For some reason, my feeds have been showing me advertisements for Knipex's 4 and 5 inch cobra pliers (https://www.knipex-tools.com/products/pipe-wrenches-and-water-pump-pliers/knipex-cobra-water-pump-pliers/cobra-water-pump-pliers-1000v-insulated/8701125). They've been appearing as an "EDC carry", which I'm not really interested in, however they would probably work out for what I get into at work. Is anyone using these and how have they been working out for you? Workpro (https://www.amazon.com/WORKPRO-Pliers-4-Inch-Groove-Spaces/dp/B0FX95FX18/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?adgrpid=187079576155&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.tglITrmCRRvoirIEAdl0j2G0qHw7ioDSEDw-GIpAdu_isexU-QMGfvYtwPLbn2T1mplnR2h-oM5RTPWwHjfCAPgtIyCOPpFd9O-u67G5MGC9Be-uhfd5pSxwwQZaIpDJtlPhKApw1CGAZN4zcAq1Rbg6CHLc8wUCLjXcGYnNN5TEitIVaaNTsO0MaY_6qfik0IDkhE1eZZqouiLNoPu1qOJikrJpPmXOiZVAOWkjVtLNgit7f4RjbQbeH6Abt8nE9PGZAFbfJM5H_K-y1wd7yZeKyTiIa8WUuyqnUozVn8M._u_VLZ8w0A7MzfOdAFaU-tZwP0ktThOwkvorXehqaAc&dib_tag=se&hvadid=779680673270&hvdev=c&hvexpln=0&hvlocphy=9031931&hvnetw=g&hvocijid=5291326067010615611--&hvqmt=e&hvrand=5291326067010615611&hvtargid=kwd-590639254775&hydadcr=29005_14560072_2322837&keywords=workpro%2Bmini&mcid=f2bc0cf606003856af219e9935f9c350&qid=1786589487&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1) has a similar set for a lot less. Thanks, Matt
I have the 125 in both the Cobras and Plier Wrench. They're great!
One will never be sorry buying the highest quality tools.
Knipex is the highest quality.
I have both of those you mentioned, Matt.
Use them all of the time.
No excuses, solid over the top materials, dead zero tolerance, no slop, well engineered and thought out for professional applications.
I buy most of my Knipex from Chad's —- unless I find a better deal on eBay as used or closeout.
We can always find something cheaper —- but less often do we find anything better.
Compared to WorkPro and others —- we might be talking about a couple of gallons of gas or a cheeseburger, fries, and coke. But the Knipex will be with you for a lifetime. Trust me...
Best Regards, Fred
I had to look them up to get an idea of what they were. I guess I'll start seeing them on my feeds now too.
To my mind, any small channel lock pliers would work. In a four- to five-inch size you are not going to be putting a lot of torque on them.... the kind of torque where you'd have to worry crushing your fingers when the cheepass slip joint gives way.
I have the 180 (7 1/4"), the 250 (10"), and the 300 (12"). love them, in fact used one of them today. Worth every penny.
https://www.amazon.com/KNIPEX-Tools-00-20-US1/dp/B000X4KNTG?channelId=500&clpRedir=Y&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.jstZtEP-Uuu2aOyfuFMnsTsfcpbPtJNemjTORNnK-rR5n2doJFHGfedyRCRG5M_hUZHWwiyy12gA-OLycp295FFSKqdqi2GD0z5sDNnn1LqAx4EKvNdNXvjAszIQ1MPNknugBZ7JG7MTSaMgcmm02lgKVmG-Q1gov4eLoCdIQQOJqMuEAJysW96X8AJ7og09vnq0xSgipA90FN6H7lxV1kCvEWviBd4FvHrjwy-jDDfFHhDRQezpYxh9K1_XPmGgSdMxTnydnpOwoe2GSr0e2HaopOJKMSxOp4OKdYyQ15s.m4u1ZNBtF4955DQ0IyOwZvOl9HrAI79lRACQDBDzisk&dib_tag=se&keywords=knipex%2Bcobra&plpRedirect=mhFallback&qid=1786602340&sr=8-1&th=1
Milwaukee is like Kmart got two new ones in the truck $19.95,,,, ;) a larger klein it's nice but the knipex walks all over them with precision,,,, ;D
