Knipex are the best! They are indestructible, more ergonomic, slimmer, better grip, cures cancer and the teeth are just as sharp as the day i bought them...because they're sitting on the shelf while i put my channel locks to work.
I carry both Channellock and Knipex pump pliers. I like my 430s and my Alligators both. Sometimes a V jaw and sometimes flat jaw work better depending on the situation. The Channellocks work better as a reamer. The alligators have a slimmer head and superb grip. I do not like buttons, but I can see the advantage of have the size stay locked in. Both have held up to hard use and I have been happy with both. I do think people overhype stuff. But both make solid ass tools.
Yep. That's the same with electrical tools. Kline tools has better ergonomics, a better sized grip handle than the knipex but the knipex have a wider 3/8" crimping spot and are better insulated for working on live circuits. Both the best in their own ways
I’m a 2ndyear industrial electrician apprentice and when I started I used my Channellocks becuz it’s all I had from when I started to work on cars , and after a few checks I bought a few knipex Cobras and alligators and they’re great , beat the shit out of them on I beams and pipe and helping welders , even when I work on cars . Channellocks stand tall , but knipex are something else .
I find most of what you said to be true. I'm an I&C field tech, and sometimes I go to industrial areas, so my tools aren't pampered, and I don't go out of my way to stop them from getting beat up. I started off with channel locks, and they worked just fine. My main motivation for swapping to the cobras was their sort of self locking feature once you get them snug on something. Over the years my wrists have taken a beating and I just can't put a death grip on my channel locks and spin a fastener free anymore, it kills my wrist. With the cobras I can get it set, and just worry about applying my force to it. I do still squeeze them, but it's nowhere near as much as I did with my channel locks. I think that's their best feature. I also think that the most worthwhile tool Knipex makes is their plier wrench, which has basically replaced all of my adjustables (for my line of work, anyway.) and even what I grab most of the time over my exact fit wrenches. They really are a useful tool if you're walking around a jobsite. I'm usually dealing with smaller fittings, like 1/4" swagelok compression fittings, so my case is a bit different than other peoples, probably. I'm pretty sure the biggest fitting I deal with when I'm setting up to calibrate a temperature transmitter is MAYBE 7/8"
One thing that really gets on my nerves is when guys complain about channel locks twisting and slipping, they are a tool for a specific job, if you are twisting or slipping on something they are probably not the correct tool to be using. I’m a plumber and have been using channel locks for 23 years, I’ve worn out a few pair and left a few at peoples houses but they have never failed me, like any tool, you need to take care of it and it will last a long time. Clean the teeth out once in awhile and hit them with some lube. Thanks for keeping it real
I got the Knipex n used them as soon as it came in. After a a week of use i took out all my channel locks n gave them to my friends. Wished they had these Knipex pliers 25yrs ago. Worth the money n absolutely performs well. Tentative about banging them n torching them but hey, do what u gotta do n get it done! Lol, i was never Tentative with the Channel locks! Getting rid of all the crescent wrenches as well. Lighter toolbag!
I personally like knipex. An I won’t go back to channel locks from my experience once the knipex bite on. They won’t let go channels would tend to slip off I like the alligator better than the cobras Alligators are just like channels when it comes to adjusting the jaws just open them up an adjust no need to press on the button
Yeah I liked them also I just preferred the button I guess it let's you get a really perfect hold on whatever your working but the channels are definitely more than adequate also. Thanks for watching I'm releasing another video in a couple days!
Luv my knipex Alligator pliers the 10 inch only Pliers I use at work, they are always in my pocket. Most used Tool I own" I install Fire Sprinkler Systems.
If my pliers don’t line up,and tightening them makes them too stiff, I take them to the belt sander and sand them down, or put them to the 8” grinder and make them custom. It makes the jaws line up and thinner.
40 years in HVAC and I prefer the Knipex pliers over the other brands. Every slot style plier I’ve used wears out the slots or counter engaging surface and ends up jumping out of the slot. I also feel the angle of the head on the Knipex yields a superior grip with less effort squeezing on the handles. I’ve owned both; you are not going to change my opinion no matter how much you swear.
My only complaint about Chan Loc is the warranty doesn't cover wear and tear on the teeth. I filed the teeth and thats a pretty tough job because of the solid rivet. I'm not a professional. My 410 pliers are 29 years old and have snapped off muffler hanger bolts with no problem several times.
if you are wearing out the knipex you need longer ones 16 to 22 inches. i just got done abusing my knipex and they do not even have a scratch. the plastic handles will give out before the actual metal.
