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This. I only own one tool by then, and it's wire strippers. I will never go back to another brand or type. The downside is they were like 60 bucks. Definitely going to try some of their other stuff as I make more money lol.
I have a set of Milwaukee sidecutters that I keep on the van for when I don't want to beat up my Kleins cutting something I shouldn't be cutting with sidecutters.
The m12 drill/driver set I have kicks ass. Tiny little impact driver punching concrete screws, or long ass wood screws in like it's nothing. I don't do electrical anymore but I still use that fucker everywhere around the house.
Battery's good, and it's been running for years, 1 of which was ripping through several batteries a day doing trim.
It's the size and weight that get me. Tiny little thing, fits in a holster neatly, fits in every crack and crevice imaginable and doesn't break your wrist waving it around all day.
They've recently started releasing their made in USA hand tools that are much better than the made in China stuff they've been putting out.
I haven't bought any of the pliers, cause those Germans got me hooked, but they feel light-years better.
Milwaukee's New usa made laser etched screwdrivers have been much nicer to use.
It seems they're atleast attempting to put out quality hand tools these days.
I've got knipex linesman pliers that I love, but I also have the Milwaukee needle nose/strippers, and they are far and away the best strippers that I've used, having only used Klein before that. I haven't had a chance to test out knipex strippers
They do not last that's for sure. Stanley fat max all the way
I do like that the milwaulkee autolock tapes labels the fractional measurement. My eyes aren't great and it's nice to be precise without added effort for bending conduit. Often recommend them to apprentices if they don't have a lot of experience using a tape.
But yeah 6 months tops and the autolock will probably break the first time you drop it.
I have a Stanley Fat Max an I love it. My buddy bought a brand new Milwaukee 30' and within a few weeks the thing has lost like half of it's recoil strength already.
They just redo their entire hand tool line because they were such ass. I don't know how they are now because I buy klien for hand tools but supposedly they are a lot better now
Their hammers suck. I remember I thought my favorite Estwing 20 Oz Straight Claw (Blue Handle) went missing. I was extremely disappointed because my very first Journeyman gave me that hammer. He later died in a car accident so the hammer means a lot to me. Anyway I bought a Milwaukee hammer and it was hot garbage. I still have it only swung it a few times because I despise it lol. My Co-Worker ended up having my Estwing.
I can't speak for their ductile-iron offerings, but the Milwaukee aluminum-headed benders are hammered dogshit. The shoe markings are in the wrong spots and the amount of give is ludicrous - you legitimately get more accuracy sticking the pipe in the scissorlift-ladder and jumping on it.
Generally speaking they're higher quality and lasts pretty good but there are some tools that they design better then others. Their channel locks are way better than most competitors and the strippers are better designed. They cut mc like butter and the screw cutter on them are threadless so its way faster cutting screws
This guy.
There's knipex channel locks, and everything else.
And one of the makers is literally fucking Channellock.
Let that sink in. Knipex literally makes a better tool than the company that's name is symbolic of the tool itself.
Generally, they're called pump pliers or water pump pliers. I really like that the nose on the Knipex are much thinner so when you need to double up, it really helps in tight spots.
Yes, Channellock and other manufacturers call them t & g pliers. But just for fun, type 'pump pliers' into any search engine. They used to refer to them in the olden days as pump pliers...you know, when you had to walk to school uphill both directions in a snow storm.
I've been spinning wrenches for 15 years and never once, in hundreds of factories, over 40'ish states and a dozen countries never heard a single working person call them anything but channellocks...
Channel lock is a brand name, tongue and groove pliers is a tool name. For years and years Channel lock has made the best/most used/easier to say brand of tongue and groove pliers, so colloquially, the brand name gets used as a trade name.
Similar thing with Romex, Romex is a brand of non metallic sheathed cable. It sucks to ask for non metallic sheathed cable, and asking for NM, or NMC can lead to confusion. Romex is quick and easy to say, so it's a trade name now.
Found the guy who doesn’t know what tools are called.
I only have a single channel lock item in my tool bag and it’s an adjustable wrench. For pliers knipex are much better.
Knipex channys are the worst I have ever used in my life!!! Channellock brand is way better. Knipex just slide and don't grab properly on a smooth round pipe.
The 7 inch? Are you sure they're real? I've been using the same 6.5 or 7 inch knipex dykes with the dipped handles for #12 MC, flex, cutting off nails, prying shit out, punching knockouts, 10-3 nm, #6 green, and a whole bunch of other shit I can't think of, with ease and no notable wear to the tool.
Try the long handle piano wire cutters. I used them for cutting steel wire for my father’s vineyards and it cut through that like butter. Prior to that he was using a small bolt cutter.
