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Advise needed: Long reach diagonal cutters

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PavelK313

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Nov 29, 2012
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Hello GJ!
I am looking to buy a pair of long reach diagonal cutters. Initial thinking was to get Knipex as that would be perfect addition to my pliers drowned as most of it is filled with Knipex. However I don’t seem to be able to find such pliers in their lineup.
Here is the question:

Best quality long reach diagonal cutters and preferably German? If all fails I’ll end up buying snap on, but that will be last resort as I really dislike snap on pliers.

Thanks in advance!

Picture for reference
 

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rlitman

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PavelK313 said:
Hello GJ!

I am looking to buy a pair of long reach diagonal cutters. Initial thinking was to get Knipex as that would be perfect addition to my pliers drowned as most of it is filled with Knipex. However I don’t seem to be able to find such pliers in their lineup.

Here is the question:



Best quality long reach diagonal cutters and preferably German? If all fails I’ll end up buying snap on, but that will be last resort as I really dislike snap on pliers.



Thanks in advance!



Picture for reference
Click to expand...



What is it you don’t like about Snap On pliers? I find them to be the best of the best for many types. However, their cutters have a less sharp cutting angle. They’re meant for automotive use with steel in mind, which makes them not quite as sharp as I’d like for copper, and a little extra bulky. Still, if you’re using them to cut hog rings or cotter pins, then Snap On is what you want.

Every Knipex I’ve owned has had an excellent joint. That’s critical in long reach tools.

I have to admit that my long reach cutters are HF. Before you laugh, I picked through a dozen on the rack before I found an acceptable one. It’s not half bad, but their QC is piss poor and most of what I saw would hardly be ok for cutting zip ties. Still, if you can find a decent one, the value is unbelievable. I think I paid under $6, which makes sense for me, since this is a tool I use maybe once a year.
 
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AA/FC

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rlitman said:
What is it you don’t like about Snap On pliers?
Click to expand...

My guess would be the price is what he doesnt like about SO.

I will say that I own a few snap on pliers and diaganol cutters and they are absolutly THE BEST pliers that I own, and I own a LOT of pliers of many different brands. The SO are the best..... yes, better than Knipex. IMO.

The "Talon Grip" needle nose pliers by SO are incredible.

.
 
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franzdom

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Did you really want our advice?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
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PavelK313

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rlitman said:
What is it you don’t like about Snap On pliers? I find them to be the best of the best for many types. However, their cutters have a less sharp cutting angle. They’re meant for automotive use with steel in mind, which makes them not quite as sharp as I’d like for copper, and a little extra bulky. Still, if you’re using them to cut hog rings or cotter pins, then Snap On is what you want.

Every Knipex I’ve owned has had an excellent joint. That’s critical in long reach tools.

I have to admit that my long reach cutters are HF. Before you laugh, I picked through a dozen on the rack before I found an acceptable one. It’s not half bad, but their QC is piss poor and most of what I saw would hardly be ok for cutting zip ties. Still, if you can find a decent one, the value is unbelievable. I think I paid under $6, which makes sense for me, since this is a tool I use maybe once a year.
Click to expand...

I don’t like the finish, don’t like the shape, don’t cut as good as Knipex or NWS.
This is for my home garage, but will be used relatively often. I am somewhat a snob when it comes to anything I buy. I want to buy once and enjoy using the tool instead of buying just to get the job done. This is just a personal preference, nothing wrong with using cheap tools as long as you are happy.

AA/FC said:
My guess would be the price is what he doesnt like about SO.

I will say that I own a few snap on pliers and diaganol cutters and they are absolutly THE BEST pliers that I own, and I own a LOT of pliers of many different brands. The SO are the best..... yes, better than Knipex. IMO.

The "Talon Grip" needle nose pliers by SO are incredible.

.
Click to expand...

Price doesn’t mater.
 
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kctyphoon

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The Knipex option would be their 10" diagonals.. I am not positive, but I'm thinking MOST long reach options from various brands are all the same, since many are identical to the pix you posted.
 
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Jeremy77

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Proto makes a solid pair. Not German made but still good quality. Looking at NWS, Stallwhille, Gedore, Felo, Knipex etc. it doesn’t appear that any German companies make them. The Protos should be of equal quality to most brands on the market.
 
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ocloc24

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I love snap on pliers. Personally I think they're built like bricks, great teeth, and not horrendously expensive. I do prefer knipex for cobras, plierswrench, and cutters. For long reach cutters I'd say snap on is the best option though
 
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xin

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PavelK313 said:
Hello GJ!
I am looking to buy a pair of long reach diagonal cutters. Initial thinking was to get Knipex as that would be perfect addition to my pliers drowned as most of it is filled with Knipex. However I don’t seem to be able to find such pliers in their lineup.
Here is the question:

Best quality long reach diagonal cutters and preferably German? If all fails I’ll end up buying snap on, but that will be last resort as I really dislike snap on pliers.

Thanks in advance!

Picture for reference
Click to expand...


