Adjustable spanner vs pipe wrench: which tool for which job
Adjustable spanner vs pipe wrench comes down to the jaws. An adjustable spanner has smooth, flat jaws that grip the flats of a nut or bolt without marking it. A pipe wrench has toothed jaws that bite into round pipe and fittings, and grip harder as you turn. Use the spanner on hexagon nuts and the pipe wrench on round pipe. In Nairobi in October 2026, AHIHQ Traders sells 8" adjustable spanners at KSh 26,100 for a carton of 120 (works out at about KSh 218 a piece) and 8" pipe wrenches at KSh 22,620 for a carton of 60 (works out at about KSh 377 a piece).
This guide also covers the ratchet spanner, Allen keys and the three screwdriver lines, because they are often bought together.
Spanners, wrenches and drivers at a glance
| Tool | What it is for | Sizes in the range | Wholesale pack and price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adjustable spanner | Nuts and bolts of different sizes | 8", 10", 12", 18", 24" | KSh 17,400 for a carton of 60 |
| Pipe wrench, rubber grip | Round pipe and threaded fittings | 8" to 48" | KSh 17,055 for a carton of 24 |
| Ratchet spanner 1/2" | Turning fasteners fast | 1/2" | KSh 26,100 for a carton of 36 |
| Allen key set, 9 pcs | Hex socket screws and bolts | 9-piece set | KSh 26,100 for a carton of 60 sets |
| Screwdriver, black handle | Everyday screws, star and flat | 4", 5", 6", 8" | KSh 13,920 for a carton of 240 |
| Screwdriver 2-in-1 | Star and flat in one tool | 4", 6", 8" | KSh 22,620 for a carton of 240 |
| Screwdriver, hammer head | Heavier work | 4", 6", 8" | KSh 31,320 for a carton of 240 |
What is an adjustable spanner used for?
An adjustable spanner has one fixed jaw and one moving jaw, set by a thumb-wheel. One tool covers many nut sizes, which is why fundis carry it for furniture, machinery, water meters, taps and car work. Close the jaws tight on the flats before you pull. A loose fit rounds off the corners of the nut. Set the spanner so the pulling force is taken by the fixed jaw, not the moving one.
Longer spanners open wider and give more leverage. The Knicker Adjustable Spanner (8" to 24") comes in five sizes:
| Size | Carton | Carton price | Per piece (about) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8" | Carton of 120 | KSh 26,100 | KSh 218 |
| 10" | Carton of 60 | KSh 17,400 | KSh 290 |
| 12" | Carton of 48 | KSh 17,400 | KSh 363 |
| 18" | Carton of 12 | KSh 17,400 | KSh 1,450 |
| 24" | Carton of 6 | KSh 19,140 | KSh 3,190 |
What is a pipe wrench used for?
A pipe wrench grips round things that a spanner would slip on: galvanised pipe, couplings, unions, and stuck fittings. The toothed jaws dig in, so it will mark the surface. Do not use it on chrome taps, brass nuts you want to keep neat, or plastic fittings. For PVC, use a PVC pipe cutter to cut and PVC glue to join (see how to glue PVC pipe). On threaded steel joints, wrap thread seal tape before tightening.
The Knicker Pipe Wrench, Rubber Grip (8" to 48") is described in the catalogue as drop-forged, with a mobile jaw, CrV steel and a dipped handle. Pick the size to match the pipe: short wrenches for small pipe under a sink, long ones for large pipe and for breaking stuck joints.
| Size | Carton | Carton price | Per piece (about) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8" | Carton of 60 | KSh 22,620 | KSh 377 |
| 10" | Carton of 48 | KSh 22,275 | KSh 464 |
| 12" | Carton of 36 | KSh 20,880 | KSh 580 |
| 14" | Carton of 24 | KSh 17,055 | KSh 711 |
| 18" | Carton of 16 | KSh 16,010 | KSh 1,001 |
| 24" | Carton of 12 | KSh 17,400 | KSh 1,450 |
| 36" | Carton of 6 | KSh 17,400 | KSh 2,900 |
| 48" | Carton of 4 | KSh 23,200 | KSh 5,800 |
Adjustable spanner vs pipe wrench: the short rule
- Hexagon nut or bolt head: adjustable spanner.
- Round steel pipe or a seized fitting: pipe wrench.
