I like good tools but, Damn...

[~UB~]

$30, $40, $50+ for a one pair Knipex-Klein pliers is way out of the question!!!

List up some other good substitutes.

 

[archirelic]

Sounds like you need some Harbor Freight in your life.

 

[Creditor]

Nothing compares to Knipex. If you want quality, you gotta pay for it.

There is good and there is cheap. Pick one, you cant have both.

 

[~UB~]

You seen the prices. Seem like the Asians and Europeans are in bed with each other. One makes cheap **** for $10-$15 bucks then there is a gap hop to $30-$50 for the Euro stuff.

 

[Grogan14]

Let the hyperbole begin!

 

[G1GRANDEUR]

But they are worth it. If you use one, you will know why.

Knipex Cobra.

 

[~UB~]

But they are worth it. If you use one, you will know why.

I own a few and I'll admit it has been a while since I've look at them. But Damn Man, I was going to buy some just for a gift or two. Ain't no way. $50 Bucks for pliers???

 

[Snappy]

Channellock has never let me down. You can find used Klein, Knipex, Snap-on, etc at a decent price sometimes too.

 

[~UB~]

Channellock has never let me down. You can find used Klein, Knipex, Snap-on, etc at a decent price sometimes too.

That is what I bought. Cooper tools have always done pretty good by me

 

[Matt018]

I love knipex but I bought some channel lock stuff too. Its not too expensive.

 

[Steevo]

You seen the prices. Seem like the Asians and Europeans are in bed with each other. One makes cheap **** for $10-$15 bucks then there is a gap hop to $30-$50 for the Euro stuff.

That gap is where USA used to be, but they took all their work to China because it costs too much to run a business in the USA any more.

 

[Monte]

Knipex....$18.- ..... not that expensive...

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00990479000P?prdNo=6

 

[~UB~]

That gap is where USA used to be, but they took all their work to China because it costs too much to run a business in the USA any more.

Agreed!!!

 

[dieselmike]

if your talking slip joints, channel lock is the only way to go. all that fancy euro stuff is for the rich folks

 

[~UB~]

Knipex....$18.- ..... not that expensive...

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00990479000P?prdNo=6

Thanks Monte but on the same token>>> Knipex 9" High leverage linemans $45 on Sale $41
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00990262000P?mv=rr

Channel-Locks are about $20

 

[lbgradwell]

That is what I bought. Cooper tools have always done pretty good by me

Channellock is not owned by Cooper...

 

[lbgradwell]

if your talking slip joints, channel lock is the only way to go.

Do you mean "tongue & groove"? That's what Channellock is best known for...

 

[~UB~]

Channellock is not owned by Cooper...

I thought they were???

 

[Major Ramifications]

I thought they were???

Oh hell no. If they were, they would be making them in china, like every other brand that Cooper has ruined.

 

[~UB~]

Maybe I got them confused with Crescent.
Just look at my linemans sitting next me and they are Channel-Locks made in USA.

 

[scylla]

I HAD a pair of Knipix Cobras but they walked away. Too much money to do it again. Other companies are now coming out with knockoffs so I'm gonna check those out.
As long as they don't pinch my fingers and are made of fairly good steel I'll be happy. Might try Irwin's copy.

http://www.amazon.com/Irwin-4935514-Vise-Grip-Pliers-12-Inch/dp/B004UIMEXY

 

[blue dog]

Do you mean "tongue & groove"? That's what Channellock is best known for...

If this is what you want, Epsteins has the wilde pipe wrench pliers that Klein has rebadged for a fair price


http://store.harryepstein.com/merch...TGY&Store_Code=1930&Category_Code=WildeChrome

 

[scylla]

These guys are Taiwanese. Doesn't seem they think too much of Knipix stuff per the videos.
Looks like they might have an improvement on German engineering.
(that last sentence is aimed at Monte )

http://www.hyperclaw.com/water_pump.shtml

 

[Outlawmws]

 

[geologist]

That gap is where USA used to be, but they took all their work to China because it costs too much to run a business in the USA any more.

It's just easier to make money using slave labor than to actually earn it by producing goods in a factory that pays a real wage. It's also apparently easier for banks to steal a trillion dollars than to actually make loans so businesses can expand and retool factories.

 

[~UB~]

WTH???

 

[Monte]

These guys are Taiwanese. Doesn't seem they think too much of Knipix stuff per the videos.
Looks like they might have an improvement on German engineering.
(that last sentence is aimed at Monte )

http://www.hyperclaw.com/water_pump.shtml

nice try by the Taiwanese.....but.....:

here is was Knipex has to offer:

version 1:

version 2:

The Taiwanese also use a 3 piece pliers design, the box joint is riveted onto the plier handle, while the germans use a true 2 piece pliers design.

