Knipex slip joint/cobra pliers - differences
 

Folks, if you were buying Knipex pliers, which would you buy/recommend? (ignoring length)

I'm leaning towards the chrome plated for the extra rust protection. Also, I guess, the flat jaws or the jaws in the screenshot below. I'm thinking the jaws in the screenshot below for extra flexibility.

Otherwise, I see plastic handled, 2 color rubber handled, and then 2 color rubber handled with "bolsters" on the handles. I'm looking and thinking "would they really make single color and dual color handles where that's the only difference?

Looking at the details, the red is "non-slip plastic coated handles". The red/blue are "slim multicomponent handles." And the red/blue w/bolster are "multicomponent handles." Does multicomponent mean that the handles are plastic and rubber or something like that.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1730823004.jpg

Or am I not looking at some other option that I should be looking at?

I have the Cobras, 10", with the smaller sized grip..#87 01 250. Love 'em! Never have played with the larger handles, so can't comment. However, red/blue are NOT electrician insulated...think they have a different color code for those. I think you're right..multi component meaning a mix of hard & grip compounds. (edit) It's hard to describe the texture of the slimmest handle compound. The non-slip grip it gives is top notch, while not hard on the hands at all. So, I don't see a need for the larger grips...but that's just me.

Chrome? All I do is just dry mine off if used in wet...I wouldn't pay extra for it.

Although you only mentioned water pump pliers, I also have a pair of Knipex "Twin grip"...#82 01 200. They have a feature on their nose for gripping & removing stripped screws..plus a unique jaw shape vs most standard slip joint pliers. You might want to take a peek at those.

Knipex..weird name, but great pliers!

no idea. but my Knipex wire cutters are sick!! they go thru fish hooks..especially fast at cutting fish hooks when they are buried deep into the living room carpet and the wife is coming...

RoFLMAO!

I'll look up the twin grips.

The insulating handles are red/yellow. I don't need/want that feature.

80 seconds video on the twin grips:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=606DTH1NsJk&t=8s&ab_channel=KNIPEXTools

Those are the coolest "regular" pliers that I've ever seen.

https://memegenerator.net/img/instances/12123224.jpg

Those two are my "go to" pliers. I also have a set of Knipex snap ring pliers that work very well, but hardly as frequently used as those two...the 10" Cobras and the twin grips.

I once watched a toolbox tour of a veteran aircraft mechanic...during the tour he commented on how he wished he'd heard of Knipex before buying all his snap-on pliers.

Make the decision easy, order one of each!

You know you want to!

I would love to order about 6 in different shapes and sizes.

Cobra headed Knipex are good for pipes and tubes; like any pipe wrench, you need 2. The flat Knipex are best for nuts and bolts. You can see the little lever and socket that increases leverage.
The black cobras are fine. Give 'em a squirt of Gibbs every now and then to keep the rust at bay.http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1730862925.jpg

They sound so good I thought I'd buy a pair. Wow, they are expensive out here in the colonies.

Another excellent tool in a similar vein:

https://www.vampiretools.com/shop/products/pliers/vampliers-7-boss-screw-extraction-wire-cutting-pliers-vt-001-7/

Suggested considerations: How long do you expect to live? How often do you find yourself reaching for pliers? Do your current pliers work as well as you'd like?

Only you have the answers...

Otter, the Vampires are a great electricians (linesmans) plier, but other than the screw removal feature, not similar to the twin grips. Different jaw design completely, and a single pivot point.

Channelock makes a decent pair of pliers for most stuff but I love my mini Knipex.
Curious about the locking mechanism....will check em out next time I am in a hardware store in Germany...