Irwin Vise-Grip Adjustable Plier Wrench, could they actually be better than the Knipex Pliers?

10" Knipex Wrench Pliers - amzn.to/3oi1szX
10" Irwin Vise-Grip Wrench Pliers - amzn.to/3AYm05t
My original video regarding how Knipex Pliers work! - • German Knipex Plier Wr...
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[@1D10CRACY]

Regarding how to say Knipex, take a look at these videos. kzbin.info/www/bejne/j5e9qH1plMtkjbM and kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZnbPhZuoZayBmpY

[@ShotgunAU]

Yes, finally lol.

[@keldon_champion]

The sales reps from the company all pronounce it Kh-knee-pex with a hard K at the beginning, I know it seams wrong if you speak English but it's not English

[@-opus]

will always be 'nigh pex' to me, they can pronounce it however they want to

[@AirsoftAdventures308]

The way he says it pisses me off 😂

[@LKLK343]

The fact that you are able to rotate the nut when griped with the Irwin speaks for it self. I use the Knipex for years now. Also use it to hold small parts for drilling, use it for bending, pressing and holding things. I WANT THAT GRIP. Besides that i never had a Knipex of any kind fail.

[@Ham68229]

They are pricey but, in this case, they ARE well worth the cost for the quality of the tool. Cheers :)

[@Dirtyharry70585]

Absolutely right and I say me too about those knipex. I keep a 7” set in my pro tool bag, where space is critical, they are true multipurpose.

[@nitrorc4life1]

I carry a 125 and a 150 cobra’s for EDC. An icon 10” in box along with a 7” Irwin. I like the Irwin for around the house, rest for everything.

[@MikeFyxdt]

I’m glad you posted this video because I have not seen this type of wrench before. As I am doing projects I will think about this wrench and see if I have a need for it. As with any new tool, I’m sure eventually I will come up with a need for it!

[@theguywitheyebrows]

i really appreciate your no nonsense attitude towards wtf the tool is for. thanks for your reviews!!

[@Dr.RubricArc]

been a while since I found a youtube video this early, awesome comparison! Had no idea these existed but they seem pretty kickass.

[@duncdunc76]

I have both and have used them both daily in my profession for years. They both work well but imo the Knipex work better and are more versatile. The main difference and slight issue I have with the Irwins besides their step down in quality is that the ratcheting feature is actually annoying to me in many of my use applications. I like to set my pliers for a repetitive function that Im doing and their set and ready to go every time I pull them out of the tool belt and put them back. Well the Knipex accomplish this perfectly but the Irwins often adjust and then I have to reset them which is annoying to me. Imo they would be more useful if they didn't ratchet. Having the plier set also allows you to use the Knipex like a ratcheting box end wrench of sorts if your good at it and I just can't get the Irwins to function as well. But alas the Irwins are considerably less expensive and when your on a budget they will do the job. If I had no budget I'd have all Knipex probably.

[@gamingSlasher]

I understand the problem with the ratchet mechanism from your explanation. Yeah, that could be a bummer.

[@Bigsmegma44]

You should post a video showing the differences! Don’t forget to tag me! LOL

[@atlantajunglepythons1744]

It's not expected, but not all of their tools are superior! Sometimes they fall short: cobras basically failed gripping hardened steel slanks. Etc. But it's best to look tool by tool: nowpeccs is unwholesomely expensive, so, like with the 10" pliers wrench, smooth jaw, it should beat its competition. Note the company ONLY sells to very limited distributors, has US only models, and appears to prohibit sales from other markets to the US -- apparently to keep prices high. Look around for awhile at 22" cobras, you'll eventually see what I mean: 87 01 560 US. For tool vs several tools, check Project Farm...of course my opinion only!

[@kraftzion]

I own both, they both have their uses. The irwins are faster to adjust, lighter, and lighter duty. I carry them in my tool tote to remove brass service valve caps on air conditioners. The knipex can exert significantly more clamping pressure and are indestructible. I use them for far more than just removing nuts. Including bending sheet metal, crushing copper pipe ends that I want to braze, the list is endless. One of the most useful tools in my arsenal.

