Knipex Auto Adjusting Water Pump Pliers... Better than Cobras?

My review for the Knipex Auto Adjusting "Cobras" or Water Pump Pliers. These are part # 85-01-250.
I have wanted these for some time bt the price has always kept me from getting them. I finally got a pair and share with you the situations that I feel they are better than the standard Cobras and the one way they are not.
Hope it is useful and THANKS FOR WATCHING!
The following marked (Affiliate Link) are Amazon Affiliate Links for items shown in the video. I make a small commission if you make a purchase through following these links. Thanks for supporting the channel!
If you would like a link for something you see in the video, just let me know and I will post them here.
Knipex Auto Adjusting 85-01-250 (Affiliate Link) - amzn.to/3WpCFb9
Knipex 10" Cobras Button Adjust 87-01-250 - (Affiliate Link) - amzn.to/3GX1pSo
Knipex Cobras 7-1/4 or 87-01-180 (Affiliate Link) - amzn.to/3HieK9n
Time Stamps:
00:00 Intro
01:47 Physical Comparison Smartgrip Vs. Cobra
02:58 Smart Grip Advantages over Cobra
06:01 Cobra Advantage over Smartgrip
07:32 Final Thoughts and Outro
#electrical #plumbing #hvac #carpentry #mechanic #trades

[@Tu-bw6gh]

Knipex is just on another level, I just wish the handle material on the cobras was on their other tools. Something about that nonslip grainy texture just feels right in the hand

[@MORGANSMaintenance]

I do really like them as well… they are a little harder to keep clean than the regular dipped but they are at least not bulky. That’s why I prefer the dipped, the comfort grips are a bit bulky for me.

[@Cavett24]

The main disadvantage is that you don't get 10" capacity, it's capacity is more comparable to the 180's (with more leverage). That being said... the one handed usage is so nice they haven't been removed from my tool bag. I do HVAC so I really don't need more capacity. As far as the grip, if you squeeze hard, they have a "double hinge" like feature and the grips will close to a more comfortable grip. The more you use them, the harder it will be to reach for the standard mechanism cobras. Great video as usual, enjoy your new convenient cobras.

[@MORGANSMaintenance]

Thanks for the double hinge tip… I actually expected they might do something like that but I kept trying to squeeze and couldn’t get them too. I probably didn’t squeeze hard enough because I wasn’t sure and didn’t want to damage them. (At least that’s what I’m going to tell myself instead of saying I was being a wuss 😂) Yeah, if you are swapping sizes around it has a definite advantage… so much easier and faster to go to different size pipes or fasteners. The capacity now makes sense that you say that… probably why they only have the 10” Appreciate your thoughts 👍

[@wackyweyland8857]

I'm looking at buying these, but I've heard of people destroying the locks on these from reviews on Amazon. The only reason I can think of is people death gripping them on something wide like pipe (6:15). Normal channel locks can be adjusted to keep your handles close for leverage. Not only are these tools durable, but you've got to beat up on them pretty hard to break them. Not to mention, instead of keeping both pairs and knowing when to switch, they push the tool to the limit and then wonder why it fails. I feel like these would be great if they made a smooth jaw version, but then again, you may want to adjust them to make the handle comfortable to hold.

[@MORGANSMaintenance]

Yeah, essentially to me if you buy these, plan on using the 10” on things you would use the 7-1/4’s on. Not that you can’t go bigger, but the grip becomes a little more uncomfortable. I really like them. They are pricey but the price changes on Amazon at times. I think I got my pair at a little over $40, but I’ve seen them I’m the $70’s. I don’t deal with big pipe much, 3/4” is usually the biggest I go on a regular basis and they work fine for me. It is nice to not have to adjust them when you are sticking the head into places to grip something.

[@MORGANSMaintenance]

Reviews are a little tricky when you read them. Sometimes you wonder, “does this person know how to even use the tool?” 😂 I usually see what the majority of people are saying.

[@ryanmarshall9146]

That’s the cool thing about Knipex they make tools for pretty much anyones need.

[@MORGANSMaintenance]

Yeah all their tools are pretty useful tools for most people…. And they do whatever they are supposed to do very well. If they put a feature on a tool, it will be top notch. Some tools might spend time on what the main function of the tool is and make it perform well, Knipex makes every part of their tool that way. Their strippers are great but they even spent time to make the screw cutter the best it could be. It’s crazy that I just found them not to long ago and how much they have made working so much more enjoyable. Appreciate you watching 👍

[@831savageoutdoorsman6]

Quick set love em

[@MORGANSMaintenance]

I like them but the 7-1/4 pair of Cobras are the set I grab the most, so I don’t use them as often.

