Knipex Cobra vs Alligator Pliers: Which is better?

[@dyer2cycle]

..Having owned both, several different sizes, for many years, I must say I prefer, and far more frequently use, the Alligators...they just feel stronger and sturdier to me for some reason, and I have more confidence in really forcing down on them than the Cobras..the Cobras just look and feel more fragile, although I have never broken either. The Cobra does have finer adjustments, but that has never really been much of an issue for work I was doing. As far as the quicker adjustment, in certain situations the Cobras are quicker to adjust, but I have found that many times when using the pliers horizontally, the button is on the bottom side, which makes it more fiddly to adjust than the Alligators...and I don't much like that fragile-looking little button sticking out, with that fragile-looking little leaf spring holding it in place(though neither have ever broke)...always afraid it might accidentally get pushed against a workpiece, causing it to slip. No chance of that happening with the Alligators. The Cobras are very good pliers, but I have always preferred the Alligators..simpler with less moving parts...

[@SparkyChannel]

Thanks for your well-described and educated opinion. It will help others to choose.

[@seanrobinson6407]

Yep. Same here.

[@LawAbidingCitizen117]

I agree. The adjustment button on the cobra sometimes gets in the way when you're loosening things (counter clockwise).

[@jacobsebastien3910]

I Also Rather the Knipex Alligator Pliers 10" Standard Red Handles. I use them Daily at work

[@onelastgoodanon5904]

Both pliers are great but the main difference, besides the obvious is: If you are working in harsh conditions MUD and GRIME can quickly be removed from the Alligator while the Cobra adjustment mechanism will get clogged and take longer and more effort to remove foreign material Hope this helps those deciding on which pair to buy and great videos Sparky Cheers!

[@SparkyChannel]

That is a valid point.

[@slipfital1737]

I also have both and prefer cobra because they do not lose position. Both are excellent and once you use them you will never touch a Channellock again.

[@ME-pg7ww]

I just started my apprenticeship. This is helpful I was literally looking at these tools and couldn’t decide which to get. Now I know. Thank you!

[@SparkyChannel]

Glad it was helpful! Good luck with the apprenticeship!

[@the_towerhand1873]

As someone who uses these on a daily basis, and has both pair.. if you can afford it, than get both. The cobras are my go to even over their pliers wrench. But there has been times where ive found the push button on the cobra to be in the way. And this is where the alligator pliers come in handy. Either way, pliers wrench, cobras, or alligators, you'll be very pleased with any of them. Took me a minute to get used to them coming from traditional channel lock adjustable pliers. But once you get the hang of it (which is quickly) you'll love them.

[@austinwismer6844]

FYI -- the insulated pliers aren't the same as the standard Cobras -- they are the "quickset" kind. If you look closely, they don't have teeth on both sides of the channel. For some reason, Knipex does make the standard ones with the insulated handle.

[@SparkyChannel]

Thanks!

[@kuangsheng3891]

The alligators are great but that 3/4 moon joint isn't perfect. It's close but it has tight tolerances which can be a little annoying when positioning but it is extremely durable. Everything is a compromise.

[@0oDUBLINo0]

I’ve owned a pair of Cobras for 8 years now, they have been left out in the rain, mud and dirt. Still work perfect

[@SparkyChannel]

Excellent, thanks!

[@ricker76er]

I use the alligators. I have never tried the cobras, but I feel that the button would get annoying (not to mention get in the way and risk breaking the mechanism). They grip couplings, connectors, and conduit way better than the channel locks I have used.

[@SparkyChannel]

I agree, they are fantastic!

[@jaromsmith4429]

Agreed. I can adjust the alligators with one hand while holding something with the other, can't do that with the cobras. Additionally the extra degrees of gradation do not necessarily make for a better grip, just like how when you have a 27 speed bicycle you usually only use 9 speeds.

[@ramzimattar3957]

@@SparkyChannel what finishing would you recommend? The chrome or the black?

[@dyer2cycle]

@@jaromsmith4429 I agree, I forgot to mention the one-hand adjustment on the Alligators on my assessment..I'm glad to see I'm not the only one who prefers the Alligators...

[@garydudgeon]

Good video Sparky. Alligator and Cobra are both great operating pliers. At first Cobra was hard to get used to but now I do like them.

[@SparkyChannel]

Yes, it does take some getting used to. Thanks Gary!

[@joedillon159]

Thanks Sparkman! Your advice is always the best. You have taught me a lot!

[@SparkyChannel]

Glad to hear it! Thanks Joe!

[@johncoleman2990]

Always a great presentation and to the point, Bill. I appreciate your knowledge and expertise.

[@flmnkoh]

I have and use the Alligators and the Cobras in 10", 12" and 14" inches. -The Alligators have almost the same design as the Cobra; the position adjustment mechanism is wider and better in the Cobra; but a slight difference in the design and teeth of the jaws, it makes the Alligator have a better grip -If the Alligator is fitted with the same adjustment mechanism as the Cobra, the Alligator will be superior to the Cobra in gripping force on pieces with the same comfort of the Cobra.

