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Knipex makes some decent adjustable wrenches (not crescent style, though). Their Pliers Wrench line has an adjustment mechanism like a channel lock plier, but

Knipex makes some decent adjustable wrenches (not crescent style, though). Their Pliers Wrench line has an adjustment mechanism like a channel lock plier, but then has a jaw that’s on a cam mechanism to keep the two jaws parallel. One direction they’re just as good as a crescent wrench, but in the other direction it “self tightens” and you can really reef on it. The cam mechanism allows you to loosen your grip and there’s just enough room for a bolt head/nut to spin around, so it’s almost like having a ratchet, too. Only downsides are price and they are not super low profile so you need a bit of room to turn in.

ThePowerOfFuet 4y ago
My very limited experience with Knipex has me wanting to buy their stuff in the future.
- martyvis 4y ago
  I just bought two of their Cobra channel lock / water pump pliers, an electrician's plier and wire cutters. I decided at 59 I am tired of using rubbish tools - even for DIY duties. I got the trigger from here https://youtu.be/wcs2elc0LsU?t=538 https://youtu.be/wcs2elc0LsU?t=538
mauvehaus 4y ago
I've heard a lot of recommendations for Knipex. I might yet break down and buy one of those even if it is a little bulky.
- joshu 4y ago
  A+ plus plus. A valuable part of my toolkit, would buy again.
- patja 4y ago
  I have 4 of these Knipex adjustable pliers. I do like them but find that getting them set just right for the task at hand is a bit fiddly. Seems like I am always setting it one setting too loose or too tight. The Knipex product that I love is their automatic wire stripper.
  - ls15 4y ago
    > getting them set just right for the task at hand is a bit fiddly I know what you mean, but if I use the bolt that I want to loosen or tighten as a stopper, and then latch into the next bigger position, I think I never miss the right setting.
- ls15 4y ago
  The mini version isn't bulky: https://www.knipex.com/products/pipe-wrenches-and-water-pump-pliers/pliers-wrenches-pliers-and-a-wrench-in-a-single-tool/pliers-wrenchespliers-and-wrench-single-tool/8603125 https://www.knipex.com/products/pipe-wrenches-and-water-pump... A thing of beauty
  - carterschonwald 4y ago
    love it
  - teachrdan 4y ago
    I love the form factor of this guy. But is it honestly used for anything except smoking joints?
    - ls15 4y ago
      You must be talking about the xs version: https://www.knipex.com/products/pipe-wrenches-and-water-pump-pliers/pliers-wrenches-xs-pliers-and-a-wrench-in-a-single-tool/pliers-wrenches-xspliers-and-wrench-single-tool/8604100 https://www.knipex.com/products/pipe-wrenches-and-water-pump...
    - phil21 4y ago
      Yes, it's quite useful around the house. Anything that isn't cranked on tight or corroded typically is fine. This is my go-to for most chores involving a wrench. The XS is useful even as a small tool in a carry-on. I've busted mine (and it's Cobra XS equivalent which is probably more useful on a job site) out in a datacenter, etc. to get a small job done. You can more or less crank on them with as much strength as you can and they won't break or slip. I bought it as a laugh when I found one 50% off and ended up purchasing a dozen or so as Christmas gifts for my ops staff that year. Fits in the watch pocket of your jeans comfortably, so it's handy to just have on you all day especially if going up and down ladders. It won't replace a full toolset for a serious job - but as a "just in case" pair for little quick jobs they are unexpectedly useful. I then ended up with a collection of around 20 various Knipex tools over the years since they simply are so much better than anything else I've found. Their precision nippers are the bees knees for terminating cat5/6 into patch panels, for example. Definitely pick up a "baby wrench" if you have an excuse to!
ce4 4y ago
Seconded. I have one and a lot of other Knipex tools, the Cobra adjustable pliers being the most loved one. My oldest got handed down from my Dad and is 40 years old, love the W-Germany imprint:-)
glenngillen 4y ago
I’ve a set of Wera Joker adjustable wrenches, and for anything they can’t handle a couple of Kniper. Between them I don’t have much need for anything else.
chromatin 4y ago
Knipex Pliers-Wrenches are the absolute BEST. > Only downsides are price and they are not super low profile so you need a bit of room to turn in. Pricey, but buy quality and cry once. As for low profile, I actually find them nearly as thin as a typical crescent in terms of the handle; while the head may be same or thinner. I recommend buying more than one size https://www.knipex.com/products/pipe-wrenches-and-water-pump-pliers/pliers-wrenches-pliers-and-a-wrench-in-a-single-tool https://www.knipex.com/products/pipe-wrenches-and-water-pump...