[@avocares]

Every refrigeration tech should have a set.

[@kenpeterson_IG]

Now I'm glad that I have the 5" and 7 1/4" from Knipex, especially since I'm just getting started in that field right out of schooling for S2. I also got the 22" cobra pliers a couple days ago to use with my standard, brandless 18" pipe wrench from Tractor Supply. Wondering what y'all think of using the cobras as a pipe wrench. Maybe it'll make working that black iron propane piping, especially the unions with the "v grip", a bit easier?

[@aussiehardwood6196]

Thank you for your comment, very useful, and based off actually owning/using both tooos.

[@dieselswede]

Longevity, I've been using my knipex grips for the past 7 years everyday and apart from the teeth wearing down (which after 7 year is to be expected) they still operate and work perfectly. I doubt the same could be said got the Irwin's

[@scod3908]

I have an Irwin plier set (WP, linesman, diags, pointy). The teeth on the WP pliers are all rounded. Snapped the tip off the point nose. The linesmans went very stiff after a few months in a drawer. IMHO they're just cheap handyman tools not professional grade, keep them as backups that live in the "loan out" tool bag. Not worth investing in long term

[@RickRose]

I missed the Knipex video when it first went around, but I went back to watch it. Those looked like great tools, but at $163 for the 3-piece set, I kinda choked up a bit. Good of you to show this alternative, and the comparison was very thorough. Thanks!

[@roshi98]

If you wrench or plumb often enough the Knipex is well worth the money, trust me. You won't fishing around for a wrench that works on a rusted bolt or nut when you have one of these in your toolbox.

[@LastCall534]

All I can say is that I have a pair of Knipex channel lock pliers I purchased off a tool truck in the early 90's and they're still going strong. They have a grip and bite that rival any vice grip or channel lock pliers I've tried. They've probably been used thousands of times over the years and the craftmanship/metallurgy is second to none, in my opinion.

[@ravensnflies8167]

literally just bought a knipex wrench like this because i watched your vid about them like yesterday.

[@jf7393]

Thanks for the review and bringing the irwins to my attention. Wanted a pair of these plier wrenches for a while and could never justify the knipex cost

[@ichhier5165]

The answer is relatively simple. The Knipex Wrench Pliers will outlive you. But you will definitely outlive at least five Irwin Vise-Grip Wrench Pliers.

[@jf7393]

@@ichhier5165 I didn't ask any questions. Buy all the knipex you want. I'm 70 years old. The tires on my car will probably outlive me.

[@garagemonkeysan]

Great review. Mahalo for sharing! : )

[@Name-ot3xw]

An adjustable wrench is on my required tool list even though I never use them. Bought the Knipex one to see if it turns out to be more useful.

[@iainmel1]

A small point... Here in Sweden the Knipex are a good bit cheaper than the Irwins. I have also tried three or four Irwin tools before, and while their quality os ok, they never EVER come up to 'premium' qhality. not by any stretch of the imagination. The looks of those handles, for example, yells out to me "I'm a cheap copy trying to pass myself off as better than the original with these fancy grips" No thanks, I will not be buying these on two counts : 1) My knipex tools have never let me down, while the Irwins break, function badly or just plain get lost at the back of the tool cupboard through lack of use, and 2) the Irwins are plain ugly.

[@1D10CRACY]

And I don't disagree with you! I prefer the Knipex over the Irwin's and only purchased the Irwin's to do this video. I only did the video because a lot of folks don't have the money to buy the Knipex because over here they are twice as much as the Irwins. I also have to say over here in the states when it comes to tools, functionality wins over looks. And as bad as those handles look on the Irwin's, they feel better than the Knipex.

[@littlejackalo5326]

The handles of the Irwin pliers are actually much better. The Knipex ones get one slice in them and they're trash.

[@musictolive4]

@@1D10CRACY knipex has their pliers and wrenches available with different kind of handles. The one you showed us, has the cheaper style of handles. So yes, if you want the more comfortable handles, you have to pay a little bit more.

