Our friends over at KC Tool, an independent tool distributor that specializes in German hand tools, sent over this duo of Knipex pliers for review. I had requested the 125 mm (5-inch) versions of the Knipex Pliers Wrench (86 03 125) and Cobra adjustable pliers (87 01 125), as I had heard that these sizes of pliers might be especially pocketable.
I’ve been struggling to find decent EDC (everyday carry) pliers, and these looked to be perfect. I do have a small 4-inch adjustable wrench, but like the Pliers Wrench a LOT better.
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I posted about the Knipex Pliers Wrench previously, and again recently as a giveaway idea. Both posts and the reader discussions will get you up to speed about the awesome and unique Pliers Wrench. Pliers Wrenches are basically high leverage parallel jaw pliers that are extremely versatile, and Cobra adjustable pliers have shaped and grooved jaws that can fit many different shapes and sizes of materials.
Now is a good time to remind you – our KC Tool giveaway ends today, June 26th, 2015! If you haven’t already entered, you will probably want to do so quickly. Would you like to win one of the tools reviewed here? Or maybe even the full-size versions? Hop into the giveaway post and enter to win. Want something else from KC Tool’s catalog? The giveaway prize will be up to $75 in free tools for each of (4) winners.
Here you can the size difference between these 125 mm (5-inch) models and their larger 7-inch cousins.
Why does the larger Cobra pliers have black grips? Because they’re relabed under Craftsman branding. Craftsman has been selling a 2-piece set of these pliers for $50 (regularly priced) for the longest time.
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Hopefully this photo of both pliers with an AA battery gives you a good sense of their size. They really are pocketable.
The Cobra pliers can grip fasteners, but also cylindrical and non-uniform shapes. The Pliers Wrench is going to be the better choice for use on fasteners that will show or be reused, as they won’t dig into or mar the surface.
Although the Pliers Wrench has smooth and parallel jaws, it can exert a lot of force and gripping power.
I must admit, while I haven’t yet gotten over the novelty of the 5-inch Pliers Wrench’s teeny tiny size, it’s not quite as smooth to operate as my 7-inch and 10-inch ones. This has me curious as to whether the 6-inch (150 mm) size will be noticeably speedier. Or maybe I’m just looking for a reason to buy the 6-inch pliers?
Without having access to my 7-inch Pliers Wrench, I’d have nothing to complain about. While not the fastest Pliers Wrench to adjust, the 5-inch model is the smallest, and it’s come in handy these past couple of weeks. Because it’s so small, I don’t mind taking it with me.
I think that this 5-inch model, or maybe the 6-inch model if I spring for it, will replace the Stanley 6-inch MaxSteel adjustable wrench that I’ve favored for many years now. I generally prefer Channellock/Irega adjustable wrenches, but I like that Stanley MaxSteel for minimalist travel tool kits. It’s got low-profile jaws and is well sized for travel.
The thin jaws on this Pliers Wrench are pretty convincing. The travelling days for my 6-inch Stanley adjustable are numbered.
At max opening, the 5-inch Knipex Pliers Wrench has a measured capacity of around 0.935″. According to Knipex, it can accommodate 7/8″ and 23 mm hex fasteners (across flats).
Aside from the Pliers Wrench, Knipex’s Cobra pliers are perhaps their next most popular style. Or maybe the Cobras are most popular? I never checked. But when you hear someone talking about, asking about, or praising Knipex, most of the time the conversation is about one or both of these pliers styles.
The mini Cobra pliers adjust as quickly as my larger versions, and feels great in-hand. It has a different grip material than the Pliers Wrench. The Pliers Wrench grip is made with a smooth plastic material, the Cobra handle grip is made with a textured and slightly grippier material. I like both grip styles, but am happy to see that the Cobras have that textured grip.
Despite being small, the Cobra’s jaws have well-defined grooves. You have finely spaced and shallow grooves at the top, coarse and angled teeth on opposite sides of the groove, and another set of fine grooves near the pivot.
So why 2 sets of fine grooves? So that you can securely grip rectangular objects. If you didn’t realize that before, I bet you do now! And they grip really well, too. Just keep in mind that the serrations might mar delicate materials. That plays into how the Pliers Wrench and Cobra pliers complement each other so well.
