Knipex Cobra XS pliers are excellent. They’re not perfect, but it’s a scaled-down miniature version of the brand’s popular Cobra line of adjustable pliers.
Whether its existence was originally in the plans, or prompted by requests and user enthusiasm for the Cobra XS, Knipex also launched the Pliers Wrench XS, a 4-inch version of the now-ubiquitous pliers.
The XS is not like other Pliers Wrenches, as there’s no adjustable button. As with most other Knipex tools, the Pliers Wrench XS is very well-made.
Advertisement
I bought one back in November, for $64.26 minus 20% Cyber Monday discount, for an out-the-door price of $51.41 plus tax.
That seemed quite high to me, but I wanted one for review purposes and let ToolGuyd foot the bill.
Granted this is the Knipex Pliers Wrench, a tool that’s absolutely worth the premium, but $51 after Black Friday/Cyber Monday coupon is still a lot for miniature pliers.
It’s definitely not for everyone. Maybe it’s one for enthusiasts, or maybe for users who absolutely cannot fit larger Pliers Wrenches in their pocket when a tool pouch or bag is out of the question.
A lot of readers have been forwarding “the Pliers Wrench XS is Officially Here!” email notices and the such. (This confuses me – does this mean the one I bought from a US retailer in November was a grey market version, imported through back-channels? Maybe that’s why the current price is lower than it was back in November?)
All of the “back in stock” and “in stock now!!” emails seem to have been met with much excitement.
Advertisement
The Pliers Wrench XS seems to have sold out at participating Knipex dealers, and to such extent that they don’t seem to be allowing backorders.
While this is definitely a tool I thought I was excited about, it’s not one I can heartily recommend yet. I’m not yet convinced that the Pliers Wrench XS properly deserves the excitement and hype surrounding it.
My hesitation isn’t that the Pliers Wrench XS is too small, but that slightly larger Knipex Pliers Wrench tools are so much more practical.
Over at KC Tool, their current price is $58.31. Cobra XS adjustable pliers cost around half as much.
The next-smallest Knipex Pliers Wrench, previously the brand’s smallest, is priced at just under $45 at Amazon.
Personally, I think that the 7-1/4″ pliers are the best to start out with (~$61 at Amazon). My first Pliers Wrenches were the 7-1/4″ and 10″ sizes, and I use the ~7″ for most tasks.
The XS is specialty sized. If you want a smaller Pliers Wrench that you can more easily carry in a pocket, this is the one, but it will cost you extra.
After owning one for a few months and finding few tasks or applications where this has been the best or most convenient tool for the circumstances, I’m still undecided.
While I am happy to have it at my disposal, I don’t think I would replace it if damaged or misplaced.
I’m still working towards the formal review – please let me know what types of comparisons you might like to see. Are there any ways you would like me to test it?
In the meantime, if you bought one, or want to buy one, what do you think about the Knipex Pliers Wrench XS?
Update 6/18/22: 3rd party sellers have the XS for as low as $48.99 at Amazon.
MM
I own an awful lot of Knipex pliers but I do not own this one, specifically because I feel it is too small. A friend of mine has one and I’ve played with it–it’s certainly top quality–but I just don’t think it’s large enough to be all that useful. And meanwhile, the next size up–the 125mm or 5″ model–is still small and light enough to drop in a pocket or a small tool kit while being a lot more capable. It has the pushbutton adjustment and the longer handles are greatly appreciated.
I own 5″/125mm, 10″/250mm, 12″/300mm, and the 16″/400mm XXL models. The 5″ and the 10″ are some of my most frequently used hand tools period.
I suspect Stuart’s favorite 7″ is probably great as well. I don’t have one of those but I do have 7″ Cobras and they are likewise one of my most commonly used hand tools. They’re also very light and easy to drop in a pocket.
I think the XS model is great if you know what you’re getting into and you know you want that size. The quality is there. But IMHO I think most people who might consider it would be better served by the 5″/125mm model.
Jared
I love the pliers wrench too. I’ve got the 5, 7 and 10. I will buy the XS eventually, but since I have the 5 already, I’m in no rush. Its something I want but don’t need – which means I’m happy to wait for a good sale.
I keep eyeballing the 16 – I imagine it could do pretty much everything I expect out of large wrenches and would be a lot cheaper overall than a complete set. On the other hand, I have a 24″ adjustable wrench that bails out whenever I happen across a big fastener for which I don’t have a specific wrench. It’s probably on the “want” list too.
BTW, I think Stuart is wrong – the 10″ is best if it’s your only one. đ I suspect my preference is because I’m doing more automotive work than he is though.