[@musictolive4]

@@littlejackalo5326 knipex has their pliers and wrenches also available with much better handles. But that makes the tool even a bit pricier. The one that is showed in the video, is the one with the cheaper style of handles.

[@michaelbamber4887]

@@1D10CRACY when it comes to tools or even household appliances, I don't buy this, people don't have the money. Just wait till next week or two and buy the best ones available. You'll look after it better too, and you shouldn't need to buy it twice when your cheap version craps out.

[@royharkins7066]

I bought the knipex I know they’ll never let me down and last like my other knipex 20yrs i don’t think the Erwin will last, and I was glad when I saw the jaws weren’t parallel , how glad Sad am i 😂😂

[@red-qx4no]

Easy Subscribe from me. Also super cool to be this early. Thanks for showing me a new great tool, seems like a great option for people who travel a lot.

[@fixingitrightish]

I love Irwin tools. I have a pair of their channel locks. Haven't found a fastener they couldn't remove

[@bigvicsworkshop]

Great Review! With the ratching feature - ya don't really need measurements stamped in there.. which grip did you prefer? I like the looks of the Knipex - I'd imagine that's because of the imprinting of my brain from always seeing and using grips like those that seem to be invented by channellock - lol.. thanks!

[@melgross]

It looks like it, because it’s basically a “get around the patents” less expensive copy, with an interesting twist. Remember, you can’t patent an idea, though a lot of people don’t understand that, just the actualization of it in a product.

[@roshi98]

Of all the differences, the deciding one that still makes Knipex worth the cost is the purchase it gets on its target through equal pressure. Having no play is so valuable when working with older nuts and bolts it pays for itself in time and money.

[@Bad-Antix]

So I have the 10 inch and the 12 inch Irwin pliers. They worked great for me for months as an industrial service engineer. I bought them to try because I wasn't sure if I would work well in my workload. I was using the 12 inch to hold a workpiece and the 10 inch to loosen a fitting and the 12 inch gave out. The teeth on the back stripped and not just 1 but several in a row killing them. I also broke the metal piece that goes behind the jaws on the 10 inch too later on. I took them back to lowes and they replaced them with the lifetime warranty. I still use them.but they are my loaners/beaters I hate to say. I honestly like them more then the knipex pliers wrench I use now. That all being said I would still recommend the knipex over the Irwin.

[@DanielSmith-tn8un]

I will look for this tool next time I'm at the tool store

[@marko11kram]

nice vid, I'll check out some of your other vids

[@shanester366]

Irwins aren't bad for the price. I had one of their knipex knock off channel locks before. That being said once I purchased some Knipex the Irwins were gone. The ratcheting part while nice in the beginning after a year or so it got loose, so often when reaching in a tight spot it would just shut all the way and I would have to pull it out to readjust it again. Also the handles began to fall off and often got stuck in my tool bags. They are a decent budget brand for a dyi`er, but I wouldnt use them professionally.

[@fredthehead4603]

Some people know the price of everything and the value of nothing.

[@1D10CRACY]

I really like this statement!

[@ambsquared]

I got the Knipex 10” pliers/wrench for $35. It was on sale, and I found a discount code. I also have some of their Cobra pliers to that I got for a good price.

[@MarkWilliams-vp7xw]

I got the icon (harbor freight) copy of the knipex for 31.99 on sale and I’m extremely satisfied

[@ruzziasht349]

03:36 "not exactly parallel, is this going to be a problem in the field, probably not?" hilarious - of course it's a problem.

[@1D10CRACY]

Doubtful. It's probably more parallel than what's created by the slop in most crescent wrenches.

[@trulsdirio]

So, my Knipex wrench pliers are at least 20 Years old (because that is when the guy that bought them died) and still work like new. So I don't seem the price as an issue, as it will be the last set you need if not loosing it or being really careless. Plus buying the original design always is a good thing, research and development cost is a real factor after all.