At max opening, the Cobra pliers spread to about 1.815″ (measured with calipers). Knipex says that the 5-inch version has max capacity of 1-inch or 27 mm for pipes, and 27 mm for hex fasteners (across flats). You can probably push the capacity beyond that 27 mm, or ~1.06″ rating, but not without sacrificing gripping power.
Overall
My Knipex Pliers Wrench are permanent additions to my toolbox. That’s just how it is, and I think you’ll find that most if not all Pliers Wrench users feel the same way. My Cobras are decent, but my 10-inch one is in storage since I also have similarly sized NWS pliers.
These two 5-inch pliers will definitely be added to my EDC rotation. I have already started carrying the Cobras with me, and might swap in the Pliers Wrench depending on where I’m going and what I plan on going. I think I really will check out the 6-inch Pliers Wrench as well to see if I like that size better.
I definitely recommend both models, and will leave it to you to determine which one is better suited for your needs. A word of warning – the 5-inch Pliers Wrench is a little pricey. This makes them more appealing for users who are already familiar with larger sizes that they love using. The Cobras are also a little pricey, but less so than the Pliers Wrench.
Questions? I’m sure you have some, so ask away!
Over at KC Tool, the 5-inch Pliers Wrench is $54 and change, and the 5-inch Cobras are about $36. You can buy a 2pc set of 6-inch Pliers Wrench and 5-inch Cobra pliers for $97.50 today, as it’s the “Tool Deal of the Day.” Regularly priced, that set is $121.
Buy Now: 5″ Pliers Wrench | 6″ Pliers Wrench | 6″ Pliers Wrench w/ MultiGrip
Buy Now(Mini Cobra Pliers via KC Tool)
Buy Now(2pc Set w/ Pouch via KC Tool)
And don’t forget about that giveaway! Entry period ends tonight, 6/26/2015!
Thank you to KC Tool for providing the review samples unconditionally.
Szymon
I have the black version in my tool bag and they are great for the work that I do.
Don’t be discouraged by their small size.
They have more power than you would think.
fred
I have both of the smaller pliers – bought the Micro Cobra in 2010 for $21 and the 125mm Plier Wrench last year for $48 – no nice carrying pouch – but they’re easy to slip into my pocket or belt – and they are surprisingly useful.
JG
Ever since Bravo Zulu mentioned them in the last EDC post here I carry them every day. I am shocked how useful this is and it’s coming from a person that carries a multitool every hour. Just bought a second one for my father, this thing is insanely useful although I find it hard to explain. The range of uses it has exceeds standard Leatherman pliers by far in my opinion.
Andrew
Seems absurdly overpriced.
Pablo
How much is something you’re able to use daily worth to you?
Assuming you keep it 10 years, that’s a penny per day.
fred
Pricey but worth it for me. You might shop around for price – as Chad’s Toolbox and Crawford Tool sometimes have better prices on Knipex.
Drew M
I had not considered EDCing pliers but considering how useful the plier wrenches are…. I might.
Drew M
I just saw that this duo is the deal of the day at KC Tool…
http://www.kctoolco.com/dealoftheday.asp
You are trouble, Stuart!
fred
Just to compare :
http://chadstoolbox.com/00-20-72-v01-knipex-2pc-mini-set-with-pouch/
Drew M
Thanks
I was just doing the math in my head and thinking that $97.50 seemed a bit high given that the tools are $35 and $40 or so depending on sales and such.
Richard G.
I have both of them for the last 7 years. Use them five days a week. Can’t say nothing bad about them, great tools! Add 4 in 1 gearwrench (1/4, 5/16, 3/8, 7/16) , set of allen keys and a multitul on yourbelt, and you have everything you need to fix almost anything.
Bill K
I picked up a pair of Irwin Vise-Grip GrooveLock pliers (8-inch) after reading a related ToolGuyd 2013 posting and have been real happy with their EDC use. The GrooveLock appears to be functionally very similar to the above Cobra. How would you compare the two?
Stuart
In a general sense, you buy Groovelocks to ease frustrations with tongue and groove pliers, and Cobras when you want to upgrade from Groovelocks.
