Knipex 40 04 180 - Universal Grip Pliers

Its Knipex. Nothing else to say. Its the best german plier quality you can buy.

A solid pair of pliers. Definitely better than Irwin, Husky, Kobalt, or any other Chinese made pl...

A solid pair of pliers. Definitely better than Irwin, Husky, Kobalt, or any other Chinese made pliers. As mentioned from another reviewer, the set screw does feel a bit scratchy, but it does not affect the functionality at all. **You should know: if you are in the market for a great pair of locking pliers, I strongly suggest checking out Grip-On pliers. I have both the Knipex, and the Grip-On pliers at home. The Knipex pliers are solid pliers, no doubt, but I personally think the Grip On pliers are superior. Either way, you can't go wrong. Both companies make great pliers.

Everyone loves a good pair of vice grips. Unfortunately in the last couple years an original Amer...

Everyone loves a good pair of vice grips. Unfortunately in the last couple years an original American innovation has been stripped, sold out, and cheapened up by moving to China. I'm an auto mechanic and use vice grips regularly and demand quality. The new vice grips are junk. Complete junk. I finally got fed up with them and started looking for an alternative. I have many knipex pliers and other tools, all with very high quality, so I decided to give their locking pliers a try. Problem solved, I will gladly patronize a great brand like Knipex, even if it means paying a few extra dollars to get a superior product. The finish and function of these pliers is outstanding. Give them a try and you'll dump your new pair of vice grips too.

I feel these locking pliers are average. I purchased several new vice grip brand pliers and was d...

I feel these locking pliers are average. I purchased several new vice grip brand pliers and was disappointed with the overall quality of the new imported tools versus the quality of my old American made ones. After researching alternatives I purchased these Knipex and another orange epoxy painted brand. The Knives reviews are excellent, but the tool is only slightly better than the vice grip brand. The lock release lever is GREAT, but the lock adjustment screw is equally rough. The casting is equally rough. The side-to-side play at the jaws is equally poor. Costing 3 times as much, I expected these to be at least twice the quality. These are not.

I have many Knipex tools, and have come to prefer them over other brands -- I'm usually a huge fa...

I have many Knipex tools, and have come to prefer them over other brands -- I'm usually a huge fan. I had always wanted to try their vise-grips equivalent (especially with the plummeting quality of vise-grips.) Getting them out of the box, I was surprised that they were not covered in light oil as most of their tools usually are from the factory. They felt a little stiff, so I oiled the riveted joints and...corrosion! I've never had a rusty Knipex tool before -- let alone from the factory -- and I'm hoping this was a fluke. While it seems like they'll work fine with a little cleaning, it was certainly a bit of a surprise to me and does not match up with the quality I expect from Knipex.

I purchased the 10" model of this Knipex locking pliers, also known to be a vise grip / vise plie...

I purchased the 10" model of this Knipex locking pliers, also known to be a vise grip / vise pliers to make a bath / sink faucet exchange by myself. While doing a sink faucet exchange I had to see that while the free end of cold/hot water lines are not hold firmly, the lines could be twisted when it is being thightened onto the supplying water lines. Holding the free end of hot/cold water lines by hand is usually not sufficient to prevent the twisting or kinking of the water lines and can spoil the job and the water lines as well. I read some good reviews and bad reviews for Knipex locking pliers but gave it a try. And while I was doing my job, I could see that the jaw could hold the metal pipes firmly enought when connecting them by tightening nut with RIDGID ... MoreI purchased the 10" model of this Knipex locking pliers, also known to be a vise grip / vise pliers to make a bath / sink faucet exchange by myself. While doing a sink faucet exchange I had to see that while the free end of cold/hot water lines are not hold firmly, the lines could be twisted when it is being thightened onto the supplying water lines. Holding the free end of hot/cold water lines by hand is usually not sufficient to prevent the twisting or kinking of the water lines and can spoil the job and the water lines as well. I read some good reviews and bad reviews for Knipex locking pliers but gave it a try. And while I was doing my job, I could see that the jaw could hold the metal pipes firmly enought when connecting them by tightening nut with RIDGID adjustable wrench. For such purpose, I thought this one would do its job perfectly. I also purchased IRWIN vise grip with almost same shape of jaws but I felt the jaws could slightly malalign when closing them. I recommend this one for routine house keeping works!

