Looking for a pair of new diagonal cutters. Knipex, Channellock, Klein??

jmac219 · Aug 31, 2013

I'm looking for a decent pair of quality side cutters mainly for electrical work. I've been deciding between a few choices. I'm just wondering what most people on here use or recommended for daily use.

Knipex 7401200

Channellock 338

Klein D228-8

Are there any other good quality brands that I should look into or model #'s. Like I said I would mainly use these for electrical work. I want a pair that should last under normal use and not start to show indents on the cutting part like the cheap pairs I've had in the past.
Thanks!

kams1973 · Sep 1, 2013

Choose in the order you listed them.

CWP1616L · Sep 1, 2013

jmac219 said:
Knipex 7401200

Get the 74 01 250 instead.

Jmatlock88 · Sep 1, 2013

Those are all good tools suitable for everyday use. With that being said, I would go with knipex.

928'er · Sep 1, 2013

Ash has got some of the NWS cutters on sale...

http://www.german-hand-tools.com/nws-wire-cutter.html

iroc409 · Sep 1, 2013

My Channellocks work fine, but if I ever break them I will replace them most likely with Knipex. I like my Channellock stuff, but generally like Knipex just slightly more. Both get the job done, though (for me anyway).

scaron · Sep 1, 2013

i too would probably recommend knipex for this particular tool but they are all good makes, if you can get to one or more of these tools in person before you buy it, getting a chance to hold it in your hand before you buy to see how it feels can be invaluable. there is a certain amount of personal preference involved.

Holt · Sep 1, 2013

My preferance is knipex as I use them daily and they have preformed flawlessly. My only suggestion is to buy the angle head version

Jim C. · Sep 1, 2013

I have the Knipex and the Channellock pairs shown in the original post above. I really like them both equally. The Channellocks are going to be a little more affordable and are USA made, while the Knipex are expensive and made in Gremany. I can't comment on the Klein's because I've never used them. I'm a Channellock fan and usually pick up the #338s when I'm looking for a diagonal cutter because I'm used to using that tool and it's been nothing short of reliable and dependable. I recently got the Knipex pair and can say the same things. I believe the quality of the Knipex may be slightly better however. I'm certainly becoming a Knipex fan too. I think you can't go wrong with either pair, and would have to base your decision on price, COO, and quality of product.

Jim C.

erty67 · Sep 1, 2013

I have those exact Klein cutters and love them. I'd recommend them. :thumbup:

rodm1 · Sep 1, 2013

Some lines of Klein are only designed for cutting copper and alum and will evidently nick the blade if cutting steel. Why would they do such a dumb thing I have no idea. :dunno:

thoraudio · Sep 1, 2013

Can't comment on the others, but I've used and loved my Klein 1005 crimped/cutters for at least 15 years now.

allinon72 · Sep 1, 2013

I have all three, plus the Knipex with the comfort grips, and those are my favorite

devoncoolman · Sep 1, 2013

Its your personal preference on the style of grips. Shape of the handle and angle on the blade. All three are good cutters all at different price points. I can guarentee you wont be let down by the knipex or the chanelocks. I own several of each. Honestly i keep my knipex nice for wiring work and my chanelocks i use for wveryday cutting ie. cotter pins steel wire etc. do your self a favor if u cant afford to buy both go handle all three and choose from there. If price is concern just buy the chanelocks they will perform well and are made right here in my home state. :thumbup:

krc328ic · Sep 1, 2013

Amazon had the same p/n Knipex advertised for $22.54 other day. Can't beat that deal short of finding some in Lowes clearance.

redwrench60 · Sep 1, 2013

With the help of other members here I learned some of the differences in Klein's side cutters and linemans pliers and I'd go with the heavy duty version (2000 series) of the ones you listed. They're advertised to cut steel and many hardened materials.

http://www.kleintools.com/catalog/h...ge-diagonal-cutting-pliers-heavy-duty-cutting.

zer0cell · Sep 1, 2013

I don't think you could go wrong with any Channellock, Klein or Knipex. However, I have some suggestions:

Channellock: E338 (updated version of the picture you posted with higher leverage) or E338CB which is the Code Blue version with comfort grips. 447 is the angled head version.

Klein: D2000-28 (Tougher cutting edges than the one you pictured) or J2000-28 if you want the Journeyman comfort grips. Alternatively, replace the -28 with -48 to get the angled head version in each style. This can be useful.

Knipex: 7401200, the one you pictured or 7402200 if you want the comfort grips. 7422200 gets you an angled head in comfort grips which is the one I have.

Any of these should serve you well. I think it may be more about cost/availability/personal preference than anything else. I have used the kleins and channellocks more than knipex so far as knipex is a newer addition to my tool box but none have let me down so far.

Brownsfan · Sep 1, 2013

I have issues. I have all 3. I use the channellock the most for some reason.

abvw · Sep 1, 2013

I use a small 6" Channellock diagonal cutter (436) at work to cut zip ties, trim clips and cotter pins. Its been almost a year and the blade's already ruined. What a shame, I really liked the grip and how little it flexed.

I'm going with Knipex next; I've seen them cut screws and nails in half effortlessly, I wouldn't even dare to try with my Channellocks.

Monte · Sep 1, 2013

these are nice

richfinn · Sep 1, 2013

I have some Wiha VDE which are OK

Some old MAC which are very good heavy duty

My favorites are NWS though, suberb quality and just feel right in your hand like a Snappy ratchet or an old Britool spanner. For us lucky enough to live in Europe (for want of a better phrase

) they are top value for the money. Everything about them is awesome the grips the cutting edges and the machining and hinge are just perfect out of the box.

Can you tell I'm a convert?

ChevyZ71 · Sep 1, 2013

I have the knipex, I love them. Cuts wire like a dream.

crewchief888 · Sep 1, 2013

i've had channelock 338 for many, many years.

i aqquired pair of brand new knipex, and have using them ever since.

dunno if they are any better than the channellocks,
they cut much cleaner simply because they are new,
vs a 30 year old pair

:beer:

cmandp · Sep 1, 2013

I have both the Knipex and Channellocks you listed. Personally I use the Channellocks for pulling cotter pins, nails and other abusive tasks. I keep the Knipex sharp for tasks that need a nice clean cut; they worked great for striping the sheathing off of romex and cutting lengths of wire from it.

Responder · Sep 1, 2013

I have the Channel locks and the Klein angled cutters. Either one will work. I have heard good things about Knipex

kams1973 · Sep 1, 2013

I wonder which would be best for cutting insulation on larger diameter wire?

Adam McLaughlin · Sep 1, 2013

KNIPEX
or
NWS

Adam

Fireball027 · Sep 1, 2013

I recommend Knipex. I have several pairs and they are by far the best cutters I own.
The 2 pairs I recommend are..

8" High leverage - 74 01 200
10" High leverage - 74 01 250

Looking for a pair of new diagonal cutters. Knipex, Channellock, Klein??

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