[@dogphlap6749]

I recently purchased a pair of Knipex 10" pliers on eBay from a local supplier with free shipping, they were not cheap at $100 AUD ($71 USD). The Irwin pliers were a third that price but as they had to come from the US the freight was $100 AUD ($71 USD), so with freight effectively more expensive at $130 AUD ($93 USD). The Knipex seem fine, I'll stick with them for now.

[@45asunder1]

I wish Irwin made a 12in version of these pliers. I have a couple of the 10in and they are pretty good.

[@keldon_champion]

I have the 5" and 7" knipex (worth every penny) and was thinking about getting the 10 or 12 inch to round out the set, I don't use larger adjustables very often so maybe I'll try the Irwin

[@Sw1sher95]

Did you ever buy them?

[@mikezeke7041]

I’ve had the Irwin since they came out, just got the knipex, they are 100% worth the price difference. I broke my first pair of Irwin. They also are not as easy to use. In my experience the Irwin also open under pressure and slip. Knipex take a lot more pressure.

[@pollydor07]

Thanks

[@shykitten55]

Thanks.

[@vlodek-193]

The handle of the Knipex will not catch your fingers.☝ It's worth paying more for quality! Greetings from Poland!🙋‍♂

[@jasonk5979]

At least knipex is made in Germany by the manufacturer . Who knows who makes these for Rubbermaid (now Stanley) that owns vice grip. Might be great quality. Might not. I know knipex makes great quality so I'll pay more.

[@thomasschafer7268]

Genau so ist es. Und die haben auch Ersatzteile wenn die Zange nicht mehr geht.

[@GeezerTuber]

Yeah I'd be happy to pay more if it keeps my money from going to China.

[@quimblyjones9767]

Who is the German maid?

[@MoveAhead101]

@@quimblyjones9767 Adelheid

[@lohikarhu734]

Nicht nur ein Mädchen, vieles Mädels! (Sorry if i screwed up the ein/eins/eine/eines... ;-) verdammte 'agreement!)

[@codemiesterbeats]

a weird use case for these I used them building my rifle to "press" some of the lower receiver pins in. janky? maybe but it worked.

[@georgelouie5330]

Curious as to whether the Knipex has a more secure grip? From the video, I suspect the Vise Grip horizontal ratcheting gear teeth are more prone to wear over time and might be more susceptible to slippage. While, the Knipex gear teeth will always be inline with the direction of handle compression, so the metal teeth would have to fail completely for it to lose grip.

[@1D10CRACY]

Funny you mentioned that as I was thinking the exact same thing!

[@BL-yj2wp]

Correct, the mechanism of the Irwin is more prone to failure for that reason, there are videos on here that show just that. The button mechanism is also not serviceable. For half the price the Irwin seems fine for home owners and such, but I wouldn‘t want to use it professionally of for heavy duty applications.

[@leod.1481]

I recently watch a more then two hour long video of Knipex promoting more ore less all there Pliers and the different grip styles… One thing i learned was that the push button on the Knipex is for adjusting at the nut, ore whatever you want to hold, itself. So rather then preadjusting and fiddling around with the pliers you go directly to the object slide it to the desired width and your set. But i have yet to try that out.

[@kross1261]

Recently bought the Irwin’s for $9 at Mennards after rebate. Planned on buying the kinipex but didn’t realize they were so expensive. And I will use these on a very limited basis for home repairs. If it was my business I’d probably paid up for the knipex.

[@1D10CRACY]

I seen that sale last week! Sadly I had already purchased these prior.

[@markspears3924]

The second is the hardness... no matter what I've done with my nipp x pliers I cannot get them tomorrow dent scratch they're perfect after years of use

[@3vil3lvis]

The most glaring difference is in the way the handles come together at the top of the Irwin, while the Knipex are more parallel.

[@PresidentCamacho2024]

i still prefer the knipex, been using it almost every day for 20 years now, cost me about $100 back then, so it costs me about $5 each year,.. and still feels like brand new,.

[@werner134897]

The whole purpose of these things is that the jaws are always parallel. us$60 for a good tool, if you have sufficient work for it, is not out of tune to other costs of life.

