Knipex Cobra Wasserpumpenzange 250mm 87 01 250 - Compact Grip Up to 2 Inch Pipes

Knipex Cobra Wasserpumpenzange 250mm 87 01 250 delivers a 250 mm length with 25 adjustment positions and a gripping capacity up to 2 inch pipes and 46 mm nuts. For US tradespeople and DIY users, the compact pliers design with 335 g weight matters most.

The Knipex Cobra Wasserpumpenzange 250mm 87 01 250 is a compact, high-tech water pump pliers designed for secure gripping of pipes and nuts in plumbing, HVAC and mechanical work. With a total length of 250 mm and a self-locking jaw design on pipes and nuts, it offers strong holding power in a relatively small footprint for tool belts and portable kits.Knipex lists the 87 01 250 Cobra with a 250 mm length and capacity for nuts up to 46 mm and pipes up to 2 inch diameter.

Core Specs of the 87 01 250 Cobra

The 87 01 250 Cobra is part of Knipex's Cobra high-tech water pump pliers line and is built from chrome vanadium steel, forged and oil-hardened for durability in daily professional use.Toolup lists material as chrome vanadium steel with a polished head and non-slip plastic coated handles. The pliers length is documented at 250 mm, with a net weight of 335 g, so it sits in the middle of the Cobra range in both size and heft.A Knipex data sheet for 87 01 250 confirms 25 adjustment positions, capacity for pipes of 50 mm diameter (2 inch), capacity for nuts across flats of 46 mm, and overall dimensions of approximately 250 x 44 x 14 mm.

The jaws of the 87 01 250 use hardened teeth and a self-locking geometry so that once set on a pipe or nut, the pliers tend to clamp tighter under load rather than slip off. Knipex highlights that the Cobra design uses a button-operated fine adjustment that allows users to set jaw opening directly on the workpiece and lock into 25 distinct positions along the sliding joint.The German-language Knipex product page for 87 01 250 notes the large gripping capacity up to SW 46 mm and pipes up to 2 inch, alongside the relatively low weight of 335 g for the tool.

Grip Range and Adjustment in Practice

On the workbench, the practical numbers of this Cobra matter more than abstract dimensions. With a maximum capacity for nuts across flats of 46 mm and for round pipes up to 50 mm diameter (roughly 2 inch trade size), the 87 01 250 lands squarely in the medium class of water pump pliers.Toolup reports a capacity for pipes of 50 mm diameter and nuts of 46 mm, matching the manufacturer data sheet. The 25-step adjustment allows the jaws to be set very close to the size of the workpiece, which helps reduce play and concentrate gripping force.

Compared with larger Cobra models such as the 87 01 300, which reach pipe capacities up to around 70 mm diameter, the 87 01 250 trades some maximum grip width for easier handling and lighter weight.Knipex's 87 01 300 Cobra is described with a grip width up to 70 mm and greater torque, illustrating how the 250 mm model is intended for more compact applications. For many household and light commercial tasks involving 1/2 inch to 1 1/2 inch fittings, the 250 mm range is sufficient and easier to maneuver in tight spaces.

Price Positioning in the US Market

In the United States, the Knipex 87 01 250 Cobra typically sells as an individual hand tool rather than part of a large kit. On US specialized tool retailers, the 87 01 250 is commonly listed with a length of 10 inches (approximately 250 mm) and the same capacities of 2 inch pipes and 46 mm nuts detailed in European data sheets.A US retailer listing for Knipex 87 01 250 Cobra focuses on the high-tech water pump pliers category with adjustment positions, capacities and materials, but price values fluctuate with promotions and stock conditions. Within the broader market for professional-grade water pump pliers, typical list prices for tools in this size class from established brands fall into a mid-range bracket rather than budget pricing.

Because Knipex emphasizes long service life and precision teeth on the Cobra series, the 87 01 250 is positioned for professionals and serious DIY users who accept a higher upfront tool purchase for better grip security and wear resistance. When choosing between this pliers and generic adjustable pliers, the quantified grip range and the 25-position fine adjustment give a clearer basis for comparison than more general claims about comfort or ergonomics.

