Knipex has come out with new teeny tiny Cobra XS pliers in a 100 mm (4″) size (8700100).
I’m fond of Knipex Cobra adjustable water pump pliers, and tend to use my 7″ size most often. I also tried their 125mm (5″) model a while ago, and found it to be a great size for pocket-carry and stowing into small tool set pouches. It was small, but useful.
The new 4″ Knipex Cobra XS pliers are even smaller.
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Knipex Cobra XS shares most of the features common to other Cobra adjustable pliers. They’re self-locking on nuts and pipes and with a no-slip grip that requires minimal hand pressure.
I’m sure you noticed that the handles look a bit naked without a handle grip. According to Knipex’s product catalog this was done to keep the pliers as slim as possible. Texturing on the handle face helps to ensure that users can still expect a good grip.
Knipex product photos show the small Cobra pliers stashed into the watch pocket of jeans. Perhaps pocket-carry was also a factor in Knipex eschewing traditional Cobra handle grips on these new smaller sized pliers.
I’d say it also looks small enough that it should be able to fit into a multi-tool pouch (by itself), or other pouches or sheaths designed for compact EDC tools.
Knipex shows off that, despite its size, these small Cobra pliers can still be used on larger fasteners. It has a max jaw opening width of 28 mm (~1.10″) and can fit hex-shaped nuts and bolt heads up to 24 mm.
As Knipex says, it’s only 100 mm in length [but] anything but a toy!
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The V-groove jaws allow for engagement of hex fasteners across their corners.
It does look to require modified hand positioning and grip due to the very small handle length.
The Cobra XS pliers have 11 adjustment positions and also feature a pinch guard to help protect operators’ fingers.
Price: $30
Buy Now via Amazon
Buy Now via KC Tool
Discussion
One of the things that always bugs me about Knipex’s smaller sized pliers is that they often cost more than the larger sizes.
How can a 4″ or 5″ tool cost more than a 7″ or even 10″ tool.
Well, they usually require just as much work to produce, and probably only marginally more (cost-wise) in the way of raw materials. Coupled with presumably less demand, and the result is comparative or sometimes even higher pricing.
The Knipex Cobra XS looks to have a different design than other Cobra pliers, even the 5″ model.
These new Knipex pliers, 8700100, appears to have a different button adjustment, which means added time, effort, and tooling to design and engineer. This product image shows the Knipex Cobra in 4″, 5″, 6″, 7-1/4″, and 10″ sizes.
So, it always irks me that smaller pliers could cost more than larger ones, but if you want this smaller size, there’s no getting around the premium.
This seems more aimed at EDC use then tool kit inclusion, as pliers that one might carry for impromptu gripping, maintenance, or fastening tasks they might come across.
If you don’t already own any Knipex Cobra pliers, also consider the 7-1/4″ size. That size is slim and compact enough for back-pocket carry, and large enough for general purpose use on a wide variety of fasteners and materials.
See Also: 7″ Knipex Cobra via Amazon
See Also: 10″ Knipex Cobra via Amazon
The 5″ size is also a good compromise between compactness and usefulness.
Jared
Looks good! I might have to give these a try.
I’ve got the 125mm Knipex pliers wrench and use it all the time. It’s surprisingly useful for the size. If they come out with a low-profile 100mm version of that, I’d probably buy it too.
I’ve also got the 4″ Channellock, which are neat, but not as useful as I’d hoped. Are these still made? I was trying to find the model number and had trouble finding any listings.
Stuart
Channellock 4.5″ in chrome
Channellock 4.5″ in black phosphate
I also have an older USA-made Craftsman they I bought because the Channellock was too pricey, but eventually bought the Channellock. I found that the Channellock has a slimmer head. Yes, you lose on opening width a little, but that’s acceptable for such a small adjustable wrench.
Brandon
Stuart, I bought one of those Channellock adjustable wrenches last year on your recommendation. It is the best adjustable wrench that I’ve ever used. I’ve used various US-made & China/Taiwan brands. Never used the pliers-wrench, though.
Stuart
I’m glad it worked out well for you!
I have tried more adjustable wrench brands than I care to admit, and Channellock’s are still my favorite.
Jared
Actually the adjustable wrench isn’t what I was referring too (but I have that one too (I am a bit of a Channellock fanboy) and think it’s very well made – don’t use it much when I have the Knipex around though).
I was thinking of the Channellock 424 tongue and groove pliers. At least in size, they seem like the closest competitor to these new Knipex pliers.
I finally found the right search terms to locate a listing: https://www.amazon.ca/Channellock-424-2-Inch-Capacity-Tongue/dp/B00004SBCR
The Channellocks aren’t bad, just not as awesome as the 125mm pliers wrench. Not the same price either. I just feel the pliers on my multitool can basically tackle the same stuff as the 424s.