[@jasonrucker3143]

My problem with the Irwin set is that the part that makes the jaw pivot has so much slop and the kanipex do not.

[@fredfarnackle5455]

Damn! I wish I'd seen this video before I bought three sizes of Knipex!! However, they do seem to be slightly better than the cheaper ones. Are they worth twice as much?? Hmmm...

[@walterg4025]

I'm sure there are lots of guys that let price dictate the buying decision. I've never regretted buying the better quality tool.

[@peterfitzpatrick7032]

THIS is the most important comment... if your liveleyhood depends on "gittin 'er done" then you buy the best tools for the job... let the DIYers buy the Irwins....

[@johndick8020]

What’s wrong with letting price play a part in my decision? These tools serve a need in my toolbox and I won’t be using them every day. I don’t need to overspend on them when I can put the extra money towards something I will use more regularly. From the video the Irwin’s seem to be a good tool at the price point. I could buy a Lexus but why when the Toyota will serve just as well?

[@LawAbidingCitizen117]

​@@johndick8020good point.

[@tassie7325]

The other additional cost benefit for the Irwin Vise-Grip is that I can get them at a local store and not have to pay for shipping.

[@theprojectproject01]

I got mine at a Menard's.

[@Basement_CNC]

try findinc replacement parts once the adjustment teeth strip for the irwins

[@1D10CRACY]

Our local Menards put these on sale last week for 8 bucks. At that price I'm not sure the folks who buy them care about parts. Personally I prefer the knipex.

[@nikitagm5015]

Been using knipex tools for 5 years now. Gave the bahco water pump pliers a go, not impressed at all. Another tool that came out recently is the Klein pliers wrench with reversible bottom jaw to be able to grip awkward shapes like round gripping a pipe. I would give that a go! But yeah I think I will pay a little extra for Knipex, the most comfortable hand tools but still cheaper, I always cop knipex tools on Amazon Germany and have them delivered to the UK cheaper than Amazon UK and that's including currency exchange and delivery fees!

[@gamingSlasher]

TBH I like the handles and the ratchet mechanism better on the Irwins. I have a Knipex and the adjustment button gets stuck for my sometimes so I have to fiddle around with the handle for a while to get it to pop up. Some better precision on the Irwins and they would have won for me.

[@RadDadisRad]

I have 2 of each 7.25”, 10” and 12”. These are amazing just be cautious not to crush the nut out of round.

[@fuloplehel]

Hello, I always use the knipex pliers wrench. Recently I bought the xs version. The Irwin is not as good as the knipex. I have one Irwin, but similar to the knipex cobra, and the ratchet mechanism is very weak. The teeths are rounded up, and I can't apply to much force now. I will buy knipex even if the price is double.

[@1D10CRACY]

I am questioning its durability! I figure I'll use it like I do my knipex and at the first sign of failure, I'll pin a comment under this video. I did have it jam up once on me already, I'm hoping that was a fluke.

[@fuloplehel]

@@1D10CRACY Here is a video with the Irwin wrench failure. I have exactly the same problem. The pin is making little contact with the teeths. kzbin.info/www/bejne/n3yklWygaLt4nqM

[@fuloplehel]

Another example of the Irwin quality. Never buy again. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hGXZZaeAotmcn80

[@robertsneed7689]

The Irwin pliers will do the same job just as well but if you can't afford the knipix and your on a budget then get the Irwin. If money is no problem then get the Knipix.

[@kevinrenn9123]

Interestingly, when I click on the Amazon link in the comments it shows the price for the 10 inch as $53.08 ($24.98 for the 8 inch). Amazon used to be a great deal but watch out for their little ticks. My local big box store stocks them for $28

[@1D10CRACY]

Menards sells them for $29, $53 is too high.

[@ben6089]

Exactly the video I was after, although I don't want them to be better, I want them to be basically the same so I can save some money on a tool I want but find hard to justify! (edit) in my country they're actually $100USD and I need to fight my shitty exchange rate on top of it

[@tomcardale5596]

The Irwin water pump pliers compare similarly to the Knipex. The Knipex is better, but the adjustment of the Irwin is significantly quicker. The teeth don't last as well though.

