Knipex vs Snapon cutters

[equitiesguy]

Not trying to start anything but did want to share my experience. Earlier today I was removing this cloth shrouding on a water hose that was shredding on an AMG.

The German Knipex cutters simply would not bite and “cut” at all. After three or four attempts I gave up and retrieved my 87acf snapon cutters and it sliced it like it was butter.

The Knipex were 7401-8 and brand new. I’m at a loss based on what everyone has said about them here. I was under the impression that they were supposed to be equal to the snapons.

 

[Whoismiked]

For me, the Knipex Pliers wrench and Cobras are completely unmatched, the absolute best option for that type of tool. But when it comes to diag cutters and needle nose pliers I like the snap on versions much better.

 

[M6erfan]

The Knipex cutters that are well regarded are the "Cobolt"s. I've never thought their regular diagonal cutters were anything special.

 

[WordMan]

To be fair, neither is meant for cutting cloth.

 

[equitiesguy]

To be fair, neither is meant for cutting cloth.

It’s thread but it isn’t exactly cloth in the sense of like soft cotton. It’s a dense hard material that even my garbage Chinese cutters slice through (and I only use for jobs I don’t want to ruin my snapons on).

 

[Snaparxon]

I cut more zip-ties than wire with my Snap on's

 

[equitiesguy]

I cut more zip-ties than wire with my Snap on's

I generally cut everything with them that require close quarters work.

 

[derosa]

I would think a heavy duty pair of shears or a box cutter would be a better option for slicing that open. Plenty of diagonal cutters I've held had a fine gap between the blades that wouldn't work well on even a heavy canvas. It's why bicycle shops don't use them for cables, the fine gap screws up cutting the fine threads that make the cable. My klein have this slight gap, just need the right tool for the job.

 

[M6erfan]

...just need the right tool for the job.

Bowden cable cutters


Copper cable cutters


Mini bolt cutters


Xuron Kevlar Shears


Snap-on 87acf Diagonal Cutters

 

[AA/FC]

I own both cutters mentioned in the original post. They are both excellent cutters. Neither were intended to cut fabric or thread. These are not shears where the blades cross each other like a scissor. However, I can say that the Snap-on cutters are better. I have cut 4/0 (four ought, not four gauge) fine stranded copper welding cable that is roughly 3/4" outside diameter with my Snap-on cutters with ease, in one cut.... That same cut takes a few bites with the knipex.

 

[equitiesguy]

I own both cutters mentioned in the original post. They are both excellent cutters. Neither were intended to cut fabric or thread. These are not shears where the blades cross each other like a scissor. However, I can say that the Snap-on cutters are better. I have cut 4/0 (four ought, not four gauge) fine stranded copper welding cable that is roughly 3/4" outside diameter with my Snap-on cutters with ease, in one cut.... That same cut takes a few bites with the knipex.

They are not both excellent cutters. The knipex are worse than the Chinese harbor freight cutters I own.

 

[equitiesguy]

I would think a heavy duty pair of shears or a box cutter would be a better option for slicing that open. Plenty of diagonal cutters I've held had a fine gap between the blades that wouldn't work well on even a heavy canvas. It's why bicycle shops don't use them for cables, the fine gap screws up cutting the fine threads that make the cable. My klein have this slight gap, just need the right tool for the job.

Yea. Use a box cutter on a molded $280 Mercedes AMG supercharger intercooler hose. That’s a terrific idea. I would rather own 6 pairs of snapon cutters instead of making that error by “using the wrong tool.”

 

[bobcatdan]

Knipex sides cutters do not impress me at all. Any good name brand side cutter cuts at minimum as good or better. Now knipex mini bolt cutter is damn good cutter, but I don't consider a replacement for a side cutters.

 

[AA/FC]

They are not both excellent cutters. The knipex are worse than the Chinese harbor freight cutters I own.

lol. Okay.

I'll be honest, my Knipex cutters are NOT the first pair that I reach for.

