New tool: Swedish pipe wrench

[Bill Dufour]

I bought a new tool from Horrible Fright. Around $12.00 on sale. Never heard of it before. Not really big enough for pipe work but seems useful for big nuts. Work similar to vise grips but flat jaws that stay parallel. Would be better for me if the jaws were not serrated.
Bill D
Amazon has a better make for more money.
https://www.amazon.com/KNIPEX-83-10-010-Wrench-90/dp/B005EXOIBA

[Cameron Wood]

Rainman Ray (of Youtube fame) calls it his 'angry wrench', or something like that.

[John Ziebron]

A grinding wheel would take care of the serrations. But I would never abuse a Knipex one like that.

[Jack Frederick]

That is an interesting look Bill. Coming out of the pipe trades a pair of channel locks are always in the pocket. About 20 or so yrs ago Knipex was just making an entry into the US market and my partner and I picked up the line for the New England States. I am decidedly a tool guy and we had these really nice display boxes full of Knipex and Irega tools. The Plier Wrenches (86-03-250 &180) quickly became my favorites. At the price we were having difficulty getting them into the market in the PH/HVAC trade and really we were more equipment guys than parts and pieces so in fairness to the company we gave up the line suggesting a couple better suited reps to the category. The Sales Manager who a friend of my partners thanked us and said, “Just send back the sample cases…” Shocking! We wrote a check for about $3000 and kept the tools

[Bill Dufour]

Knipex plier wrench have smooth jaws and a price that makes me choke. Seven inch size is $48 at amazon.
Bill D

https://www.amazon.com/Knipex-8603180-7-Inch-Pliers-Wrench/dp/B000X4KP1C/ref=asc_df_B000X4KP1C/?tag=&linkCode=df0&hvadid=309832851244&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=1584975952220616823&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9032277&hvtargid=pla-486113600597&ref=&adgrpid=64417494871&th=1

[Cameron Wood]

Knipex plier wrench have smooth jaws and a price that makes me choke. Seven inch size is $48 at amazon.
Bill D

https://www.amazon.com/Knipex-8603180-7-Inch-Pliers-Wrench/dp/B000X4KP1C/ref=asc_df_B000X4KP1C/?tag=&linkCode=df0&hvadid=309832851244&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=1584975952220616823&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9032277&hvtargid=pla-486113600597&ref=&adgrpid=64417494871&th=1


I have one of those- not cheap but worth it. Excellent for reaching in to those random nuts of unknown size. Should last for generations. Unfortunately, all of those push-button adjusters are quite right-handed. Us lefties do better with the traditional Channellock type notches.

[Bill Dufour]

Does it lock down like vise grips? The harbor fright version does but it has an adjusting ring. Similar concept to the vise grip adjusting screw.
PS: Isn't Vise Grip bankrupt and gone?
Bill D

[Andrew Joiner]

This one is handy, I have several.https://www.amazon.com/Stanley-85-610-10-Inch-MaxGrip-Adjustable/dp/B00009OYGZ

[Cameron Wood]

Does it lock down like vise grips? The harbor fright version does but it has an adjusting ring. Similar concept to the vise grip adjusting screw.
PS: Isn't Vise Grip bankrupt and gone?
Bill D


If you're asking about the Knipex plier wrench, no it doesn't lock, but high leverage so you can hold the setting with hand pressure.

[Jack Frederick]

In selling them I would take the 250mm Knipex put it on a flange bolt set the pliers on the bolt and stand on them. They did not slip. I prefer the 180mm version as they have enough capacity for most of the residential needs. Once you have a set you will love them once you choke down the price.

[Tom M King]

I have two drawers full on Knipex pliers and cutters in the mechanic shop. The only piece I bought and don't recommend is the end cutting nippers. They don't cut any better than Klein end cutting nippers, and the end is too flat to be good for pulling out nails. The handles are also very small and not easy on the hand.

These are the only regret and I suggest to buy Kleins instead:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005EXO4J6/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

We keep a 10" pliers wrench in the house. Pam uses it since it covers so many nut sizes, but I'll go get a wrench instead of using it. It doesn't slip to cam out on a fastener. It works almost as good as a regular wrench. It's good to have in a small tool kit.

[Lloyd McKinlay]

A popular auction site has a listing for a new Knipex 8603250 at a discount even with shipping. The listing says proceeds benefit the Denver Tool Library. I don't know how many they have but the listing was still up after I ordered.

[Cameron Wood]

I have two drawers full on Knipex pliers and cutters in the mechanic shop. The only piece I bought and don't recommend is the end cutting nippers. They don't cut any better than Klein end cutting nippers, and the end is too flat to be good for pulling out nails. The handles are also very small and not easy on the hand.

These are the only regret and I suggest to buy Kleins instead:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005EXO4J6/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

We keep a 10" pliers wrench in the house. Pam uses it since it covers so many nut sizes, but I'll go get a wrench instead of using it. It doesn't slip to cam out on a fastener. It works almost as good as a regular wrench. It's good to have in a small tool kit.



