You guys surprised me yesterday. When I announced the KC Tool giveaway (ends 6/26/2015), I expected you guys to break my inbox with entry comments. There are some great comments and entries so far, but not anywhere as many as I anticipated. Maybe asking you to pick any prize you want for under $75 was a bit off-putting.
So here’s what I’m going to do. I’m going to fire off a series of posts briefly discussing tools that I would want to enter to win. If the tool strikes your fancy, go to the KC Tool Giveaway Post and leave a comment telling me what you want to win and why.
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I have already written about the Knipex Pliers Wrench before, and it usually needs no introduction. It’s a very high leverage smooth-jaw plier that can be used in wrenching applications in place of an adjustable wrench.
I use my Knipex Pliers Wrenches for so many things, from turning fasteners when I need an extra or adjustable wrench, to press-fitting small parts together. The jaws have a parallel action which is useful for many random and impromptu applications. I snapped my watch case back together once with these pliers, as they were forceful but delicate enough so as to not mar the front or back.
I must have read about the Knipex Pliers Wrench 10 times before I finally mustered up the budget to buy one. And then I bought another. I don’t remember the order, but I have two of these – 7″ and 10″, both with plastic-dipped grips. You could also spend a little extra for the cushion-grip ones.
Oh, and if you already have a couple of these in your toolbox, maybe you’d like to try the 5″ or 6″ mini Pliers Wrench models. They’re quite pricey, which makes them perfect as giveaway items. Maybe you wouldn’t buy one for yourself, but surely you’d like to win one?
Here’s the link to Pliers Wrenches category at KC Tool, in case you want to look over the size and handle style options. Remember, the giveaway value is $75 max. We might be able to extend that a couple of dollars, such as if the one you want is priced at $75.79, but I can’t stretch it much beyond that.
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Keep in mind that there will be (4) winners, and so you have good chances to win the giveaway.
Enter the Giveaway Here (Ends 6/26/2015)
mike aka Fazzman
Thanks Stu,its so awesome that you do this. Ill be honest with you,I looked at the KC tool site so i could do an entry and had such a tough time picking something,but now I really want a Knipex pliers wrench.
Stuart
That’s what I figured. I guess that too many options can make a giveaway uninviting.
chris gatten
make that the 6 inch ones i though t7 inch was the smallest ones
Hepdog
You pretty much nailed it – Kinda expensive to buy as I already have the big ones, but an awesome gift! BTW – I bought my Knipex big pliers wrench based solely on your review – along with a few NWS goodies. I use ’em for everything now.
Keep up the great reviews!
Hep
Brandon
I went with a pair of Cobras for my entry in the giveaway. I would definitely be happy with the Pliers Wrench, but didn’t select it since it was over the $75 limit.
Stan
I didn’t enter that KC tool contest for a couple of reasons. First being I wanted to give someone that NEEDED tools a chance first and foremost. As I am sure there are tradesmen that visit this site and tools allow them to make money.
Secondly is to be honest there is nothing there on that site I really need. Want maybe, but then again I have enough German made tools as this stands. Now if there were Harry J Epstein or Amazon, that might be different. As I mentioned before, best to let someone else have a turn.
None the less, this is very nice of you to do this Stuart.
Stuart
That’s what I like about giveaways – they’re not for readers to get the tools they NEED, but the tools they WANT. Well, it’s okay if they need the tool and win the prize.
For example – I want an American-made leather apron for woodworking. I don’t need one, and can’t budget for it unless a good reason comes up. That’s the kind of thing I would want to win in a giveaway.
Likewise, there are Wera, Knipex, Wiha, Gedore, etc. tools that I want, but don’t really need. If I needed them, I would have bought them already.
Go look at the KC Tool’s site, maybe there is something you want. That’s what giveaways are about. They’re supposed to be fun.
I’m not going to force you to enter to win a giveaway if you’re not interested, but don’t miss out because you don’t think you need whatever tool you’re interested in winning.
David
I just entered the contest and realized that I didn’t write anything about the kinpex Plier wrent, I really want one! 🙂 It looks like a modern marvel and a work of fine art, I really like the level of sophistication in the design, it looks great and appears to have the ability handle any magnitude of project its tasked with. I really want to add it to my “wish I win” list on the giveway post. I would even carry this on my camping trips for any unexpected repairs around the campsite.
jet_tech
Stu I already own the three piece set so I don’t want this post to be counted towards the giveaway, just wanted to share my opinion on them. They are worth every penny. We use them at work because they’re smooth jawed so they won’t mar any of our parts. I keep them in my line bag in case I need to buck tiny rivets on access panel latches.