MM
The 16″ is nice because it’s quite light for a tool of its capacity, and it’s thin so it can fit places that a pipe wrench or a big adjustable wrench wouldn’t. I also find myself using it quite often as a press. It’s good for crimping IDC connectors for ribbon cables too.
And I do agree, if I could only have one size pliers wrench it would be the 10″.
Kevin
Agreed theyâre definitely limited in terms of actual use, but I donât think theyâre meant to be. Theyâre a novelty item. Just to think, any situation that would warrant the use of a tiny pliers wrench where you didnât have the clearance to use a larger set – pliers of any kind will likely fail you and youâd just use a proper wrench at that point. Just a thought.
Peter Fox
I agree strongly, I have every size except for this new miniature version and am not likely to purchase one anytime soon.
For my applications my most used one is the 6″ (150mm) it is a great tradeoff between size and capacity for the smaller fasteners I most commonly work with (6-32 to 3/8-16 and M3-M10) with a max opening just over 1″ it also covers most smaller brass fittings and cord grips.
I find the 5″ (125mm) less useful as the jaws are too narrow for many applications ad do have more of a tendency to mark soft fittings. If the jaws were offset to one side so they could sit flush with a surface I would likely get more use out of them on really thin nuts like are commonly used on toggle switches and potentiometers.
I also use the 7 and 10 inches sizes (180mm and 250mm) frequently for larger fittings and fasteners with the 12 and 16 inch versions (300mm and 400mm) only comming out occasionally
If I could only have 1 it would probably be the 7″ but if two it would be the 6″ and the 10″ Thankfully I am not limited ad must ahve over a dozen scattered between my home workshop, car, and work tool box
Rog
What is this…. a tool for ANTS?!?
Jared
đ
ball_bearing
Do you think the mechanism is easy enough to adjust, and strong and stable enough to be used in a larger version of the tool? I know they have the quickset cobras, but a larger, no button version of the pliers wrench could have it’s uses.
Stuart
It’s hard to say, but perhaps not. Larger tools have gearing on both sides, for double the gripping area. Here, the handles are smaller, which greatly limits how much torque can be applied as users squeeze to apply pressure.
It’s really easy to adjust though, although not any faster or slower than the usual button mechanism.
ball_bearing
Thank you sir.
fred
Like you. I’m not convinced that I have an application for this. But I do pocket the next (125mm) larger size one from time to time to handle small nuts and connectors. I have also found their diminutive (100mm long) Cobra pliers to be useful. Maybe this new one will appeal to opticians or jewelers (professionals and hobbyists) – or just collectors. BTW – there are many other parallel jaw precision pliers that seem to be available in the Jewelry and Optical trades – but I’m not sure they offer the same grip-strength advantage provided by the Knipex geometry
Jared
You know what I’d like to see? This mechanism integrated into a multitool!
It’s now small enough for it to work IMO.
ca
Leatherman is too busy putting tweezers in limited run tools.
TonyT
Do Germans do multi-tools?
It doesn’t fit the SAK style, but I don’t think Leatherman, etc would do it right.
Stacey Jones
That’d be awesome! Knipex should hire Gerber to do it. If Leatherman did it, it would cost $500 and weigh 5 pounds.
Saulac
Yes. Bit holder and bit storage on one handle. A knife on the other one. And that all I want on a MT. Someone with skill please prototype one. If you have seen something like this, please share.
Benjamen
Yep. I immediately texted Stuart that they should make a multitool based on this as soon as I saw it came out. Take my money!!!
TomD
That would be the logical place to put a tool that’s almost too small to use – because the tool you have is much better than the tool you don’t.
I suspect it’d be more of a Gerber-style with the jaws always facing out than the collapsable Leatherman-style, however.
demure
For a lot of their smaller offerings, I find them useful for tech repair/maintenance.
But just like every tool, there are usecases that don’t apply to everyone — some tools don’t help me, but do help you.
Farmerguy
I look to add it to my TSA allowed carry on travel items. Last trip I had a situation that a small wrench like this would have handled versus the alternative used. I wouldn’t use this tool a lot, but it could be a band aid utility. Can it do it versus having the ideal tool?
In a review I would like to see it tried on everyday situations and compare it to a multi-tool pliers. Both are not the intended tool for frequent use, but are made to do it.
Koko The Talking Ape
I’d agree, the smallest tool isn’t the most versatile or usable. A few weeks ago I got the 5″ Cobra, a step up from their XS. Even the 5″ is a little small for my hand, and I wonder if I shouldn’t have gotten the 6″.
Blocky
I have both. The 5â cobra is half the weight of the 6â. The 6â is not really a small tool. It feels like a foreshortened 7â with similar head-size and identical head-width to the 7â. It feels denser than the 7â, with slightly less flex.