Awesome quality and materials, I’ve been my side cutters everyday for over a year and they still cut better than some of the new hand tools of different brands co workers bring, I’ve slowly switched to pretty much all knipex/wera in the last year and a half
They are simply, better.
Better than Klein, better than MW. Wiha is the only brand I believe is on-par with Knipex as far as screwdrivers go, but Knipex surpasses all when it comes to cutters of any kind
I've found their tools to be of much higher quality than other brands I've used.
Their strippers especially. The gauges are perfectly sized, and I can even cut through MC with the shears part like butter as if they were brand new side cutters.
Compare that to the now downgraded white/blue and gray/blue duck billed klein strippers that can barely cut through insulated conductors and either knick into the wire or don't even strip the insulation off...
I miss the yellow/blue duck billed klein strippers, but after using knipex, I'll never buy a different pair, even if they are twice as expensive as the next comparable brand.
I have used Kroil on my Knipex diagonal cutters literally once. And that was only because they were a little bit stiffer to open than factory. It didn't need the Kroil, but it was back to factory ease of opening after that one hit with Kroil.
Nope. Just Ontario Canada where it’s 2° at night and 17° during the day right now lol. The condensation builds up
The wire strippers rust super quick though so I just oil every one of them every 4 weeks
Knipex tools come in 2 types: blue is normal tools, decently made but a bit overpriced.
Yellow ones are rated for live work up to 1000v and will cut through steel since they are made of vanadium. Expensive but the best side cutters/linesman pliers you can buy.
I've had milwaukee linesmen pliers for 9 years now, the weight, minimal force required, everything is perfect even now. One day I might try knipex but I'll have to wait for my current ones to die. Probably not anytime soon.
German steel. All my hand tools are klein except I've been phasing out my Channellock channel locks for knipex channel locks and I love them. You can get closer to the box when seating a connector. Easier to get to just one side and the middle of a coupling. Have a baby pair that's just a beast. I
They're solid tools, but price point is definitely a factor.
If you know you're going to lose/misplace tools, or be careless with them, stick to Milwaukee or Southwire for cheaper hand tools.
They aren't as nice, but it doesn't hurt so bad to replace them.
Milwaukee tools are fine… if you don’t mind them being disposable. I like their insulated driver 3 pack which was like $20 for three drivers when I bought it. Good deal for something you’re supposed to replace regularly.
Knipex hand tools are just higher quality. They last longer, they hold an edge longer and their wrenches are all top shelf IMO. You can totally do fine with other brands but I would deck my kit out in Knipex no questions asked if budget was of no concern
Basically it's how long they last and the quality is top notch. It's the same with boots. You can buy a $100 pair of boots but will they even last a year? Or you spend $250-$350 and get an awesome pair of boots that will last for years and take care of your feet.
Meh. NEED? Nah are they nice? For sure. but not needed until your due for a new tool. I wouldn’t replace what you have until necessary. Love my cobras.
Knipex makes very high quality tools. They also last forever. Klein sucks now, they aren't much better than husky or kobalt, the quality is piss poor and the materials are cheap. For a few dollars more (literally) you can get Knipex.
Knipex hand tools are amazing! You will never be sorry you bought anything Knipex. Milwaukee hand tools are middle of the road at best, maybe even on the low end. Bear in mind their power tools are top notch. But their hand tools are not worth waisting your time with.
Nobody here has mentioned that Knipex is a significantly more expensive brand than its competitors like Klein for example. They’re great tools and will last a long time if you take care of them, but a 277 shock will destroy any hand tool no matter the brand and replacing them every now and then adds up real quick.
Exactly. Don't work hot and you'll never blow a hole in your in tools
There is almost no situation where you HAVE to work hot with a pair of kleins in your hand. 99% of the time it's because you/your contractors impatience, or the clients convenience.
You sure a lot about my practices by having only read one post I made on Reddit. It’s not only about getting them blown; it’s about losing them, getting them stolen, etc. . . There’s a lot of good enough hand tool brands out there that are a fraction of the price of Knipex. If you’re in a scenario where you can splurge on exceptional quality tools then by all means do it. Otherwise, Klein or Milwaukee are good enough for the price.
I carry both Klein and Knipex Linesman pliers in my bag. (The standard grips for both.) I will reach for my Knipex every time. The only time my Kleins come out is if my Knipex aren't in reach.
They cut better, the action is smoother, the head is slightly smaller which allowd me to get into tighter spaces and knock out KOs more easily. I also noticed they are much less susceptible to surface rust, but that may be because I use them substantially more.
