KNIPEX LONG REACH STRAIGHT AND BENT NEEDLE NOSE PLIER REVIEW

I have always been a Hand Tool aficionado and use many of them on a daily basis. There isn't much I don't already own and so I don't buy too much these days, but when I do find something that will make jobs easier or faster in a more efficient way I will usually acquire the new tool. Being sort of a "tool snob" ( OK - I admit it ) I buy only high quality tools.

Over the last few weeks I had been looking at long reach Needle Nose pliers in both the straight and bent nose version. I looked at Snap-on but they are totally out of their minds price wise. I looked at some of the brands they have in the tool stores (imported) but was disappointed in the quality. Unfortunately my go-to brand of pliers is Channel Lock but they don't make those particular ones at this time. I've seen lots of friends Knipex brand pliers from Germany and was pretty impressed with the products and so I decided to order a set of 2 Knipex 11" (straight and bent) long reach Needle Nose.

They came last week and yes I will admit that they are better than the Chinese and Taiwanese brands from the big box store. The pair cost me $70 bucks delivered and have different cut outs in the Jaws to hold different size objects, screws, nuts etc. The over all quality is very good but the workmanship seems to be a 1/2 notch below what I had expected. They are not bad but for 9 times the price of the Chinesium versions they are not 9 times better. I will keep them, use them and see how they hold up over time. Since they have a lifetime warranty, time is not a factor.

I have just handled a pair of Tekton's (same basic design minus the special cut outs in the Jaws) and have come to find out they cost 1/3 the price (made in Taiwan I believe). The Tekton's are almost as good and probably would have bough them if I had seen them first. While the Snap-on brand was terrific there was no way I was spending $170 for the set!

So just giving anyone here the heads up on these style of long reach long nose pliers if they are interested. Again, the Knipex are very good but just don't think they are worth 3 times the price of the Tekton set. The Snap-ons are great - just out of the ball park $$ IMHO.

Hope this helps someone!

KNIPEX Tools LP - KNIPEX,
Chief38

I carry Knipex cobra pliers everywhere. I probably have eight of them between shop, house, travel kits, farm, out wheeling, and what not. They've saved me more than once in a bind.

Best wrong tool for the job.

The only other Knipex tools I've really used are their snap-ring pliers, which I prefer over my over-priced Snap-Ons.

forindooruseonly said:

I carry Knipex cobra pliers everywhere....
Best wrong tool for the job.

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I wish I had said that. It sums up my view of Knipex Alligator and Cobra parallel-jaw pliers. They are so much better than their ChannelLock and Tekton counterparts that it almost justifies their price.

Wiha Tools is another source for high-quality hand tools. I don’t know about their needle-nosed pliers specifically, but it might be worth a look.

I buy the cheapest ones I can find, I use them for taking hooks out of Bluefish, they rust up and I throw them away at the end of the season.

Sent from my LGL52VL using Tapatalk

Salty RI said:

I buy the cheapest ones I can find, I use them for taking hooks out of Bluefish, they rust up and I throw them away at the end of the season.

Sent from my LGL52VL using Tapatalk

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For that intended purpose (especially in salt water) I'd agree 100%.

Several months ago I decided I needed a good pair of long-nosed pliers. I forget the exact reason, but I'm sure it had something to do with handling a tiny part in a gun. I went down to my neighborhood Ace Hardware store, found what looked like a well-made pair and bought it. I liked the spring-open feature, and it worked just fine. I'm not sure who made it, but it has "Master Mechanic" etched on it. I'm sure the day will come when I will need it again, and I'll be glad I have it. It's always worthwhile to have the right tool for a job!

John

chief38 said:

… They are not bad but for 9 times the price of the Chinesium versions they are not 9 times better. …

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My question is:
Are they any better at all?

Jack Flash said:

My question is:
Are they any better at all?

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See the Link I put in my post and enlarge the photo - you will see!

A) the Jaws have 4 cuts in them for holding objects such as bolts, nuts, rod, etc. Much better design
B) the steel is better quality
C) the Jaws line up much better and stay that way longer
D) less wobble and more precise tolerances at the Rivet & Jaws
E) the jaws are actually 50/50 in size where as the "Chinesium" ones are usually bigger on one side than an other.
F) the handles (steel) have less flex or bend when squeezing
G) heat treating is usually much better
H) the cross checkering (teeth) on the inside of the nose is way better
I) fit & overall finish is usually better

Other than that - they are the same lol

Aside from the differences I pointed out above in post #8, I did state that I just like high quality tools. Could I get away with the cheap ones from Harbor Freight - probably - but I just really enjoy using a high quality tool.

