Knipex 87 00 100 SBA 4 in. Cobra XS Water Pump Pliers is a compact water pump pliers tool built for gripping pipes, nuts, and small hardware where access is limited. This is a water pump pliers designed for tight-space gripping, holding, and adjustment work. Model Number: 87 00 100 SBA. If you work in service panels, under sinks, around hose clamps, or inside packed mechanical assemblies, this little Cobra earns its spot fast.

What makes this model matter is not just that it is small. It still gives you 11 adjustment positions, up to 1 inch jaw capacity, gripping capacity for pipes up to 28 mm, and width across flats up to 24 mm. In practical use, that means it handles more than its size suggests. You get a real gripping tool that can grab small pipe, fittings, and hex hardware instead of a novelty pliers that only belongs in a drawer.

The slim head is the part pros will appreciate right away. On plumbing repairs, appliance work, automotive service, and general maintenance, clearance is usually the problem. A bulky head keeps you from getting square on the workpiece. The Cobra XS keeps the nose narrow so you can get onto hardware in cramped spots while still having enough jaw shape to hold securely.

Knipex built this one with a box joint design for better stability and durability. That dual-guide style matters on a pliers this compact because sloppy jaws make a small tool feel useless in a hurry. Here, the joint stays controlled, the jaws track well, and the tool feels more precise than most mini pliers. The one-handed push adjustment also saves time because you can size the opening directly on the workpiece instead of fumbling with both hands.

The gripping surfaces use specially hardened teeth rated at approximately 60 HRC. That is the difference between a pliers that bites and a pliers that skates. The self-locking action on pipes and nuts helps reduce the amount of squeeze force you need from your hand, which is a big deal when you are working with fingertips only or reaching from an awkward angle. Knipex also adds a pinch guard, which helps keep your fingers out of a bad spot while adjusting and squeezing.

At about 0.13 lb and only 4 inches long, this is a realistic everyday carry hand tool for techs, mechanics, plumbers, and anyone who works on small assemblies. It is made from chrome vanadium steel and made in Germany, so it is aimed at buyers who care more about function and long-term reliability than bargain-bin pricing. If you regularly work in confined spaces and need a compact tongue and groove pliers that still grips like a full-size tool, this is exactly the point of the Cobra XS.

Why the Knipex 87 00 100 SBA 4 in. Cobra XS Water Pump Pliers Actually Belong in Your Pocket

This is one of those rare tiny tools that does not feel like a compromise once you put it to work.

• Who it's for: Service plumbers, HVAC techs, mechanics, appliance techs, and anyone who regularly fights cramped access around small pipe, fittings, and hardware.
• Why it stands out: The slim head, box joint build, self-locking grip, and 11-position adjustment make it useful well beyond what you expect from a 4 inch compact pliers.
• Worth knowing: This is built for access and control, not brute-force two-hand work. If you need a pocket-size companion to your larger Cobra pliers, this is an easy yes.

• What is the maximum jaw capacity? The jaw capacity is 1 inch.
• How many adjustment positions does it have? It has 11 adjustment positions for finer sizing on different workpieces.
• Is this pliers insulated? No. The handle is not insulated.
• Where is it made? It is made in Germany.