CK5
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Got any cool tools lately?

I have the cobras with the locking button. my go to, have had 15+ years. other than the blue point which is the small pipe nipple, stud and stripped head remover, the Knipex is it.
There are larger normal slip joint water pump pliers in my tool box, mostly for those special gorilla tightened oil filters.

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I can't stand the cobras.
But I've been faithfully using the alligators for 25 years. They are so much more capable than anything channelock brand. Or even the Irwins that imitate them.
 
Probably just a matter of getting used to them, but at work we always had Channellocks and they bought a bunch of Knipex’. They pretty much stayed in the community toolbox….I mean nobody would even steal a pair….lol
Comparatively Channellocks had a high turnover rate.
 
With the alligators, you gotta let them break in a little. A new pair is a little catchy when your moving them wider or smaller. Once they break in, (week or so of use), they're smooth and you can do it with one hand.
 
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Well, got a few hours use on the medium Alligators. So far I like them better than the Cobra.
 
Well, got a few hours use on the medium Alligators. So far I like them better than the Cobra.
I'm still pretty stuck on my 430s and my old 420s (with the skinny handles that can fit inside and debur 1/2 inch conduit) -for general purpose plier type use? they just still seem like the best bang for the buck, and all around general purpose use. I had a pair of the old Knipex pliers with the push button on the side to adjust. the quality WAS there, but so was the price tag... actual use and convenience didnt justify the cost to me.



I DO like the idea of these ones as a replacement for the crescent/adjustable wrenches... If they work as well as I'm being told, I could donate all of my adjustable wrenches to kids/nephews/friends, and never look back.

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I used the medium Alligators all day today working with sealtite connectors and other fasteners. I like the Alligators better than the Cobras, but I'm still not sold on them being better than my 420s.

The jaw shape made it awkward griping the connectors several times. While they grip good once you get them on, the 420s don't require the effort to make sure they're aligned with their straight jaws.

The leverage was similar and I didn't notice an appreciable difference in the grip pressure needed vs my 420s.

We'll see. Like I said, I'm going to use them the rest of the month then go back to my 420/440 combo and see if I find myself missing the Knipex.
 
I used the medium Alligators all day today working with sealtite connectors and other fasteners. I like the Alligators better than the Cobras, but I'm still not sold on them being better than my 420s.

The jaw shape made it awkward griping the connectors several times. While they grip good once you get them on, the 420s don't require the effort to make sure they're aligned with their straight jaws.

The leverage was similar and I didn't notice an appreciable difference in the grip pressure needed vs my 420s.

We'll see. Like I said, I'm going to use them the rest of the month then go back to my 420/440 combo and see if I find myself missing the Knipex.
give us a review vs the 420s after some use!
 
I had a pair of the old Knipex pliers with the push button on the side to adjust. the quality WAS there, but so was the price tag... actual use and convenience didnt justify the cost to me.



I

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I got mine at the LA county fair, package deal for the 3. was a bargain at the time. Matco tool trucks have Knipex tools with the Matco brand name on them for 3x the money. I have a Knipex diagonal cytters with 9" handles, Matco truck 12 years ago $90.00, Sears smae time period $32.00 ummm guess what Matco guy...................
 
I do have a question for the brighter minds out there. It’s got an L and M switch. I think the M gets it moving but the L does nothing. :dunno:
 
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