You can put the hurt on a fastener with the 6â, but with less leverage than the 7â, youâre going to be giving it full grip and more oomph with your knuckles 1â closer to the action.
For me the 6â is an awkward middle child. I find I never grab it over the 7â because the weight savings is negligible, and I havenât found a scenario it could manage that the 7â couldnât with a little more grace. The 6â did finally find a home in a go bag where I had exactly 6â of pocket clearance and wanted the mid-size tool.
All three are excellent, but maybe this will be helpful if youâre second guessing.
blocky
Actually, sitting here with the 6 and 7″ in front of me — the 6 has larger, teeth on the adjustment racks, and it has a proportionately reduced head length, likely giving it identical leverage to the 7″ in clamped positions.
So to sum, the 6″ is a slightly more compact 7″, designed to perform similarly, and may even be a little sturdier for hard use (maybe automotive?) The 5″ is an actually smaller tool.
Koko The Talking Ape
Thanks, that’s helpful!
Stacey Jones
I love mine! Got both in a super small tool kit. So handy! Personally, I don’t think there’s much to compare these too…
garrett
These are so small they should have finger loops, like scissors. Currently, my smallest Pliers Wrench is the 7″. Not sure I need anything smaller.
dll932
I like these:
https://www.mcmaster.com/parallel-jaw-pliers/
fred
I believe that this type used to be called “Bernard Pliers’. The pairs that I have were made by Sargent and one well-oiled one would be in a holster on by belt when I was fishing. Great for squeezing split shot, cutting mono etc. When I was a kid – an old fisherman told me that you should use pliers – not your teeth to squeeze lead split shot. Not because he was worried about lead poisoning – but he said they would leave a grey stain on your teeth.
MM
I never knew what these were called other than “parallel jaw pliers” but they have been around for a long time. I have an old pair that came from my grandfather, it was made by Eclipse in England. This is one of those tools that I see pop up in all sorts of niches but you rarely see in a hardware store. Like Fred mentioned they’re commonly used as fishing pliers, they’re well known by gunsmiths and jewelers. I’ve seen them in many R/C hobby and model-making catalogs. Apparently they are even used in operating rooms; the other day I came across special surgical models made of 100% stainless. But home depot, lowes, ace? I’ve never seen one there.
Dave Brock
great little pliers when the children don’t walk off with them as they are so cute.
Will
I’m a Knipex fan, I literally own every single size for the Pliers Wrench & the Cobras (wasn’t intentional). But I’ve never had any interest in these baby Pliers Wrench or baby Cobras. They’re too small, even the next size up are on the small side IMO & I don’t have huge hands. I don’t understand what these are for other than the novelty of collecting.
The high price for them, for what they are, is ridiculous. And they don’t have grips, which I don’t like, but I can understand why they chose not to put grips on them. Someone does make grips for them now but only in green so far but still I have no desire to get these.
Tim D.
Iâve got the 5â in pliers wrench and cobra. I use the pliers wrench a ton, not so much the cobra. I wouldnât see any benefit to going any smaller.
Shawn Y
I leave my Cobra XS with my hobby model paint bottles. I picked it up for its lowest off Amazon according to CCC. Still pricey but useful in my case.
Jim Felt
This key charm size tool reminds me of my kinda shameful collection of Japanese Engineer et al brands of pliers, screwdrivers, files etc. Lovely to hold and admire but never really in my Veto bags or first grab at a bench or site.
And yeah the three larger ones I have are very useful. But this? It might well go into a drawer full of tool-branded bottle openers I also never use.
fred
I suspect that many other visitors to Toolguyd (myself included) often succumb to the “tool collector” urge. Then, once the new shiny new tool is in hand – we lose some interest in really using it.
The same is true for other items beyond tools where there may be slippery slope that spans the point of making do with a Spartan existence and accumulating to the point of hoarding. Having excess capital to spend freely can be both a blessing and a curse.
Stuart
And, there’s nothing wrong with that. =)
Some tools provide a time or effort savings, greater convenience, or other benefits, and others don’t. Sometimes the only way to know is to try things out.
fred
Amen! As it is said “the proof of the pudding is in the eating”
Jose Flores
The Knipex 86-04-100 Pliers Wrench XS costs $48.99 at Amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/KNIPEX-86-04-100-Pliers/dp/B0B22Y62TX/
Stuart
Thanks! I’ll add it in. When I last checked, Amazon’s 3rd party sellers were charging a higher premium.
JoeM
I wonder… Is the XS Pliers Wrench handle, on either arm, large enough to turn into a T-Shank Jigsaw connector? Would there be enough material to forge, heat, or shape a connector out of it?
If so, this is a really good candidate for something you could turn into an accessory for a Leatherman Surge Blade Exchanger. I’m always looking for those types of things… the Blade Exchanger is so under-used, and under-appreciated. Maybe if tool users made some home-produced accessory tools, Leatherman might consider producing some of their own for use with the Surge?
