Knipex has updated their 10″ Pliers Wrench with a couple of changes.
To start, they are 15% lighter.
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The new 10″ Pliers Wrench jaws are narrower, which Knipex says allows for better accessibility in confined areas. The jaw capacity has also been increased, to 2″ (52mm). The jaw capacity on previous models is 1-3/4″.
There is also a new laser-marked adjustment scale, for presetting the opening width. Metric markings are on one side of the tool, inch markings on the other.
Additionally, there are what Knipex describes as recessed areas, for better grip. Presumably, this is referring to the new grooved areas on the handles, right above where the grip material starts.
The 10″ Knipex Pliers Wrench is now available with a black atramentized finish, with the choice of plain grip and comfort grip options. As shown at the top of the post, you can also get the new 10″ Pliers Wrench with the traditional chrome plated finish, also with plain grip and comfort grip options. It is also available with insulated handles.
The plastic-coated handles appear to be mostly the same, while the multi-component comfort grips appear to have been slimmed down a little.
Here’s a closer look at the new Pliers Wrench head compared to the previous one.
Seeing as how Knipex is using the same model numbers, it’s clear that the new style of 10″ Knipex Pliers Wrench is replacing the older style.
Dealers’ inventories might be mixed, and so if you have a preference for new or older styles, contact your favorite Knipex distributor for more information.
Here’s a promo video, with Knipex describing the pliers as being “The Classic Reinvented”:
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The new Knipex Pliers Wrenches are still made in Germany.
First Thoughts
Several people have asked about the new Knipex Pliers Wrench, but unfortunately we haven’t tried them out yet.
As of now, the changes were only made to the 10″ size, and there’s no word as to if or when the other sizes will also receive an update.
It’s curious why Knipex is updating what is widely believed to be an excellent tool. We have seen new competing styles of tools in recent years, such as from Irwin Vise-Grip, and Wiha, but Knipex is still king of the high-leverage parallel jaw pliers market. Maybe the cost of raw materials has increased, and Knipex decided to redesign the pliers (and add in more features) rather than simply slimming them down or increasing prices?
Thoughts? How eager are you for the new Knipex Pliers Wrench in 10″ size, with thinner jaws, wider opening capacity, laser-etched scale, and updated handles?