Customer Reviews for KNIPEX Heavy Duty Forged Steel 12 in. Pliers Wrench with Nickel Plating

The Knipex 12” multi-purpose pliers combine the jaws of an adjustable wrench with the multiple (22) position channel and locking button of their Cobra pliers, and contoured grip for maximum leverage. The combination makes for a fantastic adjustable wrench, maybe even the best adjustable wrench, period. While the 12 inch version is a little large for smaller jobs, they can easily handle most medium and even larger fasteners and fittings. The mouth opens from 0 to around 2 5/8”, almost an inch wider than my beloved Channellock Wide Azz. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Channellock-8-in-Adjustable-Wrench-8WCB/202247296 And they have plenty of grip and leverage to remove just about any fastener or fitting, no matter how tight or corroded, without marring. And since they don’t rely on a thumb screw, they hold their position and do not slip, making it far less likely the fastener or fitting will get rounded or you’ll skip off and wack your hand. While a little on the pricey side, these wrench pliers are warrantied for life and will take the place of multiple adjustable wrenches, representing long term value. I can’t say enough about them. Brilliant idea, perfectly executed.

KNIPEX Heavy Duty Forged Steel 12 in. Pliers Wrench with Nickel Plating is a high quality professional wrench with special features not seen before by me. Its large size is ideal for commercial use, but the same benefits are available for lighter use needs. The special design I mentioned is that it functions like a crescent wrench and can be used with ratcheted action as you turn to loosen or tighten the fastener. Its smooth jaws means it won't mare polished finishes as used with plumbing fixtures. Its better than using an adjustable wrench for this use. It has an adjustable jaw and locks on tight and the 12-inch size gives plenty of leverage to loosen stuck fasteners. Just loosen the grip and it slides like a ratchet mechanism while still on the nut to continue to adjust it. The advantage of the design which seems odd is that the jaws open and close in parallel, don't squeeze around a pivot point. This exerts even pressure on all parts of the nut that are in contact with the wrench. It transmits greater force to crack frozen fasteners this way, minimizing stripping. You really need to see it operate to appreciate the mechanism. It is expensive, but those who have a regularly need for this tool, its worth it.

When is a pair of pliers worth $70? The German made 12" Knipex multipurpose pliers has several features that can justify that price tag. It is a multi-purpose tool that can handle tasks formerly delegated to pipe wrenches, locking pliers, tongue and groove pliers, and a set of wrenches. The smallest setting is about 3/8", the largest 2 3/8". So, it can seriously lighten up your toolbox and reduce the time spent searching for the right size wrench. This particular set has smooth grips so it won't damage finished metal parts (like plumbing fixtures). It has a locking feature - not quite the clamping effect of vise grips but pretty close. There is a sort of "ratcheting" action when you pull it back, and a push button adjustment for the jaw gap instead of the usual tongue and groove; that setting won't slip out of place but is easy to change when needed. The twelve inch handle provides lots of leverage. It's an extremely versatile tool and includes a lifetime limited warranty.

High quality tool, light weight, comfortable grip, smooth gripping surfaces minimize damage to work piece.

It’s a quality tool that will be an asset to any plumber.

These pliers work great. While they wont completely replace a crescent wrench and channel locks, they do a darn good job.

Rating provided by a verified purchaser

Like the wider choices of non marring nut capacity, could use a better closed grip handles , especially for larger fasteners above 2”

Part of my every day toolbag.

Rating provided by a verified purchaser

These pliers rock , use them for chrome plumbing fixtures. Never a scratch and grip tight !! I own several different size pairs . Little pricey but well worth it .

These pliers are incredibly useful for many different situations. I have several sizes. These are the newest and updated version that is lighter and opens to 2 1/2”.

Replaces my standard crescent wrench and then some. Easy and the length is great for when you really need to squeeze something. Great design, fit and finish.

Very versatile a must have in my line of work

These “pliers wrench” style pliers are the new adjustable alternative... not only quick to use but l would say this style just about totally eliminates the rounding of fasteners

Great pliers, definitely getting the 16” ones as well

These Pliers are quite the universal use kind of pliers. They work great for nuts and bolts, straightening things like sheet metal, or just getting a better tighter grip to something. I like the Knipex pliers and have more than one. Thank you!

This is a tool I use on a daily basis and I use these because of flat jaws. They also have an incredible amount of torque

Well made and reliable company. Somewhat costly, but I expect it to outlive me.

I pick these up about a dozen times everyday, often times to bend something, other times as a press, others as a work handle when vice grips would mar a surface and occasionally as a wrench, often for welding gas, but mainly for assemble of random stuff when I actually use them as a wrench. I have 2 pair on workbench at all times. Like all Knipex they're well built, it's a treat to have a plier type tool that doesn't round nuts.

40-years ago I was given my first pair of Knipex water pump pliers by one of our suppliers. They were proudly made in West-Germany. I had never heard of them. But, they would soon become the best slip-joint type pliers I would ever use. The best feature is that once you fit them to your work and apply pressure you can actually release your grip while still applying pressure and they continue to hold. I have never owned this "new" model, which has been around some time, but there is a tremendous advantage to being able to "one-hand" the jaw width adjustment. My attitude had always been, "Why do I need to be able to do that? The old style works just fine." I should have at least tried them. The design makes for very easy adjustment. I, also, never owned a nickel -or chrome-plated set. I guess there is a place for them...maybe on display because they sure are pretty. But, I found the original finish to be pretty much impervious to corrosion in even the harshest environments. The nickel finish can only be better. This particular pair would take the place of an adjustable wrench of the same size with the ease of a push-button adjustment and a whopping 2 3/8" jaw opening. The jaws remain perfectly parallel throughout the nearly infinite range of the tool. Once you get set to the size you want, a slight squeeze of your grip and the jaws lock onto the work surface.This insures that slip and subsequent damage to the work surface is minimized. To their quality, my original pair is worn, but still functional. I did manage to break a pair, way back when, that was immediately replaced by the vendor; no receipt and no questions asked (I have had trouble in the past getting the Home Depot to replace a broken "life-time warranty" tool without a sales receipt, however.). Buy any Knipex tools and your biggest concern would be losing them!