BikerDad
I’d definitely love to get my hands on one of those, they are actually on my “want list.” I didn’t comment yesterday as I was pretty busy.
James C
I was literally going to enter and request the 7″ model this morning but ran out of time before I had to head to work. I’d really like to give these a try, so I’m going to go enter now. Thanks!
fred
No need for me – as I’m trying to downsize. That being said – I also already have 6 of the 86-03 series from 125 to 400mm plus a 86-07-250.
When I was buying tools for my business – I bought a few of the 180’s and 250’s back in 2001 to try out. Then we bought many more – so that every truck came to have 4 pairs onboard. Once we tried them there was no looking back.
Mahalo
Stuart, it is amazing at how timely your post is today! I ran out of time looking around KC’s website yesterday, so hopped back on this morning. Sure enough, I landed on the Knipex 86-03-250 10″ Pliers (or the slightly over $75.00 Knipex 86-05-250 10″ Pliers with the multi-grip).
It’s pretty cool that you are breaking it down this way, and completely coincidental that you would have started by covering the same tool that I ended up liking best. 🙂
fred
$75 for the 86-05-250 seems high ( I paid $62 for an 86 07 250 about 1 year ago) – I’d check around on price (e.g. Chad’s Toolbox – who used to have good prices on Knipex)
Mahalo
Good point, Fred. But this is regarding the contest Stuart is running to win a free tool sold by KC Tools, and they price it just past $75 which is the threshold for Stuart’s contest.
Travis clark
I have the 10 and 5, which I bought from kctool this last Black Friday and while I love them both I feel the 5 inch jaws are a tad bit too thin. I would love to add the 7 inch to my toolbox as I feel like it would be the perfect combo for optimal size and functionality.
Andrew
I would love to get my hands on the Whia countersink kit. Countersinking is my biggest issue and I’m on my third crummy Ryobi set.
fred
My go-to countersinks come are Weldon – zero-flute design
MattP
Was going to post pliers wrench on the what do you “want to win?” thread. Really want one but hard to spend the money (and the danged Sears display is locked up!).
Matt
Nice! I love my existing Knipex set, I have the more traditional channellock style and they’re awesome.
firefly
This is one of my best tool purchase as well. Highly recommended. The only two that I am missing is the 5 and the 16.
Yadda
Knipex plier wrenches are almost works of art!
I love the 10 inch version and if the price was lower I would definitely own more of them!
Grady
Ever since my disability, i have began to gravitate toward angled pliers like Channel Lock and rarely use straight pliers any longer. The Knipex 86 03 180 pliers fit the bill perfectly and the ability to get a stronger grip ups the ante. If the price were less , I may have already purchase them.
Stuart
Thank You
Chris Fyfe
Like a good divorce lawyer , Knipex Plier Wrenches are truly worth every penny .
Greats to the lucky winner , I own 4 already , the 125 mm. Is my pocket companion .
Chris
Hayden
Do they have enough leverage to hold onto valves fittings and fasteners while using a 12 inch buffing wheel?
Stuart
They can exert a LOT of pressure, but I can’t speak about how safe or unsafe it would be to try what you’re suggesting. To cover my butt, I’m going to say “no.”
Hayden
Good save! The sisal wheel eats gloves fast and creates a lot of heat. But I would not want to send a mirror finish swagelok valve flying across the shop because the pliers lost grip. Dose anyone make a locking plier like Vise grips with non maring jaws?
fred
We would polish fittings attached to a piece of pipe or tubing – where the pipe/tubing was used as the holder. You still need to be a bit careful – wear appropriate PPE (face shield and safety glasses) and have no loose clothing. You also need to watch that the connection to the pipe/tubing doesn’t loosen up – but the technique works.
For a Swagelok – this would mean you would have to invest in an extra set of ferrules.
WindyCityBen
I’d like to try a small Knipex plier wrench- I’ve never been a fan of regular adjustable wrenches.
Jerry
I already have a pair of the full size ones, but could really use (but maybe don’t ‘need’) a small pair, either the 5 or 7 inch. I do a lot of work with roller chain, and the parallel jaw pliers wrench works better than anything else I have used for putting together master links. However, on smaller chains, the jaws need to be a bit thinner, hence the smaller pliers. I assume the smaller pliers would have thinner jaws so the smallest ones that open to around 3/4 inch would be the best for my uses.
Blake
What a coincidence – I was just drooling over the Knipex Pliers Wrench at my somewhat local (18 miles away) Sears Hardware Store. Sears Hardware is a bit pricey on these items – it took some willpower to not take them home with me. Thanks for the suggestion – I would love to get this tool too 🙂
Blake
If I was picked I would choose the Knipex 86-05-250 10″ Pliers Wrench – MultiGrip. That would feel like I won the lottery.
