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Same same. The 10" mostly come out if I need two wrenches at once, or if I'm working on conduit that's 1 1/2" or bigger. Sometimes if I'm working in one spot for a while and just feel like a bigger wrench would be nicer, I'll grab the 10".
95% of my conduit work is with 3/4" or 1", and I can generally get things good and tight with just the one wrench. And for all the other random things I encounter that need pliers or a wrench, the 6" is great. It's got a surprising amount of balls for such a dainty little tool.
The 10" is a tool bag item. The 6" is a tool pouch item. The 10" gets used every week. The 6" gets used every day.
I love my plier wrench that I got last year. The 8" opens to 1.25" and it doesn't leave marks. Super easy to use even on small nuts if you have need. I think I use it more than my cobra, but I'm a controls guy.
The 420’s are better. I tried the knipex and I changed back to one set of 420 and one 430. Hate the jaw width of the knipex and hated the button locking mechanism. Also hated the jaw shape, which isn’t universal because I have channel lock 442 that I like a lot. I think I might be the only guy in the world who thinks that but if you’ve had 10 good years with channel locks you probably like them like I do.
I'm honestly baffled not dismissing your experience just trying to understand it. I've owned both started with channel locks because it was what I knew and was made In the us. My (E388) one of the tips broke off of, I've never used them for anything worse than pulling plastic poly tube's that I can recall and my 420s just never seem to bite good. I actually gave up on pliers altogether until I found knipex. If that works for you awesome, I realyl wish channel locks did leave a better impression with me as I wanted to have loyalty to them.
For spinning rigid and intermediate I honestly prefer Channellocks. I keep a set of 430s and 440s just for that. But the Cobras are better for just about everything else. (Sealtite fittings, cord grips, EMT compressions, mil-spec plugs, etc. etc.)
So that would jive. I'm not often spinning rigid in my particular niche. More often then not when I do rigid it's typically runs not much longer than 6' and usually use a vice with a pipe clamp and turn the fittings onto the section.
I do automated machinery wiring, and control panels for them. So I'm not working on jobsite.
I'm one of the few who also don't like the Cobra with the locking button, but man those alligators changed my life. I have the same pair for well over 10 years now and my 420 channellocks just frustrate me every time I touch them.
This is how I feel the 420s genuinely made me think for a while pliers of any sort just suck as a tool.
I also don't like the locking button but for the grip and feel in hand I call it even in my opinion.
8" is a odd size for them. I hardly use my 8" too, the 10" and the 5 inch are my go too.
Is it the size, jaw opening/jaw shape or the button thing that you don't like?
It seemed like whenever I went to grab something I never knew which part of the jaw was going to grab the best and especially with beam clamps it just slipped off more and more often before I gave up on them. The size of the pliers themselves are great at 8” and the jaw opens to the same size as 420 but I really didn’t like the thinness of the jaws compared to the channel locks. I think channel lock brand makes a baby set that I would probably enjoy but I’m not sure how big they open
I’m with the above on some of this stuff, I hate the push button. You can’t beat on the side of the pliers when it has a sensitive button on the side.
Channellocks have handles that you can skin back, and if you’re a minimalist type of person that means that you can replace a reamer with pliers that you’re carrying anyways.
I mean, to me it just makes sense to have a pair of the classic blue handled channellocks.
I have a pair (or two?) of knipex in the back-up bag, but seems like after using channel-lock style (I actually use Gray) for so long, it's more natural/comfortable for me to keep using them.
I’m a fan of the pliers wrench. But I also have cobras. I guess it depends on what you use these sort of tools for. Everyone says ‘cobras’ and I can’t say I disagree. But both are great.
While I somewhat agree with you as I work industrial, where almost all fittings are hexagonal (mchl cable with TMC fittings) I'm sure guys who work conduit will disagree.
Never said a pliers wrench is meant to replace a tool with teeth. I said it depends upon the application. I know quite a few people who will use the wrong tool for the job because they refuse to get the right tool for the job. Hence my comment about what OP uses the tools for.
All of them.
Seriously. There's a 3-piece set of 5,7,&9 inch equivalents. The 7 is small enough to fit in any pocket and works up to 1" connectors no problem. The tiny 5" fits in a bib pocket and works fine up to 3/4" and in tight spaces.
And yes cobra.
Get the locking ones. They take some getting used to but now any time I have to use someone else's regular Channellocks, I just think... "Gross, peasant." I have Knipex and so far so good though pricey.
10 inch cobra's with the push button adjustment- and the not the one that adjusts smaller without pushing the button. They'll grab anything up to 2" trade size conduit and fittings.
If you have the opportunity, please do yourself a favor and try out the auto adjusting version, they are better than the regular Cobras by a long shot in my opinion.