Snapon pliers to be have better steel quality and a more tactile feel (of what the tool is doing). Not impressed by that Knipex or the German brands (seem very rigid and numb).
 
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rlitman

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PavelK313 said:
I don’t like the finish, don’t like the shape, don’t cut as good as Knipex or NWS...
Click to expand...

Not everyone likes every finish or shape, but for long reach diagonal cutters, I don't think there is much variation in finish between brands. It's a relatively small market.

As for not cutting as good, I will agree, however, that's why I asked about the intended purpose. Snap On diagonal cutters will always seem inferior if you're just using them on copper wire, because that's not what they're made for. They're not electrician's tools (though they do make some fantastic wire strippers/cutters, but that's another matter). If you're looking to cut copper (or plastic), then definitely don't get the Snap On. If you'll be using them on steel a lot, the Snap On edges will last much longer.
 
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rlitman

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Wamsutta said:
Williams PL-411C...
Click to expand...

COO is China. Are these actually any different than my Pittsburgh, at 1/3 the price?

I was ok with the Pittsburgh from HF, ONLY because I could go through the rack and choose a good one. I had looked several times, and in the past, every time I looked, every one I looked at was ****. The edges didn't meet in a line, and the tips didn't meet, so they'd shear as you squeezed them. One time they got a large batch in, and I was able to pick out one that I liked. IIRC, there was one other that was ok, but we're talking something like a 5% pass rate here.

Because of that, I absolutely wouldn't touch a Chinese set of these unless I could get it in my hands in the store before buying. There's no way I'd trust someone to just dump one at random into a box and send it to me.

Additionally, the steel on Chinese tools seems to be made from recycled cars, rebar, and cell phones, etc. Basically, it's the sausage of steel, and is not only very hit or miss when it comes to brittleness (that's also because Chinese heat treatment *****), but also generally doesn't wear as well as the steel used in US or European manufactured tools. For as little as I use mine, that's fine, but it's something to keep in mind.
 
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davethorik

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kctyphoon said:
The Knipex option would be their 10" diagonals.. I am not positive, but I'm thinking MOST long reach options from various brands are all the same, since many are identical to the pix you posted.
Click to expand...

x2, the Knipex are very long but have nice thick handles. They aren't a long reach per-se, but the 10" are basically the 8" with larger handles. I bought a new pair in an ebay set with 10" Craftsman Cobras for like $30.

With not much invested and already pretty much sold on Klein 2000 series, I had a few drinks and determined I'd do a torture test on the Knipex one evening. I clipped a straight edge single edge razor blade clean in half, it required much effort but it cut it clean. I know it's not much but that impressed me. The mini bolt cutters had impressed me as well, they will cut anything that will fit in the jaws.
 
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AA/FC

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PavelK313 said:
I don’t like the finish, don’t like the shape, don’t cut as good as Knipex or NWS.
This is for my home garage, but will be used relatively often. I am somewhat a snob when it comes to anything I buy. I want to buy once and enjoy using the tool instead of buying just to get the job done. This is just a personal preference, nothing wrong with using cheap tools as long as you are happy.



Price doesn’t mater.
Click to expand...

It's unfortunate you don't like Snap On pliers because they are THE BEST pliers that I have ever owned or used. As stated earlier, I own a BUNCH of pliers. In fact I probably own over 200 pairs of pliers/diagonal cutters/needle nose/etc. FAR more than I will ever need, and I'm still buying. I have them in every brand, foreign and domestic, big and small, long and short, etc.... I can absolutely say that my Snap On diagonal cutters work just as good, if not better than my Knipex. And it's not because the Knipex are older, or worn out.... At one time I bought a new pair of SO cutters at the same time I bought a pair of Knipex cutters. I tested both pairs (brands) while trying to cut 4/0 fine strand copper welding cable. This is 4 ought, not 4 gauge, the stuff is massive. The SO cut through like butter, where the Knipex seemed to require a tad more hand strength. Both cutters did the job, but the SO impressed me more. I wish I still had a weekly SO truck because I would certainly be buying more SO pliers if I did. Your mileage may vary.

This pliers junkie likes Snap On pliers/cutter the best!
 
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KnurledNut

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Not long reach, but they do have a longer nose.

27018-11004037.jpg
 
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AA/FC

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ihateminimumwage said:
The import Williams pliers are the same cheap China sets that MAC was selling (and discontinued at least a few years back). The ones I used were mediocre at best.
Click to expand...

Yep. I have one of the old cheap Chinese MAC pliers sets. The long reach diagonal pliers (pictured below) are also identical to the old orange handled HF long reach cutters.

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AA/FC

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Wamsutta said:
The catalog says USA. Don't you guys ever download the catalogs?
Click to expand...

All this **** was made in the USA at one point. Are you looking at the current catalog? Even if you are, its possible that the info is wrong.... either intentionally, or not.

Either way, Proto and MAC are both owned by Stanley and therefore share a lot of the same tools and I can tell you the MAC pliers I posted on the previous page were NOT made in the USA.

.
 
