I just received an email about a one-day deal on Wiha’s Pliers Wrench and Auto Pliers. Pliers Wrench? The Knipex Pliers Wrench? No – apparently Wiha came out with something similar and gave it the same name.
In the image above, the Pliers Wrench is on the top, and Auto Pliers on the bottom.
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The Pliers Wrench is said to offer button-free fast adjusting, has a smooth face, and can grip work materials up to 1-3/4″ in diameter. It’s 10.5″ long overall.
The 10″ Auto Pliers can automatically adjust to workpieces up to 1.5″ in diameter. All you need to do to squeeze the handle to close the jaws.
List Price: $108 (SKU 32637)
KC Tool Price: $92 (Before 10% ToolGuyd coupon code)
Wiha USA 9/26/2017 Deal Price: $49.99 with coupon code wtcautopliers, plus shipping.
According to KC Tool’s listing, the pliers are made in Vietnam.
Compare(Knipex Pliers Wrench via Amazon)
First Thoughts
I must admit, button-free Pliers Wrench operation sounds appealing. But on the other hand, my Knipex Pliers Wrenches have never let me down. They were all pricey, and continue to be pricey, but they’re well built and top-quality tools.
I don’t want to be quick to judge the Wiha Pliers Wrench. At regular price, the Wiha 2-pliers combo isn’t very compelling. At $50, which is how much they’re selling today (9/26/2017) as part of a one-day coupon, you can get the Pliers Wrench and Auto Pliers for around the same as a 10″ Knipex Pliers Wrench.
Those Auto Pliers, though? I’ve seen lots of automatic and self-adjusting pliers, but so far there aren’t any that have earned a permanent spot in my toolbox. These don’t look like they’d be the first.
What’s also strange is that Wiha Tools USA is underselling their distributors. That doesn’t happen very often.
After a little searching, I found that the Auto Pliers are sold by themselves, but I cannot see to find an individual listing or price for the Pliers Wrench.
If you’ve tried these Wiha pliers before, would you recommend them?
Casey says
looks like free shipping is an option
Standard Shipping
UPS Ground $0.00
fred says
These are new to me. We tried some other Wiha pliers many years ago. Their ergonomic pistol-grip pliers that they called “inomic” were OK but felt a bit toy-like in the hand. We had some other strain-relief pliers that looked to be re-badged Heyco pliers. Overall, I recall that we thought that the build-quality was a notch below NWS and Knipex.
BTW – Knipex has introduced a model of their 250mm (10 inch) plier wrench – now with offset handles.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/KNIPEX-10-in-Angled-Adjustable-Pliers-Wrench-with-Smooth-Parallel-Jaws-86-43-250-US/303073140
Stuart says
I have always been curious a out the Inomic, but not enough to spring for one. Yet?
My NWS see some use, but ergo shaped tools really tend to only show their benefits in specialty and highly repeated tasks.
fred says
In our cabinet shop – we had a station where we installed electronics and lighting. We thought that the 3 Inomic pliers might be a nice addition – when Wiha was running an introductory promotion. They got used – but just did not become anyone’s favorites. I put hands on them – and they felt odd in my big fat paws. Maybe guys working at a real electronics bench might like them better
Alick says
I have the inomic cutters and fine nose pliers. The jaws appear to be investment cast or sintered from powder. Very fine detail and certainly strong. These are bonded onto moulded plastic handles. Thoroughly hi tech. The curve of the front and back edges of the handles are just a little tight for me. Feels like when you squeeze a stick that’s a little thin. Not perfectly comfortable.
I like the inomic concept and use these regularly but prefer the technically simpler NWS ergo pliers and fantastico (compound) cutters which are my favorites.
Dave says
Individual pliers wrench #32635
https://www.kctoolco.com/wiha-32635-soft-grip-10-25-pliers-wrench/
fred says
Here is a link for the auto-lock pliers
https://www.kctoolco.com/wiha-32637-10-auto-lock-adjustable-pliers-vinyl-grip/
KCTool says they are made in Germany – while the Pliers-wrench style are made in Vietnam.
I think ToolGuyd readers are still eligible for a 10% discount at KC tool using code: TOOLGUYD4LIFE at checkout
Stuart says
Yes it is, and thanks for the reminder!
KCT says
There was an error on the COO, we have updated it to Vietnam.
The new 32637 model is kind of similar to the now discontinued 32668 slide lock pliers that to our knowledge were one of the last Made in Germany Wiha pliers.
Steve says
I immediately thought about the Knipex pliers wrench as well…I like them, but the button is kind of a PITA. Maybe I need to reduce the tension on the button, but they tend to jam if button isn’t pressed all the way in. I’d be interested in a buttonless version!
Tom A. says
Knipex Alligator model is buttonless. I have it and it works great
Cody says
They have been out for nearly 6 months. They are great quality pliers.
firefly says
Knipex have had an auto adjusting pliers for quite sometime. http://www.knipex.com/index.php?id=1216&L=1&page=group_detail&parentID=1368&groupID=1499&artID=2929
It does look like this one is a smaller cousin.
Randy says
I could not pass these up at $49.99 shipped. I’ve never been disappointed in Wiha.
