The Knipex 87 01 300 SBA 12 in. Cobra Water Pump Pliers is a professional-grade adjustable gripping tool built for pipe work, mechanical service, and general repair. This is a water pump pliers designed for gripping and turning pipes, nuts, sleeves, and other irregular parts. Model Number: 87 01 300 SBA. If a standard 10 inch pair leaves you short on reach or leverage, this longer 300 mm size gives you more capacity and more torque without moving into oversized specialty territory.

What makes this Cobra stand out is how fast it adjusts in real use. The push-button adjustment can be set directly on the workpiece, and the 30-position fine adjustment gives you a closer fit across a wide range of sizes. That matters because a closer jaw setting means less slop, better contact, and less chance of rounding a nut or slipping off a pipe when you're leaning on it.

Knipex also builds the jaw geometry to self-lock on pipes and nuts. In plain terms, the pliers do more of the holding for you. Instead of burning hand strength just to keep the jaws clamped shut, you can put more effort into turning the part. On stubborn plumbing fittings or seized mechanical fasteners, that lower hand force is a real advantage over basic adjustable pliers.

The gripping surfaces use specially hardened teeth rated at about 61 HRC for strong bite and good wear resistance. Combined with the box-joint design and double guide, the tool stays stable under load and tracks more securely than loose, stamped pliers. The hinge bolt is designed to catch reliably so the setting does not shift unintentionally once you have it where you want it.

Material matters on hand tools, and Knipex does not cheap out here. These pliers are made from chrome vanadium electric steel, forged, and multi-stage oil-hardened. That construction is a big reason Cobra pliers have the reputation they do. You get the toughness needed for daily jobsite use, plus teeth and pivot areas that hold up better over time.

For real-world capacity, this model handles pipes up to 2.75 inches and nuts up to 60 mm. That makes it a solid choice for plumbing rough-in and service work, HVAC installs, mechanical rooms, plant maintenance, and general contracting. It is also useful in automotive and industrial settings when you need one tool that can grab round, flat, or hex shapes without carrying multiple wrench sizes.

The plastic-coated handles keep the grip simple and practical, and the built-in pinch guard is there for a reason. On a tool that sees repeated repositioning, that extra protection helps when you're moving quickly. At about 1.16 lbs, it is substantial enough to deliver leverage but still light enough to earn a regular spot in the bag.

If you are a plumber, HVAC tech, maintenance mechanic, marine engineer, or serious DIYer who wants one pair of adjustable pliers that actually grabs and holds, this size makes a lot of sense. It is especially good for users who already know the 250 mm Cobra and need more opening range and more turning power without stepping into a much bulkier tool.

One of the easiest pliers to trust under load

The Knipex 87 01 300 SBA 12 in. Cobra Water Pump Pliers earns its keep by gripping harder, adjusting finer, and wasting less hand strength than a lot of standard pump pliers.

• Who it's for: Plumbers, HVAC techs, mechanics, maintenance crews, and serious DIY users who want more reach and leverage than a 10 inch pair can give.
• Why it stands out: The self-locking jaw action, 30-position push-button adjustment, and hardened teeth are the combo that makes this tool feel planted instead of sloppy.
• Worth knowing: This is not the cheapest option in the drawer, and the button-adjust layout takes a little getting used to if you've spent years on old-school groove joint pliers. Once it clicks, though, it's hard to go back.

• What is the maximum pipe capacity? This model is rated for pipes up to 2.75 inches, also listed as 70 mm.
• How many adjustment positions does it have? It has 30 push-button adjustment positions for fine sizing on different workpieces.
• What is it made from? The pliers are made from chrome vanadium electric steel and are forged and multi-stage oil-hardened.
• Is it made in Germany? Yes. Germany is the country of origin.