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AA/FC

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The more I think about it, the more its coming back to me. I bought my cheap MAC pliers set when they were on one of those monthly promotions. I bought my set directly from the MAC truck and I now remember asking the driver (dealer) if these were made in the USA. He told me that MAC had a USA line of pliers, and a cheaper Chinese line of pliers and it was the cheap imports that were offered in the promotion. You need to he careful when looking these up on their websites that you are comparing apples to apples, and not apples to oranges. They have both....

.
 
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AA/FC

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Wamsutta said:
28501116198_e3210d9689_b.jpg
Click to expand...

Well, that is Williams, which is owned by Snap On, and I'm talking about MAC which is owned by Stanley. However, they ALL have some imported tools. Those Williams pliers look IDENTICAL to all the other chinese long reach imported diagonal cutters. Anything is possible....
 
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AA/FC

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Wamsutta said:
Can you guys see the little American flag to the lower right?

PROTO J244G
Click to expand...

You have good google skills. Did you read what I posted about the MAC dealer telling me they had a USA line, and Chinese line of pliers in post #24? Now put you google skills to work and find pictures of the MAC pliers with a Chinese flag... :shocking:
 
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anndel

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ocloc24 said:
I love snap on pliers. Personally I think they're built like bricks, great teeth, and not horrendously expensive. I do prefer knipex for cobras, plierswrench, and cutters. For long reach cutters I'd say snap on is the best option though
Click to expand...

Ditto
 
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xin

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AA/FC said:
It's unfortunate you don't like Snap On pliers because they are THE BEST pliers that I have ever owned or used. As stated earlier, I own a BUNCH of pliers. In fact I probably own over 200 pairs of pliers/diagonal cutters/needle nose/etc. FAR more than I will ever need, and I'm still buying. I have them in every brand, foreign and domestic, big and small, long and short, etc.... I can absolutely say that my Snap On diagonal cutters work just as good, if not better than my Knipex. And it's not because the Knipex are older, or worn out.... At one time I bought a new pair of SO cutters at the same time I bought a pair of Knipex cutters. I tested both pairs (brands) while trying to cut 4/0 fine strand copper welding cable. This is 4 ought, not 4 gauge, the stuff is massive. The SO cut through like butter, where the Knipex seemed to require a tad more hand strength. Both cutters did the job, but the SO impressed me more. I wish I still had a weekly SO truck because I would certainly be buying more SO pliers if I did. Your mileage may vary.

This pliers junkie likes Snap On pliers/cutter the best!
Click to expand...

I still got my Snapon pliers from the mid 90's when I bought a BUNCH of them.

They have a flex in them (the tool steel) is 100% better and they give good feed back. Plus, the teeth were machined to match. The other BRANDS ones always have chip on dykes or just tips break off...

I have some Snapon ones from the late 2008 range and they are excellent as well.
 
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Firebrick43

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Just to interject a small point. Remember the Chinese typically take an established design and copy it. That could be the reason for such similar looking pliers. That doesn't mean that they are the same however as they still have to be machined and heat treated correctly and have high quality steel.
 
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pfbz

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four.cycle

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KnurledNut said:
Im guessing both Williams and Proto are sourced from ProAmerica.
Click to expand...
Proto = yes.
Williams = not sure, but definitely possible.

Over 90% of ProAmerica's production is made for their private-label accounts.

These were originally laser-etched "TEKTON", but that was buzzed off before I bought them on a close-out.
I think they are also ProAmerica product.
Gave a pair to my buddy as well. Great product.

They may not appear on ProAmerica's website because ProAmerica's website is a hot mess, and they don't really care. They're too busy filling orders.
Nelson Bowers doesn't sell **** tools.
 

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KnurledNut

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four.cycle said:
Proto = yes.
Williams = not sure, but definitely possible.

Over 90% of ProAmerica's production is made for their private-label accounts.

These were originally laser-etched "TEKTON", but that was buzzed off before I bought them on a close-out.
I think they are also ProAmerica product.
Gave a pair to my buddy as well. Great product.

They may not appear on ProAmerica's website because ProAmerica's website is a hot mess, and they don't really care. They're too busy filling orders.
Nelson Bowers doesn't sell **** tools.
Click to expand...
I bought those Tektons new and the hang tag stated they were imported.
 
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four.cycle

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KnurledNut said:
I bought those Tektons new and the hang tag stated they were imported.
Click to expand...
We've discussed that here... when I first bought those there was a question about that.
I am honestly not sure.
I was unable to get a straight answer from the guy at ProAmerica on the phone... the only name he gave me that I know for certain was Proto... after he spilled that he kind of clammed up.
And Tekton is something less than forthcoming when it comes to divulging who they are outsourcing from.
You can still see a faint "TEKTON" laser-etched on the tool, but there are zero markings on the unit indicating COO. Mine came wrapped in plain brown paper - they were a close-out of old stock.
Jury's out on this one - they're a dead-on match to the ProAmerica version other than the color of the vinyl handle grips.
They did not come from Bowers - I bought those from another ebay vendor.
 
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