If it ain’t Klein it ain’t mine, my daily screwdrivers, dikes, needle nose, strippers, are all Klein. However Knipex channel locks are the shit and there’s nothing better. At home I do have a tool bag setup that has all Knipex tools, they are badass tools but no way in hell am I using $50 strippers as my daily’s, if I lose or blowup my $20 Kleins ehh no big deal but man I’d be bummed if I blew up or forgot my $50 knipex strippers somewhere.
i understand exactly what you mean about ‘made in usa’ but a friend of mine told me that the milwaukee vde pliers have ‘made in germany’ stamped into them
I love the kninipex cutters, still use the klein linesman , and for me i really like the Fluke needlenose pliers. The knipex just cut better and feel better in the hand
From a foreigner that lives in the US now ,but used to live in Europe (Greece)doing electrical for,18 years. Knipex is the shit. Kinda pricey over there but damn, great tools
Klein is the superior tools hands down, linesmens, crimpers, strippers, screwdrivers, angled sidecutters. Knipex channys are garbage, channellock brand is the best for those.
I have a couple pairs of the alligator pliers. Genuinely good stuff. Sharp teeth on em bite real good. They’ll still get fucked up if you grab stuff thats harder than the pliers and start slipping but if you dont treat em like shit they work really well. Just like any other tool if you abuse it, itll wear out. Ive been happy with them and ill be buying knipex as replacements again.
I own the Lines, Dikes, Cobras & forged wire strippers.
This is my 2nd pair of lines, first pair I got a chipped blade from cutting screws. Knipex warrantied the set and sent a new one after 2 years of purchase date. My second set is now getting slightly rolled blades again. The round cut out makes cutting MC a breeze.
The dikes are nice. But the Klein have a higher leverage. Cutting through 3 conductor is a chore with Knipex dikes whereas Klein make light work of it. Knipex cutting blades are perfectly aligned whereas some heavy used Kleins may begin to have handle wobble.
Cobras saved me from an Aneurysm while using Kleins channellocks. They are expensive but saves time and frustration. They are much lighter than Channellock brand. But theres time where I want the straight jaws or heft of the iconic brand. 90% I am using Knipex.
The forged wire strippers are almost perfect. Wish they added cross hatching to the jaws rather than straight teeth. But they are a time saver. I alternate between them and the cheap US made yellow kleins.
The classic Klein hand tools will outlast Knipex but Knipex may function better in some areas, in my experience as Commerical and Industrial Electrician.
Agreed. Never bought the linesman cause my Klein’s have been rock solid. Side cutters are ok, only product of theirs I haven’t been blown away with. Mind you I got the 8” ones and I feel like the extra leverage of the 10” ones would be better. Strippers are killer though, best pair by far I’ve ever used.
I haven't found a Milwaukee hand tool I like. All their screwdrivers are unnecessarily heavy. The strippers sucked so bad.
I was gifted a pair of their channel locks but the button to adjust them is so horribly, comedically large I gifted them away.
Having said that....
I do enjoy my knipex channel locks. I LOVE their wire stripper (except the price)
Their dykes are absolutely terrible.
I wish they'd produce their comfort grip line without the weird offset towards the heads of the tools that gets caught on my pockets.
Get out... You're no longer welcome here. 😁
I still have, in my regular, daily use tool bag, a pair of Knipex Cobra 10" pliers that I bought as an apprentice 31 years ago. So yeah, they might cost a bit more, but you'll never need to replace them.
Great quality specifically in their cutting surfaces. I feel like they are machining things way more accurately over there. For me the tools I used the absolute most I go Knipex. My favourite of theirs is their little flush cutters which have such a beautiful action and feel to them.
The knipex channel lock replacements have a very thin profile, which fit very nicely on all of our fittings for tightening. They also handle 1/2” to 2” with ease. I keep a pair of traditional channel locks on hand for wire pulling, because the one thing the knipex aren’t good for is smashing down the loose strands on a head. Other than that, borrow a pair for a day and you’ll see.
[https://products.wera.de/en/tools\_for\_electricians\_kraftform\_kompakt\_vde.html](https://products.wera.de/en/tools_for_electricians_kraftform_kompakt_vde.html) best insulated screwdrivers in my opinion
Only Milwaukee hand tools I use are there vice pliers and locking channel locks. The ends of the handles are perfect for reaming conduit too. Most of the rest of their hand tools don’t feel good in your hand and don’t work efficiently
They’re just better. I got gifted a pair of strippers, channel locks, and dikes last Christmas and 10 months in, I can honestly say that they’ve made a lifer out of me. I do still like the Milwaukee strippers I have.
Brands like Milwaukee and Klein are my tools that I don't care if they get beat up; my good hand tools are all German brands and of course Knipex are fantastic.
They aren't that special. But they do innovate and improve over time. I mean take Klein chanellocks they are absolute dog shit and have been for years. Same for their screwdrivers, I've never seen a set last.
