Knipex Pliers Wrench Plating Change?

[SilverDeck]

Anyone know what kind of a change Knipex made to the color of the plating on their Pliers Wrenches? Most of the ones I own have a slightly warm golden-toned plating. More-recent production pieces seen to have more of a cool silver color to the plating. I've seen references in the past the Knipex using nickel plating on the Pliers Wrenches but when you go to their website now, it says that the Pliers Wrenches have chrome plating. If they did change the plating metal from nickel to chrome, that would explain the color shift I'm seeing. Anyone know more about this?

I have an inquiry about this in to Knipex and will post any response that I receive from the company.

Internet photo:

 

[T45]

What is the issue?

Nickel plating may not be allowed for EU regulations. Some people are apparently allergic to it.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nickel_Directive

But if all is as you say, the empirical evidence lines up with what is publicly stated information. So maybe just a normal production line revision with proper disclosure in the product description.

AFIK KNipex chrome treatment is on optionally available cobras and various other VDE pliers as an option and is reported to hold up quite well (even on the cutters).

 

[SilverDeck]

What is the issue?

No issue, just curious if anyone knew what was behind the change. Can't find anything official posted from Knipex mentioning the plating change.

 

[SilverDeck]

Here is the response that I received from a marketing manager at Knipex (USA) in response to my inquiry about the plating color change on the pliers wrenches:

"You are very good at catching changes! Yes we did change our process from Nickel Plating to Chrome plating. Below is the official notice I received from Germany.

The Pliers Wrench, launched in 1994, is one of our most innovative products. We want to keep it successful and would like to emphasise the high quality by a new facing.

The new Pliers Wrench will have a revised surface with a slightly modified colouring. We achieve a better rust protection and can harmonise the appearance to other galvanic plated KNIPEX pliers. Furthermore this helps to standardise our production process. For a first impression you can find a picture of both pliers compared in the enclosure.

There will not be any change in the functional product characteristics. Hence there is no reason for replacement of the previous model.

I hope that explains it! Let me know if you have any other questions."

 

[Dingleburry]

Ive got both and i do like the nickel better. I dont know why maybe cause ive had them for so long?

 

[rlitman]

Mine are all nickel plated, and frankly, I feel that while the nickel looks prettier, chrome is a better tool plating in all other regards (both from protection from corrosion as well as wear). I'd call this a nice step up for an already impeccable tool, and I was always a bit confused that Knipex chose nickel for this line in the first place. My only guess was that perhaps chrome was reserved for larger production runs.

Anyway, thanks for posting the official response. It's always good to hear that companies like Knipex continue to strive for quality.

 

[d.mcfarland]

Plain and simple, they cut costs to produce them.

 

[rlitman]

Plain and simple, they cut costs to produce them.

I don't see how. Chrome plating starts with a nickel plating layer under it. Aside from a shorter time in the nickel bath, everything about the chrome on these adds to the cost.

 

[d.mcfarland]

"standardize production process". Business speak for cut cost.

 

[notlob]

"standardize production process". Business speak for cut cost.

I agree the change from nickel to chrome finish was likely motivated in whole or in part by cost savings in the production process. Regardless, the end result is, IMHO, a higher quality tool, assuming all other things being equal. Chrome finish is significantly more resistant to corrosion than nickel.

 

[d.mcfarland]

I wholeheartedly agree that the product is still the same. They just changed to the finish so that it could be the same as others. Eliminate the one oddball of the group and they just saved money.

 

[Monte]

I wholeheartedly agree that the product is still the same. They just changed to the finish so that it could be the same as others. Eliminate the one oddball of the group and they just saved money.

beneficial for the customer and the company.