[@Guardducks]

I saw the product but i didn't read and when the video said cobra vs alligator i said wait how did i wind up on National geographic? ☺ Nice tools.

[@SparkyChannel]

LOL! That would be an interesting fight! Thanks!

[@jacobsebastien3910]

Luv my 10inch Knipex Alligator Pliers use them Daily at work" I pocket carry the Every Day at Work" I install Fire Sprinkler Systems.

[@conservativeamerica5888]

I like the alligators!

[@SparkyChannel]

Tried and true!

[@feartheoak276]

I use the alligators. cobras are alright but alligator are just a bit better for me.

[@dudeman650]

I grew up on regular channel locks so I still use the alligators, they're a 1 handed operation after the pliers loosen up after a week of use

[@SparkyChannel]

Same with me. But I love both!

[@dudeman650]

@@SparkyChannel thanks for all the great content Sparky, I've learned a lot from your channel especially the EMT bending

[@SparkyChannel]

@@dudeman650 Two more EMT bending videos coming this weekend! :)

[@jacobsebastien3910]

Luv my 10" Knipex Alligator Pliers

[@MrTooTechnical]

Cobra. Gi joe. “Hasbro 1984 cartoon”. Lol. Great vid

[@SparkyChannel]

LOL! Thanks Dave!

[@appliancealliance4444]

I've never owned knipex tools or used them but I hope to purchase some soon. I will say my guess is that the alligators will definitely outlast the cobras due to the hinge design.

[@SparkyChannel]

Be careful, Knipex tools are addicting. LOL!

[@WolfinWolvesClothing713]

Very addicting. I've used multiple pairs of cobras as an industrial maintenance tech and haven't worn any out. There are a few situations though where the button gets in the way, but not too often.

[@conservativeamerica5888]

I use the alligators!!

[@andrewanderson7213]

Great video

[@japhle]

I bought a pair of alligator simply to be able to hand a decent tool to any idiot and they can figure out how to use adjust it, as well as not having to worry about them wrecking the adjustment button on tight fits,

[@osvaldosalazar7774]

I’ve handed my cobras to many coworkers and they can’t figure them out. They’re like “nope, kid hand me mines over in that bag” all while atop of a ladder. Thinking of getting alligators just because of those idiots.

[@Mastermind0285]

I like the alligator because I can lock it in the vise to sharpen the teeth.

[@wim0104]

The alligators are the skinniest

[@SparkyChannel]

That is an advantage.

[@konamanstudio2447]

Question for you the cobras doesn't Irwin have the same ones are they made in us or they just knipex will a different label😷🍻🍺

[@SparkyChannel]

Companies often hire one of the big German tool makers to make tools for them. They will say "made in Germany" but that isn't a guarantee that it a Knipex. Cheers with a beer! 😷🍻🍺

[@julianreverse]

The Irwin pliers are totally differen and have nothing to do with Knipex.

[@julianreverse]

Fun fact: I searched for "Irwin" on Google and got a picture of Steve irwin hugging an alligator as first result :-D

[@alyoshapearce5985]

Yes but even if they were they would be made to a price. Say the company wanted to retail there's for $30 they would be buying them for $5 to $10 no more. Then selling them to the retailer for say $15 to $20 with a recommended retail of $30 to $35. Knipex would cost at least twice that. So its not going to be the same quality.

[@CatnamedMittens]

I suspect the cobras don't allow for certain shells as they have the adjustment sticking out

[@UscITA-i5w]

Le Alligator sono più robuste: il pulsante laterale delle Cobra, potrebbe essere un problema per alcune tipologie di lavoro.

[@stew-03]

Tight spaces yeah for sure

[@matthewr209]

Why would channel locks need to be insulated?

[@jerm2867]

I’m wondering the same thing

[@jtoker9758]

for electricians.

[@Soldiershak]

An electrician would probably use it on conduit, possibly around live circuits.

[@matthewr209]

@@Soldiershak I guess I just don’t see a reason why an electrician would be working with conduit that has live current running through it.

[@ashraf8934]

To grip something on live circuit

[@TheCherokeeKidd]

I feel like I can get a better bite with my alligators than my cobras and use them only on black pipe

[@franksilva1138]

Can you elaborate further? I am torn between the two models and really only do plumbing and electrical work. I have the Channel Lock GL10's and they don't grab 3/4 gas pipe very well.

[@TheCherokeeKidd]

@@franksilva1138 you can’t go wrong with either. The alligators are more like the channel locks. The alligators have a different bite at the bottom that really grips into just about anything. People say that they have the same teeth but if you buy both you’ll see what I mean.

[@TheCherokeeKidd]

@@franksilva1138 I use alligators for plumbing and use the cobras on everything else

[@thebackwoodsmechanic5029]

I prefer the Cobras

[@SparkyChannel]

Thanks!

[@adhiti07]

Boomers use alligators. Millennials use cobras.

[@SparkyChannel]

LOL!

[@franksuhuang6]

👍👍🌹🌹

[@comepuchas990]

11.11.21 ws c13 hood gls nk guerra