 

[equitiesguy]

I plan on having a discussion with Knipex tomorrow. I’ll be curious what they say.

The whole point of this post is to warn off the general consensus that Knipex anything is equal to Snapon. I would seriously reconsider any purchase that is within cost range of a snapon product. I wasted $32 on those cutters based on poor information and claims of quality that were not true. Im really surprised the German cutters are this poor.

 

[M6erfan]

So what are you gonna tell Knipex? That you feel like you got bad advice on a tool forum and are now pissed? Unless there is something wrong with them that would require warranty replacement, I'd just move on...

 

[Tallpilot]

https://www.homedepot.com/p/KNIPEX-...gclsrc=aw.ds&dclid=CI_Mj4n9n90CFSBmwQodZS8Jfg

I use these mostly for removing cotter pins and cutting zip ties. They have worked well for me. Let us know what Knipex says. I am curious.

 

[Whoismiked]

While I may agree that snap on cutters do perform better than Knipex cutters in most scenarios the bottom line is you were using the wrong tool for the job and are now bashing their product based on that.

Knipex cutters actually do perform quite well with their intended uses, just because snap on might be a bit better at it and you are not using the right tool for the task does not mean Knipex cutters are no good, and then comparing them to HF, what a joke.

 

[bobcatdan]

Channellock side cuts better than knipex in my opinion.

 

[ReggieR]

Channellock side cuts better than knipex in my opinion.

 

[equitiesguy]

While I may agree that snap on cutters do perform better than Knipex cutters in most scenarios the bottom line is you were using the wrong tool for the job and are now bashing their product based on that.

Knipex cutters actually do perform quite well with their intended uses, just because snap on might be a bit better at it and you are not using the right tool for the task does not mean Knipex cutters are no good, and then comparing them to HF, what a joke.

The joke is that they aren’t sharp. At all. Brand new. I’ve never seen or experienced a set of cutters that couldn’t perform a simple task like this. It’s pathetic and yes, the joke is that there is high praise for Knipex on this forum that is unjustified.

I was expecting the knipex to replace my snap-on as a secondary set of cutters.

That type of cutters is EXACTLY the right tool for that job, to remove that type of shroud without damaging the underlying coolant hose. Snap on did it with ease. Even the harbor freight did it after I removed it from the vehicle. Knipex was like a pair of gums instead of a set of teeth.

 

[trytochaseme]

my channellocks chipped on me really easy. been happy with my knipex but they definitely aren't as nice as there other stuff. keen on picking up a set of the new snap on flush cuts, they are also twice the price of the knipex so i would hope they are better.

 

[WordMan]

The joke is that they aren’t sharp. At all. Brand new. I’ve never seen or experienced a set of cutters that couldn’t perform a simple task like this. It’s pathetic and yes, the joke is that there is high praise for Knipex on this forum that is unjustified.

I was expecting the knipex to replace my snap-on as a secondary set of cutters.

That type of cutters is EXACTLY the right tool for that job, to remove that type of shroud without damaging the underlying coolant hose. Snap on did it with ease. Even the harbor freight did it after I removed it from the vehicle. Knipex was like a pair of gums instead of a set of teeth.

My super expensive cobalt 1/2" drill does a lousy job at mixing cookie dough, and the cheap, paddle blade hole saw does a much better job... those cobalt drills are junk!

Side cutters were not made to cut plastic. Some do a very good job of it, but side cutters were still not made to cut plastic.

 

[WordMan]

So what are you gonna tell Knipex?

"I misused a tool specifically designed to 'cut hard or thick wires,' instead using them to cut plastic, and they didn't work!"

 

[KnurledNut]

Not trying to start anything but did want to share my experience. Earlier today I was removing this cloth shrouding on a water hose that was shredding on an AMG.

I’m at a loss based on what everyone has said about them here. I was under the impression that they were supposed to be equal to the snapons.

I have never seen anyone on here say they exceled at cutting cloth.

I have used my 10" extensively and they are my go to. Id put them up against Snap-on anyday. And i own both.