CJ says
So, basically better quality Craftsman Robogrip’s from the 90’s
Jason says
Way better than Robogrips! The jaws are smooth faced (you can grip bolts, without tearing them up), and they basically will replace most of your crescent wrenches (they are phenomenally faster & easier to use once you get the hang of them).
fbmoose48 says
$49.99 is a fantastic deal. My only question is are they German made or Vietnamese?
fbmoose48 says
KC Tool list Vietnam as COO
Jason says
Way better than Robogrips! The jaws are smooth faced (you can grip bolts, without tearing them up), and they basically will replace most of your crescent wrenches (they are phenomenally faster & easier to use once you get the hang of them).
Randy says
Awesome. I can’t wait till my purchase comes from the Wiha US site. Thanks for the cash saving link Stuart.
Mattd says
So if u watch the video of the pliers wrench on the kc rool site it seems like the way you adjust them is to open the handles extra wide. Just like how you adjust standard groove lock pliers. In this case I dont really see that to be a greater convience. That said. I only have the 7″ pliers wrench and cobra pliers. So if these are comparable it is a good deal @$50.
Satch says
I have an issue with the Vietnamese ‘made to Wiha’s specification’ tools. Like all these brands, they went Asian to save millions in labour…yet kept prices the same or even raised them.
I have an insulated set of Wiha tools in my ‘hot kit’ at work. The drivers are German and the pliers are Swiss made. I am not sure if that was a Wiha factory or more likely, a sub contractor. Anyone know of a Swiss pliers maker? At first I thought Gedore but they are Austrian.
Anyroad, the pliers are beautifully finished and I will not be subbing them out for new tools if that means Asian made. The kits are made up by a company called Salisbury. They have all sorts of ppe kits for electrical work. I will have to see what the latest kits are supplied with. I have always been a huge WI ha fan but what exactly are the specs they have this stuff made to?
fred says
FYI
SIP – Salisbury is a Honeywell subsidiary that specializes in insulated tools.
They make some insulated tools that would otherwise be hard to find.
As an example, if you need a T-45 or T-50 insulated screwdriver – you will probably be buying a Salisbury
Satch says
Yeah Fred, they make up a LOT of kits you simply won’t find very easily somewhere else.
I am still a bit curious about the Swiss Wiha pliers. These are the linesman/combination pliers and I will have to see wherr the others in the kit are sourced from. These have the typical Wiha look to them with lots of angles.
The yeti says
It bothers me as well . Companies with reputations for quality stand to loose the most by going offshore.
Wiha used to be a name I held in high regard . Reading they makes stuff in Vietnam. Junk . No longer interested
Hang Fire says
They might not be junk. I’ll reserve judgment there. You know there’s a huge profit being made there, and if Wiha wants a bigger chunk of the market, they need to be more competitive (and make it up on volume).
If the buttonless mechanism works better than Knipex’s button (and better than Channellocks) they might be very nice to use. But I would at least expect a price differential versus German made Knipex Pliers Wrench (which I love).
Mason says
Or you could buy Channellock 415 which are smooth jaw for $15 and you support US made tool company
Jeremiah says
Thanks for this tip, I’m excited to try both of these out. This will be my first wiha stuff, I got a few other items at the same time including some driver bits I’m excited to try
I have used the knipex pliers wrench previously and have been considering purchasing some recently so this is timely. I have some alligator pliers and numerous channellocks. within the last year I got the milwaukee slip joints but prefer channellocks for my current job.
JMG says
I ordered a set, and they were delivered today. I must say that these are not what I would consider the normal level of quality I generally expect from Wiha. While they may work as advertised, the fit and finish is sub par, in my opinion. The operation is a bit coarse and the applied paint just looks like an attempt to cover up the poor metal castings. If I had had to pay top price for these, I would have been seriously upset. As it is, I consider the sale price to still be top dollar for what you receive…
I can not recommend these pliers based on the brand versus pricing.
Stuart says
Thanks for the feedback!
That’s unfortunate, sorry to hear it.
Keiko says
UNIMPRESSED. Received mine today. Agree with JMG’s comments. Not a good value even at the deeply discounted $49.99 delivered price. Painted finish is not what I expected. Auto pliers have plastic sleeve to hold pliers close. At this price point, I would have expected a more durable metal sleeve. Grip handles are adequate, but nothing special. Just really turned off by the finish and fit. Both these pliers do not give me confidence they will hold up well. If I had purchased them via Amazon with free return shipping, they would be going back. Not the level of quality I expect from Wiha. Certainly not worth the $90+ normal street price.
Hang Fire says
Well, I guess the verdict is in. I should have read all the way down before replying above.
Tojen1981 says
I guess I’ll be dissenting opinion here. I received mine Friday and the pliers wrench are a joy to use. Knipex pliers wrenches are awesome (I own 2×7″, 2×10″,and the 12″), but my biggest pet peeve is fiddling with the adjustment button when my hands are greasy. Can get annoying. Once I got used to the adjustment method on the wihas, they are now my go-to set.
The auto-pliers seem ok, haven’t really tried them out yet.
Charles says
I agree. While these aren’t up to the “knipex standard”, they do work well once you wipe the cosmolene off. I don’t expect that they will replace my tried and true current tools but they WILL be a great gift for a homeowner who doesn’t use tools enough to buy a set of wrenches and gets frustrated by trying to adjust “adjustable wrenches and pliers. This, a screwdriver with different bits and a hammer is everything the average homeowner will need.