Stuart
If you have to carry this separately, you might as well just carry it separately. Modifying it to fit the Surge would result in barely any reduction in size, weight, or convenience, while dramatically affecting its independent utility.
JoeM
I understand. I wonder this kind of thing often. Whenever I see a shrunk-down tool like this, I instantly think “Blade Exchanger” out of reflex. I genuinely wish there was a significant number more tools available for it. Those Stubby, folding Ratchets from Tekton a while back? I drooled over those as a potential Blade Exchanger tool, machining down the folding handle to a T-Shank. Once attached, you just fold it down, instead of folding away the Blade Exchanger. Like a Stubby with a little more torque on the bar.
Stuart
You might be overestimating what the Leatherman Blade Exchanger can do. Few tools can fit the necessary flat and narrow size.
JoeM
I know. That’s why I wonder whenever there’s a small tool shown on ToolGuyd. It might not be totally rational, but if all it can handle is Jigsaw Blades, and the Leatherman Saw or File… Seems like a disservice to the strength of the Surge/Surge+ as a whole.
I know, mentally anyways, that people think the blade exchanger has to be limited to things that just fit in the tool… but with hinges on larger headed tools, like stubby socket heads, or handles that have been reshaped into T-Shank format to fit the tool… You’ve got things that can go into the Blade Exchanger that would benefit from the larger size of the Surge. Whether that be for grip, or for more torque, so be it, as far as I’m concerned.
And… Yeah, I know in my heart that I want this, even if my brain says it probably wouldn’t fly well with Leatherman themselves. Nevertheless, the first thing I think of, when a tool comes up on ToolGuyd, on the smaller-end of the tool scale, is “Can this be made for the Blade Exchanger?” and I even consider gathering all such adapted tools into a single kit, and making it as a Third-Party Leatherman tool set, designed for the Surge. Maybe even an edition that uses the Flat Bit system that resides on so many other Leatherman tools?
It’s a pipedream, I know. I love using my Surge. I just find the total utility of the Blade Exchanger is underused. I guess it’s more of a sentimental thing, not a criticism. What blades it comes with, plus the fact that my full-sized Jigsaw blades also fit the Surge, make the tool incredibly powerful as a whole. I just want this outside-opening feature to, perhaps, accept more than just literal “Blades” for the tool. Thinking “Outside the Blade” sort of thing?
Daniel L.
Agreed with the overall consensus here. I’ve got a pair of the next size up for my little EDC pouch that I wear at work, but even those can struggle a bit with providing sufficient leverage for the fasteners at the top of their range. They’re great, and in a pinch they get me out of a lot of situations quickly without having to drag up my whole tool bag…but the 7″ & 10″ models are infinitely more usable.
That and the price for these tiny tools is a bit more than I can stomach for something so…small. No doubt they’re great tools, just not for me.
Richie P
I have both the Cobra XS and Pliers Wrench XS, and carry them around at my job designing and building robots. I’m finding I tend to use the Cobras the most, but it’s nice to have both to work a nut and a head of a bolt at the same time. The jaws of pliers wrench are pretty narrow, which can be useful getting into tighter spaces.
Overall, I see the Cobra XS as a multi-purpose pocket tool and the pliers wrench as a more specialized one.
J. Newell
I bought a pair of these 4″/100mm/XS pliers (Cobra and PliersWrench) but find the 5″/125mm much more useful for an almost unnoticeable increase in size. The only situation I can think of where the XS/100mm size works that 125mm or 150mm wouldn’t work as well would be the 5th/watch pocket on a pair of Levi’s jeans, but there may be EDC uses where 4″ is much better than 5″.
And as you point out, the XS/100mm size is quite pricey compared to the other sizes, though I would guess that’s mostly due to demand/newness/novelty.
Sam Greenfield
I think you are confused about this wrench. It’s not meant to be used right now; it’s just a seedling. You plant it in a raised bed in around March or April, and by late summer you have a fully grown wrench.
Don’t feel bad; it’s a common mistake.
Eddie the Hook
đ
Bob Adkins
I don’t have mixed feelings about the Knipex mini pliers at all. Something that small and expensive is totally useless to me.
Raycr
It only has a pivot joint on one side so it is not replaceable with a new pivot and spring. The 5 inch has padded handles and fits almost everywhere so it makes more sense.
Rcward
Itâs a joke really
Raycr
Itâs for key chains lol
Stuart
There’s no keyring or lanyard loop hole!!
928'er
Haus of tools has it for $37 now.
https://hausoftools.com/products/knipex-86-04-100-pliers-wrench-xs?variant=40152767496215