I posted some thoughts in a comment on another post. Having all 3 of these pliers, and using them to some degree.

Workpro 4 inch water pump pliers Knipex cobra 4 inch Knipex cobra 5 inch

For my light use, all of these are great. Adjusting bikes and scooters and toys, pinching tasks (i.e. pulling staples from cardboard, pulling the odd nail, tightening knots etc.)

The Workpro obviously feels cheaper, but if I bought it first, I likely wouldn't have bought the knipex.

Small gripes about the Workpro - Slippery handle fixed with fabric tape - The blue button is plastic and feels cheap

Workpro 'pros' - Amazing price - Lanyard loop is great - Jimping on top of workpro (I've never needed to use it and maybe never will, but it is a nice touch)

I personally carry the 4 inch knipex, I like the non button adjustment better, and they just feel and look nice. I have the Workpro on my desk as part of a small desk tools kit.

I gave a workpro and a 5 inch knipex to two people for Christmas. Workpro I expect may never get used, the 5 inch knipex will definitely get well used in an automotive setting. I don't know if that context matters, but the 5 inch knipex definitely 'feel' like a 'real tool'. Though the smaller pliers are both very capable.

  • Yeah in the knipex guy category. I never handled the work pro til recently. I gave everyone in my crew one. They always seemed amazed how handy my knipex are in a pinch or not in a pinch and just need pliers. Couldn’t afford to get everyone the knipex, but 5 work pros fit my budget. I handled them but never used the work pro. The opening on the jaws are smaller the jaws themselves are thinner. Also they don’t fit as well in pocket to me . If you look the work pro has a bigger profile ( as far as the handles)when closed. Well that’s my two cents

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    On the very last adjustment setting, the workpro handles are farther apart, which is good because it feels like you will get a better grip when grabbing something very fine (wire, sheet metal, etc).

    If you move the adjustment down one notch on the workpro, the jaws will still close all the way but the handles will be much closer together when the jaws are closed. This should eliminate the 'bigger profile' that you dislike.

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  • The 5 inch Knipex has been a real work horse for me. It lives in my bag and solves all sorts of problems when they come up. I've never tried the Workpro, but it looks like a good value. If I didn't already have the Knipex, I might be tempted to try it.

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  • I love the Cobra XS! They really are a very handy tool. You listed a lot of the things I find myself using them for. But I've also used them for not really small stuff as well. And they preform admirably! Never regretted buying them a single time.

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  • I’ve had my 5” knipex in a pocket everyday for years at this point. They come in handy all the time and I think they’ve earned every cent and will continue to do so. The workpros would either fit a backup kit for me, or be a first pair if I hadn’t been sure about splurging on the knipex. I want to try the 4” but it’s hard to justify when the 5” has been so good and never had a size issue.

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  • Another vote for Knipex.

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  • I love me a Knipex Cobra! Any size!

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  • I keep the 4inch Cobras with my Arc in the sheath on my hip. I opted for the 6inch Cobras for a little compact tool kit I built out.

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  • I carry the 4” knipex in a pouch of n my pocket. I needed it just yesterday to get a grip on something small and pull. I’ve carried it since 2023 and never regretted it.

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  • I got the work pro as my first and I see no need to pay more for knipex.

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  • There is no 4 inch or 5 inch knipex. It is 100 and 125 mm. 1 inch is 25.4 mm. I never got workpro tools, but i know it's cheap chinese brand. I'm wondering what the metal they use? I mean, will it be brittle or lose its edge easily?

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