Knipex Pliers Wrench(es)

[Danllan]

Got one of these late last year, on the recommendation of a cousin's husband, and have been using it since then for everything from vehicle work to gates... I can say now that it's one of the few things I've bought that is vastly better than I thought or even hoped it would be. I started with the 250mm version - which has a 0-52mm range - and have now ordered the 300mm and 180mm versions too.

One of these will replace a whole set of the usual spanners, and is far better than any adjustable or 'novelty' spanner that I've ever used. It has infinite variability, parallel jaws, clamps like a vice and can be used 'ratchet' style, so it's quick to use and you'll never burr the edges on fasteners again. Looking now I see that there are loads of videos on youtube about them, all of which completely passed me by - wish I'd had them years ago. The only thing they can't replace is sockets, but you can use them in conjunction with a socket and square-ended extender.

Anyway, can't recommend it too highly.

 

[neilo]

I went mad and bought a pair of Knipex electrician’s pliers last year. Certainly not cheap but outstanding quality.

Dare I ask how much your wrench was?

 

[Danllan]

I went mad and bought a pair of Knipex electrician’s pliers last year. Certainly not cheap but outstanding quality.

Dare I ask how much your wrench was?

Can't remember, but I think it was thirty-something via Amazon; but I can honestly write that I think they would be worth twice that, since they replace a whole lot of things to carry around and do the job better.

I started with the 250s, and they are a good all-round thing to have, but sometimes I've felt that a wee bit more leverage would help, e.g. on old gate nuts, hence my ordering the 300s - those will both stay in the Kioti. But I've also ordered a 180 because I think it will be a useful thing to have around the house or car - being thick and a geriatric amnesiac, I'll probably end up getting another pair of 180s, so that one pair will stay in the car and the other with the house tools.

Just checked, and 250s are currently going for £42 on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/KNIPEX-Pliers-Wrench-pliers-plastic/dp/B000U3LRZE/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=knipex+pliers+wrench+250&qid=1653223290&sprefix=knipex+pl%2Caps%2C2024&sr=8-2

 

[Zebbedee]

Would a metric shifter not be as good with the added advantage that it doubles as a hammer too

 

[Danllan]

Would a metric shifter not be as good with the added advantage that it doubles as a hammer too

Hmm... mindful user of tools though you clearly are, no. There's simply no comparison, the Knipex things work better and have a wider range in one tool - get a set and you'll wonder why you wasted time with other things.

 

[Adeptandy]

Ruined 2 sets of side cutter plier over the years, in both cases only a few days old, both cutting 30amp cable that I was assured was dead, thankfully I'm not, but was the end of the pliers. Customer was invoiced for both sets I will add, both had forgotten they had a second fuse panel
Never trusted a customer again

 

[pycoed]

I like Knipex pliers & cutters but I admit to being really disappointed with the plier-wrench, which I've had for a couple or three years now. Too fiddly to adjust, insufficient range from fully open to closed at the desired adjustment & jaws too narrow to use seriously "end on" to nuts. I just can't take to them at all...

 

[Danllan]

I like Knipex pliers & cutters but I admit to being really disappointed with the plier-wrench, which I've had for a couple or three years now. Too fiddly to adjust, insufficient range from fully open to closed at the desired adjustment & jaws too narrow to use seriously "end on" to nuts. I just can't take to them at all...

I'm very surprised; you must have huge hands to find them fiddly, though I haven't used the three smallest sizes; I find the range better than anything else I've tried, and I have had no problem with end-on use, so far.

But I think your last bit sums it up; I have a couple of tools - e.g. traditional fencing pliers - that others find great and I rarely, if ever use. I even have have a couple of hammers which I just don't get on with, which seems crazy when you consider it, but the fact remains...

 

[pycoed]

I find the button doesn't always release to adjust the first time, & the slide adjustment catches a bit, so I tend to go from too big to too small.
As to the range criticism: the overall range is impressive (mine are the 300mm I think, which open to 45mm ish), but once adjusted say to 30 mm closed, fully open will be only 35mm. So you can't use them to pinch those annoying spring clip hose clamps, or close split pins etc.

 

[ARW]

Knipex all the way for us for fencing, they get worn out after a year, still work but not aswell, still the best I can find

 

[Danllan]

I find the button doesn't always release to adjust the first time, & the slide adjustment catches a bit, so I tend to go from too big to too small.
As to the range criticism: the overall range is impressive (mine are the 300mm I think, which open to 45mm ish), but once adjusted say to 30 mm closed, fully open will be only 35mm. So you can't use them to pinch those annoying spring clip hose clamps, or close split pins etc.

I've found that mine got better with usage, or I did, or both...

In any case, I now find it pretty much spot on every time and, if it isn't, a tiny nudge and it is - far better than the alternatives. I think the two things I find most useful are that there is always a tight fit due to the jaws clamping ability, and the ability to use in a 'ratchet' manner because of that too, no more taking the tool off!