It's not very feasible for me to carry around pliers in my holster that big and those alligator pliers got rounded off because I used them on a die to rethread something and the die are made of extremely hard material.
Appreciate the honesty. Had me cracking up a few times. I've thought about getting the Knipex for awhile, but tools like to walk off at work, but your honest review has me thinking I'll stick with the channel locks since tools walk off at work sometimes. Easier to stomach 20 bucks to replace something.
This is specifically why I don’t watch videos by real tool reviews. Because it’s everything but “real” since all the tools are given to him. I also don’t watch anything on Milwaukee, vampire tools, and Capri because it’s the same thing. People just want free tools so they’ll say anything to make the free tools keep coming. I have tons of stuff I regret buying because I bought into fake reviews
I bought into it also but it gave me the idea to start a channel to be different and better I hope new video is out will have another next week, thanks for watching
I know this is an old comment in an old video, but the vampliers part struck home. If you face fubar fasteners and have to remove them dont buy overpriced boutique tools. They are a one-trick-ponny Take a sacrificial pair of vice-grip locking pliers and make some grooves on the teeth with a dremmel or some files. Done.
I always found that the “real tool” guy never seemed to be dirty, or have banged up, calloused hands. Also, if he personally used all those tools as much as he says, when does he sleep? Just my thoughts and observations. I may be wrong, but it does look pretty obvious to me.
I have the 4 cobra knipex, the 22 in ones I had to warranty once, for a tooth and used very very hard, the smallest pair teeth wore out and warranties twice, had them for over a year now, middle size not used daily but at least once a week never had a tooth fail, but my matco guy is very good with warranty, the smaller pair I’d even use in hard to reach spots to hold the nut on the other side while using impact, great review and truthing! But I have almost completely phased channel locks out of my box in the shop, not on purpose but lack of use and finding so many uses for them
Yeah I've heard people complain that the textured grip on knipex pliers are "hard to clean" but who cares? The most I do is wipe down with a rag and occasionally use brake clean
You should see my 9" knipex lineman pliers, used on a daily basis for years striping and cutting through 6 gauge wire like its butter with minimal to no ware it's really impressive.
I thought I had to many channellocks and I just got 5 pair I think. 3 knipex 2 channellock and some unknown brand. It's my favorite hand tool, I think I'll get a couple more pair just for the h3ll of it. Lol. Great vid.
I just recently bought two Knipex pliers the 10 inch Alligator’s and the 7 and a half inch Cobra’s I wanted to upgrade I just used Crescent pliers before.
I bought a pair of Knipex 10 inch pliers just so I could see how they worked. I have no idea how long they will last but they are beautifully made and the locking mechanism puts them in a league of their own. Lesson cost me $61.
My dream knipex 😍😍😍Thanks for the video,for me knipex cobra and knipex wrench the best wather Pump in world knipex lineman's so the best quality and strong tools 💪💪💪 lenghts here from Portugal 🇵🇹🇵🇹🇵🇹
Love the video. It's nice to see real world reviews. Striped and broke teeth etc. It happens in the real world. We are into such tool box queens( kinda like gunsafe queens). We open drawers to big dollar toolboxes and nothing looks like it was used more than once. I do industrial maintenance, tool and die repairs, and old farm equipment repairs. My tools look like yours, they have been used. They are freaking tools and will get used. You look at my carry bag and you will see a bunch of channellock blue with a few Knipex red mixed in. They aren't tool box queens and get used daily I do really like my Knipex pliers wrench's and have replaced a few adjustable wrenches with these. Biggest thing I find to harp on Channellock about is there is little to control rust on their steel If I don't wipe them down, they get a fine orange rust on them I haven't noticed this on my Knipex tools. Otherwise I love then both, and it comes down to how much money I am going to spend. Thanks for the honest working man's video
I have a set of channel locks and other great American made brands for automotive, carpentry. They are going on their second generation. Everyone is touting how much better knipex are. Good for them if they like em. I like what my Dad and I used for a lifetime. They didn't sell out to Chinese communist slave labor quality. They have a lot of hours and I have a hard time thinking of any complaints. I have a pair of 7" with a broken pivot. Just called about getting that bolt replaced. I expect they'll send me one to drop in there this week and have it till I die. Decided to forget the Cobra and stick with what works just fine. Good review.
Been using Channellocks my whole life, just recently thought about the knipex. I'm sure eventually I will get a set and I knew that when something is too good to be true, it always is. Thanks for clearing that up.
