The Clever Design of the KNIPEX Pliers Wrench that Most Brands Have Mimicked
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The Clever Design of the KNIPEX Pliers Wrench that Most Brands Have Mimicked

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Updated On May 13, 2025

The Clever Design of the KNIPEX Pliers Wrench that Most Brands Have Mimicked

Although there are countless brands and models of pliers wrenches, the name KNIPEX always appears in reviews and forums as a reference to originality, clever design, and high quality.

Since most tool companies have copied the KNIPEX pliers wrench design, you can get a similar product at a fraction of the price.

However, at Fortis, we don’t want any tools, but the best ones for the blue-collar community and DIYers, should this last group be willing to invest a bit more to purchase the best tools.

So why get the best if I can do the same for less? Think about it this way: which one of the options below would you give to your kid as a present? Or which would you have preferred as a kid? You can play with both, but it ain’t the same, is it? Now that you’ve grown up, why not get the best “toys”?

Image sources: www.juguetesalena.mercadoshops.com.mx / www.bigbadtoystore.com

Let’s review why you should get a KNIPEX pliers wrench, the 1:10 leverage ratio, and how the tool compares to some popular competitors.

Take the unique clamping force of KNIPEX pliers wrench everywhere with the 7-Piece Pliers Wrench Set. From getting into tight spots with the 4” model to cracking loose whatever gets in your way with the 16” model.

Purchase your set today at Fortis HD.

Why Should You Get a Pliers Wrench?

Image sources: www.reddit.com / www.redpowermagazine.com/forums

The pliers wrench is a great EDC multi-purpose tool that combines an adjustable wrench and tongue-and-groove pliers. It also replaces full sets of inch and metric open-end wrenches.

The pliers wrench saves you from carrying a dozen wrenches, making it ideal for hydraulic work. With a few exceptions, this tool can do every fitting.

The pliers wrench doesn’t fit 100% into the adjustable wrench or tongue-and-groove pliers categories, but it knocks it out of the park in every category.

It is faster to adjust and won’t get jammed. Its mechanism (which we’ll break down in the next section) generates much more clamping force, making slippage between the jaws and the fasteners virtually impossible; thus, it won’t round off the material.

Besides multiplying the clamping force, the jaws of the pliers wrench remain parallel, so it’s like having a little vise with you. You can do sheet metal, straighten bent nails, or safely grind small parts, such as keyways, to name a few applications.

The KNIPEX Pliers Wrench 10:1 Levarage Ratio

Image source: www.youtube.com/@james_gatlin

The signature feature of the KNIPEX pliers wrench is the ability to multiply the squeezing force applied to the handles. KNIPEX calls it the 10:1 ratio and relies on a simple mechanical principle. Check the following picture:

The force #1 you apply to the handle generates a torque around the adjustment position button, which is the pivot point. The same torque value divided by a shorter lever arm #2 generates a force #2 (10x greater than force #1) at the lever in the head of the pliers.

Force #1 x lever arm #1 = Torque → Force #2 = Torque / lever arm #2

The multiplied clamping force of the KNIPEX pliers wrench enables it to develop a self-locking ability, similar to that of the KNIPEX Cobra pliers, but without relying on angled teeth.

Just like with the Cobra pliers, pushing the upper handle will make the pliers wrench bite further without squeezing the lower handle.

The self-locking feature allows you to focus on breaking loose stuff instead of wasting energy to prevent the pliers from slipping and rotating. It ensures the operator’s safety and makes work more efficient.

No need to go easy on those fasteners? Then, the KNIPEX Cobra is the right tool for loosening seized-up and rounded-off nuts and bolts. Visit Fortis HD to choose from these two models: the KNIPEX 10″ Cobra QuickSet Water Pump Pliers and the KNIPEX 12″ Cobra QuickSet Water Pump Pliers.

Technical Comparison Against Similar Pliers

Let’s compare the KNIPEX pliers’ specs against some popular competitors. Next, we’ll share some photos so you can see the differences in more detail.

Image sources: www.youtube.com/@txtoolcrib, www.youtube.com/@mr.ecosystem3060, www.reddit.com.

Image source: www.youtube.com/@ToolPros.

Image sources: www.youtube.com/@1D10CRACY, www.youtube.com/@txtoolcrib, www.reddit.com.

Image sources: www.youtube.com/@mr.ecosystem3060, www.youtube.com/@1D10CRACY.

Image source: www.youtube.com/@Finntheweekendwarrior.

Hands-On Experience Testimonials

Unlike our KNIPEX Cobra pliers article, where we shared the results of a test study comparing the performance of several brands’ water pumps against the KNIPEX, here we’ll share testimonials from people’s hands-on experiences.

Better than having an original tool is having a full set to tackle a wide range of tasks.

Visit the Fortis HD tools section for detailed info about the KNIPEX 7 Pc Pliers Wrench Set.

In a Nutshell

Not having a pliers wrench nowadays is like still using a rotary dial phone to make a call. Just like there are better ways to communicate, the KNIPEX pliers wrench is a much better way to work on fasteners without rounding them off than using an adjustable wrench or a tongue and groove pliers.

Although there are many pliers wrenches on the market, KNIPEX is the standard, as shown by the testimonials from the previous section.

Stop purchasing knockoff tools, get the real “toys,” get KNIPEX.