Knipex 86 01 300 Pliers Wrench is a 12 inch adjustable hand tool built to combine the functions of pliers and a wrench in one layout. This is a pliers wrench designed for gripping, holding, pressing, bending, and tightening fasteners and fittings without damaging finished surfaces. Model Number: 86 01 300 SBA. If you work on hardware, fittings, or flat-sided parts and do not want jaw marks, this is the reason this tool exists.

The big selling point here is range. With a maximum jaw capacity of 2.5 inches or 68 mm, this tool can replace a large set of inch and metric open-end wrenches for many common tasks. Knipex also gives it 24 adjustment positions, so you can set the opening right on the workpiece instead of hunting for a separate wrench size. On repetitive fastening jobs, that saves time. On service calls, it cuts down what you need to carry.

What makes this pliers wrench different from standard adjustable pliers is the jaw design. The jaws are smooth and parallel, not toothed for biting. That matters when you are installing chrome plumbing trim, working around plated fittings, or grabbing sensitive edges that would get scarred by regular tongue-and-groove pliers. The zero-backlash jaw pressure helps keep the grip controlled and even, so the tool holds the part instead of rounding it off.

Knipex also built in some practical details that matter once the tool is actually in your hand. The push-button adjustment is straightforward and secure, and the hinge bolt is designed to catch reliably so the setting does not shift unintentionally. The laser-etched scale lets you preset the jaw opening before you clamp down, which is useful when you are bouncing between repeated fastener sizes or trying to move quickly on install work.

The slim jaw profile is another real-world advantage. It gets into tighter spots than bulkier adjustable wrenches and many traditional pliers, which is helpful around trim hardware, valves, locknuts, and confined assemblies. Knipex also calls out a narrower jaw profile and improved accessibility into confined areas, along with a lighter overall design compared to earlier versions. That combination makes the tool easier to live with during a full day of use.

Material matters on a tool like this. The Knipex 86 01 300 Pliers Wrench is made from chrome vanadium electric steel and is forged and oil-hardened. That is the kind of build you want on a hand tool that is going to see repeated clamping force, twisting force, and jobsite abuse. It is not just about strength on day one. It is about keeping the adjustment mechanism, jaws, and pivot working properly over time.

At roughly 1.49 to 1.6 pounds depending on source listing, this is still a substantial 12 inch hand tool, but it is light enough to stay useful as an everyday carry option in a service bag or pouch when you need one adjustable tool to do a lot of jobs. The dipped handle gives you a simple, direct grip without excess bulk. No insulation is claimed here, so it should be treated as a standard mechanical hand tool, not an electrical safety tool.

This tool makes the most sense for plumbers, mechanics, maintenance techs, remodelers, installers, and general contractors who work around finished hardware and want one adjustable tool that can do clean gripping and wrenching. Serious DIY users will also appreciate it, especially if they are tired of adjustable wrenches that slip and pliers that leave marks. If your work involves delicate surfaces, repeated size changes, or tight spaces, this design earns its keep fast.

Knipex 86 01 300 Pliers Wrench is the one you grab when finish matters

This is one of those hand tools that makes immediate sense the first time you use it on a finished fitting you do not want to ruin.

• Who it's for: Plumbers, installers, maintenance techs, mechanics, and serious DIY users who need adjustable grip without chewing up hardware.
• Why it stands out: The smooth parallel jaws, 2.5 inch capacity, and fast push-button adjustment let it cover a lot of wrench work while staying gentler and more controlled than standard pliers.
• Worth knowing: This is a mechanical hand tool with dipped handles, not an insulated electrical tool. If you want bite marks for rough demolition work, grab something else. If you want clean control, this is the right choice.

• What is the maximum capacity? The listed jaw capacity is 2.5 inches, which is also shown as 68 mm.
• Will it mark chrome or plated fittings? It is designed with smooth jaws for damage-free installation on plated fittings and other finished surfaces.
• How is the jaw opening adjusted? It uses a push-button adjustment system with 24 positions and a laser-etched scale for presetting the opening width.
• What is it made from? Chrome vanadium electric steel with a forged, oil-hardened construction.