[@AMD1]

When I bought my irwin pliers there was a rebate for $20 off, so by default that makes them the best pliers I recently purchased.

[@ruzziasht349]

except they're not parallel

[@chrisharper2658]

How well do those ratcheting teeth hold up under heavy load? Some people are complaining that the teeth break off but I'm not sure if that is for the 8 inch only or for both the 8 inch and the 10 inch versions? Can you do any durability testing?

[@ruzziasht349]

Had mine Knipex for 3 years now, use every day under high loads, teeth are fine.

[@chrisharper2658]

@@ruzziasht349 Not the Knipex, we know they're good. The Irwin's have some customer complaints on Amazon.

[@ruzziasht349]

@@chrisharper2658 Right. The Irwins are worse than useless - know from experience

[@dwhallon21]

Having looked at other brands extensively, and ultimately buying several pair of knipex, I can tell you I would and have paid the difference for the German product. Who the hell knows where the Irwin Rubbermaid, vice grips are made. If you are just going to use these to replace a set of wrenches and are a diyer type, then look into the Irwin's. But if u make a living from your tools, then the knipex wins here

[@1D10CRACY]

The Irwin's are made in China. Personally I will keep buying the Knipex. But I remember starting out as a young lad struggling to buy tools. At one time I owned a lot of cheap tools that were not the best but allowed me to get the job done.

[@lohikarhu734]

I guess that you could 'tweak' the irwin jaws a bit to get them parallel, but then you've put more into them than the price difference...

[@sandbergius]

It's me, the professional comment section troll again. Your pronunciation of "Knipex" is almost perfect, it needs shorter "i" and emphasis on the "p", more like "Knippex". Just saying :P

[@TechGorilla1987]

Your wedding ring is interesting. I assume it's Titanium. We used to have Titanium, but they mark easily. Now we have Tungsten Carbide rings that scratch everything we grab.

[@1D10CRACY]

The ring is made of a soft silicone. It is designed to tear and be sacrificial if it were to get snagged on something. The "original" ring is made of cobalt, but I worked for a Fire Department for a good decade and the horror story's of people loosing fingers in accidents kind of bothered me. :D

[@TechGorilla1987]

@@1D10CRACY That is perfectly cromulent reasoning. The tungsten will shatter with a sharp hammer blow thankfully. In my opinion it would be safer than titanium or softer metals although not as safe as your option.

[@littlejackalo5326]

@Tech Gorilla Is it tungsten or tungsten carbide? Two very different materials. Making a tungsten carbide ring would be extremely difficult as it can only be ground with diamond/PCD or CBN.

[@georgeferlazzo7936]

Hello again 1D10CRACY Thank you for another Great Video. Please keep these reviews coming. By chance, how are they in using them daily on the job? Again thank you

[@jpsimon206]

I don't normally care about appearances at all, but the fit and finish of those Irwin's is absolutely horrible. I have no comment on how well they work, but it's like looking at a 20-year-old Datsun next to a Ferrari. That said, I don't understand why all the grieblings on the knipex, Why does everything have to look like a sneaker? It's just more recesses to collect grime.

[@1D10CRACY]

I agree! :D I was trying to be nice in the video.

[@laxman2809]

Knipex has the quick set versions that operate like the Irwin’s

[@1D10CRACY]

I see the quickset for the cobras, but I don't see it for the Plier Wrench, care to post a link? Thanks!

[@laxman2809]

@@1D10CRACY You are correct Cobra are the only ones that have quick set, I incorrectly assumed that they added that feature the pliers wrench. Unfortunate though seems like an easy addition to their line up.

