Gash Knipex pliers

[German Satin]

Got the above from Amazon for £14 something along with some other bits and got free p&p. Standard fare from Knipex (180mm combi. Pliers). As you can see from pic they are a Friday pair or possibly a 'B' product, assigned to a bin for not making the grade. Needless to say they went back. They were cheaper than normal which may explain their quality. I mean do reputable companies like Knipex even entertain flogging batches of **** such as what I got and furthermore do retailers like Amazon buy said **** in bulk and sell them cheap to unsuspecting customers like myself?

You will notice three 'issues' :

1) grind on right flank is considerably wider than adjacent side (reverse side was ok). You may also notice grinds to be a bit wobbly.
2) rhs handle is set further onto arm than the left one. Not that obvious.
3) A significant gap on outermost gripping portion of pliers. Knipex claim on their w/s that the tolerance (In adherence to
relevant standard) should not be more than 0.4mm. Apparently they regard the cutters on combo pliers to be more important so they ensure the cutters come together at the expense of the gripping end. Sounds like b/s to me!

The only Knipex I've been happy with are the Cobras. I think I've returned 3 sets of pliers from them - 160mm combination pliers, combi needle nose and side cutters.

I think I'm done with Knipex. They may be 'The Pliers Company' but some of their pliers seem to be below par; and I sincerely hope they don't sell B products, although I suspect they probably do.

 

[sk farmer]

some plier styles are made that way with a slight gap to flatly grip a fish tape. not saying these are but they could be.

 

[JradM]

The gap is normal on linesman pliers. Other reputable companies do that too.

 

[German Satin]

The gap is normal on linesman pliers. Other reputable companies do that too.

I understand what your saying, as per sk farmer's comment. Maybe I'm just a fuss *** or it's personal preference. I should have mentioned it's the cutters touching first that prevents tighter closure of gripping part.

 

[KnurledNut]

I dont personally see any of those complaints as real issues.

 

[dutchgray]

Nothing wrong with those really especially for £14. I would have just used them, you only get a couple years out a pair anyway if you use them daily.
They will probably be a warehouse deal shortly for even less.

 

[German Satin]

I dont personally see any of those complaints as real issues.

Not really major issues I guess but what doesn't bother one person may bother the next. Expected better from Knipex that's all.

 

[German Satin]

Nothing wrong with those really especially for £14. I would have just used them, you only get a couple years out a pair anyway if you use them daily.
They will probably be a warehouse deal shortly for even less.

Thanks for your reply - a voice of reason! Thing is it bothers me to keep tools that to my mind aren't good enough (don't have to be absolutely perfect) and I tend to obsess about it ... I think many members could relate to such an affliction. Thankfully I'm better than I used to be. Thanks again.

 

[Blind1]

Channellock et al Often have uneven gaps on their linesman pliers as well. Tolerances just aren’t that high when you need to focus on the cutting edge AND maintain that small gap on the gripping surface.

use them enough and they get worn down even.

 

[German Satin]

I understand what your saying, as per sk farmer's comment. Maybe I'm just a fuss *** or it's personal preference. I should have mentioned it's the cutters touching first that prevents tighter closure of gripping part.

PS - they are not linesman pliers, not strictly speaking anyway. I understand linesman's purposely have a gap so as to minimise damage to workpiece.

 

[tarbellb]

Surprised you didnt complain about the lube marking...

Better hope Tag Heuer starts making pliers

 

[sparky 1971]

It's the way they are supposed to be. And, unless someone is trying to hold a sheet of paper, will work perfectly.

 

[CS454]

Could've just thrown em at the wall and blamed that for the perfectly functioning pliers aesthetic foibles.

 

[cherrybomb]

We all have our expectations,and thoughts on what quality means to an individual.We have lost a bit of tool selection,by not being able to handle and inspect tools in person.Thats why some stay true to the tool trucks.Your most definitely entitled to your thoughts.