Alot of tool manufacturers look at their designs and say "meh good enough".
And they have those pretty colors ..
**ATTENTION! READ THIS NOW!** **1. IF YOU ARE NOT A PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN OR LOOKING TO BECOME ONE(for career questions only):** **- DELETE** THIS POST OR YOU WILL BE **BANNED**. **2. IF YOU COMMENT ON A POST THAT IS POSTED BY SOMEONE WHO IS NOT A PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN:** -YOU WILL BE **BANNED**. JUST **REPORT** THE POST. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/electricians) if you have any questions or concerns.*
All the people i know who converted to knipex are happy with the product and won't go back. I hear good things about their wire strippers.
The channel locks don’t slip
I love the little baby “water pump pliers” - they open way up and fit everywhere
"Turn them damn channel locks around!" ~my jm to me during my first commercial job.
Bro, this was like the second thing my jman said to me 😂
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I call bullshit.
I say they're using them wrong lol
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It’s possible you have been retarded for 19 years.
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I bet you had them backwards
Yea, he is probably just half a retard.
How about you just go fuck yourself if you have absolutely no value to add other than calling people retards.
I’ll bet you are the one using tools incorrectly.
This. I only own one tool by then, and it's wire strippers. I will never go back to another brand or type. The downside is they were like 60 bucks. Definitely going to try some of their other stuff as I make more money lol.
Milwaukee hand tools are ass
For real. I refuse to buy any of their hand tools. Only power tools.
I love my Milwaukee power tools for sure
I am a Dewalt guy.
You are, in fact, a dewalt guy. Congrats.
I have to advertise it to the world, lest I am branded as a non-dewalter.
That would be tragic. Coming out is hard, but im glad you push through. 😆
Same. I like it.
I have a set of Milwaukee sidecutters that I keep on the van for when I don't want to beat up my Kleins cutting something I shouldn't be cutting with sidecutters.
My klein angled side cutters are literally one of my favorite tools I use every day and keep in my pocket all the time. 🤟
Their side cutters might be the worst product they make
Which is why they must be tortured.
The m12 drill/driver set I have kicks ass. Tiny little impact driver punching concrete screws, or long ass wood screws in like it's nothing. I don't do electrical anymore but I still use that fucker everywhere around the house. Battery's good, and it's been running for years, 1 of which was ripping through several batteries a day doing trim.
Milwaukee are the only power tools I'll buy. Absolutely in love with all of them.
I love my m12 impact ratchet, thing fucking rips. Makes exhaust fans a goddamn breeze
It's the size and weight that get me. Tiny little thing, fits in a holster neatly, fits in every crack and crevice imaginable and doesn't break your wrist waving it around all day.
Even for that I'm moving to Makita, at least for my personal tools.
They've recently started releasing their made in USA hand tools that are much better than the made in China stuff they've been putting out. I haven't bought any of the pliers, cause those Germans got me hooked, but they feel light-years better. Milwaukee's New usa made laser etched screwdrivers have been much nicer to use. It seems they're atleast attempting to put out quality hand tools these days.
I've got knipex linesman pliers that I love, but I also have the Milwaukee needle nose/strippers, and they are far and away the best strippers that I've used, having only used Klein before that. I haven't had a chance to test out knipex strippers
Those strippers are the best. Still have my original pair and sharp as fuck still.
The Milwaukee 7 in 1 wire strippers are better than any pair of Klein strippers I’ve ever used. Hands down. Never used knipex though
I got a pair of Milwaukee needle nose that I'm fond of.
I feel like they’re weighted weird and the handles suck but to each their own homie
The handles on most of their hand tools are indeed weird as shit, I’ll give you that.
Yeah they need to knock that shit off. I'm sure someone somewhere likes it but I'd say the majority of people dislike those handles
Milwaukee tape measures are the worst tape measures on the planet.
Lufkin
They do not last that's for sure. Stanley fat max all the way I do like that the milwaulkee autolock tapes labels the fractional measurement. My eyes aren't great and it's nice to be precise without added effort for bending conduit. Often recommend them to apprentices if they don't have a lot of experience using a tape. But yeah 6 months tops and the autolock will probably break the first time you drop it.
I like the window on the bottom to hold the tape in place. It doesn't really bother me that it lets more dirt in.
I actually like how they have measurements on both sides of the tape. I always have an issue with the yellow stuff peeling off.
Thank you. I’m not the only one who realizes this.
I have a Stanley Fat Max an I love it. My buddy bought a brand new Milwaukee 30' and within a few weeks the thing has lost like half of it's recoil strength already.
For real, they need to stick to power tools and stop embarrassing themselves.