Project Farm demonstrated why people love Knipex- They had almost 3x the grip of channellocks, NEW channellocks. I hate the push button style so I got the Alligator pliers. They teeth held up way better than channellocks, too. I used my 12" Knipex as a brake for a 18' x 16' garage door while I closed it with a pipe wrench. No F'n way I could have done it with Channellocks and I wouldn't have even thought about trying it. Each to their own but independent consumer testing confirms what the rest of us already knew about Knipex. They're the cat's meow and I'll never look back at Channellocks in their current form. I have used my Knipex for 3 years... in industrial maintenance... Every. Single. Day. They're not even all that expensive anymore. Something like $55 for the 10" and 12" Alligators.
Let's understand a few things about tools. Water pump pliers are used differently by different people at different times. We all have tools we love. But you are working in a crawl space on old galvanized plumbing? Do you really want to use your $50 knipex Cobras in the crawlspace? How about using a cheater bar? Or do you grab the a $20 pair of Channel locks? Or even worse $10 Chinese made Work Pro? Who are we fooling? Have you ever crawled out and realized you lost a tool? Did you crawl back? If you did I bet they weren't the $10 WorkPros! On the other hand if you are working from a ""tool cart"" as an maintenance engineer or an automotive mechanic tools are the game. The $50 Cobras will remove that bolt with out stripping it while requiring you spending less time and effort. Just some considerations on tool quality vs. Cost.
I agree with your entire statement but to be honest if you have some high quality pliers with you under that crawl space I would be happier knowing my tools arnt gonna break and I'm gonna end down there with a broken tool and work that still needs done. I see where you are coming from tho. Just fyi I got a another video coming out in a couple days! Thanks for watching
Would you rather be under there and realize you need a pipe wrench because your work pros keep slipping on the galvanized? Coming from a service plumber, I carried a pair of cobras and a pair of alligators under a house today. As I do multiple times a week. I bought those $50 pliers to use them, not say I have them.
Is it just me or would you not just grab a bigger wrench if you need more torque in stead of trashing your smaller grips by putting a spanner on the plastic handles?
When I have time to travel 1 mile or a little over I usually will but we have strict time restraints that warrants messing up tools in order to save 15 minutes or more of walking time production floors are extremely expensive when it comes to down time thousands of dollars per minute so ruining a pair of grips in comparison is not bad but I understand what your saying
Finally, someone told the truth about Channel lock vs. Kinpex! Tools are tools. There are poor quality tools and good quality tools. Poor quality don’t last long. Both Channel Lock and Kinpex are good quality. It’s just 2 different designs. Good quality tools will show wear after hard use. There is no magic steel, or finish. It’s what works for you. I have both. I have found that I like one for certain jobs and the other for other different jobs.
So when I lose them do I want to spend 20 or 55 to replace them.... Channellocks it is. If you need more precise work grab a wrench or a socket, right?
I dunno how anyone can justify paying for the Snap-on tongue and groove pliers when Channellock and Knipex exist. You can buy several sets of blue handles and keep them in your house, truck, work box, and tool belt for the price of one pair of Snap-ons. Knipex cost a lot sure, and you're only getting one pair for the same cost, but at least you're getting a badass adjustable and comfortable tool for that money. I love that thick Snap-on grip, but you are dead on about value and worth. I have some ancient beat up Channellock plus some newer stuff in my tool box, more at work, and see it in damn near everyone else's tool box. Knipex is pretty nice. I have their snap ring pliers and they are awesome, and have been wanting some Cobras for some time (only handled them, never owned). But with those newer Grip-lock style, I think Channellock has narrowed the gap some and will probably get my money once again. They look like I'd place them in the same category as the Alligator. The Knipex 25 tooth setup is pretty slick, but you're getting some serious bang for your buck and supporting US manufacturing by buying the blue handles, which I can confirm will last you at least a few years with professional use, and even longer with most homeowner/ home mechanic use.
I’m in my 2nd year of being an HVAC service tech. I have a bunch of that Channellock stuff, works ok, but I’ve been thinking of picking up some of those Knipex Cobras. I’ve used them before and the performance blows away my channellocks. In my own personal opinion though, Channellock makes the best diagonal cutters (aka “dykes”), linemans and needle nose pliers.