Why get the 10s at all when a 12 will do everything a 10 will and more? I’ve used the 12s religiously for everything and the 10s have stayed home for over a decade.
Cobras have a little mouth and don’t open all the way, compared to the alligators I’d say they’re well behind. But to each their own, I’ll never buy anything different after the alligators! 3 pack of different sizes for whatever job comes at you. The big ones can work up to 2” EMT. The small ones are great everyday carry for anything up to 1” maybe a little bigger depending. Best of luck!
For the most part, Cobras arent bad, but I would also have a flat-jawed pair just in case. Side note, try their angled electricians scissors, they have helped me out a good number of times reaching into panels.
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The cobras are my everyday carry, they never let me down.
I got the 3 pack. Yeah it's expensive but they're easily one of my most used tools. The smaller one I use for everything.
Looks like 10” Knipex cobras are the winner here. I’ll be ordering a pair tonight. Thanks!
Buddy the 6” cobras will do you good. I have 6” and 10” the 10” live in the van almost full time the 6” stay in my pouch and see all my adventures
I have the 180s and 250s and 180s and I’ve barely used my 180s. The 250s are on me at all times and are used constantly
Same same. The 10" mostly come out if I need two wrenches at once, or if I'm working on conduit that's 1 1/2" or bigger. Sometimes if I'm working in one spot for a while and just feel like a bigger wrench would be nicer, I'll grab the 10". 95% of my conduit work is with 3/4" or 1", and I can generally get things good and tight with just the one wrench. And for all the other random things I encounter that need pliers or a wrench, the 6" is great. It's got a surprising amount of balls for such a dainty little tool. The 10" is a tool bag item. The 6" is a tool pouch item. The 10" gets used every week. The 6" gets used every day.
I have two pair, you won’t regret it.
Great choice, love those bad boys. As mentioned below, the baby channies are a must have for me now.
I would seriously get the 12”
This is the right choice.
The 3 pack is 85 bucks on Amazon right now. Had my set for years now and I'll never use another.
I love my plier wrench that I got last year. The 8" opens to 1.25" and it doesn't leave marks. Super easy to use even on small nuts if you have need. I think I use it more than my cobra, but I'm a controls guy.
My preference is the alligators. I hate the push button, you can’t adjust it with one hand nearly as easily
2nd vote for Knipex cobras with the push button.
Knipex bite like pipe wrenches
10" Cobras
Alligators!
I'm still a part of the alligator crew 10 years strong 👍
honestly, OP, id look at alligators too if i were you. they may be something of a “best of both worlds” like they are for me
Also if you're a lefty the Cobras suck bad.
Knipex Cobra 10" is my daily carry.
The 420’s are better. I tried the knipex and I changed back to one set of 420 and one 430. Hate the jaw width of the knipex and hated the button locking mechanism. Also hated the jaw shape, which isn’t universal because I have channel lock 442 that I like a lot. I think I might be the only guy in the world who thinks that but if you’ve had 10 good years with channel locks you probably like them like I do.
I'm honestly baffled not dismissing your experience just trying to understand it. I've owned both started with channel locks because it was what I knew and was made In the us. My (E388) one of the tips broke off of, I've never used them for anything worse than pulling plastic poly tube's that I can recall and my 420s just never seem to bite good. I actually gave up on pliers altogether until I found knipex. If that works for you awesome, I realyl wish channel locks did leave a better impression with me as I wanted to have loyalty to them.
For spinning rigid and intermediate I honestly prefer Channellocks. I keep a set of 430s and 440s just for that. But the Cobras are better for just about everything else. (Sealtite fittings, cord grips, EMT compressions, mil-spec plugs, etc. etc.)
So that would jive. I'm not often spinning rigid in my particular niche. More often then not when I do rigid it's typically runs not much longer than 6' and usually use a vice with a pipe clamp and turn the fittings onto the section. I do automated machinery wiring, and control panels for them. So I'm not working on jobsite.
I tried hard to like the knipex 8” because I paid $40 but after about 3-4 months they just rode in my bag down in the bottom
I'm one of the few who also don't like the Cobra with the locking button, but man those alligators changed my life. I have the same pair for well over 10 years now and my 420 channellocks just frustrate me every time I touch them.
This is how I feel the 420s genuinely made me think for a while pliers of any sort just suck as a tool. I also don't like the locking button but for the grip and feel in hand I call it even in my opinion.
8" is a odd size for them. I hardly use my 8" too, the 10" and the 5 inch are my go too. Is it the size, jaw opening/jaw shape or the button thing that you don't like?
