Compared to the two knipex wrenches, any crescent wrench loses, due to the simple fact that you can't squeeze with them. The adjustable spanner design is antiquated.
@Hand Tool Reviews ????? I have put my entire weight on my 86 03 125 without any issue and taken off ceased 20mm nuts. Maybe you just have weak grip strength?
@Hand Tool Reviews I use the knipex wrench as a mini break to straighten bent poles.... or to pull out stuffed material that usually requires some kind of pliers to pull out the first picket. I think people underestimate the capabilities beyond just an adjustable wrench. Mind you I never used the tiny one, mine is 6 inches. I think beyond novelty and some rediculiously tight spots the micro is a bit useless, it can also work in a pinch for edc. I do own the 3 inch cobras though, never actually used it though lol
Its the squeezing that brought me back to the adjustable. Had the Cobra XS, had the mini wrench pliers. Biggest downfall is you have to squeeze them, which you cant do in a lot of small space stimulations. Adjustable you don't have to squeeze for the tool to work. Wound up never using the Kinipex Cobra and the mini wrench pliers and reached for a wrench instead. Good quality pliers though. Nice German steel. Ill stick to my 6 or 8 inch Cobras though
My perfect edc tool for these jobs, is the Knipex Cobra 150. It can do the job a pliers wrench can do but also works as a pipe wrench, can do stuff common pliers can do etc. It's the most versatile tool of them all, that's why I choose that. PS I own the 125 Cobra and common small pocket size plier wrenches and other similar tools, but Cobra 150 is both the most versatile and the most capable of them all.
I absolutely agree! The 150 mm is real capable, fits even big hands like mine (11,5) and are hardly more cumbersome than the smaller ones. I also think that particularly the 100mm is more a novelty thing than a real tool.
The Pocket Monkey appears to be a Lobster brand adjustable wrench . Lobtex / Lobster makes several models . There is a 30MM capacity with the narrowest jaw width of 6MM at the jaw tip !
I just ordered the Lobtex UM24S ($22 on AMZN). Same overall size, 24mm opening x 118mm length, but no over-molded grip (just I vinyl cover I plan to remove) and normal jaws. This and Knipex XS pliers would be handy in a travel 'save a dive kit'
I use one of these for work on white goods, particularly good for getting motor capacitors loose where the nut is slightly recessed. Also great for winding down adjustable legs where there isn't a lot of height clearance to get them started, saves trying to lift a fridge/front load washer with one hand and wind out the legs with another.
Hi Doc, Good and timely video. I have had my eye out for a 4in wide mouth adjustable, hoping that Irega would make one in 4in (I have the Irega 4in in channellock flavor, but it, like your crescent, only opens a little over 1/2in). After watching your video, I did some digging and I think I am going to get the “Top” brand Japanese 4in wide mouth as I don’t have much call for such narrow jaws as on the engineer (I had always thought of the narrow jaw wrenches as bicycle specific). Thanks again for the great content.
Engineer is about half as much as Vamplier as well if you look an amazon. The Engineer pliers are the exact same thing as Vamplier, down to the grip on the pliers themselves.
I personally have found no adjustable wrench that could beat my old MAC aw4 ( not sure the era on mine, there's been changes ) because it's got a slightly larger head than the typical old 4" adjustable and goes up to 5/8" which is as much as I need. I've seen these and they're interesting, but I don't know where it would fall in for me. Theres also the recent Western forge 4" adjustable that you can still find new all over EBAY for the Craftsman version , they are much larger than the typical 4" adjustable and are a good choice. I carry my WF at work only though, because it's still more than I want in my pocket everyday otherwise.
