Earlier this year, Bosch launched their very first set of plumbing pliers. It includes water pump pliers and pliers wrench. In this article, I explore these new Professional Bosch water pump pliers and share my firsthand experience with them.
Bosch Professional Water Pump Pliers Review
Have you had a chance to use the newly released 250mm Bosch water pump pliers yet? I recently gave them a try, and I must say they felt like Knipex cobra with soft grip handles.
The new 10″ Bosch professional water pump pliers resemble the Knipex cobra in many aspects. From the striking knipex-like design to the smooth adjustment mechanism with a push button. In fact, at first glance, you might think they are Knipex with blue handles.
Intrigued by this similarity, I did some digging up to find out whether Bosch and Knipex had collaborated on this project. Interestingly, I did not find any clue of a partnership between these two German toolmakers. And the manufacturing origin of the tools confirmed it. While Knipex tools are exclusively manufactured in Germany, these Bosch pliers are made in China.
Key Features of Bosch Water Pump Pliers
- Multi-component comfort grip handles
- Smooth adjustment mechanism with pushbutton
- Jaw gripping capacity of up to 46mm
- Box-joint design
Generally, the new Bosch water pump pliers offer performance comparable to the renowned Knipex Cobras. However, a few key differences might influence your choice.
Bosch Waterpump Pliers vs Knipex Cobra Pliers
Size Range
Bosch currently offers only a 10-inch model, while Knipex provides a comprehensive lineup ranging from 4 to 22 inches.
Handle Types
Bosch offers a 250mm model with soft-grip handles, whereas Knipex provides both slim and comfort-grip handle options. Your preference for grip type may sway your decision.
Place of Manufacture
Where a tool is manufactured often influences perceptions of quality and durability. German-made tools are renowned for superior quality and long-lasting performance.
Knipex tools are made in Germany and are known for their quality and precision. On the other hand, the Bosch water pump pliers are made in China.
This difference in the place of manufacture may raise interesting questions about how Bosch’s water pump pliers measure up in terms of quality and reliability compared to their German-made counterparts.
Final Thoughts:
Despite these few differences, Bosch plumbing pliers feel solid in the hands. They grip onto pipes and nuts firmly while protecting your fingers from getting pinched between the handles.
Although they are slightly more expensive than their Knipex counterparts, they offer comparable performance and I recommend them to any handyman. These adjustable pliers offer the same jaw capacity of up to 2″ (46mm) as the Knipex cobra. This makes them suitable for regular plumbing jobs in the house and automotive projects.
However, if you’re looking for a tool lineup you can expand over time, Knipex or Channellock might be a better option!