I’ve been doing quite a bit of automotive repair and maintenance on the side as well as some home renovations for friends as well. As some of my friends said no need to bring my own tools and they usually had a very poor selection of cheap tools I quickly learned the value of using high quality tools – and the right tools for the job. Anything else results in a lot of frustration.
Another friend, when hearing me express my frustration with the low-quality, not quite suitable for the job tools said using the wrong tool for the job is like eating soup with a fork. I couldn’t agree more!
Thanks for the great site!
Richard Shaddinger
The Knipex pliers wrench has intrigued me for years but the cost of them always scares me away. When I consider that my existing adjustable wrenches do basically the same thing, I have a hard time justifying the purchase. Now, if I could get a set for free… I definitely think that I could find a place for them in my toolbox. Thanks for having these give-a-ways.
Norm
And done!
GMA15R
I’ve been doing a bit of plumbing lately with a venerable Channellock 10″ tongue and groove plier wrench. It’s the best I can find, but still slips and can be awkward at times. I’d love to see if the Knipex is that much better to justify the cost.
fred
Some tools are close to being “Jacks-of-all-Trades”. Channellocks come close – but where the Knipex design excels is with fittings – polished brass -chrome plated etc. The grip is very good – it can be used with a measure of ratchet-like action – and it doesn’t leave teeth marks. Unlike Channellocks – they’re worthless for gripping or turning round objects like pipe – where for polished pipe – a strap wrench or Parmelee wrench is called for.
JG
Stuart, remember that you have an international audience, many people like me are not eligible to participate in things like that even though I’m a knipex fanboy and would love to score me some Wera tools. I think this is why you get less entries than anticipated.
Blythe M
This definitely falls into my want but don’t necessarily need category
Mahalo
I noticed the giveaway page is gaining steam. You might have a point regarding the extra effort to look through and select a tool, Stuart. But that’s half the fun, right? And I’m sure KC Tool appreciates the fact that most of your entrants have actually worked their way through the KC Tool site and familiarized themselves with their offerings to some degree. Bonus points.
Scott
These are really cool wrenches that I can’t really afford. They would be good for the toolbox on wilderness raft trips. The smooth jaw would be great for brass propane stove fittings, for example.
Charles McDaniel
These are awesome, I wish I had one
Eric
I travel a lot for work & learned to never check bags any more. So I travel light. I got tired of not having any tools and invested in the Wera Kraftform bit holding screwdriver (813 R), a good set of bits, and the 5″ Knipex pliers wrench (all TSA approved sizes for carry on). They have become my EDC tools and I end up using them constantly. The one addition I need is a locking precision screwdriver bit set. I looked at the Wera Micro Screwdriver bit sets, but those are pretty expensive (and beyond the limit here).
Tom
For years, I’ve been using the usual Channellocks or more recently Irwin adjustable pliers because, well, they work reasonably well, and are , ahem, reasonably priced. One of their common attributes is that they “beat up” whatever you’re trying to hang on to. The smooth jaws of the Knipex pliers wrench appeal to me, but the price has always been the deal breaker. If I did get a Knipex, I would want the 7″ size – not too big, not too little, just right!
Chris Fyfe
The three small one the best , my adjustables( all top of the line Snap On’s are out to pasture ) .
Chris
Ps. If I had to pick , I’d go 5″, 6″,and 7-8″.
C.
FPQ
A Knipex Pliers Wrench would be such a step-up for me; I have a hand-me-down pliers which looks like it was taken from the spare wheel kit from a 1995 Honda, or worse yet, leftover in the engine bay after service.
Am a newbie when it comes to DIY. Maybe I need some practice on someone else’s projects !
Keep up the great comments, guys.
Drew M
I have a pair of the 150mm/6″ pliers wrenches and even though I modified them for winding motors… (similar to photo linked)
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh83/GerardatSmallstreams/image_zps1017694a.jpg
I still use them for all sorts of stuff. Recently, I used them to do some plumbing work and they were so very convenient. Often when working on plumbing, I find that the manufacturing of the fittings means that either a regular wrench fits tight on some faces and loose on others or you use an adjustable and continuously adjust it. With the pliers wrench you can grip, turn, grip, turn with no issues.
They can exert a surprising amount of pressure which has allowed me to use them for all sorts of random tasks like flattening things or straightening wire. I just love my little wrench pliers and would love to have either a second pair of 150mm ones or maybe one of the larger sizes.
Bill K
Like a kid in a candy store…… I’m over whelmed with this offer/opportunity. So many unique great tools! First impressions are powerful……I’d be tickled to get the pliers wrench you discussed! Thanks Stuart!