[@luish8056]

I’ll just go ahead and leave a like, a Knipex tool and your review. Surely it can’t be bad.

[@MORGANSMaintenance]

Now I know if my likes go down by one that I blew it 😂

[@basharyassin7091]

With a smart grip, you don't have to keep constant pressure on the other handle, once you start turning to pliers The other handle locks in place light touch will be enough

[@MORGANSMaintenance]

The regular cobras are kinda that way also 👍

[@jordanrelkey]

I just got me a pair of 10" cobra "quickset" which still has the button, but will close down right to the size of what you put in the jaws. I'm going to get a set of these now.

[@MORGANSMaintenance]

Those are on my list to try too. I never really knew their was a difference between them and the ones I have with the button until recently.

[@kenthaslem7613]

I ran these pliers for a while and migrated back to the regular cobras because of one major issue with my application: gripping items with any “spring back”. For example I am an electrician and I would cut seal-tite or liquid-tite and the end would be just oblong enough to warrant a little squeeze before installing the connector and without thinking I would give it a squeeze and because the conduit had spring back it wouldn’t allow the mechanism to disengage and puts you in a bind. For items that don’t have any compression they were great, but the chance that I would grab something without thinking was too high. Nifty, but some designs are better left as concept tools.

[@MORGANSMaintenance]

Appreciate your thoughts… I hadn’t used them in any situation like that yet and that’s good to know 👍

[@contax50mm]

I love the orange peel dip handles from knipex

[@MORGANSMaintenance]

Yeah, I’m surprised they don’t offer those on more of their pliers. I prefer either those, or just the dipped. I don’t mind the others, but they are a little thick for me.

[@contax50mm]

@@MORGANSMaintenance i like orange peel and comfort grip. Sometimes that size just works on some tools.

[@ToolReviewsofToolsIUse]

Great review as always. It's an interesting concept, i can certainly think of many times i would have liked that one handed operation for plumbing tasks. Knipex got it so right with the cobras that they do take some beating. German tools are so well made as are American. On an unrelated note, did I hear right that Craftsman are moving their production back to the US? I hope so.

[@MORGANSMaintenance]

I haven’t heard that on the Craftsman… will be interesting to see 👍

[@three-phase562]

Armeg do a version of this they call Grip-Fast in a 10" and 12". It closes up automatically, but has to be opened manually, which I have found a little annoying as the jaws want to close up by default. If you miss what you are gripping then you have to manually open them up and start again. The spring-loaded Knipex version look to be an improvement on that. Thanks for sharing.

[@MORGANSMaintenance]

Your welcome 👍 I can see these being my “go to” if I can fit them in the space. Going back and forth from different size things makes these a winner in my opinion. I don’t use my 10” Cobras as often, but I do keep one pair in my bag and another in my truck in case I need to hold back on something. I’m swapping my bag ones with these for know. The more time I put on them we will see which one I really prefer. Thanks for the Armeg info and for watching 👍

[@Adam-cx2mm]

Thanks for another thoughtful review. Just a suggestion - I'd be interested to see an annual video of your top 10 (or whatever number) hand tools that you consider indispensable for you personally. It would be interesting to see what, if anything, would change and what would remain in the "can't live without" category over time. These sorts of 'Top#' videos seem to drive a lot of views. Maybe you could encourage everyone to state their personal use case/trade and make their own list in the comments. I think it would be informative both to see where things overlap/diverge between different use cases, and also to see where people in the same trades line up with each other. Might be a good community involvement video. Adam

[@MORGANSMaintenance]

Sounds good… and the comment section on that would be phenomenal. yeah my Top 10 of 2022 video blew my mind how many people watched it.. Hand Tools are my favorite tools. Power tools are nice, but there is just something about hand tools. Thanks for watching and the suggestion.. have it screenshot and in my folder. 👍

[@Adam-cx2mm]

@@MORGANSMaintenance It would also be interesting if people noted what new tools moved onto their list and what tools they might have displaced over that year. Most of these types of videos seem to get those 'honorable mentions', and that would be an interesting way of doing it.

[@wim0104]

yeah, that always worries me with auto-adjusters: the movement ratio between the jaws and the handles (i.e. the handles stay out wider), and the reduction in grip because my hand stays open too much, or sitting too high up on the handles.

[@wim0104]

and yes, small pliers that open wide are the GOAT, especially for a pouch jockey like me.

[@MORGANSMaintenance]

@Cavett24 mentioned these have a double hinge and if you squeeze harder the close up more. I went and tried and on hex type fasteners and some smaller stuff I got it to do it, but the pipe I used in the video, I couldn’t get it to change where it was. So it does kinda adjust to the best grip, just not 100% of the time.