[@DanielSmith-tn8un]

Why didn't they come out with this tool 45 years ago when I became a mechanic

[@busman2050]

Irwin pliers seem to be ok, but i dont like the ones at work because they feel heavy and clunky. I bought instead knipex cobra pliers for personal use

[@stephwaylonwells3218]

👍

[@x5x]

good quality costs some money... in germany we say "if you buy cheap, you buy twice "

[@hanktizzy8819]

Irwins availability is also much higher but would prefer a tool not made in China. Seeing so many manufacturers making throw away products, so they won't last and have to be replaced sooner. Irwin might last several years but knipex have lasted several years

[@need100k]

I love the Knipex but I keep losing them! Grrrr..... or more likely they are getting snatched on job sites. I was watching this thinking I'll try the Irwin model until at the end. Nope. That grip is important enough for me to spend the extra money and use the Knipex.

[@blackhawk7r221]

Well, one is German, the other Chinese. If we stopped buying Chinese tools with American brands, maybe they’d get the messsge. Ever notice how the old Rigid pipe wrenches never slipped, but all the Chinese do? How can you screw up a pipe wrench?

[@1D10CRACY]

Sadly I assumed because of the Irwin name they were still made here. I did a quick search and it looks like some of their stuff is still made here, but most of it is made in China and Taiwan. The package says it is made in China, I assume they are referring to the pliers and not just the packaging. Very sad indeed!

[@royharkins7066]

I know it’s ridiculous , but some how when you use chinesium or chitanium fudge type metals , this is what reliably happens lol

[@paulprescott7681]

What about harbor freight Doyle?

[@1D10CRACY]

When and or if they ever make a pair of Plier Wrenches, I'll take a look at them. :D Sadly as of now, they do not.

[@steveskouson9620]

You just might want to look at their great grand-daddy. Eifel Plierench. First patented in 1916, they are over 100 years old. The pair I use at work, (all the time) is a post war 1948 pair. The teeth have NOT worn down. I do have a couple pairs, on the first patent, (again, over 100 years) and THOSE teeth haven't worn down, either. Here is Scoutcrafter's take on them. kzbin.info/www/bejne/e57Rdq2la9uEeqM One more thing, they are substantial enough, to use as a tap hammer. Won't hurt a thing. (Well, not in my 50+ years of use.) steve

[@1D10CRACY]

They are pretty cool for sure! When John posted that video a few years back I immediately got on eBay and purchased a pair just to have and look at. Sadly John feeds my bad habits. :D Great guy and I love watching his videos!

[@jskjsk3986]

You are only as skilled as your tools.

[@boothbrave]

Those Irwins look like they will pinch your palms if you slip at certain grips. Knipex are known for having pinch guard clearances

[@allenh5837]

Regardless of cost, Knipex pliers wrench and Cobra has made all other brands obsolete. The "little issues" with the other brands used in these video's most often make real world use a failure, frustration and the worst; in ability to complete a job.

[@beasyphone]

Right off the bat 12 seconds in...those Irwin will do a GREAT job...pinching your fingers immediately

[@ichhier5165]

The lack of parallelism in the jaws of the Irwin is an absolute criterion for rejection. Either such a thing replaces a lot of spanners - or it messes up my nuts. So the decision to buy is easy, isn't it?

[@1D10CRACY]

Personally I feel the Knipex is better. That being said the slop in the jaws on the Irwin's is probably a lot less than that you would see in the average adjustable wrench.

[@bird718]

just checked, they don't have 4-6 inch versions of hte irwin....

[@Ham68229]

True test will be, see what your max torque on a nut or bolt is between the two. That's the true test.

[@asaalul4561]

The essence is in the metal. German has a metalurgical secret that nobody else has. I do suspect it was given by ET sometime during WW II. The metal is what make the different. Look at BMW car, such as the BMW 520 D, It has compression rasio of 25! Who else can make metal that strong?! On top of the durability, Knipex has functionality, built quality, safety and aesthetic that can be rivaled by none.