Stuart
Ah, I’m sorry for misunderstanding. I don’t think I’ve seen those before, but they do look convenient.
fred
I’ve had a pair of the 424’s (as I noted below) since the 1980’s . They feel light in the hands – a little less heft than the typical Knipex – but work quite well
David Zeller
Is it my imagination, or does the picture at the top of the post show a defect in the ratchet/gear teeth?
The same weird tooth isn’t visible in other pictures, I don’t think.
Stuart
Hmm, I see it too.
Knipex has a defect-free image on their website, but side-profile that doesn’t show the texturing of the handle.
Wayne R.
It’s hard for me to imagine using such short pliers. Any hex that small would just get a wrench. Of course, as soon as I hit “Post” there will be a situation where it’s needed…
Reed Prince
I bought one of these a few months ago from a store in Germany. They are a nice addition to the Cobra family.
Tim D.
I like the 5″ pliers wrench and cobras. I can’t imagine going any smaller and being of much use though. Not for my hands at least.
Chris I
Perfect. Just like I use my 3″ hammer on the job site all the time
Stuart
You joke, but… https://toolguyd.com/nupla-handi-hammer/
fred
Or a fitter’s hammer:
https://www.harryepstein.com/c-s-osborne-small-fitters-hammer-no-1999.html
William
Cute item, don’t really see the value in this personally, If I was assembling a small tool kit, I’d likely want a larger plier. To give more general utility.
Maybe if I was an on-site tech, and needed something on my person, this would be an interesting choice.
fred
I bought a Proto ignition wrench set back in the 1960’s that came with their #235 (now J235) pliers that I found surprisingly handy for other things despite their 5 inch size. In the 1980’s I bought a Channlecck 424G that is 1/2 inch shorter – but works more smoothly. I’m not sure if I’ll buy any of these 100mm long ones to drop another 1/2 inch in length – although I do like the Cobras that I have better than Channellocks. These new ones do look like possible stocking stuffers.
AC
Never saw the point of the 5″ pliers wrench until I got one to carry in my bike bag. It’s pretty perfect in that application and super flexible to service the family fleet on the road.
Wish they ungraded the smaller prliers wrenches to match the 7″ and 10″.
L
As I was reading the reviews my thought was that would be a perfect fit for my bike bag. Thanks for the feedback……
RobL
https://countycomm.com/collections/view-all-tool-products/products/adjustable-wrench-titanium-4-inch-nsn-pending
Philip Proctor
I got these because I’ve been carrying a Leatherman Free K4 and didn’t want to be without pliers.
Jared
That strikes me as an excellent use-case. E.g. If you’re carrying a knife instead of a multitool (albeit yours is a bit of both), these would be an excellent companion.
Joe H
This paired with a Swiss Army Farmer would make for an excellent EDC combo.
Bob
I bought a craftsman ignition set of wrenches and plyers years ago but A. I have never used them and B. What part of the ignition system in an internal combustion engine are these intended for? Usualy a straight blade screw driver will let you access the cover on the points. Only seen straight blade screws in these applications. No need for teeny weeny wrenches? Were they talking about rocket ignition systems? Lol
I thought about tossing them but they are so diminutive they take up hardly any room. Plus the second I toss them you know I’ll need them.
fred
Some old cars made up wire connections using brass nuts and screw posts – connecting components like coil, condenser and points. GM also seemed to favor hex (Allen) wrenches for points adjustment
Joe
Ignition wrenches, i’v used 2 different sizes while changing a burner pilot on a steam boiler. There was no room to use an adjustable wrench or pliers.
Stacey Jones
I do not need these. I do not need these. I do not need these but I will probably buy these anyway 😂.
Steven
The 5” cobras have lived in my back pocket since 2014. They are fantastic and second to none in performance. They do exactly what the big boys do….on small scale and you can hardly feel them in your pocket(or maybe im so used to them)
Uncoated handles are interesting….would i buy 4” over 6”? Prob not, but its an option for people.
Corey Moore
Got the 7.25, 10, 12, and 22’s, said I’d never need smaller than the 7’s lol Well played, Knipex. S’pose I’ll be picking these up at some point.
Chris Fyfe
I love mine , and carry them for both work and play . Fit ,finnish and action on mine are Superb . Hope they come out with a 100 mm Plierwrench .
Joe
P.S. ; this is what i did a while ago. I bought an extra pair of Channellock No. GL6 (that’s the Grip Lock variant of thei USA made tongue & Groove Pliers) and I modified (cut it down) with an angle grinder w/ a thin cutting wheel to about 5 inches long. I’m sure it can still be useful at 4 inches long.