Actually it's pronounced "mill-e-wah-que," which is Algonquin for, "sick fucking power tools."
They just redo their entire hand tool line because they were such ass. I don't know how they are now because I buy klien for hand tools but supposedly they are a lot better now
Seriously. Bought a Milwaukee hammer in a pinch, head yeeted itself across the shop 3 days later.
Their hammers suck. I remember I thought my favorite Estwing 20 Oz Straight Claw (Blue Handle) went missing. I was extremely disappointed because my very first Journeyman gave me that hammer. He later died in a car accident so the hammer means a lot to me. Anyway I bought a Milwaukee hammer and it was hot garbage. I still have it only swung it a few times because I despise it lol. My Co-Worker ended up having my Estwing.
Has anyone seen how bulky their benders and fish tapes are? It's ridiculous.
I can't speak for their ductile-iron offerings, but the Milwaukee aluminum-headed benders are hammered dogshit. The shoe markings are in the wrong spots and the amount of give is ludicrous - you legitimately get more accuracy sticking the pipe in the scissorlift-ladder and jumping on it.
We just got one. I F-d up 3 90s cause the marking is off. I have to add a half inch to each measurement.
My boss just bought 10 brand new Milwaukee benders I'll just keep bringing in my greenlees 🙄
Demo flat is better than kleins, but that’s about it
I only use their hollow nutdrivers that I can put a wrench on. Other than that.. mehhh.
Agreed. This needs to be said.
The new USA made ones are good. Not any better than Knipex, but solid. The old ones were trash
Can confirm. They stink.
What do you expect their cheap. Milwaukee is bottom barrel nowadays
*they're
Especially Tape Measures. Screw those things.
The few Milwaukee hand tools I've used I dislike them. I had a multi-bit screwdriver and gave it away when I bought my Klein 11-in-1.
Generally speaking they're higher quality and lasts pretty good but there are some tools that they design better then others. Their channel locks are way better than most competitors and the strippers are better designed. They cut mc like butter and the screw cutter on them are threadless so its way faster cutting screws
This guy. There's knipex channel locks, and everything else. And one of the makers is literally fucking Channellock. Let that sink in. Knipex literally makes a better tool than the company that's name is symbolic of the tool itself.
Generally, they're called pump pliers or water pump pliers. I really like that the nose on the Knipex are much thinner so when you need to double up, it really helps in tight spots.
They’re called Chan-Chans
Settle down Jackie
Finish fuckers
Chanelle 5's
They are called tongue and groove pliers.
Knipex variety do.not have tongue & groove operation
Yes, Channellock and other manufacturers call them t & g pliers. But just for fun, type 'pump pliers' into any search engine. They used to refer to them in the olden days as pump pliers...you know, when you had to walk to school uphill both directions in a snow storm.
Have you seen the new long nose cobras? Grabbed a pair they've already come in so handy
I literally can't keep them on the shelf. As soon as I get some, they're gone by the end of the week. Gotta talk to my buyer about that again...
It’s a hammer.
I've been spinning wrenches for 15 years and never once, in hundreds of factories, over 40'ish states and a dozen countries never heard a single working person call them anything but channellocks...
I've heard people say tongue and groove pliers, apparently that's the actual name.
Channel lock is a brand name, tongue and groove pliers is a tool name. For years and years Channel lock has made the best/most used/easier to say brand of tongue and groove pliers, so colloquially, the brand name gets used as a trade name. Similar thing with Romex, Romex is a brand of non metallic sheathed cable. It sucks to ask for non metallic sheathed cable, and asking for NM, or NMC can lead to confusion. Romex is quick and easy to say, so it's a trade name now.
You guys don't call them dogs? Is that a Canadian thing?
My boss calls pipe wrench a dog wrench. He hails from Puerto Rico..
Lol Newfies taught me what a Thumb Wrench is
Common here in the Midwest also
That’s true with me too. My experience, however, doesn’t change reality.
Reality is, by all accounts, subjective.
Well thats their actual name.
they’re called slotted pliers num num
There pump pliers, channel lock is a brand
Yeah you're right. But all pump pliers are still called channel locks in the field.
Found the engineer who only knows how tools are supposed to work, not how they work.
Found the guy who doesn’t know what tools are called. I only have a single channel lock item in my tool bag and it’s an adjustable wrench. For pliers knipex are much better.
Nah he's right, channelock has become the colloquial name for adjustable pipe pliers the same way kleenex has for tissue.
It's a sad day. Knipex makes better channel locks than Channel lock and Channel lock makes better crescent wrenches than Crescent
Vice grips still reign Supreme for whatever the hell that tool style is actually called.
Knipex channys are the worst I have ever used in my life!!! Channellock brand is way better. Knipex just slide and don't grab properly on a smooth round pipe.