I used the largest size of Channellock end nippers for many years, & still have several pair, but have gone over to these, as they actually do more things, and importantly, live happily in your back pocket. Angled head, long handles, very rarely stocked in stores. I have at least three pair.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Channellock-9-54-in-High-Leverage-Cutting-Plier-449/203418790?g_store=&source=shoppingads&locale=en-US&&mtc=SHOPPING-BF-CDP-GGL-D25T-025_001_HAND_TOOLS-NA-Multi-NA-SMART-NA-NA-NA-NA-NBR-NA-NA-NA-Hand_ToolsNonPriority&cm_mmc=SHOPPING-BF-CDP-GGL-D25T-025_001_HAND_TOOLS-NA-Multi-NA-SMART-NA-NA-NA-NA-NBR-NA-NA-NA-Hand_ToolsNonPriority-71700000086053656-58700007291967538-92700076258964017&gclid=Cj0KCQjwy9-kBhCHARIsAHpBjHhi1ct_7R_YbgNL8B8RBxNlUVPKTI05vxcKE-O-SMHq8Ygr0hRx0SUaAg8eEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

[Bill Dufour]

That HD link says they have nine and will ship to home for free. I think I have a pair similar.
Bill D

[Rich Engelhardt]

Does it lock down like vise grips? The harbor fright version does but it has an adjusting ring. Similar concept to the vise grip adjusting screw.
PS: Isn't Vise Grip bankrupt and gone?
Bill D
Peterson - the original maker/owner of Vice Grip sold out nearly 20 years ago. They sell now under the Irwin name and are made in China.
The US plant closed in 2008. The "new" ones aren't anywhere near as good as the "older" ones that were made DeWitt Nebraska

FWIW - the Ridge Tool (Ridgid brand) Swedish Pipe wrench goes for about $135

[Tom M King]

I used the largest size of Channellock end nippers for many years, & still have several pair, but have gone over to these, as they actually do more things, and importantly, live happily in your back pocket. Angled head, long handles, very rarely stocked in stores. I have at least three pair.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Channellock-9-54-in-High-Leverage-Cutting-Plier-449/203418790?g_store=&source=shoppingads&locale=en-US&&mtc=SHOPPING-BF-CDP-GGL-D25T-025_001_HAND_TOOLS-NA-Multi-NA-SMART-NA-NA-NA-NA-NBR-NA-NA-NA-Hand_ToolsNonPriority&cm_mmc=SHOPPING-BF-CDP-GGL-D25T-025_001_HAND_TOOLS-NA-Multi-NA-SMART-NA-NA-NA-NA-NBR-NA-NA-NA-Hand_ToolsNonPriority-71700000086053656-58700007291967538-92700076258964017&gclid=Cj0KCQjwy9-kBhCHARIsAHpBjHhi1ct_7R_YbgNL8B8RBxNlUVPKTI05vxcKE-O-SMHq8Ygr0hRx0SUaAg8eEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

Small channelocks stay in my toolbelt. The Kleins only come in 8", but they are the preffered ones if they are close at hand. edited to add: Sorry, I thought we were talking about end cutting nippers. I like the Knipex dikes best, but do keep some Irwins in the truck to cut stuff in the ground.

[fred woltersdorf]

I bought a new tool from Horrible Fright. Around $12.00 on sale. Never heard of it before. Not really big enough for pipe work but seems useful for big nuts. Work similar to vise grips but flat jaws that stay parallel. Would be better for me if the jaws were not serrated.
Bill D
Amazon has a better make for more money.
https://www.amazon.com/KNIPEX-83-10-010-Wrench-90/dp/B005EXOIBA

Do you have a link for that wrench? I can't find it on the HF website.

[Bill Dufour]

Link to Horrible fright version.
Bill D.
https://www.harborfreight.com/swedish-pattern-pipe-wrench-57446.html

[fred woltersdorf]

Link to Horrible fright version.
Bill D.
https://www.harborfreight.com/swedish-pattern-pipe-wrench-57446.html

Thanks, off to Horrible Fright tomorrow.

[Halgeir Wold]

That tool in various sizes has been a standard tool for scandinavian plumbers for decades... nut sure about the rest of Europe....I think it's quite common..
I have it in three different sizes.... ( and my father was a plumber..)

[Bill Dufour]

Made in Germany and Sweden so probably used all over Europe. I had just never seen one before so it was new to me here in the USA. Seems to be uncommon in the USA tool stores. I bought a cheap HF one and it has already seen some light use.
With straight jaws I am not sure if it will really grip pipe. Works okay on hex nuts and smaller pipe. I think the USA went with vise grips and stillson pipe wrenches. Many old cars came with a tool kit including a monkey wrench so drivers felt familair with the similar looking Stilson pipe wrench style.
Bill D
Bill D

[Lloyd McKinlay]

The Knipix 10" plier wrench arrived today. Solid well built tool which appears to have many uses that will take whatever is thrown at it. Thanks to John Frederick and others for the endorsement.