The Knipex Cobra is similar to the Irwin Groovelock, but is a higher class of tool.
Bill K
It would real interesting to see a side by side comparison showing these improvements and benefits when one buys this higher class tool (as a general example).
Mike
http://homefixated.com/knipex-cobra-vs-irwin-groovelock-pliers-channellock-killers/
Mike
I have owned both types for several years. The Cobras are better, no question. They have stronger teeth that will not deform/get crushed/wear nearly as easily as the Irwins (or ChannelLocks). The Corbras are forged in ‘whole pieces’, the Groovelocks I have are not. The Cobras have a narrow(yet very strong) head profile, which is very useful in accessing narrow spaces. The Cobras seem to have a stronger locking mechanism. The Cobras grip pipes/fasteners like no other. I bought them after seeing a rep STAND on the top handle only(gripping a 1″OD black pipe) with NO slippage. I have seen Groovelocks(and Bahcos) break, but so far never a Cobra. Snap-On, MAC, Matco all sell rebranded Cobras as their top line pliers. Also, Klein, NWS, Wiha, Gedore, and Hazet(all good quality pliers as well) all sell thinly disguised Cobra clones. It’s very difficult to find any flaw worth mentioning with the Cobras. Except one: the Cobras are pretty $$$, especially the larger sizes. The Groovelocks are a good value for the price, but are not the same quality steel, or design. Groovelocks are a lot of pliers for a sale price of maybe $10, but are a new product that has already been re-designed at least once in just a few years. Cobras have been around forever it seems, and are a trusted, tried-and-true design around the world. Last, but not least, Cobras are made by unionized workers under tolerable conditions, with an increasing effort to reduce pollution. Irwin products…are not.
firefly
Stuart is right. I got both pliers. The Groovelocks is very decent but I found that the Cobras have better gripping power. The Groovelocks is like a Toyota, it got everything you need at an affordable price. The Cobras is the a Mercedes. It got everything you need and also what you didn’t know you need until you have it…
Toolfreak
The Irwin Groovelocks are actually better in at least one way than the basic Cobra pliers – handle comfort. The Irwins have the wider, more comfortable handles that you have to upgrade to on the Knipex.
The head is also wider, as is the gripping surface, so the Knipex is better for getting into small spacers, but the Irwin is better for larger jobs.
I’m pretty sure the Knipex is higher quality and stronger steel, though I haven’t yet heard of anyone breaking a set of Groovelocks yet.
Overall I think the Groovelocks are pretty solid for the price, especially when you can get them on sale and with special discounts or offers. Irwin has had promos where you could get a free set of Groovelock pliers for trading in your old groove-joint pliers.
If nothing else, they are the beater version of the Cobras, good for keeping in the toolbox or on the toolbench if you keep your Knipex stuff for when it’s really needed – or so your Cobras don’t get “borrowed” and lost or ruined.
Stuart
I’ve got both. The Craftsman set I scored for $25 (50% off) a few years back, and Irwin 7″ and 10″ sets typically sell for $13 around holiday times.
I like the newer Groovelock design better than the older one (https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/irwin-vise-grip-groovelock-pliers-comparison/%3C/a%3E%29, but if it’s between Cobra and Groovelock, I prefer the Knipex.
Toolfreak
I’m still waiting for the Craftsman set to be 50% off again before I buy them, but they’ve actually raised the price to $49.99 where it used to be $44.99 a few years ago.
The Groovelocks have actually been slightly redesigned again, most obviously they now have stamped sizes/model numbers on the head of the pliers, instead of printed ones, and more of a dull matte/flat black finish rather than the glossy black. I’ve seen a few of the original Groovelocks still collecting dust on some hardware store shelves, they look pretty thin and wimpy, not hard to see why they redesigned them the first time.
I prefer Knipex too, but for decent cheapos, the Groovelocks are impossible to beat.
As much as I like German-made precision pliers for when I need them, I also like having much less expensive versions to do lesser jobs. I certainly don’t want to only have Knipex Cobras and then be stuck using them for some nasty job that I know is going to get them caked up with dirt, sand, rust, or dull the teeth, damage the handle, etc. The Groovelocks are easily worth the price of admission to save the more expensive tool for when it’s really, really needed.