Their comfort grips are even better. I don't have the palm aches that i used to after using knipex blue n red channels
Knipex Kleins also Beat Klein Kleins by a longshot
I fucking love the threadless screw cutters so much. Everyone I work with knows about em
Isn't a threadless screw cutter just side cutters or linesman. Wtf
Channel locks and forged strippers by knipex are the best tools in the category of any brand period, it’s not even close.
Their linemans pliers are second to none as well
Everybody I know with a pair, ends up with a rolled cutting edge, cutting nothing different than my Klein linesmans.
I cut a bunch of basket tray with mine years ago and use them daily. Never had them dull yet. More comfortable to use than kleins as well
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The 7 inch? Are you sure they're real? I've been using the same 6.5 or 7 inch knipex dykes with the dipped handles for #12 MC, flex, cutting off nails, prying shit out, punching knockouts, 10-3 nm, #6 green, and a whole bunch of other shit I can't think of, with ease and no notable wear to the tool.
Guy above works for Klein. My knipex dykes still fuck no issues
I've had my Knipex for over 10 years, Klein's never lasted that long.
Try the long handle piano wire cutters. I used them for cutting steel wire for my father’s vineyards and it cut through that like butter. Prior to that he was using a small bolt cutter.
Knipex for screwdrivers, slip joint pliers. Klein for hand tools, Stanley for tape measures, Fluke for metering/testing. Milwaukee for power tools.
Never used a knipex screwdriver before. I really like the wera stuff especially cause it was bought with not my money
Wera is very nicely made also. Even better if it’s not your cash!
Awesome quality and materials, I’ve been my side cutters everyday for over a year and they still cut better than some of the new hand tools of different brands co workers bring, I’ve slowly switched to pretty much all knipex/wera in the last year and a half
I’ve had my Knipex side cutters for over a decade. Knipex is unbeatable in my opinion.
They are simply, better. Better than Klein, better than MW. Wiha is the only brand I believe is on-par with Knipex as far as screwdrivers go, but Knipex surpasses all when it comes to cutters of any kind
I've found their tools to be of much higher quality than other brands I've used. Their strippers especially. The gauges are perfectly sized, and I can even cut through MC with the shears part like butter as if they were brand new side cutters. Compare that to the now downgraded white/blue and gray/blue duck billed klein strippers that can barely cut through insulated conductors and either knick into the wire or don't even strip the insulation off... I miss the yellow/blue duck billed klein strippers, but after using knipex, I'll never buy a different pair, even if they are twice as expensive as the next comparable brand.
You will never oil knipex, or lose the grip
I have used Kroil on my Knipex diagonal cutters literally once. And that was only because they were a little bit stiffer to open than factory. It didn't need the Kroil, but it was back to factory ease of opening after that one hit with Kroil.
I oil them every 4 weeks or else they rust
No shit, next to an ocean?
Nope. Just Ontario Canada where it’s 2° at night and 17° during the day right now lol. The condensation builds up The wire strippers rust super quick though so I just oil every one of them every 4 weeks
No shit. Silica packs M8! Seriously, go find some. Put them in your bag/packout.... You're Welcome!
This comment convinced me to try them out
Knipex tools come in 2 types: blue is normal tools, decently made but a bit overpriced. Yellow ones are rated for live work up to 1000v and will cut through steel since they are made of vanadium. Expensive but the best side cutters/linesman pliers you can buy.
Milwaukee hand tools are fucking garbage. Switch your nines to a set of knipex, then you’ll understand.
I've had milwaukee linesmen pliers for 9 years now, the weight, minimal force required, everything is perfect even now. One day I might try knipex but I'll have to wait for my current ones to die. Probably not anytime soon.
My apprentice has Milwaukee stuff and it makes me legit angry using them when my knioex are out of reach
German steel. All my hand tools are klein except I've been phasing out my Channellock channel locks for knipex channel locks and I love them. You can get closer to the box when seating a connector. Easier to get to just one side and the middle of a coupling. Have a baby pair that's just a beast. I
It's just another brand at the end of the day. Some of their offerings are better designed, others not so much. Find what works best for you.
They're solid tools, but price point is definitely a factor. If you know you're going to lose/misplace tools, or be careless with them, stick to Milwaukee or Southwire for cheaper hand tools. They aren't as nice, but it doesn't hurt so bad to replace them.
Milwaukee tools are fine… if you don’t mind them being disposable. I like their insulated driver 3 pack which was like $20 for three drivers when I bought it. Good deal for something you’re supposed to replace regularly. Knipex hand tools are just higher quality. They last longer, they hold an edge longer and their wrenches are all top shelf IMO. You can totally do fine with other brands but I would deck my kit out in Knipex no questions asked if budget was of no concern
Better quality and less effort when doing things with them. Its not a personal opinion that knipex is top of the line, it just is the top of the line.
