The baby cobras like 5 and 6 and 7-1/4" " are FANTASTIC!
All fine products and I’ve used all of them. Right now if you open the plier drawer on my main box all you’re going to see is red Knipex handles and couple blue Channellock handles. Channellock is, in my opinion, the best $ per pound, great pliers. Knipex are the best though. Especially the pliers wrench. And Channellock does make a newer designed plier that works similar to the Knipex.
Love the Irwin and the larger size 12 and up work on a lot of big pipes were you also have to use chain wrench. Literally setting pipe with a hoist. And of course the good old pipe wrench.
I used CL and every other branded slip-joint pliers for years. Tried Crescent, Milwaukee, Klein, Ideal, etc....There is NOTHING like the grip of Knipex Cobras, I will never use anything else to tighten couplings on pipe, etc. CL have their place, but it's not with me anymore. I love Knipex so much i changed out all my hand tools to them basically, Their linesman pliers and dikes are so strong and light, can't imagine going back to anything else.
I'm a sprinkler fitter and working with pipe sizes up to 2" I prefer using knipex alligator and cobra over a pipe wrench any day.
Knipex for me, I have about 1k in knipex tools cutters, electrical, pipe, hose spring removal,bolt cutters in two drawers in my tool box. Gave the irwins to my son for his tool box. The irwins were good pliers but the knipex were outstanding. They have extreme grip and the teeth hold up.
Love channel lock. Have the blue point 10in lock joint which are the same as knipex. They work great to but I'm a channel lock guy.
I pinched my palm too many times with channel locks, I use irwin mainly now because of price and features but knipex for are great if I really don’t want to damage the pipe, fastener, fitting etc. or just to get the luxury feeling
I have those exact vice grip plyers and have even taken a 4lb sledge to it after having a part way over torqued for truck maintenance
I had found some knipex pliers at the flee market and got them for 12$ brand new
Just got a pair of knipex today and I've been counting down hours till work I can't wait to use them they feel amazing look amazing in my opinion better than the klien Verizon and only two dollars more and they have the button and klien doesn't and red looks better than yellow .there thin so you can get in tight places fit perfect in hand
I went with the Griplock Channel locks, thanks for explaining
Hello Vince and Vcg Construction Thank you for another Great Video. And thank you for another thought provoking segment. As I am researching for my next tool purchase. Again thank you
Knipex all day long. I have the 8", 10" and 12"
Knipex has the widest range of plier tools tools i have seen; for variety of options including chromed, non chromed, with many types of handles and with many different sizes that go way larger/smaller than that 12 inches. Weird how he included the smaller size in this comparison.
I have 2 of the 3 and like my channel lock. I did pick up a pair of doyles I still have not had the chance to use yet.
I have the 5in and the 10in Knipex Cobra pliers. They have larger sizes up to 22in.
The majority of my pliers are Knipex and have been for about 15 years and I will continue to buy Knipex as long as they keep making them. I have never broken or even really wore out a pair to the point of uselessness, though sadly I have had a few pair disappear over the years. At the price point the disappearing acts do really suck. But I love them none the less. I feel when it comes to tools you really get what you pay for 90 percent of the time.
I have used all three of these. The Channel locks with the straight jaws is the only one that grabs a pipe correctly. The pipe should contact the pliers in three places. The channel locks if adjusted correctly will also do the one hand push. You had the channel lock pliers adjusted too tight so the handles were too far apart. The reason for a three point contact is to prevent distorting the pipe the same as with a pipe wrench. The other two and the also the channel locks with same shape jaws as the other two won’t allow the three point contact.
I love my offset Channel lock and Knipex slip groove pliers. Cant go wrong with either. Irwins are good too. The biggest failing of all time was Sears Craftsman brand laminated steel sheet pliers, all of them!
My most recent purchase was a Knipex Cobra. Before that I bought a large pair of Channellock.
the Irwin's have a one-way button. it's used to loosen the pliers. when tightening you just slide it up. I use and love them in tight areas
@adam sharr. Good point to bring up👍 Ive got a set of the Knipex and the Irwins and I do like the one way locking button on the Irwins for some applications while I like the true full locking button of the Knipex in other applications.
I've had a few pairs of the knipex and Irwin but I didn't know I could open my hand, and the button eventually fell out and got lost on both brands, but I still liked them enough to buy more.
I believe Knipex sells button repair kits.
I recall the project farm channel having done a comprehensive test on some of the market leading pliers and had the Knipex Cobra coming out on top!