I recently purchased a 10 inch Knipex pliers wrench and I absolutely love it. I also hear great t...

I recently purchased a 10 inch Knipex pliers wrench and I absolutely love it. I also hear great things of their Cobra pliers but have never tried them myself. Either way, Knipex built a great reputation for themselves between those two innovative tools but you wouldn't know it by looking at this product. My time with these was short-lived but It seemed like the material itself was of decent enough quality and had respectable hardness, although I never tested it. The problem was the complete lack of fit and finish. The moving jaw didn't like the move when opening the handle and the spring was not strong enough to get it to move. It seemed to be sort of pinched between the folded metal handle so I tried to spread it a little and create clearance so the jaw could move ... MoreI recently purchased a 10 inch Knipex pliers wrench and I absolutely love it. I also hear great things of their Cobra pliers but have never tried them myself. Either way, Knipex built a great reputation for themselves between those two innovative tools but you wouldn't know it by looking at this product. My time with these was short-lived but It seemed like the material itself was of decent enough quality and had respectable hardness, although I never tested it. The problem was the complete lack of fit and finish. The moving jaw didn't like the move when opening the handle and the spring was not strong enough to get it to move. It seemed to be sort of pinched between the folded metal handle so I tried to spread it a little and create clearance so the jaw could move freely. If it worked at all, it would quickly bind up withing a few cycles of opening the handle. It was incredibly frustrating to use and I ended up throwing it in a trashcan. Knipex can and should do better.

I've been using Vice-Grips for decades, and they are a must have tool. The two most important thi...

I've been using Vice-Grips for decades, and they are a must have tool. The two most important things about them are 1) you may need a variety of different sizes and types.. and 2) the Vice-Grip name is no longer a sign of top quality (Irwin, made in China). The Knipex are best of the lot. A high quality German product, definitely worth the extra few dollars! Don't buy the re-branded Chinese generics at higher prices...otherwise you're just paying for Knipex (or more) but getting a lesser product. Knipex make all the best pliers. The 4104180 is a shorter length, with general purpose jaws. It offers lots of clamping potential without being a large or heavy tool. This can come in handy in tight spots, or where alternatives like pipe wrenches and adjustable pliers are ... MoreI've been using Vice-Grips for decades, and they are a must have tool. The two most important things about them are 1) you may need a variety of different sizes and types.. and 2) the Vice-Grip name is no longer a sign of top quality (Irwin, made in China). The Knipex are best of the lot. A high quality German product, definitely worth the extra few dollars! Don't buy the re-branded Chinese generics at higher prices...otherwise you're just paying for Knipex (or more) but getting a lesser product. Knipex make all the best pliers. The 4104180 is a shorter length, with general purpose jaws. It offers lots of clamping potential without being a large or heavy tool. This can come in handy in tight spots, or where alternatives like pipe wrenches and adjustable pliers are unsuitable, plus when a locking tool is needed. Endless possibilities for general clamping and holding, and even great sometimes for quickly removing mangled fasteners. Recommended!

It's almost impossible to find a quality set of locking jaw pliers- these are it! Came directly f...

It's almost impossible to find a quality set of locking jaw pliers- these are it! Came directly from Germany. It's sad that manufacturers in the US are no longer making them, and the Chinese stuff is not worth considering. A little pricey, but not something that most of us use daily or even weekly- it's just nice to know that I have a quality tool available when the need arises.

This is the first time I have been disappointed with Knipex. Their other pliers are the best I ha...

This is the first time I have been disappointed with Knipex. Their other pliers are the best I have used, without question. But these fall short. The fit and finish is not what I expected from the brand or for the price. The pliars function and do in fact lock but my craftsman pliars are superior in all ways. Especially fit and finish with how the jaws open and the knurled adjuster. I give three stars because they do function. But, just not up to the Knipex standard. I will return these and get a big box brand.