Quote from: reelynew on August 13, 2026, 03:08:20 AMFor some reason, my feeds have been showing me advertisements for Knipex's 4 and 5 inch cobra pliers (https://www.knipex-tools.com/products/pipe-wrenches-and-water-pump-pliers/knipex-cobra-water-pump-pliers/cobra-water-pump-pliers-1000v-insulated/8701125). They've been appearing as an "EDC carry", which I'm not really interested in, however they would probably work out for what I get into at work. Is anyone using these and how have they been working out for you? Workpro (https://www.amazon.com/WORKPRO-Pliers-4-Inch-Groove-Spaces/dp/B0FX95FX18/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?adgrpid=187079576155&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.tglITrmCRRvoirIEAdl0j2G0qHw7ioDSEDw-GIpAdu_isexU-QMGfvYtwPLbn2T1mplnR2h-oM5RTPWwHjfCAPgtIyCOPpFd9O-u67G5MGC9Be-uhfd5pSxwwQZaIpDJtlPhKApw1CGAZN4zcAq1Rbg6CHLc8wUCLjXcGYnNN5TEitIVaaNTsO0MaY_6qfik0IDkhE1eZZqouiLNoPu1qOJikrJpPmXOiZVAOWkjVtLNgit7f4RjbQbeH6Abt8nE9PGZAFbfJM5H_K-y1wd7yZeKyTiIa8WUuyqnUozVn8M._u_VLZ8w0A7MzfOdAFaU-tZwP0ktThOwkvorXehqaAc&dib_tag=se&hvadid=779680673270&hvdev=c&hvexpln=0&hvlocphy=9031931&hvnetw=g&hvocijid=5291326067010615611--&hvqmt=e&hvrand=5291326067010615611&hvtargid=kwd-590639254775&hydadcr=29005_14560072_2322837&keywords=workpro%2Bmini&mcid=f2bc0cf606003856af219e9935f9c350&qid=1786589487&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1) has a similar set for a lot less. Thanks, Matt
I take it you watched the following short clip and AI was watching you?
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/SsC5wzWRwE0?feature=share
Quite an impressive demonstration.
I take it all back. That's an impressive stunt. Since he has a nice set-up he should repeat the test with Irwin, the chineseium of the day, etc to prove his point.
Slipjoint channel locks are most likely to fail at the full extent of the range for each particular groove. Keeping the teeth sharp is important too.
I'd add my vote for Knipex too - top-notch kit...
Picked up one of these kits with the belt holster yesterday —- because I use them so often for LOTS of projects from reel work to mechanics to just stuff around the property.
$89.95 + tax, free shipping, arriving Monday.
The new ones will stay in the truck.
Best, Fred
James - I hadn't watched the video before, but I did now, so I'm fully expecting more ads. That was pretty impressive.
Thanks Mark and Fred - I went with the 125mm holstered kit on Amazon for $89.
Fred I remember awhile back you got some small smooth jaw Knipex adjustable pliers I always liked but haven't bit the bullet yet.Harbor Freight has a version ,but not smooth jaw is
The kicker.
Quote from: jgp12000 on August 14, 2026, 07:42:00 PMFred I remember awhile back you got some small smooth jaw Knipex adjustable pliers I always liked but haven't bit the bullet yet.Harbor Freight has a version ,but not smooth jaw is
The kicker.
Those are the plier wrench. HF, Milwaukee, Klein, half of China have knockoffs of them.
I have the Knipex Cobras in 125, 150 and 250mm sizes. Same 3 sizes of Plier wrench's too. For most stuff around the house, the 150's are my goto. For me, the 100mm/4" are too small to be useful.
Quote from: jgp12000 on August 14, 2026, 07:42:00 PMFred I remember awhile back you got some small smooth jaw Knipex adjustable pliers I always liked but haven't bit the bullet yet.Harbor Freight has a version ,but not smooth jaw is
The kicker.
The pair on the right is the one I got. Use it for nearly every reel job.
Got tired of moving it back and forth from the reel shop to the outer shop —- so I just bought the set that Matt referenced for $90. Just to keep it in the truck and shop. It is a real pleasure to work with good tools.
Best, Fred
OK I got the 9in harbor freight in the truck and they are ok ,,,,,the snap-on 7in is what I would like to have they where $90,,,price has dropped but still,,I might just wait for a 7in knock off,,,, >:(
I think HF has a version of those but not in the smaller size.
These (https://www.amazon.com/WORKPRO-Pliers-Wrench-4-Inch-Parallel/dp/B0FX93PRCN/ref=pd_ybh_a_d_sccl_3/145-9993139-1807859?pd_rd_w=dlwG7&content-id=amzn1.sym.67f8cf21-ade4-4299-b433-69e404eeecf1&pf_rd_p=67f8cf21-ade4-4299-b433-69e404eeecf1&pf_rd_r=SR1PXD6V0PZVHFMXKQ4P&pd_rd_wg=nJyJU&pd_rd_r=aeea770f-fc7d-4bba-aaa1-fc3b11b0ee2f&pd_rd_i=B0FX93PRCN&th=1) from Amazon are an inch shorter, but have smooth jaws and are a lot cheaper.