THE BUYING TAKE
Choose the KNIPEX Cobra XS when a pocket-size repair tool still needs to grip small pipes, hose fittings and nuts up to 1 inch. Its 11-position joint, slim head and self-locking jaws make tight-space adjustments practical. Skip it when long-handle leverage, smooth non-marring jaws or electrical insulation matter.
The KNIPEX Cobra XS 87 00 100 is a 4-inch water-pump plier with 11 adjustment positions and a documented 1-inch capacity for round pipe, hex fittings and general work. Its slim head, box joint and self-locking serrated jaws suit compact kits and tight access. Short handles limit leverage, the teeth can mark finished surfaces, and the tool is not electrically insulated.
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KNIPEX 87 00 100
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A compact repair kit usually forces a compromise: carry a tool short enough for the pouch, or carry jaws large enough for the fitting. The KNIPEX Cobra XS 87 00 100 compresses that decision into a 4-inch water-pump plier with a documented 1-inch working capacity. It is meant for small kits and restricted access, not for pretending that handle length no longer affects leverage.
This article covers the exact 87 00 100, UPC 843221027612, and Amazon child ASIN B085WBGQNP. KNIPEX sells many larger Cobra models, insulated variants and multi-component-handle versions. Their sizes and electrical ratings do not transfer to this plain, textured-handle XS model.
KNIPEX lists the Cobra XS at 4 inches long, 1 1/8 inches wide and 3/8 inch high, with a weight of 0.14 pound. Despite that short frame, the jaws open to 1 inch for round pipe, hex fittings and general working capacity. That is the clearest purchase benefit: the pliers fit a pocket organizer or compact bicycle and household kit while still reaching common small nuts, fittings and hoses.
The short handles also set the limit. They cannot create the reach or leverage of a 7-, 10- or 12-inch Cobra, so stubborn, corroded or high-torque work deserves a larger tool. The XS is strongest when access and portability are the problem; it is not a substitute for every full-size water-pump plier.
The joint offers 11 adjustment positions and one-handed quick adjustment. Instead of accepting one coarse opening, the user can bring the jaws closer to the workpiece before squeezing. That helps the small tool use its available handle travel efficiently and makes it easier to approach a fitting inside a crowded cabinet, appliance compartment or small repair pouch.
Adjustment range does not guarantee a safe match for every surface. The gripping faces are serrated and use specially hardened teeth. Those teeth are intended to hold pipe and nuts, but they can mark soft, plated or decorative finishes. A smooth-jaw pliers wrench or a protected interface is the better choice when preserving the surface matters more than bite.
The listed one-inch limit also keeps the buying decision concrete. A jaw that can physically touch a larger object is not the same as a manufacturer-rated grip. Staying within the documented round, hex and working capacities matters more than forcing the handles around an oversized fitting.
KNIPEX describes the Cobra geometry as self-locking on pipes and nuts, with low hand force required to prevent slipping. A box joint gives the head a double guide, while the slim head helps the jaws enter restricted spaces. Together, those features create a second independent buying benefit: the compact tool is not only easy to pack; it is shaped to stay engaged after the correct opening is selected.
The tool still has clear safety boundaries. KNIPEX marks this model as not 1000-volt insulated and warns not to use it on live circuits. The company also calls for approved eye protection. A pinch guard helps keep fingers out of the joint, but it does not turn the tool into insulated electrical equipment or replace normal hand placement.
Textured bare handles keep the profile slim, but they do not provide the padded feel of a multi-component grip. That tradeoff suits a pouch tool used for short adjustments better than a plier held under heavy force for long sessions.
Choose the Cobra XS for a compact mechanical kit, bicycle bag, appliance drawer or household organizer when the expected jobs involve small pipe, hose fittings and nuts up to 1 inch. Its 11-position joint, slim head and self-locking serrated jaws make it more capable than its four-inch length suggests when space is tight.
Skip it when the job needs long-handle leverage, a smooth non-marring jaw or electrical insulation. A larger Cobra is better for stubborn fittings, while a pliers wrench is better for finished flats. The 87 00 100 earns its place by combining real one-inch capacity with exceptional packability; limited leverage and aggressive teeth are the honest costs of that compact design.
We may earn a commission from these links, at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
KNIPEX 87 00 100
Check current price and availability with the retailer.
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