Knipex 10” Cobras are the gateway drug!
I bought a pair maybe ten years ago, then recently bought a pair with comfort grip to see if that was a better fit for my big hands. This purchase here was for a plumber who worked on my house recently.
The teeth are sharp and tough and seem to win every battle. The handle contours are just right. The pivot in the middle is the co-star in the show to the jaws and teeth — it’s a hinge, not just two sides distorting around one pivot. One handle slips through a wide gap in the other handle so the geometry is always on center. Then there’s the pushbutton adjuster, which is quick and easy to do — and when you drop these pliers or get them all they way open, they don’t change their slot. Also, the adjuster gives you many small teeth to choose from for your adjustment position.
I use 10” Cobras for all sorts of things. Those big copper staples on larger boxes? The teeth are sharp and precise enough that you can grip those quickly and just tug.
Get these, but be warned, soon you’ll be eyeing other Knipex pliers!
Made in Germany by a company that has one factory, in Germany, and builds almost nothing but pliers all week long. This is one of those companies like Bahco or Snap-On or Milwaukee who are not screwing around.