 

[Bubba Fett]

Those are fine pliers, especially for the money. I have a similar pair with dipped handles, and I like them. The gap is supposed to be there, and is there on most combination and lineman's pliers, including Klein, who invented lineman's pliers. Combination pliers have the same function as lineman's pliers, but with the additional gripping area for round stock. The grips are rarely perfectly even, no matter the brand. It a tool. It's not jewelry.

The only pliers that would possibly look better than this are NWS, but you won't be getting them for that price.

 

[Lucid Moments]

To each their own as everyone else has said, but if I had purchased those I wouldn't even have noticed any of those issues you mention. The only question I have when I buy a tool is if it reliably does the job I intend for it to do and is comfortable in the hand while doing it.

 

[Ton ton]

To each their own as everyone else has said, but if I had purchased those I wouldn't even have noticed any of those issues you mention. The only question I have when I buy a tool is if it reliably does the job I intend for it to do and is comfortable in the hand while doing it.

well said.

 

[Sweetcorn]

Those are really petty complaints for a pair of discounted pliers. I say this as a guy who considers himself a tool snob.

I had more typed out, but whatever...

 

[German Satin]

Surprised you didnt complain about the lube marking...

Better hope Tag Heuer starts making pliers

A guy in Germany left a review on Amazon about some Knipex combination pliers. He returned them for rust contaminated lube coming from the joint.

 

[German Satin]

Since emailed Knipex the picture as above explaining what I wasn't happy with. I was perfectly civil and wasn't fishing for anything from them. Well that was nearly a week ago and no response. Yeh, great customer service Knipex ... an acknowledgement would have been nice ... suppose they have bigger fish to fry. A 'we're sorry you weren't happy with your pliers' type thing would have been sufficient followed by maybe 'as a good will gesture we would like to send you a £100 voucher ...' would have been great ...

 

[German Satin]

Those are really petty complaints for a pair of discounted pliers. I say this as a guy who considers himself a tool snob.

I had more typed out, but whatever...

I don't think you should have posted at all with that attitude tbh.

 

[ike]

they probably have better things to do than coddle picky customers. just take your money and go somewhere else.

 

[German Satin]

they probably have better things to do than coddle picky customers. just take your money and go somewhere else.

Your right.

 

[German Satin]

We all have our expectations,and thoughts on what quality means to an individual.We have lost a bit of tool selection,by not being able to handle and inspect tools in person.Thats why some stay true to the tool trucks.Your most definitely entitled to your thoughts.

I much prefer to buy in a shop if I can. Thank you for your comment.

 

[German Satin]

For the record I have depression (since early teens but not treated until 18). I'm now 47. A major symptom is OCD. It became really bad in my 30's but thankfully has improved quite a bit in recent years. Peace. Out.

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

I believe if there is an issue it’s because they are from Amazon i know some people who have had issues getting fake stuff from them. Not saying it is 100% but that is a guess. I have yet to try Knipex but based on everything I’ve seen they are probably the way they are made.

 

[KnurledNut]

Since emailed Knipex the picture as above explaining what I wasn't happy with. I was perfectly civil and wasn't fishing for anything from them. Well that was nearly a week ago and no response. Yeh, great customer service Knipex ... an acknowledgement would have been nice ... suppose they have bigger fish to fry. A 'we're sorry you weren't happy with your pliers' type thing would have been sufficient followed by maybe 'as a good will gesture we would like to send you a £100 voucher ...' would have been great ...

Try calling them.
When i have dealt with them in the past, they recommend returning them where they were purchased. Otherwise, they will issue an RMA for a replacement but you will need to send the defective pair in on your dime.

 

[seber]

I wouldn't have a problem with those if they were normal pliers. But considering how much knipex gets for them, I would expect near perfection.

 

[Ton ton]

I believe if there is an issue it’s because they are from Amazon i know some people who have had issues getting fake stuff from them. Not saying it is 100% but that is a guess. I have yet to try Knipex but based on everything I’ve seen they are probably the way they are made.

Well said, Blake the car guy.

 

[Mr_B]

I'm not biggest fan of regular pliers from knipex, can be bit shabby if unlucky.
high end cutters and fancy grip pliers tend be fine though.
For more normal pliers I prefer going japan or older snaopon or if going cheap some better end taiwan are good .