Yes, the really expensive ones are probably the best. I have a mititoyo, a Stahlwille, and a few $10 cheapo special. They all read the same …. I tend to grab non-digital as I don’t use them enough to keep batteries in the digital ones. :-)
These new cheap (~$10) ones are pretty good. They all use the same technology internally. Some don't zero out automatically properly due to over sensitivity though this is a very quick fix with some selotape, some older cheapos used to have issues with parasitic draw (constant dead batteries) and cheaper ones have less than perfectly finished jaws. If you're doing machining go for some mitotoyos (~$100) but beware fakes, anything less than that the cheapos are fantastic for the price. The one doc is using here is a Qfun (~$30). It has enlarged display and fractional display for inches which are both nice features most don't have. And if it's good enough for doc...
I have several calipers: Two Mitutoyo analog and one Mitu digital, Starrett 120A (main gage), Peacock, crappy iGaging digital garbage, and something else that I'm forgetting. What is your intended use for calipers? Do you work with wood?
Actually I was able to find several other models, thick and thin, of the engineer monkey wrenches. Only thins are available on Amazon, eBay has way more options. This stubby is also available in black and with a different jaw shape. However for your reasons I would suggest trying to find TWM-04
Don’t know how i haven’t seen these from engineer lol, they make a few monkey wrenches but can’t find any that aren’t thin jaws. 110mm is pretty tiny, let’s be honest if you come across a bolt over 12mm odd are your not even going to be able to budge that thing with a tool this small lol. Best monkey wrenches I’ve found are Lobster brand (sometimes also labeled as lobtex)
I see no real advantage to carrying the Pocket Monkey versus the 100mm Knipex pliers wrench. Or if one really needs the extra jaw opening, the 125mm Knipex pliers wrench. Lighter, smaller, and better grip while delivering superior torque. A Knipex pliers wrench, paired with a same size Cobra, puts a lot of tool capability in a tidy package. I'm waiting for your review of the teeny tiny oxy-acetylene cutting torch pocket kit. Talk about hot pockets!
After using the pliers wrench I have zero patience for the old school adjustibles. The screw adjustment is just too slow and too finicky in comparison. That said, I like the design a lot here. Especially how thin the jaws are.
IMO, 6" is the minimal size for an adjustable. I'd rather use a small Cobra/Alligator on little nuts. BTW, Doc, have you tried Nisaku tools yet? I'd picked up their larger Hori-Hori knife for work, along with some scrapers. The knife is beautifully make and highly functional for its intended application. Should have bought some years ago for the business. Fixed. The scrapers are quite decent for the money. I'm seeing references to a monkey wrench in the comments. It's not the same tool as an adjustable wrench. Wish I could post a pic.
I wouldn't bank on taking anything on planes reliably. Certainly nothing you can't afford to lose. I've had 58mm pink Swiss Army Knifes confiscated at multiple airports, often next to a sign that says they're fine. Pink deliberately chosen as if I'd tried to take over a plane with them everyone would have laughed at me. Equally I've had security not notice a significantly larger knife I've accidentally had in a bag. A 6" sharpened centre punch I'd lost was only noticed on the third flight after losing it and once I'd explained what it was I allowed to keep it. Which was clearly against the rules. There is no point protesting that the security person is spouting rubbish, they will stop you getting you flight even if they're wrong.
Awesome Find Doc! 👍👍
Compared to the two knipex wrenches, any crescent wrench loses, due to the simple fact that you can't squeeze with them. The adjustable spanner design is antiquated.
@Hand Tool Reviews ?????
I have put my entire weight on my 86 03 125 without any issue and taken off ceased 20mm nuts. Maybe you just have weak grip strength?
@Hand Tool Reviews I use the knipex wrench as a mini break to straighten bent poles.... or to pull out stuffed material that usually requires some kind of pliers to pull out the first picket. I think people underestimate the capabilities beyond just an adjustable wrench. Mind you I never used the tiny one, mine is 6 inches. I think beyond novelty and some rediculiously tight spots the micro is a bit useless, it can also work in a pinch for edc. I do own the 3 inch cobras though, never actually used it though lol
Its the squeezing that brought me back to the adjustable. Had the Cobra XS, had the mini wrench pliers. Biggest downfall is you have to squeeze them, which you cant do in a lot of small space stimulations. Adjustable you don't have to squeeze for the tool to work. Wound up never using the Kinipex Cobra and the mini wrench pliers and reached for a wrench instead.