This is a jacked up thread.

 

[shanny19]

This is a jacked up thread.

Yeah, my ignore list was getting hungry and I got to feed it today

 

[PhysicsDude]

My Knipex cutters do an excellent job for me, they're a lot better than my old Channel Lock CB pair, and are just a hair better than Kleins, both at cutting thick cable/wire, and for cutting things like pull strings. At least for me.

Maybe yours are defective in some way? I know side cutters aren't really designed to cut textile like threads, but I cut similar type cotton threads with mine fairly often, and they do as good of a job as you could expect out of side cutters

 

[Wamsutta]

Let's all hate on some Knipex today.

 

[JBH]

The whole point of this post is to warn off the general consensus that Knipex anything is equal to Snapon.

Why would anyone presume Snapper is the the same league as Knipex?

As for side cutters generally, I have a few pairs. I rarely use any of them since I discovered cable shears.

For anything round, and especially anything multicore, cable shears (such as Orbis EvoTwist) are far superior because they don’t deform the cable.

For cable ties the stamped $5 Italian mini flush cutters are better than bigger cutters. And $5!

For hard wire, 8 gauge or thicker wire, or nails, Knipex Cobolt or similar are the better tool.

So what are side cutters actually best for?

 

[johninct]

Many years ago, I pulled nails with my Snap-On cutters when I had to redo my entire deck. Not made for that job, but worked very well.

 

[M6erfan]

...So what are side cutters actually best for?

Many years ago, I pulled nails with my Snap-On cutters when I had to redo my entire deck. Not made for that job, but worked very well.

Apparently they're best for pulling nails...

Really? An entire deck? Ummmm, there are nail pullers designed for that, cost about $10. Just sayin'...

 

[Sugarfryz]

I feel the opposite. I have knipex and snap on cutters. After about a month my snap on cutters the cutting blades overlap.

 

[1950mercury]

Knipex side cutters are awesome for there intended uses

 

[ocloc24]

I have both snappy and knipex. I think they're both great, in different areas. I grab my knipex for small wires, zip ties, etc. Mine are very sharp and smooth. Great leverage.

For heavy stuff, I use my snap on. They're bullet proof, I use them for stuff i probably shouldn't and they're still just as sharp as the day I got em. I have probably 6 different varieties of SO side cuts.

Outside of cobras, pliers-wrench, bolt/cable cutters, I prefer snap on for everything else. They're just so solid. I do love my knipex though. They are easy to finesse.

 

[FigureItOut]

My standard for good cutters for my uses requires that the blades line up perfectly and touch just so, when fully closed. I often trim back a stripped end of fine stranded wire to get the right strip length for crimping on terminals. I've found that any of my cutters work fine cutting insulated wire, but only my Orbis and Stahlwille will cut all the strands when trimming a stripped end. My Knipex, Klein, NWS and Channellock won't do it.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930AZ using Tapatalk

 

[CR888]

Damn, after reading this 'good information' on GJ I'm gonna have to sell off all my Knipex. This thread confirmed my experience after I cammed out a Phillips head with a pair of knipex diagonal pliers.

 

[WittHay]

Knipex is a nice single purpose wire cutting plier but in my opinion is not equal to Klein or Snap-on. Both the Snap-on and Klein have a slightly more pointed end which makes them better for cutting materials other than copper wire

Not sure if Teck cable is sold in the US but it is made up of 7 different materials ranging from copper, paper filler to super hard plastic around the conductors. Always have used Klein when working with that stuff.

 

[Wamsutta]

I want the super long pair.

 

[dsimatt]

I want the super long pair.

They're so nice I bought it twice, would have only done it once but I lost the first pair.

 

[johninct]

Apparently they're best for pulling nails...

Really? An entire deck? Ummmm, there are nail pullers designed for that, cost about $10. Just sayin'...

The heads of the small nails were below the wood. Much easier and quicker to just pull them through. They did get dull so I just warrantied them too!!