Alternative to Knipex Plier Wrench.

[ToolJoe]

Are there any alternatives to the Knipex Plier Wrench out there? Any offerings from Irwin or Channel lock up to the task?

[ThundahBeagle]

Are there any alternatives to the Knipex Plier Wrench out there? Any offerings from Irwin or Channel lock up to the task?

Never broke a Channel Lock in all my time, but I'm kinda more a weekend and fair weather backyard mechanic.

[Vidar]

As far as I know the only other plier wrenches are similar style copies from Wiha, Garant and Holex. Not sure if I remember the last one right. Most likely of similar quality - and price.

There aren't that many pliers out there with parallel action jaws, 10 to 1 or more ratio, and long handles for torque. If you don't need the parallel action there are many different designs.

[Yadda]

The old Eifel Plierench has parallel jaws and a 10 to 1 ratio in the 8.5 inch tool and a 7 to 1 ratio on the 7 inch tool.  VBW makes a smooth jaw plier similar to Knipex with parallel jaws.  Bernard, Sargent and Schollhorn pliers are made with parallel jaws, but they are regular style pliers.

[Vidar]

The VBM looks very similar - I hadn't seen that one before. I guess more and more will make their versions as the original patent has expired.

Talking of patents there were some similar ones before the Knipex plier wrench, but they don't seem to have ended up in production and sales. Or not anymore at least.

[ToolJoe]

Upon further research, it looks like the Knipex Plier Wrench is one of the cheaper options of the bunch..

[ToolJoe]

I ended up going with the Knipex plier wrench.. 5 inch version to be exact..

[Yadda]

I ended up going with the Knipex plier wrench.. 5 inch version to be exact..

 

[Vidar]

I ended up going with the Knipex plier wrench.. 5 inch version to be exact..

That is a cutie! 

[T14]

I ended up going with the Knipex plier wrench.. 5 inch version to be exact..

I love mine. You wont be sorry. 

[ToolJoe]

Its in my backpack toolkit waiting to be used. 

[Fuzzbucket]

Actually, I'm after a pair of these. Anybody know where I can get a pair dirt cheap or second hand? 

[LoopCutter]

As an alternate, I found these at Menards (big box hardware in Midwest US)

It is their brand, Masterforce with lifetime warranty

$11.


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[Vidar]

As an alternate, I found these at Menards (big box hardware in Midwest US)

Interesting ones.  Those are not plier wrenches though? The jaws do not seem to be locked in parallel movement (it seems the lower jaw might rotate some or change angle?), and the jaws are not flat like wrenches. With the rotating (?) point on the jaw and so far from the push button the leverage will also be different.

Does that lower jaw rotate? Will they do one directional self locking or ratchet action? Action pictures? 

Is that grey part on the picture a separate add-on for a smooth face lower jaw?

[LoopCutter]

At the store when I saw this, the Knipex near had a like jaw head. Some research revealed this is the Cobra version.

The jaws remain parallel to each other, at each locked position. 

The grey part on the lower jaw is a rivet, just as the one above the grip below.  As the head has a plate with button release to hold the lower handle to the main. 

The lock and release is smooth and I hope it will be harty enough to end some frustration with slip joint sliding plier that I use. 

For the price it was worth the try.   



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[ezdog]

Left-Plier Wrench                            Right-Cobra Pliers





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[Vidar]

At the store when I saw this, the Knipex near had a like jaw head. Some research revealed this is the Cobra version.

The jaws remain parallel to each other, at each locked position. 

For the price it was worth the try.   
(Image removed from quote.)

This is a bit confusing as a Cobra does not have parallel movement of the jaws - the jaws simply rotate around the movable fulcrum which can be moved using a button.

If it works like a Cobra for that price it would be a good deal. Not sure about prices on your end but here it would likely be around 3-4 times more for a similar size Cobra

(It seems clear where they saved some money. On most pliers like those one handle passes straight through an open slot in the other handle. As both handles are made from singular pieces of metal that open slot tend to be an expensive feature. Here it seems that slot is made by riveting a second piece onto that handle).

[LoopCutter]

It’s an alternative to the Cobra model.

Was not aware of the features plier wrench, as yet to have seen one in person.   

I use wrench’s frequently in daily work, this knockoff may make my holster when away from the truck, but definitely will not handle the same torque as a closed correct sized box wrench;)


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[ezdog]

I think the Cobra are really more a take on the traditional Channel Lock design here or Water Pump Pliers as they may be called but do not really have parallel jaws in use.

The Knipex are higher quality than some and work well but I also have had zero problems with Irwin and others that are similar in design overall.

The Plier Wrench though are a little more unique ad specialized and the jaws stay parallel while in use too.

[Vidar]

Was not aware of the features plier wrench, as yet to have seen one in person.

Worth taking a look if you find one. Compared to the Cobra on gripping nuts it grips perfectly, doesn't deform the nuts and have higher leverage. For nuts somewhat below maximum grip width it will also ratchet and self-lock.  And of course it works great as parallel jaw pliers as such. Not great for gripping stuff though.

I use wrench’s frequently in daily work, this knockoff may make my holster when away from the truck, but definitely will not handle the same torque as a closed correct sized box wrench;)

I'm kind of pragmatic when it comes to things like that. If a tool is strong enough for the intended tasks then that is fine by me however it does it. If it isn't I throw it away, or better yet, don't get it in the first place. (Which I tend to fail at as confirmed by all the tools thrown away over the years - granted some due to gross and creative/ optimistic/ desperate abuse).

[Wspeed]

I have always had good results with knipex