Good quality pliers though. Nice German steel. Ill stick to my 6 or 8 inch Cobras though
My perfect edc tool for these jobs, is the Knipex Cobra 150. It can do the job a pliers wrench can do but also works as a pipe wrench, can do stuff common pliers can do etc. It's the most versatile tool of them all, that's why I choose that.
PS I own the 125 Cobra and common small pocket size plier wrenches and other similar tools, but Cobra 150 is both the most versatile and the most capable of them all.
I absolutely agree! The 150 mm is real capable, fits even big hands like mine (11,5) and are hardly more cumbersome than the smaller ones. I also think that particularly the 100mm is more a novelty thing than a real tool.
The Pocket Monkey appears to be a Lobster brand adjustable wrench .
Lobtex / Lobster makes several models . There is a 30MM capacity with the narrowest jaw width of 6MM at the jaw tip !
Definitely going to have to check it out!
Hello again Doc
Thank you for another Great Video. I do like how small the wrench is. That should help in very tight situations!!!!
Engineer make some amazing tools Doc
I just ordered the Lobtex UM24S ($22 on AMZN). Same overall size, 24mm opening x 118mm length, but no over-molded grip (just I vinyl cover I plan to remove) and normal jaws. This and Knipex XS pliers would be handy in a travel 'save a dive kit'
I use one of these for work on white goods, particularly good for getting motor capacitors loose where the nut is slightly recessed. Also great for winding down adjustable legs where there isn't a lot of height clearance to get them started, saves trying to lift a fridge/front load washer with one hand and wind out the legs with another.
It's actually engineer's another model with it's handle cut and fitted with the rubbery handle cover
Have one very similar and it’s extremely useful
Thank you! I’ve been looking for ages for jaw width of pliers wrench xs & the cobras. I’d like to see the larger cobras measured too.
Hi Doc,
Good and timely video. I have had my eye out for a 4in wide mouth adjustable, hoping that Irega would make one in 4in (I have the Irega 4in in channellock flavor, but it, like your crescent, only opens a little over 1/2in). After watching your video, I did some digging and I think I am going to get the “Top” brand Japanese 4in wide mouth as I don’t have much call for such narrow jaws as on the engineer (I had always thought of the narrow jaw wrenches as bicycle specific). Thanks again for the great content.
I think the proto small adjustable wrench reaches 25mm, it also has an indexing that is nice.
Engineer is about half as much as Vamplier as well if you look an amazon. The Engineer pliers are the exact same thing as Vamplier, down to the grip on the pliers themselves.
Solid content Doc! I will definitely check them out
Looks handy !
You should look into lobtex adjustable wrenches, they make good wide jaw ones, they are made in Japan.
I personally have found no adjustable wrench that could beat my old MAC aw4 ( not sure the era on mine, there's been changes ) because it's got a slightly larger head than the typical old 4" adjustable and goes up to 5/8" which is as much as I need.
I've seen these and they're interesting, but I don't know where it would fall in for me.
Theres also the recent Western forge 4" adjustable that you can still find new all over EBAY for the Craftsman version , they are much larger than the typical 4" adjustable and are a good choice.
I carry my WF at work only though, because it's still more than I want in my pocket everyday otherwise.
Outstanding
Has anyone removed the oversold on this? Is there a conventionally sized and shaped metal handle underneath?
Very cool shit. I love this stuff, always looking for compact, everyday carry tools like these. Good vid.
nice calipers... looking to grab digital pair. any preference?
If your looking for the best go with Starrett or Mitutoyo, otherwise most all the other cheaper calipers are pretty much identical internally.
