By Phil Spano
Knipex is a tool brand that has been around for over a century now changing the tool game all around the world. A German tool brand that strives to be innovative while pumping out quality tool after quality tool.
If you’re unfamiliar with the brand, they make a wide range of different tools. I would say they’re most known for their Cobra water pump pliers, but they make so much more than that.
No matter the trade you find yourself if, Knipex probably makes a tool that is of use to you. Most of their products do have that typical pliers structure, but you can find tools for wire cutting, loosening up bolts, and even pipe cutters.
Knipex strives to be innovative and on the top of the pliers food chain. They’re always looking to the future in different ways to not only improve tried and tested designs but to also produce the latest and greatest tools
Pronounced Cuh-nip-ex, I know it’s kind of an internet controversy, the brand started as a small village smith 140 ish years ago, has blown up with now over 16,000 employees and producing over 59,000 pliers a year in over 100 countries.
Having been committed to sustainability issues for many years and in a variety of ways, KNIPEX has received the prestigious “German Sustainability Award 2019”. The award recognises companies that combine industry leading economic success with social responsibility and environmental protection which promotes the idea of a sustainable society in a special way.
Now I’m sure many of you have heard of the Cobra Pliers from Knipex. The Cobra line has been developed for over 36 years and is available in many different sizes ranging from the pocket sized Cobra XS at about 4” to the monstrous XXL which is 22” long.
The Cobra Pliers were made for water pumps specifically but in my personal experience, they have replaced my channel locks in my tool bag. My 7” and 10” Cobra Pliers are my go to tools that no matter how big or small the job is or even if I’d I only take a couple tools with me, they are part of the kit. You can get away with a lot of repairs with a set of Cobra Pliers and a 11 in 1 screwdriver. The 4” do make into my edc rotation every now and then, but I tend to use the 7” and 10” a lot more frequently.
Another tool from Knipex that I tend to see myself using quite often is their Pliers Wrench. This funky design basically takes the place of an adjustable wrench considering it does the same job with a smooth tooth on the pliers, but unlike your typical adjustable wrench these will stay the size you put them in for the entire length of the job you’re doing. I find myself reaching for these a lot more than my Crescent adjustable simply because I always have to adjust the Crescents even while still loosening up the same bolt.
The Pliers Wrench, like the Cobras, come in a wide variety of sizes ranging from the 4” xs to a 16” which gives you a great range of different sizes to tackle any job.
If you find yourself in any type of trade where pliers or wire cutting tools are needed, I highly suggest checking out Knipex. They are not inexpensive by any means but there is a reason for that. People say use the right tool for the job and Knipex is the right tool. The quality of these tools are unmatchable and they will get you through any job for a very very long time without having to be replaced because they broke or are malfunctioning.
If you’re in the EDC crowd and have been on the fence about a set of Cobra Pliers, do yourself a favor and pick them up. Pair that with a custom-built Keybar multitool or SAK and you’ve got yourself a perfect do-anything carry that will most likely be lighter than any other multitool on the market.
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