Stick with me - this one isn't short ;) But I hope it's interesting and more importantly will help understand these two slip joint pliers that seem to be talked about in similar terms...
The snap on is more like a needle nose and can't grip like knipex. The knipex has no equal in what is was designed for, but when it comes to getting in a tight narrow space, the snap on wins hands down. Both are designed for different tasks.
I started with the ln46s and just got the 47s the other week. Still like them both the 47s really are a big plier. Id probably be grabbing the 46s for most things. The twin grips are super good too, I've got the snap on flank jaw pliers that kinda compete with them and the cobras grip way harder and better but the snap ons won't damage fasteners like the cobras or twin grips will.
I bought a pair of twin grips to see if they replace my snap one as every day carries. Nope, hitting that button to open it every time I hit a clip is time consuming. Doesn't open as far or as deep as the snap on. Teeth were pretty nice though. But I had to put down the knipex a few times to go get my snappies. Never needed to put the snappies down for the knipex. So not bad, but not great for mechanics. Probably more of an electricians plumbers pliers
I have the TwinGrips and some 6" Vampliers (VT-001). Glad I have both. Vampliers can do much smaller screws. Been humming and hawing over getting these Snap-Ons.
They're in my hands a lot - I've been very surprised how much I use them. HF is coming out with the larger size in this style, but I find the smaller version of tools like this more useful (e.g. the 7" Knipex is far more useful than the 12")
I wish they made a small version to slip into the pouch with the XS cobra an pliers wrench. If not a smaller snap on that would fit in that pouch also. Would be a killer little combo to go in that set. But both of them two ride in my service tool bag. Both got their places an hold there own in certain issues
I wish knipex made a slip joint needle nose. The TwinGrips are good but the end is too big for some jobs. I have regular knipex need noses and they're great but they could be taken to the next level with a slip joint! The snapons are really the only snapon tool i've seriously considered purchasing ... but at 3x the price of even Knipex it's a hard sell for a home garage
Nice review/ comparison. To my they have different uses like a linemans and a long // needle nose. I would have to of every tool but I am not not a borred billionaire so I have to be pickier on my tool purchases
Thanks! I'm getting more use of the SO's, but the TwinGrip is likely to be a "lifesaver tool". If you're just going to have one, I'd get the Talon grip (or the upcoming HF copy)
I would not try and remove a bolt with LN47's , that's better for electrical, copper, literally ANYTHING but, Knipex is an extractor tool and not great for much else. Totally different tools
Im not sure why you started complaining them and i like the twin grip for the front teeth part but aside from just pliers i wouldn't use them for anything else i just have better tools but im to cheap so i bought the icon and as far as i can tell it is pretty equal also has 5 positions i believe but it may not have been out then
Did you mean "why I started comparing them"? If that was what you meant, it's because they are called the same thing, and they are very different pliers. The Icon wasn't out then. I've purchased it, and used it during my recent move since the Knipex pair was at the new house, and the Icon pair did just fine when several square-drive screws were stripped while trying to take down a bunk bed.
I'm not a huge fan of Knipex anymore. Every time I buy one of their tools, it disappoints me. I feel the twin grips are specially made for small fastener extraction.... and that's about it. Yes the teeth are very nice and sharp and it bites pretty good. BUT!!!! the pliers barely open, very small jaw, and if you adjust it out, it doesn't close very much. As a daily mechanic, the Snap-ons pliers have a huge range on them, and they are more realistic for single handed use. Every time i think "oh my twip grips will be perfect for this" nope, if i couldnt do it with snappies, i cant do it with the knipex.
I've found both pretty useful, but in completely different situations. I'm glad to have them both! As far as Knipex, I have a couple pairs of Cobras and three of their pliers wrenches, and been completely happy with all of them.
I was super disappointed with the twin grips. I have carried the vampliers slip joint pliers for like 7 years and I thought I was going to switch to the twin grips but they just didn’t work. After I walked back to the van like 10 times I switched back to the vampliers in my bag. I have had to get the twin grips once and the second time I tried to use them I had to use the harbor freight pistol grip extraction pliers because the twin grips still didn’t have enough grip. Those snapon pliers are in my bag and are great though
@@andrewcrossman2165 well compared to the snap on's they dont open very much. That much is very apparent. And easy to both see and prove. And as an ASE certified mechanic who specializes in heavy line and diagnosis. And have a shit ton of tools. Yea the snap on ones are much more handy, partially because they open much much further.
I agree. These aren't really competitor tools. I just ordered a set of the Snap-On 196ANCF which is the version of these that actually have a cutter on them. I've had the Twin Grips and am interested in getting another pair, but their real competitor from Snap-On is the HJ47ACF FlankJaw Talon Grip pliers. I just ordered those also and will compare them with my Knipex Cobras for now, but probably the best alternative to the Twin Grips is the Engineer (Vamplier if you like wasting money. They are the exact same model except for the color) PZ-59. At that point, you are choosing between a cutter and a Cobra-style grip. I think Snap-on actually offers slightly more with that HJ47ACF model with the cutter, FlankJaw, and Talon Grip plier head, but I wouldn't argue it's best for the money. It really depends on the line of work you do, but now that I've started HVAC, I think the Snap-On 196ANCF and the Knipex Raptor are probably the best combo pliers you can get for that job, and hopefully by next Friday, I can verify that. With the Klein auto-stripper and Klein 11-in-1 HVAC screwdriver, I think 80% of the hand tool job will be covered. I don't even think I'll need a pliers wrench unless the Raptors prove they can't handle nitrogen valves or gas valves.
Well, I am back after a month of T&E. I ordered the LN47ACF and have found the slip-joint capability to be extremely useful. I tried to replace my 5" Cobras with one of the 4" Snap-Ons, but I don't think that will last. I barely use the 196ACF because they lack the slip-joint feature and I use the cutters on the Klein strippers. I have stuck with using my Fujiya pliers wrench on regulators and some valve keys because they cover a full range of sizes if volume permits. I also acquired a couple of DeWitt, Nebraska Eagle Grips after learning that they're drying up. I hope to get a full set before they're gone. I know they're also being made for and sold through Snap-On, but they're $100 from them. Lastly, to those who spend a lot of time on long bolts from condenser fan motors, blower motors, compressor bolts, and any other super long bolts, get the Klein Pass-through Socket Set. $75 at Lowe's and I don't have to waste time trying to cut a bolt or size an adjustable wrench in a place I can't see behind a compressor and up against the inner wall of a unit.