The "Knipex" say "Craftsman" on them nice work....
Knipex are absolutely the superior tool. The Irwin are very similar in general design but do not compare in quality or practicality for professional use in my experience. The heat treat on the teeth is sub par and you can even see it on a new pair looking at the coloration where only the center was actually hardened leaving the outer edges of the jaws untreated. I’ve chewed through several pairs of Irwin’s. They are also very bulky. The jaws are so wide that I literally can’t use the tool in many situations as a cnc technician and general industrial maintenance. The knipex heat treat process properly hardens the teeth entirely and they are very slim design that fits places others can’t go. If your concern is that the 12” channel locks give you extra leverage, buy the 12” knipex lol, kind of an unfair comparison, it’s not like they only come in one size. And as far as the cobra push button system, I don’t care for it, I actually sheered off a cobra push button in one of those tight spaces I mentioned before. I prefer the knipex alligator line, which is a series of semi circles instead of slots, but operate in the same fashion as the classic channel lock and like you mentioned with the self locking feature where the downward force on the handle supplies a clamping to the jaws, it allows you to put a little cheater pipe on the top handle and I have removed 3” black iron pipe with my 6” knipex this way several times because that’s the tool that stays in my pocket rather that climbing off the machine and going to the tool box. I’ve wedged these 6” pliers on bolts with 1” diameter shanks and used a 1/2” drive breaker bar with cheater pipe and I did bend the handle but it was an insane amount of force to ask a 6” pair of pliers to support. Anyway, that’s the long way of saying the kinps are the shit, superior by far, but everybody needs a pair of the trusty blue handle channel locks in the tool box too.
Knipex has a 12", 10", and 6" Cobra pliers, IIRC. I LOVE my 6" for what they do. I have the 10" too.
I still use my old channel locks. Try some of the other ones just like the old ones
Just got the channel lock 6,10,12 in combo for $35. It doesn't have the auto lock feature, but as a apprentice electrician, it's what I can afford.
i used to have a set of plyers where there was a button not on the side but on the back and the only time you wanted to push the button was to make the gap wider
Definately have to look at the other channel lock styles very nice that self locking feature. I could never buy anything but channel lock though sorry to say to many years with them. I'm 62 LOL
I have all three of those. The German pliers are by far the best for commercial use. The other two wore out and are no longer useful. Knipex still going strong years later.
Used all of them the channel lock is clumsy to adjust and require constant adjustments while cranking down. Vice grip is best pricing to function. Knipex is able to fit in more situations, the handles close together closer allowing your grip strength to contribute more torque.
I use Knipex and Bahco pliers...never let me down...I've got some Milwaukee and Klein pliers i like too...with the bolt offsets...they're great...🏁 Flat jaws are different though...Channellock Knipex developed that style...everyone else made a version after they saw how many Knipex sold.....
I have both channel lock and I find myself using the second one more better grid with open palm
Should have used the same jaw style channel locks as the style the Knipex and Irwin had. I never buy that channel lock jaw style anymore. The channel locks you showed the price of towards the end of the video are the good style channel locks.
Being a Pipefitter in the oilfields, on really high pressure (low schedule) pipe, I've spun10's of thousands of fittings. Those pliers have their place, but nothing beats your pipe-wrench. I figure, if a pro like me can spin pipe for 12 hours using a pipe-wrench and not get tired, the home-gamer would be better off too and not get themselves hurt. To me, the longer the wrench, the better. I don't like aluminum wrenches either because I've never had one last longer than a week. Their selling point is huge weight savings on wrenches over a foot and a half, so less worker fatigue and thats bullshit. I like a good solid cast iron and steel pipe-wrench with a good steel snipe (piece of pipe) over the handle. You'll never break the wrench and you'll have leverage for days and it's always a bit adjustable. I'm not an expert at much, but I know industrial construction. Whenever I can share my 2 cents on something I know well, I try and take the time to do it, like I did here. I'm sure there's tons of guys like me who knew this too, but I'm sure there's lots who don't and thats who this comment is for. To everyone, have a good, safe, and productive day.
I agree with you on everything except maybe aluminium. When you're doing service calls weight savings are important, plus for anything under 18" aluminum works just fine, after that it's better to use the regular iron/steel wrenches.
Knipex vs. Vice Grips: The Vice Grips ones look a little bit bigger than the Knipex. How is it with reaching in tight areas?
Great video Vince! Thanks