[@iramorales71]

Nice! I almost bought that Knipex Smartgrip last year, but I've read some handful of negative comments in their reviews, so I aborted. I think some says it malfunction sometimes. But now, thinking of pulling the trigger again to purchase Smartgrip model. Although I have already with me Knipex Cobras, 250 and 300. Thanks for your nice review, buddy.

[@MORGANSMaintenance]

Your welcome… I’ve had my eye on them for awhile but they weren’t a “need” so I was going to wait and see if I could catch a deal. I haven’t had them long but I can see where if you are working and change to different sizes over and over it would be extremely useful. It’s just a matter of opening and closing the handles. Thanks for watching 👍

[@iramorales71]

@@MORGANSMaintenance Yup, I agree on you. Very convenient in most ways, it's like just "plug and play" tool. I've watched lots of your videos/reviews. Anyway, I'm subscribed to your channel, from Philippines. And I really really like your motto, "MONEY CAN'T BUY HAPPINESS BUT IT CAN BUY TOOLS WHICH IS PRETTY MUCH THE SAME THING" I screenshot it and show to people who always criticize me for buying tools that is not yet needed. I am a tool addict per se.

[@MORGANSMaintenance]

@@iramorales71 I haven’t been out of the United States much, but the one place I have been is the Philippines. Very beautiful place. I hadn’t got them before because of the price, but Stefan has led me to some good tools and he really liked them. Thought I’d give them a shot. I’m not at the admitting it stage yet… but I believe I may be an addict too 😂

[@Stefan_Kawalec]

Sometimes that lock button my be stuck, but it's not a big issue. Concept of this tool is quite unique, so anyway you need to "learn" how to use them. And that small nuisances are just a part of it. Overall it's worth buying.

[@MORGANSMaintenance]

@@Stefan_Kawalec Definitely agree… I’m swapping out by Cobras I keep in my bag with these. To easy to use not to… I will have an additional set of 10” Cobras in my truck toolbox I can pull out if I can’t use my 7-1/4’s to help hold back on something. I’m still going to have to get used to them… but I already see the advantages.

[@B-leafer]

I have the knipex 85 01 250 pump pliers. I think they are broken nearly immediately after I got them because the 'locks button on top doesn't work. Unfortunately. It did the first day. I used them on a project, had them "locked" but then I couldn't remove them, and apparently broke them removing them so that button is no longer functional. Would like to return them..

[@MORGANSMaintenance]

I haven’t had any issues with mine yet. I’m not sure where you got them, but can you not return them?

[@tobehealthier]

Thank you for the good video. Which is better, model number 85 01 250 or 85 01 250 SBA for water pump plier?

[@MORGANSMaintenance]

I think the SBA means the tool has packaging like tools that hang on pegs at stores… and no SBA means regular packaging. It’s the same tool. I’d go with one that’s cheaper.

[@Mondo-mp8zu]

I also found mine on deal but didn’t like them. The regular 10inch and twin grips are my daily grinders.

[@MORGANSMaintenance]

The regular ones work extremely well… but hats why I hadn’t bought these yet. I’m going to keep running mine for a little while and see how it goes for me. Twin Grips are sweet too 👍

[@metrowash]

Knipex alligator fan here. I don't have the patience for minute adjustments on the cobras and am often working on a ladder so I prefer the ease of adjustment of the gators. I bought a pair of these auto adjusters a couple years ago. I wanted to love them, but I'm normally using mine on round pipe nipples and found I could get a much better grip with my alligators. As you know space is limited in your bag and every tool needs to do its' job very well. The auto adjusters got evicted.

[@MORGANSMaintenance]

Yeah sometimes finding that sweet spot on the push button type with one hand can be irritating. I haven’t bought a pair of Knipex Alligators yet. (I have used plenty with that type of adjustment) I may need to get me one and see if I like it better. I really like the Cobras for the grip… and I just got the push buttons because that’s what seemed to be the most popular. Appreciate your thoughts 👍

[@metrowash]

@@MORGANSMaintenance I’ve never understood the lack of popularity of the alligators. Nothing to break and the same grip strength of the cobras. Considerably less expensive too. try a pair of the 180 alligators in your pouch or pocket and let us know what you think.

[@MORGANSMaintenance]

@@metrowash have a pair on the way you salesman you 😂 👍

[@JayyBird93]

@@MORGANSMaintenanceso what do you think about them?

[@MORGANSMaintenance]

@@JayyBird93 I like them.. the head is exactly the same, so it’s just a preference of the adjustment. I prefer the SmartGrip over all of them the more I’ve used them, but they are only in 10” which is not my most used size. I use the push button the second most, but it’s because I have more pairs of them spread out. The alligators adjustment are more like what we had on all tongue and groove pliers in the past. The push button is general easier for me to get to the right size the first time… and I prefer them, but either pair is good. The head of the Cobras/teeth are what’s good… no matter which one you get.

