Key Features
Big Capacity, Less BulkThis Knipex Cobra XL water pump pliers gives you up to 3-1/2 inch round pipe capacity and 3-3/4 inch hex capacity while staying lighter than comparable pipe wrenches. That means fewer tool changes and less weight riding in the bag. Push-Button AdjustmentThe push-button joint makes sizing fast right on the workpiece, and the 27 adjustment positions let you dial in a secure fit. You spend less time fiddling with the tool and more time turning fittings. Hardened Teeth That HoldSpecial hardened gripping teeth at about 61 HRC bite hard and resist wear. Combined with the self-locking jaw design, the tool stays planted on pipe and nuts with less hand force.
Overview
The Knipex 87 01 400 US Cobra XL Water Pump Pliers is a 16 inch adjustable gripping tool built for turning pipe, fittings, and large fasteners with more reach than standard pliers and less bulk than a comparable pipe wrench. This is a water pump pliers designed for gripping and turning round pipe, hex fittings, and irregular workpieces. Model Number: 87 01 400 US. If you work in plumbing, mechanical service, plant maintenance, or general repair, this is the kind of tool that earns its place fast because it covers a wide size range without feeling clumsy.
The big story here is capacity. Knipex rates this Cobra XL for up to 3-1/2 inch round pipe and up to 3-3/4 inch hex. That gives you room to handle larger valves, unions, locknuts, and pipe without jumping straight to a heavier wrench. The long 16 inch body gives you leverage, but it is still compact enough to ride in a service bag or fit where a long traditional pipe wrench becomes awkward.
The adjustment system is one of the reasons tradespeople stick with Cobra pliers. The push-button lets you set the jaw directly on the workpiece, and the tool offers 27 adjustment positions for a more exact fit. That matters because a closer fit means better contact, less chance of slipping, and a more comfortable grip angle when you are working in tight mechanical rooms or against a wall. Once set, the joint is designed to resist unintentional shifting.
Grip quality is another real-world difference. The serrated gripping surfaces use specially hardened teeth rated at about 61 HRC, so they bite hard and wear slowly. Knipex also uses a self-locking jaw geometry on pipes and nuts, which helps the pliers stay planted under load instead of skating across the work. In plain terms, you do not have to squeeze as hard to keep control, which makes a difference on repetitive service work or stubborn fittings.
From a build standpoint, this tool is made from chrome vanadium electric steel, forged and multi-stage oil-hardened. The box-joint design with double guide gives the pliers a more stable feel under heavy pressure than looser slip-joint styles. Polished jaws and the grey atramentized finish round out a design that is clearly built for hard daily use, not occasional household duty. The red plastic-coated handles keep the grip simple and durable without adding unnecessary bulk.
Jobsite practicality is strong here too. A built-in pinch guard helps keep fingers from getting caught during adjustment and use. At roughly 2.62 lbs, the tool carries easier than a comparable large pipe wrench while still delivering serious bite and leverage. For service plumbers and maintenance techs, that lighter weight matters when the tool is in your hand all day or riding in a packed bag with meters, cutters, and drivers.
The Knipex Cobra XL Water Pump Pliers is not an insulated electrical tool, so it is not meant for live electrical work. What it is meant for is mechanical gripping and turning where you need range, speed, and dependable hold. It handles round, square, and hex material, and the fine adjustment makes it useful across a broad spread of pipe and fitting sizes instead of forcing you to carry multiple fixed-size tools.
Who should buy it? Plumbers are the obvious fit, but it also makes sense for HVAC techs, industrial maintenance crews, utility workers, remodelers, and serious DIY users who work on larger plumbing or mechanical assemblies. If your work regularly puts you on copper, steel, valves, locknuts, and oversized fittings, this tool gives you a lot of reach and capacity in a format that is quicker to set and easier to carry than a traditional pipe wrench.
Reach Larger Pipe Without Jumping to a Pipe Wrench
This is where the extra-large Cobra layout makes sense. You get the opening and leverage needed for real plumbing and mechanical service work, but in a tool that is still faster to adjust and easier to carry than a bulky pipe wrench.
- Up to 3-1/2 inch capacity on round pipe
- Long 16 inch body gives added leverage on larger fittings
- Lighter weight than comparable pipe wrenches according to Knipex
Lock In Fast and Stay Put Under Load
A large capacity tool is only useful if it actually holds. The self-locking jaw design and hardened teeth work together so the pliers stay engaged with less squeeze effort from your hand.
- Special hardened gripping teeth rated around 61 HRC
- Self-locking on pipes and nuts for reduced slipping
- Box-joint construction adds stability during heavy turns
Dial In the Fit Instead of Fighting It
Fine adjustment matters more than it sounds. A closer match to the workpiece gives better control, better leverage, and a grip angle that feels more natural when you are working in cramped spots.
- 27 adjustment positions for a more exact fit
- Push-button adjustment directly on the workpiece
- Works across round, square, and hex material
What’s in the Box
- (1) Knipex Cobra XL Water Pump Pliers
Key Specifications
| Overall Length | 16 in. |
|---|---|
| Weight | 2.62 lbs |
| Adjustment Positions | 27 |
| Max Jaw Opening – Round Pipe | 3-1/2 in. |
| Max Jaw Opening – Hex | 3-3/4 in. |
| Joint Type | Box-joint |
| Material | Chrome vanadium electric steel, forged, oil-hardened |
| Made In | Germany |
Built For
PlumbingHVACMechanical ServiceIndustrial MaintenanceGeneral ContractingRemodeling
Pro Tip
Use the push-button to size the jaw so the handles close with solid contact before you load the tool. On larger pipe and valve bodies, that fine adjustment is what gives the Cobra its no-nonsense bite instead of making you over-squeeze the handles.
Warranty & Support
Lifetime warranty against manufacturer’s defects.
Tool Nut’s Take
Tool Nut’s Take
Knipex 87 01 400 US Cobra XL Water Pump Pliers is the one you buy when standard channel-style pliers stop being enough
This tool gives you the reach and bite for larger plumbing and mechanical work without dragging around a full-size pipe wrench for every job.
- Who it’s for: Plumbers, HVAC techs, maintenance crews, and serious DIY users dealing with larger pipe, valves, unions, and big hex fittings.
- Why it stands out: The mix of 3-1/2 inch pipe capacity, 27-position push-button adjustment, self-locking action, and hardened 61 HRC teeth makes it much more than just oversized slip-joint pliers.
- Worth knowing: This is a heavy-duty mechanical gripping tool, not an insulated electrical pliers. If you need reach and holding power more than compact carry, this one makes a lot of sense.
Common Questions
- What is the maximum pipe capacity? The rated maximum jaw opening for round pipe is 3-1/2 inches.
- How many adjustment positions does it have? It has 27 adjustment positions for fine sizing on different workpieces.
- What material is it made from? The pliers are made from chrome vanadium electric steel and are forged and oil-hardened.
- Is it made in Germany? Yes. Source data lists Germany as the country of origin.
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