- Two pipe wrenches are often used together on a joint: one to hold, one to turn.
The ratchet spanner
A ratchet lets you turn a nut or bolt without lifting the tool off between strokes, so it is much faster where there is little room to swing. The Knicker Ratchet Spanner 1/2" is listed in the catalogue as heat treated with a chrome finish. It costs KSh 26,100 for a carton of 36 (works out at about KSh 725 a piece). Check the product page for how it fits before you order.
Allen keys
Allen keys (hex keys) turn screws and bolts with a six-sided socket in the head. These are common in flat-pack furniture, door handles, machinery and bicycles. The Knicker Allen Key Set, 9 pcs is described as chrome vanadium steel, fully hardened. It costs KSh 26,100 for a carton of 60 sets, which works out at about KSh 435 a set.
Which screwdriver: black handle, 2-in-1 or hammer head?
All three lines are listed as star and flat. Star (cross-head) screwdrivers fit cross-slot screws such as most wood, MDF and gypsum screws. Flat screwdrivers fit single-slot screws and are often used on electrical terminals. Match the tip size to the screw, or the tip will slip and damage the head.
- Knicker Screwdriver, Black Handle (Star & Flat): the everyday line, in cartons of 240. KSh 11,140 for 4", KSh 12,180 for 5", KSh 13,920 for 6" and KSh 15,660 for 8". That is about KSh 46 to KSh 65 a piece.
- Screwdriver 2-in-1, Black-Red Handle (Star & Flat): one tool with a star and a flat end. The catalogue lists it as carbon steel, with fully hardened and strongly magnetised blades. KSh 20,880, KSh 22,620 and KSh 27,840 for cartons of 240 in 4", 6" and 8" (about KSh 87, KSh 94 and KSh 116 a piece).
- Knicker Screwdriver, Hammer Head (Star & Flat): for heavier work. The catalogue lists it as chrome vanadium, chrome plated, with magnetic tips. KSh 27,840, KSh 31,320 and KSh 34,800 for cartons of 240 (about KSh 116, KSh 131 and KSh 145 a piece).
Do not use any screwdriver as a chisel or pry bar.
Which one should you buy?
- Nuts and bolts of mixed sizes: adjustable spanner, 10" or 12" for general use.
- Plumbers on steel pipe: two pipe wrenches in sizes to match the pipe.
- Mechanics and fast repetitive work: ratchet spanner.
- Furniture assembly and machinery: Allen key set.
- A shop counter line: black-handle screwdrivers at the lowest carton price, with 2-in-1 and hammer-head lines for fundis who want more.
Where to buy
Every line in this guide is in the hand tools collection, part of the Tools & Hardware range at AHIHQ Traders. The range is sold wholesale only, by the carton, bag or bundle, never as a single piece. If you need only one or two tools, share a carton with other fundis or shops, or buy a carton to hold as stock. Collect from the trade counter at Royal Business Park, opposite Complast, Old Mombasa Road, Nairobi, Monday to Saturday, 8:00 to 17:30. Countrywide delivery is a flat KSh 350, and free on orders over KSh 15,000. Pay by M-Pesa or card. Hardware shops and contractors can request a trade quote at /pages/trade, or send a list on WhatsApp +254 724 505 919.
Related guides
- Types of pliers and their uses: a guide for Kenyan fundis and shops
- Types of hammers and uses: claw, mason, sledge, mini and tack hammers
- Wall plugs and raw bolts: how to fix into a concrete wall
Common questions
Can I use a pipe wrench on a nut?
It will turn it, but the teeth will chew the corners and mark the surface. Use an adjustable spanner on nuts and keep the pipe wrench for round pipe and seized fittings.
What sizes do pipe wrenches come in?
The rubber-grip pipe wrench comes in 8", 10", 12", 14", 18", 24", 36" and 48". In October 2026 cartons run from KSh 16,010 for a carton of 16 to KSh 23,200 for a carton of 4.
How much is an adjustable spanner wholesale in Nairobi?
In October 2026, AHIHQ Traders sells the 8" at KSh 26,100 for a carton of 120 (about KSh 218 a piece), up to the 24" at KSh 19,140 for a carton of 6 (about KSh 3,190 a piece).
Can I buy one spanner or one screwdriver?
No. This range is sold by the carton only. If you need one or two, share a carton with others or buy for stock.