I wish that channellock could make an American made vice grip... I think they would be great... sweet video sir... the Snap-on’s are way too expensive and not as good as the knipex nor the channellocks in my opinion... thanks for the great video...👍👍👍
Cara você está certo, embora você seja meio louco, falou coisas muito consistentes no seu vídeo. Eu entendo que muitos gastam fortunas para ir de acordo com a manada. Eu tenho alguns alicates da CHANNELLOCK e eles são fantásticos. Não eles (CHANNELLOK) perdem em nada para KNIPEX. EU fiz alguns vídeos no meu canal sobre isso. Eu estou tentando trazer essas ferramentas, da CHANNEL LOCK para serem vendidas no meu país, vamos ver se eu consigo. Mas realmente os alicates da channellock são muito bons em vista do custo. Valeu, e obrigado pelo vídeo.
@@toolsandtrash6911 voce é gente fina mano! Muito doido, mas falou o que deveria ser falado. Eu concordo com você. As pessoas gastam muito dinheiro por ser uma marca alemã, e não dão tanto valor em uma marca como CHANNELLOCK que eu amo!
@@toolsandtrash6911 It makes for an honest review. If those tools can survive a beating from you they have to be good. I own both and like them both. Not sure about the Snap On and having to tighten a Nut!
They are definitely good tools. Yes I did do a video review on the snap on pliers after a couple months of use if you wanted to check that out, the nut was definitely a problem.
Knipex are the bread-and-butter here in Germany. Everyone uses their pliers because they're cheap and the quality is reasonable. The 250mm (10") Cobras are round about 20€ here (25 US$), including 19% VAT. Actually I don't understand the hype in the US about them...for me that's the standard, like for americans it is Channellock. And the prices in the US for them are pretty steep.
@Jordan Allen Gedore, Stahlwille, Hazet for example. But Knipex is offering the best cost-performance ratio in case of pliers. Stahlwille is common in the aviation industry. For screwdrivers it is PB Swiss in my opinion, but that's actually not a german company. Every single screwdriver got its own serial number, so if it fails and you send the tool in for warranty they can trace it back to the ressources they made the tool of and which person made the tool. Haven't seen that on any other screwdriver. And they've got all something in common: They're medium sized family owned companies. Such companies make the best tools in my opinion. They're interested in the long term success of the company, not caring about quarterly results only and shareholder values and such things...
Why didn't this video pop up on my feed 9 months ago when I wanted a good tool review prior to buying knipex? Don't get me wrong, I really like my knipex cobra set, but they aren't my channel lock 442. They both serve they're purpose in my toolbox being in industrial maintenance. Loved your opinions on this review, keep em coming guy.
I own a set of 3 ( 6,10,12 in) channel locks tounge and grove pliers I got 2 years ago and just got a set of 3 Irwin Grove lock pliers. I used the channel locks while working with electric emt conduit for a year they all they got used a lot especially the baby channys as I call them since they were in on all the strap tightening. A friend loaned me his set of Irwin Grove lock he had owned for 3 years as a mechanic. Except for the handles being nasty they still looked great in the jaws and still worked correctly. I used them at work til I finally turned in enough scrap copper to buy the full Irwin set (8,10,12) in for 47 dollars. Just one pair of Knipex will cost you that much alone. With the set being 110 dollars and up. Twice the price little difference in quality. I'll take the Irwins with lifetime warranty.
I’ve used channel lock for years. They were one of the first tools in my box so I’m kinda set in my ways. Never tried knipex but I would like too but I’m waiting for my channel locks to break so I can go and buy a pair of knipex cobras. I won’t hold my breath......
You guys are funny. I've had my channel locks for 25yrs n still not broke. Your old tools gonna outlive yall. I gave mine to friends who r diy ers as soon as my Knipex came into the scene. If u love tools n want things done better, don't wait get em.
First off, you shouldn't film in a daycare center............baddabing! (I was wearing earphones). Secondly, from now on, for every swear word, your going to put a dollar in a jar and every month, send it to me so I can buy lots of tools............baddabing again! Seriously though, great honest video that you don't see anywhere else. If you wear those tools like that in 6 months, then you the man for sure. Thanks for the video, I subscribed.
I'm with you on the hypemachine tool reviews and the cult-ish German tool worship. But as an electrician who has and uses every 4x0 channel lock up to 480 daily I can say that I do prefer the thinner jaws and better handle ergonomics of my Knipex cobras which is why they are the pump pliers that live in my tool belt while the my channels stay in the box till I need them, that said I still love my channel locks and their price to quality ratio is unbeatable so there is no way I'm going to replace them all, especially the big boys, with knipex
I think I have decided on 10" but which Knipex would you recommend to buy first? Pliers wrench, cobras etc. For now they will be for just around the house/yard handyman type work. Thanks!