You can ask the same question about anything! Why does one buy a high quality firearm - where most of the time the cheap junky ones will go bang also. Why do people raise such a stink about the "new Marlin Rifles" - they still shoot - but their fit and finish is still not good. Why would someone want a $10,000 watch when all you have to do is look at your cell phone to know what time it is. And so on and so on.......

As I have mentioned more than a few times I have many hobbies and use hand tools just about every single day - so I am not a weekend warrior with tools. Firearms, Lionel Trains, Motorcycles, Cars, Restoration of antiques, and I am also an ammeter inventor. I also do all my own home repairs including electrical, plumbing, carpentry, etc.

I'd have lots more money saved if I tool shopped at Harbor Freight or Home Depot. lol !! Just the way I am.

WOW Chief! I didn't mean to set you off, I just wanted to know if they are functionally any better, that's all.

I won't say any more for fear of provoking another six paragraph double post outburst!

Jack Flash said:

WOW Chief! I didn't mean to set you off, I just wanted to know if they are functionally any better, that's all.

I won't say any more for fear of provoking another six paragraph double post outburst!

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Jack,

You did not upset me in the least. I can talk about tools all day long of someone is interested and in fact I enjoy it! I answered what I thought was a serous question with a serious answer - that's all. I fully realize that I am a "tool fanatic", "tool aficionado" or what ever label you like - but I am serious when it comes to tools. I realize I am not just the casual tinkerer - so no problems, not upset - all is good.

Regards,
Chief38

How about Mac Tools? Did they not have some needle nose like you wanted or were they also too pricey?

I get it, BC38. While I am just a tinkerer and minor handyman around the house type, I treasure my hand tools. Among them, some for sentimental reasons, like my standard (Crescent G-26, USA) pliers that I inadvertently walked off the job with in my back pocket at 18 in 1971 or 2, and the needle-nose pliers my mom gave me for Christmas circa 1980 or so.

I enjoy, every now and then, sitting down, going through everything, and reorganizing my tool box. With most of my tools I recall where, when and why I originally got them, and what I have used them for over the years since. My tool box holds a lot of life memories.

I keep little hardware odds and ends in the box, too, some of which I’ve been lugging’ around since the 70s. Every now and then I’ll want to make or fix something around the house, rummage through my box, and find just the right item, from decades back, in there. Like an old, perfectly sized washer I used yesterday to repair a lamp. While I can’t really explain why, I find it very satisfying when that happens.

After reading this thread, I am thinking to buy the smallest Knipex, 4.92”, Cobra... Not because I need another set of pliers, but because I admire them. (The motivation to buy is kinda like that for buying yet another Randall knife, but a lot cheaper!)

muddocktor said:

How about Mac Tools? Did they not have some needle nose like you wanted or were they also too pricey?

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I am not a Mechanic (therefore I have to go to the Truck) and so on Tuesday afternoons about 2pm I head over to my friends Auto Repair Business and hang out because the Snap-on Guy comes by regularly at that time, + or- 15 minutes. The Mac Guy comes around if and when he feels like it on a random schedule that only he knows. My friends Shop buys almost exclusively from S-O and so the Mac & Matco Guys don't come around much.

I have some Mac Tools and they are very good, a little bit less money than S-O but tiny bit less quality too, still great tools. I recently warranted a Mac Ratchet and had to go directly through the Company itself on the phone. They were great and sent me out a re-build kit the same week and the Ratchet was back in service quickly.

So because of these parameters, the Mac's version did not even enter my head.

No! When the grand kids are sitting around the camp fire next summer you will NEED another expensive knife to collect their marshmallow roasting sticks.

Seriously, I recently bought a couple sizes of Nipex parallel pliers in a pawn shop because the price was right. I like them enough that I'm considering buying the smallest size to carry around. Who has the best price on them?

k22fan said:

No! When the grand kids are sitting around the camp fire next summer you will NEED another expensive knife to collect their marshmallow roasting sticks.

Seriously, I recently bought a couple sizes of Nipex parallel pliers in a pawn shop because the price was right. I like them enough that I'm considering buying the smallest size to carry around. Who has the best price on them?

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I bought them from a Company online called Circle Country Supply and the link is below. Don't know if they carry every model but you could ask. They had the best price I could find and shipped them out no charge the same day.

Home | Circle C Country Supply