[@CarnevalCario]

I think the Knipex is more Katzen Arsch ( :p ) then the Irwin, because the purpose of these tools ar to hold something tight, so if the something is still movable in the irwin that, from my perspective, is a problem (sense-wise - i think you can still work with this tool) :) at the end it comes to the question, how much money you have, to spend it on tools (maybe you need more then just 1 wrench, so buying only knipex ramp up the cost)

[@Matt-my7pz]

$60. Do people realize what it takes to make those pliers. And any quality pliers are typically considerably more money, but it's likely worth it to people who want the quality tools. Buying cheap tool is way more expensive than the most expensive ones to me because they will break and need to take time to go buy more. That said irwin I find great value in meaning they use good steel for a crazy good price point.

[@michaelrockwell9691]

The reason you can pivot the nut on the Irwin is because the jaws are designed to be perfectly parallel under heavy load. They take deflection into consideration and add a minute amount of positive angle to compensate.

[@1D10CRACY]

A few people commented on that and last night I found that wasn't true either, at least with my pair.

[@casemodder89]

no, its actually just junk quality. if ANYONE, over-engineering germany would take that into account. but they decided to make the jaws stiff enough they dont bend under load and put equal pressure all over the surface all the time. what you need for this to happen is precision. and precise manufakturing is quite a bit pricy.

[@andrewanderson3472]

Forged vs cast

[@johnbutler5650]

I don’t like the Irwin handles ( they are too big and I feel that they will become loose and slip ).

[@1D10CRACY]

My guess is they were trying to get something close to Knipex Comfort Grip handles.

[@nateb4543]

I am one of those viewers complaining about the cost. My issue is that they don't do anything that a number of other tools do, it just does it better. Theres nothing new i could do by buying them...and im cheap

[@danh2716]

I'm with you. There's also the reality that some people just wouldn't use something like this very often. While others grab for something like this every day. Most all of my wrenching is done on my vehicles in my garage. So I'm not going to use this over impacts, electric ratchets or individual box wrenches. Something like this would be great to replace a Cresent wrench, but the last time I used one of those was probably to put a cheap bike together for my kids. Not very often. The Knippix is cool, but it just isn't needed for me. So paying $60 for it would be silly.

[@Gooter81]

I think the Irwins are a lifetime warranty

[@lostpacket]

KUH-NIP-EX, get it right

[@1D10CRACY]

I prefer to say it the way the Germans do that work for the factory. I understand that most Americans have a hard time with the hard K followed by nee, but I at least try. You'd be surprised at all the comments I get from other Germans thanking me for saying it the correct way! But I get it, its a hard word and if the best we can do is to say Kuh-Nip-Ex, at least the "K" isn't omitted. Because Americans do not talk like Germans and slipping in that fast hard K can be difficult, it seems expectable to say it Kuh-Nip-X, as even Knipex made a shirt with just that written on it. If you want to hear how it is really pronounced, listen here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/j5e9qH1plMtkjbM

[@ytSuns26]

The ratchet feature wins for sure! Besides either us a major improvement .

[@Blobb2013]

Well, Knipex pliers are expensive, because they are made in germany and german workers are beeing payed more than some chinese people. Also, they will probably last you a lifetime and not look like rusty shit after a couple of month/years. I have knipex pliers that look almost like new even though they have seen alot of moisture, dirt and abuse. I rather pay more for a quality tool and support a good company, than buying chinese trash.

[@shanester366]

I had some Irwins before, were good for about a year before they began rusting and falling apart, went Knipex and never looked back

[@Birb_of_Judge]

I'd get the Knipex over the Irwin's any day of the week

[@1D10CRACY]

Absolutely! Though I can't say the same when I was starting out, I just didn't have the money to pay twice as much for all my tools to get into the field. :D

[@stanleynowak9325]

Irwins are toys to give your kids. You can work with Knipex.

[@chrispiatt2235]

We know that's you, Trogly.

[@1D10CRACY]

Keep it a secret! 😂

[@ecash00]

Torc test.

[@1D10CRACY]

I didn't even think about setting up a torque test, maybe in the next video.

[@book5ter]

The only real way to see a difference, or not, will be after a long life of abuse. I have learned over the years that Knipex uses very good steel that seemingly lasts forever. If that is also the case with Irvin? I don't know.