This Pocket Friendly Tool Replaced A Full Set Of Open End Wrenches For Me

This Pocket Friendly Tool Replaced A Full Set Of Open End Wrenches For Me – I am a big fan of Knipex tools. Made in Germany, these are some of the best tools you can buy, at prices that won’t break the bank.

Recently, the Knipex Cobra XS water pump pliers have replaced the ever-popular multitool as my go-to EDC (everyday carry) pocket tool.

This Pocket Friendly Tool Replaced A Full Set Of Open End Wrenches For Me

I’ve always wanted a pair of pliers that are compact enough to fit unobtrusively in a pocket, but strong enough to, well, do what I expect pliers to do.

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First, the handles are not the most comfortable. They are raw metal, and this may not be good for everyone. I’ve used tools all my life – one of my earliest memories is using a hammer with my grandfather – so while they don’t bother me, even I notice they’re not the most comfortable tools I’ve used.

The plastic-coated handles on the 5-inch mini pliers (below) are definitely more comfortable than the bare metal ones

A second question is the jaws of the Cobra XS water pump pliers. They are super grippy, which is good when you need the bite, but they can chew the fasteners, which is not ideal.

Is there a tool that combines the power, performance and compact size of the Cobra XS water pump pliers, but with more comfortable handles and jaws that won’t chew fasteners?

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First, the 5-inch Mini Pliers Wrench is larger than the Cobra XS, an inch larger to be precise. While you get a 4-inch mini pliers wrench, it doesn’t have the coated handle.

The 5-inch mini pliers wrench has a push button to adjust the size of the jaws. The plus side of this is that they are locked in use, but the downside is that they cannot be easily adjusted with one hand.

And the power of the jaws is a cam action, multiplying and amplifying the popwer of your hand several times.

You probably also noticed the handles – plastic coated for comfort and insulation from cold/heat (note that this coating does not provide electrical insulation). This makes the handle much more comfortable than the Cobra XS, especially when it comes to extended use.

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One thing I really like about the Cobra XS is that the handles are designed to be pinch-free. What do I mean by that? Well, with some pliers it is possible to close the handles to the skin of the palm. 

The handles of the smaller Cobra XS are very pinch-proof, and I like that, but the handles of the 5-inch mini pliers are a little different, and can catch your skin under rare conditions. I haven’t had this happen during real use, but it’s certainly possible.

There are pros and cons here. On the plus side, the bit grips on the Cobra XS are great for getting fasteners, especially if they are rusted or damaged in place.

The jaws on the 5-inch mini pliers wrench on the other are great for grabbing onto nuts and bolts that are in good condition and shouldn’t damage anything, but they struggle to get a grip on badly damaged fasteners. 

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Oddly, the jaws on the smaller Cobra XS are significantly more open than the jaws on the 5-inch Mini Pliers.

This means the 5-inch Mini Pliers Wrench will struggle with things—like spring hose clamps—that the smaller Cobra XS has no trouble with.

If you want a small, sturdy and reliable tool designed to grab and tear fasteners, no matter what, my vote goes to the Cobra XS. They are no nonsense, and those jaws will grip and remove fasteners no matter how worn or chewed they are.

But if you want something a little more civilized, a little more comfortable, and something that won’t chew the fasteners, then the 5-inch mini pliers wrench is a great choice. This wrench has earned a place in my toolkit, as a great pocket-friendly tool that replaces a full set of open-end wrenches or socket sets. It’s powerful, really well made, and a tool that will last a lifetime.

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That said, I also recommend getting a decent socket set and wrenches, because you can’t beat having the right tool for the right job. 

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