ThePowerOfFuet 4y ago

My very limited experience with Knipex has me wanting to buy their stuff in the future.

martyvis 4y ago
I just bought two of their Cobra channel lock / water pump pliers, an electrician's plier and wire cutters. I decided at 59 I am tired of using rubbish tools - even for DIY duties. I got the trigger from here https://youtu.be/wcs2elc0LsU?t=538 https://youtu.be/wcs2elc0LsU?t=538

mauvehaus 4y ago

I've heard a lot of recommendations for Knipex. I might yet break down and buy one of those even if it is a little bulky.

joshu 4y ago
A+ plus plus. A valuable part of my toolkit, would buy again.
patja 4y ago
I have 4 of these Knipex adjustable pliers. I do like them but find that getting them set just right for the task at hand is a bit fiddly. Seems like I am always setting it one setting too loose or too tight. The Knipex product that I love is their automatic wire stripper.
- ls15 4y ago
  > getting them set just right for the task at hand is a bit fiddly I know what you mean, but if I use the bolt that I want to loosen or tighten as a stopper, and then latch into the next bigger position, I think I never miss the right setting.
ls15 4y ago
The mini version isn't bulky: https://www.knipex.com/products/pipe-wrenches-and-water-pump-pliers/pliers-wrenches-pliers-and-a-wrench-in-a-single-tool/pliers-wrenchespliers-and-wrench-single-tool/8603125 https://www.knipex.com/products/pipe-wrenches-and-water-pump... A thing of beauty
- carterschonwald 4y ago
  love it
- teachrdan 4y ago
  I love the form factor of this guy. But is it honestly used for anything except smoking joints?
  - ls15 4y ago
    You must be talking about the xs version: https://www.knipex.com/products/pipe-wrenches-and-water-pump-pliers/pliers-wrenches-xs-pliers-and-a-wrench-in-a-single-tool/pliers-wrenches-xspliers-and-wrench-single-tool/8604100 https://www.knipex.com/products/pipe-wrenches-and-water-pump...
  - phil21 4y ago
    Yes, it's quite useful around the house. Anything that isn't cranked on tight or corroded typically is fine. This is my go-to for most chores involving a wrench. The XS is useful even as a small tool in a carry-on. I've busted mine (and it's Cobra XS equivalent which is probably more useful on a job site) out in a datacenter, etc. to get a small job done. You can more or less crank on them with as much strength as you can and they won't break or slip. I bought it as a laugh when I found one 50% off and ended up purchasing a dozen or so as Christmas gifts for my ops staff that year. Fits in the watch pocket of your jeans comfortably, so it's handy to just have on you all day especially if going up and down ladders. It won't replace a full toolset for a serious job - but as a "just in case" pair for little quick jobs they are unexpectedly useful. I then ended up with a collection of around 20 various Knipex tools over the years since they simply are so much better than anything else I've found. Their precision nippers are the bees knees for terminating cat5/6 into patch panels, for example. Definitely pick up a "baby wrench" if you have an excuse to!

ce4 4y ago

Seconded. I have one and a lot of other Knipex tools, the Cobra adjustable pliers being the most loved one. My oldest got handed down from my Dad and is 40 years old, love the W-Germany imprint:-)

glenngillen 4y ago

I’ve a set of Wera Joker adjustable wrenches, and for anything they can’t handle a couple of Kniper. Between them I don’t have much need for anything else.

chromatin 4y ago

Knipex Pliers-Wrenches are the absolute BEST. > Only downsides are price and they are not super low profile so you need a bit of room to turn in. Pricey, but buy quality and cry once. As for low profile, I actually find them nearly as thin as a typical crescent in terms of the handle; while the head may be same or thinner. I recommend buying more than one size https://www.knipex.com/products/pipe-wrenches-and-water-pump-pliers/pliers-wrenches-pliers-and-a-wrench-in-a-single-tool https://www.knipex.com/products/pipe-wrenches-and-water-pump...