Knipex Raptor Pliers are unique pliers that combine the convenience of the push-button adjustment on the workpiece and the function of an all-purpose tightening tool. They are designed to grip and turn rounded, rusty, or overly painted nuts and screws with ease. They are especially useful for working on vehicle brake systems, plumbing fittings, and HVAC connections. In this blog post, I will give you a very detailed and thorough review of this product, based on its features, performance, quality, and customer feedback.
Features of Knipex Raptor Pliers
The Raptor Pliers have a parrot-head design and flat jaws that allow them to fit in very tight spaces, where they won’t slip or mar the fastener. They have a smooth gripping surface that does not have teeth that will dig in and damage the fastener, but lock on and don’t let go due to the unique cam-action design. They can be adjusted easily with the simple push of a button, and have 15 possible positions, ranging from 3/8″ to 1 1/4″. They have a box-joint design that provides high stability and prevents the jaws from shifting under heavy load. They also have a pinch guard that prevents the operator’s fingers from being pinched. They are made of chrome vanadium electric steel, forged and oil-hardened for durability and strength. They have a non-slip plastic handle that is comfortable and ergonomic. They are 10 inches long and weigh 0.75 pounds.
Performance
The Raptor Pliers are designed to deliver maximum torque and ratchet action on stuck or stripped bolts and nuts. They can handle both inch and metric sizes, and are self-locking in the range from 11/16″, meaning they won’t slip off the workpiece. They can quickly tighten or loosen nuts and bolts using a ratchet-like motion, without having to remove or reposition them. They are ideal for working on vehicle brake systems, where they can grip and turn the hexagonal or torx bolts that hold the calipers, rotors, and pads. They can also work on plumbing and gas fittings, where they can grip and turn the soft brass or copper nuts and screws without damaging them. They can also work on HVAC connections, where they can grip and turn the hexagonal or square nuts and bolts that secure the ducts, vents, and pipes. They can also work on any other situation where there are rounded, rusty, or overly painted nuts and screws that need to be turned.
Quality
The Raptor Pliers are made in Germany by Knipex, a company that is widely known for its high-quality pliers and tools. They are made of chrome vanadium electric steel, which is a strong and durable material that resists corrosion and wear. They are forged and oil-hardened, which means they are heated and shaped under high pressure and then cooled and tempered to achieve the optimal hardness and toughness. They are polished and atramentized, which means they have a smooth and shiny surface that is coated with a thin layer of black oxide to protect them from rust and scratches. They have a box-joint design, which means they have a double guide that ensures the jaws are aligned and stable. They have a non-slip plastic handle, which means they have a soft and comfortable grip that is resistant to heat and chemicals. They have a lifetime warranty, which means they are guaranteed to be free from defects in materials and workmanship.
Customer Feedback about Knipex Raptor Pliers
The Raptor Pliers have received mostly positive feedback from customers who have used them. They have a 4.8 out of 5 stars rating on Amazon, based on 1,643 reviews. Customers have praised them for their ease of use, versatility, durability, and performance. They have also commented on how well they work on rounded, rusty, or painted nuts and screws, and how they save time and effort compared to other tools. Some of the positive reviews are:
– “Dubious of gimmicky items, but took a chance based on prior experience with Knipex. Am very well-pleased with function and quality of tool. Works exceptionally well with difficult or damaged fasteners.”
– “These are amazing. I use them on everything. They are great for brake caliper bolts and anything else that is hard to get to. They grip like crazy and don’t slip. They are worth every penny.”
– “These pliers are awesome. They grip rounded nuts and bolts like nothing else. They are also great for plumbing fittings and HVAC connections. They are very well made and easy to adjust. I highly recommend them.”
However, the Raptor Pliers have also received some negative feedback from customers who have used them. They have some drawbacks and limitations that may affect their performance and suitability for some applications. Some of the negative reviews are:
– “These pliers are good for some things, but not for everything. They are too bulky and heavy for some tight spaces. They also don’t work well on very small or very large nuts and bolts. They are not a replacement for a good set of wrenches.”
– “These pliers are overpriced and overrated. They don’t grip as well as they claim. They slip and round off the nuts and bolts more than they turn them. They are also hard to adjust and release. They are a waste of money.”
– “These pliers are defective and dangerous. The push-button mechanism broke after a few uses and the jaws got stuck. The pinch guard also failed and I cut my finger. They are poorly designed and poorly made. I returned them and got a refund.”
Conclusion
The Raptor Pliers by Knipex are unique pliers that combine the convenience of the push-button adjustment on the workpiece and the function of an all-purpose tightening tool. They are designed to grip and turn rounded, rusty, or overly painted nuts and screws with ease. They are especially useful for working on vehicle brake systems, plumbing fittings, and HVAC connections. They are made of chrome vanadium electric steel, forged and oil-hardened for durability and strength. They have a box-joint design, a pinch guard, and a non-slip plastic handle. They have a lifetime warranty. They have received mostly positive feedback from customers who have used them, but they also have some drawbacks and limitations that may affect their performance and suitability for some applications. They are not a replacement for a good set of wrenches, and they may not work well on very small or very large nuts and bolts. They are also bulky and heavy, and they may break or malfunction under extreme conditions. They are priced at $38.49 on Amazon, which may seem expensive for some customers, but may be worth it for others who value their features and quality.