So who has an improvement on whose engineering ?

 

[mofo62]

Nothing compares to Knipex. If you want quality, you gotta pay for it.

There is good and there is cheap. Pick one, you cant have both.

+1

 

[sselander]

here we go again ... more popcorn ...

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

....There is good and there is cheap. Pick one, you cant have both.

Not trying to start an argument but sorry, I disagree. There's more in the world of tools (and every other world for that matter) than black & white, polar opposites.

There ARE tools on the continuum from truly high dollar, "I-work-with-this-tool-everyday" tools and "I-don't-know-my-azz-from-my-elbow" uber cheap tools. In fact, I don't even consider the HF Pittsburgh line among the ultra cheapos.

So make the recommendations you make but I'd say we do a disservice to a member who is asking for an alternative to Knipex due to budgetary constraints. We should ALL be abe to relate to that. I can.

 

[scylla]

I like competition. Good for everyone.

 

[bart1]

NWS is better than Knipex. And my dad can beat yours up.

 

[jjjrmx5]

In fact, I don't even consider the HF Pittsburgh line among the ultra cheapos.
.

While not ultra cheepo, they are hit and miss with what is acceptable and useable as a tool line or brand tho.

So make the recommendations you make but I'd say we do a disservice to a member who is asking for an alternative to Knipex due to budgetary constraints. We should ALL be abe to relate to that. I can.

As for Knipex, sadly there are not a lot of copy-cat and knock off tools out there and that is for a reason.

The Irwin cobra knock-offs are accpetable but stil a far cry from the real thing.

Heck, get into NWS pliers and tools and they are often a higher price point than Knipex.

For std. jaw pliers, Channel Locks are more than acceptable, but move into specailty pliers, cutters and those used by professionals that need day in and say out dependablity, then there is no bargain solution.

$40 Knipex 8" bolt cutters = 50 cents a work day paid to yourself over a 4 month 5 day work week period--which is the change you get back from your daily coffee at Starbucks each day or the change from the roach coach lunch each day. Meanwhile, they will last you a lifetime or probably 40 years, which is a dollar a year.

No voodoo math there.

 

[Adam McLaughlin]

I too have walked this line; specifically with the Knipex vs Channel Lock.

My advice to you is to buy the Knipex tools and then keep your tools locked up when not in use.

A friend of my sister's said it best about ten years back. You can buy the middle of the road thing for X, but for a few dollars more you can get the real thing. She was talking about shoes, purses, etc. but this holds true with most everything in life.

BOY ain't that the truth.

Adam

 

[wmartin]

http://www.shuruping.ru/shuruping/products/a0/17302/img.s.jpg

(sorry for the fuzzy pic), are about $18 from Chads. NWS pliers in a Channellockish style.

I imagine you could spend less than that on perfectly good pliers, though.

 

[Soon2AdjustYou]

For those of us who don't know, what exactly makes knipex so much more superior than channel lock?

 

[98TJ]

I've owned several brands of pliers over the years. When Lowe's dropped their prices on Knipex I started picking them up. Also grabbed a few at Sears...just depended on who was cheaper on the same model at the time.

After it's all said and done, I've have saved money if I had just bought Knipex right off the bat instead of buying two, or even three times.

 

[jjjrmx5]

For those of us who don't know, what exactly makes knipex so much more superior than channel lock?

What makes NWS and Knipex superior is a combo of materials, construction and design.

For dykes, slip joint pliers and baisc plumbing pliers, Channel locks will be totally acceptable, but for things like the Knipex 8" mini bolt cutters, Plier-wrench, Cobras and even alligators, there really is no equal alternative so it's a one sourc deal or a limited reseller option. Fein tool showed that point by losing the patent on the occiliating tool and now it's a cheepo free for all matched against the professional caliber occilating tools.

Can't afford Knipex or NWS, then don't buy them.

But like many tools Snap_on and other tool compaines keep sole possesion of the design and mfg. of ,there is no other copycat solution.

But it looks like the Taiwanese have it all handled doing knock-offs tho and have doen so for decades. Becuase, you know, Taiwan is all about tool ingenuity for the last century as I've noticed.
Or not.
Maybe it was just stealing patents and then saying "I'm sorry" after being caught doing so. Repeatedly.
Yep. That's it.

LOLOLOLOLOL.




\

 

[ash95608]

I think NWS items are fairly reasonable in price, they are usually cheaper then knipex cost wise and as good or better in quality.

 

[-->]

That gap is where USA used to be, but they took all their work to China because it costs too much to run a business in the USA any more.

Edit : " because they cant make a 10,000% profit on every sale without slave labor, and theres no reason to be in business otherwise."