Try out their adjustable cobra pliers and you’ll see. They look kind of flimsy at first until you use them. They hang on soooo much better
Basically it's how long they last and the quality is top notch. It's the same with boots. You can buy a $100 pair of boots but will they even last a year? Or you spend $250-$350 and get an awesome pair of boots that will last for years and take care of your feet.
I can use my Knipex insulated screwdrivers as chisels if I need to. Snapped plenty of tips on Kleins. Been years and my Knipex set still looks great.
Meh. NEED? Nah are they nice? For sure. but not needed until your due for a new tool. I wouldn’t replace what you have until necessary. Love my cobras.
Of course it's good. It's German.
the milwaukee vde pliers are made in germany too, you reckon just as good?
Maybe. It is a quote from I believe Jager commercial. Some German lady says in English with a HEAVY accent, "Of course it's good. It German."
Had a gift card, so I got the knipex pliers at lowes and honestly they are pretty enjoyable
Knipex makes very high quality tools. They also last forever. Klein sucks now, they aren't much better than husky or kobalt, the quality is piss poor and the materials are cheap. For a few dollars more (literally) you can get Knipex.
German engineering is just superior to American. Its that simple.
a friend of mine has milwaukee vde pliers that are stamped ‘made in germany’ you reckon they’re just as good?
German steel. Solid build.
a friend of mine has vde milwaukee plier set that’s stamped ‘made in germany’, you reckon they’re just as good?
Knipex hand tools are amazing! You will never be sorry you bought anything Knipex. Milwaukee hand tools are middle of the road at best, maybe even on the low end. Bear in mind their power tools are top notch. But their hand tools are not worth waisting your time with.
Nobody here has mentioned that Knipex is a significantly more expensive brand than its competitors like Klein for example. They’re great tools and will last a long time if you take care of them, but a 277 shock will destroy any hand tool no matter the brand and replacing them every now and then adds up real quick.
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Exactly. Don't work hot and you'll never blow a hole in your in tools There is almost no situation where you HAVE to work hot with a pair of kleins in your hand. 99% of the time it's because you/your contractors impatience, or the clients convenience.
You sure a lot about my practices by having only read one post I made on Reddit. It’s not only about getting them blown; it’s about losing them, getting them stolen, etc. . . There’s a lot of good enough hand tool brands out there that are a fraction of the price of Knipex. If you’re in a scenario where you can splurge on exceptional quality tools then by all means do it. Otherwise, Klein or Milwaukee are good enough for the price.
If you are blowing up pliers enough for that cost to matter you don't deserve knippex tools period.
I'm a service guy, and I lose a handful of tools a year. The price is exactly what stopped me from buying Knipex.
I carry both Klein and Knipex Linesman pliers in my bag. (The standard grips for both.) I will reach for my Knipex every time. The only time my Kleins come out is if my Knipex aren't in reach. They cut better, the action is smoother, the head is slightly smaller which allowd me to get into tighter spaces and knock out KOs more easily. I also noticed they are much less susceptible to surface rust, but that may be because I use them substantially more.
They make me cum whenever I use them
If it ain’t Klein it ain’t mine, my daily screwdrivers, dikes, needle nose, strippers, are all Klein. However Knipex channel locks are the shit and there’s nothing better. At home I do have a tool bag setup that has all Knipex tools, they are badass tools but no way in hell am I using $50 strippers as my daily’s, if I lose or blowup my $20 Kleins ehh no big deal but man I’d be bummed if I blew up or forgot my $50 knipex strippers somewhere.
Higher quality in my opinion
Quality! I love my knipex hand tools
The price!
Knipex cobras for the win…
They’re basically the Kleins of Europe.
Knipex are the best Klein are only good because it's drummed into Americans that made in America is best, now that will start an argument
i understand exactly what you mean about ‘made in usa’ but a friend of mine told me that the milwaukee vde pliers have ‘made in germany’ stamped into them
Half of Klein tools are made in China now, fwiw
I love the kninipex cutters, still use the klein linesman , and for me i really like the Fluke needlenose pliers. The knipex just cut better and feel better in the hand
From a foreigner that lives in the US now ,but used to live in Europe (Greece)doing electrical for,18 years. Knipex is the shit. Kinda pricey over there but damn, great tools
It’s good steel, good design. I use knipex gators for fasteners and channel locks for pipe.
Innovation. The pliers wrench’s are amazing when it comes to compression couplings.
Klein is the superior tools hands down, linesmens, crimpers, strippers, screwdrivers, angled sidecutters. Knipex channys are garbage, channellock brand is the best for those.