[@geoffap0]

The self adjusting are my goto pliers. The ease and speed of one hand operation is why. I have had the mechanism stick or catch when I’ve applied a lot of force. I hadn’t noticed the ability to get in closer to the head of a bolt until you showed it. I usually grab my Knipex pliers wrench for nuts and bolts. I hope Knipex will come out with self adjusting plier wrenches also. Try the Knipex Quickset Cobra also. It is a bit faster and easier to set the jaws to the size you want. You lose one row of the stops on one side but I’ve never applied enough force that they wouldn’t hold. I prefer the comfort grips myself. My hands have developed sensitive pressure points around my thumbs and I prefer a bit wider grip that spreads the pressure.

[@MORGANSMaintenance]

Appreciate the suggestion on the Quickset, I hadn’t really looked into them because I wasn’t sure what the “real difference” was between them and a regular push button. The pliers wrench in the Smartgrip would be pretty nice… probably even nicer for me than the Cobra being that way. I don’t mind the comfort grips… I just prefer the slimmer handles. I would take and use either of them.

[@cndream1]

Didnt Craftsman have an auto adjust plier a number of years ago??? Robo Plier or something like that ??

[@MORGANSMaintenance]

I had never heard of them… I think you would have to get Craftsman ones on eBay but it looks like these here amzn.to/3ZPzhJI They look a little bulky but the reviews are pretty good on them. Looking forward to maybe some people chiming in on this comment if they own any.

[@MORGANSMaintenance]

Yeah here are a Craftsman set on eBay www.ebay.com/itm/304567495304?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=66Dls001SX-&sssrc=2349624&ssuid=Mv-njRtATd6&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

[@wim0104]

new auto-adjusts come out every few years all the time. They're usually relegated to the seasonal gift gimmick aisle. Some of them deserve much more than that.

[@MORGANSMaintenance]

@@wim0104 yeah Jason Ritt mentioned Wiha has a set at Lowes too. I haven’t seen them, but also not a big Lowes fan… don’t go there often.

[@cndream1]

Yea, Ares and Wiha make them too

[@carlosmarques987]

I want.....

[@MORGANSMaintenance]

They go on sale from time to time… I put mine in a wish list and kept an eye on them.

[@JAlexanderltd]

Wow been running with the autos for years seems like your getting stung that side of the pond. You’ll soon wish that they had other sizes once you stop worrying about the button…

[@MORGANSMaintenance]

Yeah I’ve heard that the prices on them are a little better on your side… I would like to have a smaller pair already for sure. 👍

[@Stefan_Kawalec]

I'm glad that you like it. Funny thing is that for me these are baby size. I wouldn't mind them to be in 12" and 16" size. One disadvantage I've noticed - these are much less comfortable with grabbing thin materials/small things. You can use regular Cobras to pull out small nails, while Smart Grips won't do that. And that's why we should have couple of Knipex pliers in our bags. I wish more Knipex tools had exactly the same kind of plastic handles. I also have Gedore 10" water pump pliers (Gedore 6416180 142 10 TL). They look Knipex-licensed, but branded Gedore. They were even more expensive than Knipex (!). And one good thing about them is that they really slim. So if I pair them with Smart Grips, I do the jobs that would normally require at least 12" pliers. With brands like Knipex it's obvious why we spend some ungodly amount of money on them. Every penny just pays off in comfort, versatility and durability. You pay for one tool costing like 3 other brand, but you get the value of 5 tools.

[@MORGANSMaintenance]

Yeah I don’t go big anymore … although I have a pair of the 22” sitting in my list waiting for a deal (the addict in me wants those pretty bad 😂) I’ll check out those Gedore pliers, I don’t have any of their tools. I just replied to someone else that the thing Knipex impresses me with is that they don’t just pay attention to the main function of the tool and make it the best… it’s even little aspects… the one that comes to mind is the screw cutter of their wire strippers. The made the strippers great… the cutter the best… and then where most companies would just say, “aww put our normal screw cutters on there and make it a 10 in 1”, Knipex was like “How can we make these screw cutters better… who wants to thread their screws in/out all day” They are top notch tools… and I haven’t broke one yet…

[@Stefan_Kawalec]

@@MORGANSMaintenance 100% right. It look like in Knipex the engineers have more votes than the accountants.

[@jeffreywolf5235]

I'm not all that impressed with my kwikset Cobras.

[@MORGANSMaintenance]

I don’t use that size near as often is why I don’t reach for them as much. They are nice in certain situations, but I do like being able to adjust how my handle comes together with the push button style.