This started for me when I went on line to replace my 4 1/2" Channel Locks, which had walked off on me, as small, useful tools have a habit of doing. I ordered a pair for about eight bucks, and looked forward to their arrival. Channellocks are the poster child for this type of tool, to the extent that I use the term generically in place of "water pump pliers". I don't really care about the dilution of the trademark.
Anyway, Amazon took the liberty of also showing me some 5" Tekton channellocks, for about five and a half bucks, and these Knipex Cobras for something north of thirty bucks. It was easy to pull the trigger for five bucks worth of Tekton channellocks to see what they were about. I had to mull it over for a couple of days, take a deep breath and swallow hard before ordering the Knipex . I am familiar with Knipex channellocks, and I know what they can do, but I was curious to see if they merited a 400 to 600 per cent premium over the garden variety offerings.
The branded ChannelLocks are noticeably smaller than the others, so they hide better in the pocket and will fit into smaller places. Their teeth are pretty aggressive and grip well, less likely to slip on a tight fastener.
The Tektons are well-enough made, still pocketable, but a little clunky compared to the blue-handled ChannelLocks. They are more noticeable in the pocket, but will do about 95 percent of the tasks you are likely to encounter. I would probably spend the extra three bucks to get the added convenience of the smaller blue pliers, but the red ones would suit me just fine day-to-day.
The Knipex do two things better than the other two examples. The teeth are sharper, and grip better. The jaws have cut outs angled at 120 degrees, the better to fit the flats of a hex fastener. These are the pliers I want to have in my motorcycle tool kit for a trip into the desert or the mountains of Mexico. They will give you the best chance at dealing with a difficult problem in a remote location. If you are a hundred miles from help, the small advantage in function can mean the difference between riding out in an afternoon or walking for days.
| Brand | KNIPEX |
|---|---|
| Material | Chromium-Vanadium Steel |
| Product Dimensions | 4.92"L x 1.5"W |
| Color | Grips Plastic Coated, Red |
| Handle Material | Plastic |
| Item Weight | 90 Grams |
| Specific Uses For Product | Handle, teeth, hold |
| Specification Met | DIN ISO 8976 |
| Grip Type | Ergonomic |
| UPC | 752913170157 |
| Global Trade Identification Number | 04003773069935 |
| Manufacturer | Knipex |
| Part Number | 87 01 125 |
| Item Weight | 3.17 ounces |
| Country of Origin | Germany |
| Item model number | 87 01 125 |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Size | 125mm |
| Style | Atramentized |
| Finish | red |
| Pattern | Standard Packaging |
| Power Source | Hand Powered |
| Item Package Quantity | 1 |
| Number Of Pieces | 1 |
| Number of Handles | 2 |
| Measurement System | Metric |
| Included Components | Water Pump Pliers |
| Batteries Included? | No |
| Batteries Required? | No |
| Description Pile | Not Included |