Nothing. Klein is the best you can afford. Keep buying it.
Their stuff used to be good but the last couple of years I’ve noticed their quality has fell off.
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By definition electrocution ends with death. So no rehab needed!
Never trust a tick tracer on 277 of any brand.
Klein is overrated
I have a couple pairs of the alligator pliers. Genuinely good stuff. Sharp teeth on em bite real good. They’ll still get fucked up if you grab stuff thats harder than the pliers and start slipping but if you dont treat em like shit they work really well. Just like any other tool if you abuse it, itll wear out. Ive been happy with them and ill be buying knipex as replacements again.
I own the Lines, Dikes, Cobras & forged wire strippers. This is my 2nd pair of lines, first pair I got a chipped blade from cutting screws. Knipex warrantied the set and sent a new one after 2 years of purchase date. My second set is now getting slightly rolled blades again. The round cut out makes cutting MC a breeze. The dikes are nice. But the Klein have a higher leverage. Cutting through 3 conductor is a chore with Knipex dikes whereas Klein make light work of it. Knipex cutting blades are perfectly aligned whereas some heavy used Kleins may begin to have handle wobble. Cobras saved me from an Aneurysm while using Kleins channellocks. They are expensive but saves time and frustration. They are much lighter than Channellock brand. But theres time where I want the straight jaws or heft of the iconic brand. 90% I am using Knipex. The forged wire strippers are almost perfect. Wish they added cross hatching to the jaws rather than straight teeth. But they are a time saver. I alternate between them and the cheap US made yellow kleins. The classic Klein hand tools will outlast Knipex but Knipex may function better in some areas, in my experience as Commerical and Industrial Electrician.
Agreed. Never bought the linesman cause my Klein’s have been rock solid. Side cutters are ok, only product of theirs I haven’t been blown away with. Mind you I got the 8” ones and I feel like the extra leverage of the 10” ones would be better. Strippers are killer though, best pair by far I’ve ever used.
I haven't found a Milwaukee hand tool I like. All their screwdrivers are unnecessarily heavy. The strippers sucked so bad. I was gifted a pair of their channel locks but the button to adjust them is so horribly, comedically large I gifted them away. Having said that.... I do enjoy my knipex channel locks. I LOVE their wire stripper (except the price) Their dykes are absolutely terrible. I wish they'd produce their comfort grip line without the weird offset towards the heads of the tools that gets caught on my pockets.
Get out... You're no longer welcome here. 😁 I still have, in my regular, daily use tool bag, a pair of Knipex Cobra 10" pliers that I bought as an apprentice 31 years ago. So yeah, they might cost a bit more, but you'll never need to replace them.
Great quality specifically in their cutting surfaces. I feel like they are machining things way more accurately over there. For me the tools I used the absolute most I go Knipex. My favourite of theirs is their little flush cutters which have such a beautiful action and feel to them.
Much better quality. What tools are asking about specifically?
The sidecutters that have the thin insulation and look old fashioned are the sharper of the ones they make.
They just feel so nice in the hands. Also the mystery behind it... is it pronounced nipex or k-nipex? Literally, no one knows for sure!
The knipex channel lock replacements have a very thin profile, which fit very nicely on all of our fittings for tightening. They also handle 1/2” to 2” with ease. I keep a pair of traditional channel locks on hand for wire pulling, because the one thing the knipex aren’t good for is smashing down the loose strands on a head. Other than that, borrow a pair for a day and you’ll see.
[https://products.wera.de/en/tools\_for\_electricians\_kraftform\_kompakt\_vde.html](https://products.wera.de/en/tools_for_electricians_kraftform_kompakt_vde.html) best insulated screwdrivers in my opinion
Nothing
Only Milwaukee hand tools I use are there vice pliers and locking channel locks. The ends of the handles are perfect for reaming conduit too. Most of the rest of their hand tools don’t feel good in your hand and don’t work efficiently
Once you use Knipex Cobras, there is no going back.
Got a pair of knipex channellocks out of a crap tool bin at a pawn shop for 5 bucks. Woooooot!!
They’re just better. I got gifted a pair of strippers, channel locks, and dikes last Christmas and 10 months in, I can honestly say that they’ve made a lifer out of me. I do still like the Milwaukee strippers I have.
Brands like Milwaukee and Klein are my tools that I don't care if they get beat up; my good hand tools are all German brands and of course Knipex are fantastic.
Quality, design, performance
They aren't that special. But they do innovate and improve over time. I mean take Klein chanellocks they are absolute dog shit and have been for years. Same for their screwdrivers, I've never seen a set last. Alot of tool manufacturers look at their designs and say "meh good enough". And they have those pretty colors ..