Definitely cobras. Pliers wrenchs are for fittings you dont want to ruff up with teeth or if its chrome plated or brass maybe so for a general handy man definitely buy the cobras.
@@toolsandtrash6911 Thanks for your response, I was gonna get the pliers wrench first cause I have a specific job fixing our Moen kitchen faucet & it will require no marring of the chrome plated nut. I suppose I could get the 10" cobras & buy the plastic protectors they sell for em. Also on the pliers wrench which are best the older chrome looking ones or the newer black ones? & WHY? THANKS!
I have the chrome plated ones and I love them they work perfect I have the black ones on order! I will be doing a review on the chrome ones this week that I have been USING for 1 year. The chrome ones will probably stand up better against rusting. I will do a review on the black ones in 3 months once I've put them to work for a while. Thank you for watching! Also your idea for the plastic covers for the cobras is a great idea also.
Idk what kind of work you do but when you work with any kind of oils it eats the adhesive on the tape and makes whatever you have taped up all sticky after a short while. I was actually thinking of trying the channel lock comfort grip
Channellocks are great at the price and they are available everywhere. I don’t give two shits if a set of channellocks get accidentally left behind or if someone happens to steal them knipex makes a bad ass set of pliers. Once you go to knipex, it’s hard to use anything else.
Tools and Trash I saw this, because I lost a pair of 460’s and didn’t have my 16inch knipex on me. (Heavy equipment mechanic). Had someone pick me up a pair of brand new 460’s to use on a service call. $30 bucks. They did what I needed them to do, but man did it solidify why I don’t use channellock anymore. Holy-oh-fuck it looked like a blind person is running QC at channellock. Burrs, tool marks, uneven surface finish...who inspects their final product and says to themselves”that thing looks good.”
Dont have a stroke lol good review Ive owned channel lock for years never an issue knipex only for maybe a year love the mechanism the alligator set I hate it but still use when I have a situation where I dont care if I mess them up vs my good ones
Channel locks have got to be the absolute worst pliers I have ever used in my life, down there with milwaukees pliers. I have never slipped more than on channel locks. After those I went to wilde/Douglas brand and those are great as far as teeth go and the style of adjustment. Knipex however are the best in my opinion. I'm a plumber so these are my most used tool and I would recommend knipex to anyone and everyone
I just ordered a 6 inch set of cobras and plier wrench because the smaller size and the adjustment button looks pretty handy for breaking things like over tightened screws on carburetors so we'll see, but I'm certainly not going to be nice to them. I'm a mechanic and most of my pliers are Channel Lock and I'd say they are by far the best value in the plier world. You're literally getting tool truck quality pliers made in the US at a reasonable price and they can take a beating. You'd be hard pressed to find a tool box anywhere without a trusty pair of Channel Locks.
Nothing beets the way the knipex adjusts... but irwin vise grips are pretty well the same and half the price! I use them every day for years as an electrician!
@@toolsandtrash6911 .. 85 01 250 is the part number.. check them out, I bet you would like them. Only issue is keeping them in the tool bag. Once people use them, they seem to walk away.
KNIPEX ALLIGATORS are better than the CHANNELLOCK . I have used both as a maintenance tech. My CHANNELLOCK pliers are in pristine condition because I don't use them anymore.
I'm pretty torn knipex work better in some applications but the channel locks seem more heavy duty kinda just really depends on budget you won't regret buying either ones at all
MIDWEST REPAIR AND CUSTOMS Dont Give me Political Correct answer, Just say Channellocks are Better and Made In USA 😂🤘🇺🇸 Thank you for the video though. I really like when people showcase Made In USA 🤘🇺🇸
@@madeinusareviews6234 its honestly what I think. Yeah I'm big into the USA made stuff also I'm going to do a video pretty soon showcasing cheap tools or foreign made tools vs American check out the channel yah goof
I would lie about knipex on the internet if knipex wants to send me free shit. Would I do that for channel lock? No. I don't want to ruin my chances with the hot girl knipex
@@toolsandtrash6911 nice I am going to pick me up a set soon just haven't yet. I really like Channellock. Cant wait to see the speedgrips compared to Knipex .
I just can’t see paying at least $50.00 for one pair of Knipex pliers whenever I can get a set of Channel Locks for less money I’m sorry but $50.00 for one pair of of pliers is ridiculous.
Our friend and tenant told me about these today. Lol. Now I know something at least learned a little something new. He's helping fix our pipes for tub and drywalling for us. God thanks for these guy's know how