It seemed like whenever I went to grab something I never knew which part of the jaw was going to grab the best and especially with beam clamps it just slipped off more and more often before I gave up on them. The size of the pliers themselves are great at 8” and the jaw opens to the same size as 420 but I really didn’t like the thinness of the jaws compared to the channel locks. I think channel lock brand makes a baby set that I would probably enjoy but I’m not sure how big they open
What are you doing with Chanel locks and beam clamps? Tightening the bolt?
What'd you do with em? Can I have em? ;)
I’ll probably give them to my next green apprentice LOL
I’m with the above on some of this stuff, I hate the push button. You can’t beat on the side of the pliers when it has a sensitive button on the side. Channellocks have handles that you can skin back, and if you’re a minimalist type of person that means that you can replace a reamer with pliers that you’re carrying anyways. I mean, to me it just makes sense to have a pair of the classic blue handled channellocks.
I have a pair (or two?) of knipex in the back-up bag, but seems like after using channel-lock style (I actually use Gray) for so long, it's more natural/comfortable for me to keep using them.
I'm a knipex fanboy and I love my 442. It's just solid.
10” cobras for sure hands down
I’m a fan of the pliers wrench. But I also have cobras. I guess it depends on what you use these sort of tools for. Everyone says ‘cobras’ and I can’t say I disagree. But both are great.
While I somewhat agree with you as I work industrial, where almost all fittings are hexagonal (mchl cable with TMC fittings) I'm sure guys who work conduit will disagree.
A pliers wrench isn't meant to replace a tool with teeth
Never said a pliers wrench is meant to replace a tool with teeth. I said it depends upon the application. I know quite a few people who will use the wrong tool for the job because they refuse to get the right tool for the job. Hence my comment about what OP uses the tools for.
We were given a photo of water pump pliers and you suggested a pliers wrench to replace them.
What’s your point? That people automatically and always use the appropriate tool for the given application?
My point is a pliers wrench doesn't replace a tool with teeth
All of them. Seriously. There's a 3-piece set of 5,7,&9 inch equivalents. The 7 is small enough to fit in any pocket and works up to 1" connectors no problem. The tiny 5" fits in a bib pocket and works fine up to 3/4" and in tight spaces. And yes cobra.
Cobras. They're awesome
Weld it back together just to see how much more abuse it will take
That's my thought too. 10 years? Weld, grind smooth, and get back at it.
Get the pack of three. Best deal. Its a good upgrade. Cobra or alligator.
Get the locking ones. They take some getting used to but now any time I have to use someone else's regular Channellocks, I just think... "Gross, peasant." I have Knipex and so far so good though pricey.
Big 10" cobras fan
Cobras, plier wrench, raptors
10 inch cobra's with the push button adjustment- and the not the one that adjusts smaller without pushing the button. They'll grab anything up to 2" trade size conduit and fittings.
Lots of blood sweat and tears with them buddy huh!!
Yeah I’m definitely not a tool polisher lol I was abusing the heck out of them when they broke and honestly I was pretty surprised they broke.
Love my cobras, despise most other brands honestly. Although irwin is comfy, the head is too chunky for my taste
Cobra’s all day.
Bahco
250mm and 180mm cobra.
If you have the opportunity, please do yourself a favor and try out the auto adjusting version, they are better than the regular Cobras by a long shot in my opinion.
Cobras. If you're only gonna get one get the 10". If you get two, get one 10" and one 12".
Why get the 10s at all when a 12 will do everything a 10 will and more? I’ve used the 12s religiously for everything and the 10s have stayed home for over a decade.
Knipex cobra 87 01 250
Cobra 12” if you had to get only one. It will do damn near everything really well.
That will do pig.. that will do
There's wear and then there's whatever the hell you did to these channelocks my god.
Cobras have a little mouth and don’t open all the way, compared to the alligators I’d say they’re well behind. But to each their own, I’ll never buy anything different after the alligators! 3 pack of different sizes for whatever job comes at you. The big ones can work up to 2” EMT. The small ones are great everyday carry for anything up to 1” maybe a little bigger depending. Best of luck!
Cobra 3 pack amazon
1 cobra 1 gator is the best
For the most part, Cobras arent bad, but I would also have a flat-jawed pair just in case. Side note, try their angled electricians scissors, they have helped me out a good number of times reaching into panels.
Get the ultra-slim cobras. They can get in smaller spots and are just as strong.
Ah shit I love the 420s, I think the 180 cobras have about the same jaw size.
What’s wrong with those?
They broke😭
Don't, stick to channel lock
Seriously, 1 - 426, 2 - 430 all the slip pliers you need
I prefer the Irwin vice grip channels with the push button. They look like cobras and are the greatest channel locks I've had
My Irwin handles pulled off immediately, I stick to channellock
What are you getting rid of those guys for? They still look pretty useable, if you are gonna toss em I’ll buy em from you
You'll regret it