Mike
Sometimes, when I am alone at home, I’ll set out some tiny liquor bottles and those miniature Tabasco bottles that come in MREs, then I walk around with these pliers in hand and pretend I’m a giant.
(In other words: Yes, these things are small. Check them out in person before spending the considerable money for them. They may not be useful to you.)
Jerry
Very good one Mike :-). I agree with you. I’ll stick with my mini made in USA Channelock brand version.
Chris Fyfe
I EDC a pair of the 5″ Pocket Wrench pliers .
Chris
Yadda
Everything I fully expected of these tools. Great review!
Ray
Love the cobra, I have 12″, 10″ & 7″ and amazed on the griping power they have. These are my go to pliers. I would love to complete the set with the pocket size 5″
Brian M
I think I’d pick up some ESD micro Wera drivers and some full size Wihas that I’m missing!
Toolfreak
It’s too bad Irwin doesn’t sell larger sets of their popular tools like these pliers, I think they’d sell even better if you could buy a full set of the pliers wrenches or Cobra/Alligator wrenches instead of one at a time or only a pair of the medium/large. I’ve seen a few places sell “sets” they put together, but usually the pricing isn’t any different than if you bought them individualy, which is kind of the point to buying larger sets, getting more tools for less per piece.
Stuart
You mean Knipex? I’ve seen 3-packs and custom combo sets like you’ve mentioned seeing, but that’s about it. (http://knipex-tools.com/index.php?id=1023&page=group_detail&parentID=1373&groupID=1777)
A 3pc set comes with 7″, 10″, and 12″ tools, which are going to be most common. How many users will want to spent a lot more on 5″, 6″, and 16″ sizes?
Plus, it’s not easy for a lot of users to justify buying into a whole set of Knipex pliers all at once. I figure that a lot of users do what I do, and buy one at a time. I start with one size and then buy more once I know the design/usefulness/quality is up to my needs or expectations.
Toolfreak
If nothing else, I think Knipex should offer full sets of each type of their pliers, and maybe a full set of every type of pliers they make?
I get that the most common sizes are what sells, but it’d be nice to have the option, even if it’s a “dream set” that is more of a wishlist item for when you hit the lottery or casino jackpot or otherwise come into a lot of money.
Just makes it easier, and buying in a larger set usually offers pretty substantial savings over buying individual pliers, even at sale prices.
Alex F.
I’ve got these things, and they are so incredibly handy. It was a sort of spur of the moment purcahse at sears, but I use these more than I use my 10 inch size! Definitly would recommend these for a friend.
Tegian
The mini-cobra is part of our pocket tool-kit at work. Our boss was grumbling about the price of it for a couple of weeks, but ended up buying one for himself!
Matthew
I ended up getting the micro plier set with pouch, carpenter Pincers(5.2″), and a set of long needle nose pliers from chad’s. Free shipping over $100, order total was $117.
Can’t wait!
fred
Over the years I’ve ordered quite a number of items from Chads – both for a business and myself – and have been very pleased – particularly about their pricing. The only issue I’ve ever had is that it was always hard to discern what was in stock – and in what quantities. We, therefore, had to wait on some items from time to time – particularly if we were ordering many multiples of the same tool. Chad’s new website is much nicer – but if they were able to add real-time information about in-stock quantities it would be even better.
Matthew
Still waiting for the order to ship but it’s worth the wait because of their pricing.
Heimo
I’ve several knipex pliers, they’re all great. My favorite is Cobolt cutters. Absolutely amazing cutting power for such short pliers.
Robert
For EDC it might be good to add one of the following: IRWIN Tools VISE-GRIP 4-inch Locking Pliers, Curved Jaw with Wire Cutter, Irwin 08 Vise-Grip 4LW 4″ Adjustable Locking Wrench with Wire Cutters, and IRWIN Tools VISE-GRIP Locking Pliers, Long Nose, 4-Inch.
Stuart
The Leatherman Crunch https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/leatherman-crunch-multi-tool-review/%3C/a%3E is a good option, too, especially if it’ll be paired with Cobra pliers anyway.
Jeremy
I carry the 5″ cobras in my bags along with a klein heavy duty 10/1 driver. Lovem both.