These unassuming pliers replaced my multitool for a fraction of the cost

ZDNET's key takeaways

• This small-sized water pump plier can accomplish several DIY tasks.
• It's accessibly priced at around $30.
• They're designed to be pinch-proof to prevent squeezing your fingers.

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I've spent a lot of money on multitools over the years. That's because I like the idea of a single tool that serves many functions, and partly because no single tool is ideal. Furthermore, there's a small bit of me that just loves new, shiny things.

But ultimately, multitools all fall short in one way or another.

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Too bulky. Too uncomfortable to use. Too big. Too small.

Oh, and there's usually a big, locking blade that's largely unnecessary. This is a no-no here in the UK, and it's also going to result in the tool being confiscated if I accidentally try to take it on a plane. So, it got me thinking. What do I really want from a multitool?

The answer: A decent pair of pliers that grip really well and can clamp down with a strong force. 

Everything else -- screwdrivers, tin openers, knife, awl, thing for getting stones out of horse's hooves -- I either have as part of my EDC (everyday carry), or I don't really need.

I want a pair of pliers that are compact enough to unobtrusively fit into a pocket, yet strong enough to, well, do what I expect pliers to do.

And I've found what I need.

Knipex Cobra XS Water Pump Pliers. 

First, these are tiny. Measuring 4.02 x 1.18 x 0.39 inches (10.21 x 2.99 x 0.99 cm), and weighing on at 2.19 oz (62 g), they can slip into a pocket or bag totally unobtrusively. 

But don't let their small size fool you. 

These have 11 adjustment positions and can open enough to grip a 1-inch (24 mm) fastener. I've used these to do simple plumbing, change a car battery, and even change an alternator.

They're also great for disconnecting cable connectors in larger electronic devices, such as PCs, washing machines, cars, and so on. They offer better drip than your fingers can ever achieve, but not so much that you end up destroying things.

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And they really do grip, with the precision-machined teeth really biting in.

Huge bite for such a small size.

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET

Initially, I had concerns about the handles. 

They look uncomfortable, especially since they aren't coated in anything rubbery. But having used these extensively, I can say that it's not a problem. The handles are comfortable, even when the pliers are being used hard. I can squeeze these as hard as I can and the grip doesn't impede this at all.

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The precision-ground jaws can also clamp down on small fasteners or flush fasteners.

Gripping a fastener that's flush to the surface (and look how good those jaws look, even after a lot of use)

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET

Oh, and here's another feature I appreciate. 

I don't know if you've ever pinched your fingers between the handles of a pair of pliers, but I have, and I can tell you that it's up there with stepping on a Lego or banging your shin on a coffee table when it comes to pain. So many multitools let you do this, and because they're something you might only use every so often, it can surprise you (in a bad way).

Well, good news. These Knipex pliers won't do this because they've been designed to be pinch-proof so the handles won't catch the skin on the palm of your hand.

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They're also very corrosion-resistant. This was a surprise to me, as they look like they might start rusting quickly. The ones I own have been in my pocket for weeks, used outdoors, and even in water, and they are still almost like new. 

ZDNET's buying advice

And all this for under $30. These Knipex Cobra XS Water Pump Pliers are just awesome.

Combine these Water Pump Pliers with, say, a Wera screwdriver kit, and you'll be able to tackle 90% of the jobs that a multitool can do, and do it better and more efficiently. 

Need something bigger? No problem. 

You can pick up the Cobra water pump pliers in sizes from 4-inch to a whopping 22-inch.