Yes, the really expensive ones are probably the best. I have a mititoyo, a Stahlwille, and a few $10 cheapo special. They all read the same …. I tend to grab non-digital as I don’t use them enough to keep batteries in the digital ones. :-)
These new cheap (~$10) ones are pretty good. They all use the same technology internally. Some don't zero out automatically properly due to over sensitivity though this is a very quick fix with some selotape, some older cheapos used to have issues with parasitic draw (constant dead batteries) and cheaper ones have less than perfectly finished jaws. If you're doing machining go for some mitotoyos (~$100) but beware fakes, anything less than that the cheapos are fantastic for the price. The one doc is using here is a Qfun (~$30). It has enlarged display and fractional display for inches which are both nice features most don't have. And if it's good enough for doc...
Here's the one I'm using: th-cam.com/video/C9fTjynKsjo/w-d-xo.html
I have several calipers: Two Mitutoyo analog and one Mitu digital, Starrett 120A (main gage), Peacock, crappy iGaging digital garbage, and something else that I'm forgetting. What is your intended use for calipers? Do you work with wood?
Actually I was able to find several other models, thick and thin, of the engineer monkey wrenches. Only thins are available on Amazon, eBay has way more options. This stubby is also available in black and with a different jaw shape. However for your reasons I would suggest trying to find TWM-04
Don’t know how i haven’t seen these from engineer lol, they make a few monkey wrenches but can’t find any that aren’t thin jaws. 110mm is pretty tiny, let’s be honest if you come across a bolt over 12mm odd are your not even going to be able to budge that thing with a tool this small lol. Best monkey wrenches I’ve found are Lobster brand (sometimes also labeled as lobtex)
I see no real advantage to carrying the Pocket Monkey versus the 100mm Knipex pliers wrench. Or if one really needs the extra jaw opening, the 125mm Knipex pliers wrench. Lighter, smaller, and better grip while delivering superior torque. A Knipex pliers wrench, paired with a same size Cobra, puts a lot of tool capability in a tidy package. I'm waiting for your review of the teeny tiny oxy-acetylene cutting torch pocket kit. Talk about hot pockets!
Besides the fact that there is no 100mm pliers wrench, only the Cobras go down to that size, you are right.
After using the pliers wrench I have zero patience for the old school adjustibles. The screw adjustment is just too slow and too finicky in comparison.
That said, I like the design a lot here. Especially how thin the jaws are.
IMO, 6" is the minimal size for an adjustable. I'd rather use a small Cobra/Alligator on little nuts.
BTW, Doc, have you tried Nisaku tools yet? I'd picked up their larger Hori-Hori knife for work, along with some scrapers. The knife is beautifully make and highly functional for its intended application. Should have bought some years ago for the business. Fixed. The scrapers are quite decent for the money.
I'm seeing references to a monkey wrench in the comments. It's not the same tool as an adjustable wrench. Wish I could post a pic.
I wouldn't bank on taking anything on planes reliably. Certainly nothing you can't afford to lose.
I've had 58mm pink Swiss Army Knifes confiscated at multiple airports, often next to a sign that says they're fine. Pink deliberately chosen as if I'd tried to take over a plane with them everyone would have laughed at me.
Equally I've had security not notice a significantly larger knife I've accidentally had in a bag.
A 6" sharpened centre punch I'd lost was only noticed on the third flight after losing it and once I'd explained what it was I allowed to keep it. Which was clearly against the rules.
There is no point protesting that the security person is spouting rubbish, they will stop you getting you flight even if they're wrong.
I need to stop watching these videos. They’re rough on my wallet 😂
Where did you hear its hard to clean,
It's a common mention with Vamplier/Engineer handles, and something I've noticed myself.
Anybody know what brand calipers he is using?
I like the large numbers
th-cam.com/video/C9fTjynKsjo/w-d-xo.html
Discount：40%off （20%code+20%coupon）
original price: 29.99
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th-cam.com/video/C9fTjynKsjo/w-d-xo.html
110mm
Lobster UM24XD would probably be more beneficial for you. For some reason right now buying one is 24 bucks but buying two is.. 120 bucks??
I have the ~4.5" UM24SS-O which is a nice alternative to this Engineer as well.