Brand and Manufacturing Context

Knipex is a German tool manufacturer specializing in pliers, with its headquarters in Wuppertal, Cronenberg, and a dedicated North American branch, Knipex Tools LP, that handles sales and marketing in the United States.A company overview notes that Knipex Tools LP operates offices and a warehouse in Buffalo Grove, Illinois, which supports US distribution of Cobra water pump pliers and other lines. Trademark records identify KNIPEX-WERK C. Gustav Putsch KG as the owner behind the Knipex brand, reinforcing that the Cobra series comes from a long-established pliers maker rather than a private-label or rebranded tool.Trademark data for Knipex confirms KNIPEX-WERK C. Gustav Putsch KG as the owner for the Knipex mark.

The 87 01 250 model code is consistent across European and international listings, including US-oriented product pages that describe a "10 inch" Cobra water pump pliers with the same 25-position adjustment and capacity figures. That continuity simplifies cross-border purchasing and inventory, as technicians can match part numbers like 87 01 250 and EAN codes regardless of whether they source tools domestically or import them.

How the 250 mm Cobra Compares

Within the Cobra family, the 87 01 250 occupies a middle position between compact models such as the Cobra XS at 100 mm length and larger XL pliers scaling up to 300 mm and beyond.The Cobra XS 87 01 100 is listed at just 100 mm length with gripping capacity up to about 24 mm nuts and 28 mm workpieces, making it more of a pocket tool for tight spaces. At the other end, the 87 01 300 achieves pipe capacities up to around 70 mm diameter and is better suited for larger installations, but carries extra length and weight.The 87 01 300 documentation highlights a grip width up to 70 mm and suitability for cases where the classic 250 mm Cobra is not sufficient.

For many US users upgrading from generic pliers, the key comparison point is the self-locking jaw and fine adjustment mechanism of the Cobra versus traditional slip-joint pliers. The 25-step adjustment of the 87 01 250 and the documented capacity for 2 inch pipes give a more precise picture of what jobs the tool can cover than broad labels like "medium" or "large". When comparing with other branded water pump pliers in the 250 mm class, similar capacity figures around 50 mm pipe diameter and 45-50 mm nut width indicate that the Cobra 87 01 250 sits right in the expected range, but with its particular emphasis on self-locking grip and aggressive teeth profile.

Use Case and Practical Verdict

In practical use, the Knipex Cobra Wasserpumpenzange 250mm 87 01 250 suits plumbers, HVAC technicians, maintenance staff and serious DIYers who regularly need to grip and turn fittings from roughly 10 mm nuts up to 2 inch pipes. Its 250 mm length and 335 g weight mean it can live in a tool pouch or service bag without feeling bulky, while still covering the majority of residential and light commercial fitting sizes documented in its 46 mm nut and 50 mm pipe capacity.A specification summary lists the 87 01 250 with 25 adjustment positions and a 250 mm length for medium work.

Those who often work on larger industrial pipes above 2 inch or need maximum leverage may find the 87 01 300 or Cobra XL models more appropriate, accepting their higher weight and longer handles in exchange for larger grip widths. For compact service work, however, the measured capacities of the 87 01 250 combined with its button-operated adjustment and self-locking jaws provide a clear, quantified case for choosing this size as a primary water pump pliers. The consistent model number, clear capacity figures and established Knipex brand backing help US buyers match tool choice to documented requirements rather than relying only on subjective feel.

Key Facts: Knipex Cobra Wasserpumpenzange 250mm 87 01 250

• Product: Knipex Cobra Wasserpumpenzange 250mm, 87 01 250
• Manufacturer: Knipex Tools LP (North America branch of KNIPEX-WERK C. Gustav Putsch KG)
• Category: Water pump pliers (250 mm length)
• Length: 250 mm overall
• Weight: 335 g net weight
• Adjustment positions: 25-step button-operated joint
• Capacity for pipes: 50 mm diameter (2 inch)
• Capacity for nuts: 46 mm across flats
• Material: Chrome vanadium steel with non-slip plastic coated handles
• Price: $0.00 (as of 09/15/2026)
• Target audience: Professional plumbers, HVAC and maintenance technicians, serious DIY users