Best Snap Ring Pliers: Knipex Precision vs Gedore

pizza · Apr 25, 2020

i've never owned snap ring pliers before, but as soon as the weather warms up a bit more, i'll need some for work i'm doing on my motorcycle.

after much reading, it seemed to me that knipex precision circlip pliers are among (if not) the best. however, i couldn't find the set i wanted at a reasonable price, and amazon.de is kind of a no-go right now for me in the US.

since the gedore also look very good, i got that set instead. but very soon after, the knipex became available again. so now i have both sets

, and i'm trying to decide which, if any, i'm returning. obviously i'm not returning used tools, so i can't really try them out to help decide. also, it's a little too cold for my liking to work on my bike.

here are my thoughts on them:

Knipex Precision (00 20 04 SB)
Pros:

grip material has a nicer feel
the markings on the grip material seem durable
those spring steel tip inserts are ****
adjustable joint (i guess you can tighten them up if they ever get too loose)
internal (hidden) return spring

Cons:

more expensive
the joints don't feel quite as good, surprisingly. there's a bit of wobble to them, like you can move one piece relative to the other in-plane (translation, not pure rotation about the joint). that is to say if you hold one grip in each hand and try to move them without rotating or twisting, they give a little. if i had to guess why.. the joint looks like a simple screw design. the joint screw threads into the bottom half of the pliers, but the top half (on top when the screw head is visible) has a simple hole through it. that hole is maybe slightly too big, so that's why there is some play.
weak feeling return spring tension

Gedore (S 8008)
Pros:

blue/red color-coded grips (interior vs exterior circlip type)
the joints feel very nice
they are thinner and nimbler, particularly near the tips. read a post about that here: https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=7445802&postcount=3
less expensive
pleasingly strong return spring tension

Cons:

the markings on the joint are already wearing off a bit where the tools rubbed against each other in the box
external (visible) return spring

this pic illustrates what i was saying about how the gedores seem nimbler, and you can see the tips better at an angle:

i know, it's terrible. i have both sets right in front of me, and i still can't decide. i think i can't go wrong with either, but which set would you keep?

also, if anyone wants me to take more pics or examine something while i still have both sets, i'm happy to do so.

-----

imgur album of pics in this post: http://imgur.com/a/5mhoLiM

Mohawk Dave · Apr 25, 2020

I have every Knipex Precision. I have zero complaints and only praises.

I've never noticed the play in the hinge you mentioned, but what I have run into is on an internal clip if it is real close to the edge, the pliers hit the wall before the tips can get into the clips holes. But this would happen with the Gedores and any other ones.

Those Gedores are ****, except for the external spring...that's a huge turn off in my book (if we're splitting hairs here ya know.)

pizza · Apr 25, 2020

Mohawk Dave said:
I have every Knipex Precision. I have zero complaints and only praises.

I've never noticed the play in the hinge you mentioned, but what I have run into is on an internal clip if it is real close to the edge, the pliers hit the wall before the tips can get into the clips holes. But this would happen with the Gedores and any other ones.

indeed, both are super nice.

but see how the tips on the gedores are more narrow, and how the pin comes right to the outer edge? i wonder if that makes a difference sometimes in what you're able to grab in tight spaces:

(here is a link to this pic on imgur)

as for the joint play, here's some video clips of what i'm talking about:

knipex:
https://gfycat.com/dimwittedscrawnyafricanaugurbuzzard
gedore:
https://gfycat.com/oddballrectangularcranefly

Mohawk Dave said:
Those Gedores are ****, except for the external spring...that's a huge turn off in my book (if we're splitting hairs here ya know.)

agreed, hidden spring looks better

Mohawk Dave · Apr 25, 2020

First off, Thank you for doing nice camera work. The Gif was super clear.

I think everything at this point is negligible. The tip placement on the Gedore's probably is easier to see? I go by feel most of the time because there is always some obstruction and I can't get my head and hands and pliers all in at the same time.

With the Gedore tips being on the outside the beefcake-ness of the jaws must be less than the Knipex so they can still close all the way. You can see the Knipex has the "built-in-stop" on the jaws, which I never paid much attn to until your above photo. But I have squeezed the ever-lovin-sh1t out of the Knipex...just the other day removing a big internal circlip on Fox 2.5" resevoirs...and thinking back maybe that positive stop is a real good thing.

Also, my #s are still good on my Knipexs, but I don't think I've ever looked at them. I always open the drawer and grab 2 consecutive sizes...usually one of them is the correct one. lol

I think at this point, go by what feels good in your hand.

matt_i · Apr 25, 2020

The Gedore tips look the same as the ones Knipex uses on their other series of snap ring pliers....like they're made & forged from the same base material as the pliers jaw.

By virtue of Knipex involving 2 different materials they can get one specifically suited to the tips but have to increase the beef in the pliers jaw to handle the interface.

I haven't used both but the canted tips seem like a big desirable feature to me vs. what I perceive is the straight tips on the Knipex wire tips.

pizza · Apr 25, 2020

matt_i said:
I haven't used both but the canted tips seem like a big desirable feature to me vs. what I perceive is the straight tips on the Knipex wire tips.

the knipex precision tips aren't straight, but generally the gedore ones are noticeably more angled. i assume more angled is a good thing to reduce slippage. some of the gedore tips also look a little longer.

this shows J1 (12-25mm, internal) pliers from both sets:

pic 1
pic 2

out of all the pliers in the set, i would say that this is the most extreme case. i wonder if this pair of J1 knipex is a little out of spec.

taking this a step further, the wiha magic tip pliers (which are possibly being discontinued?) have notched tips. during the recent sale, i picked those up in 90° size 3 (internal and external) to round out the set. i don't have them yet.

Yarpo · Apr 25, 2020

I have the gedore at work, never used the knipex. I'm impressed with the Gedore and have nothing really to add, you summed up the pros and cons perfectly. I've owned mine for a year or two and the markings are still in fact, tho I never reference them and I will always prefer a tool with stamped sizes so it's a slight bummer.

JBH · Apr 25, 2020

Gedore simply because of the color coded handles.

lynx40 · Apr 25, 2020

Hi I would go for the Gedore you've got to ask yourself how often or much use they're going to get ? Both look nice sets both with pro's and con's but at the end it's your choice both would look great in your tool box &#55357;&#56397;

brollona · Apr 25, 2020

In a short, you won't miss with neither of them. It's only matter of personal choice. At home I have knipex precision and like real tool polisher I have not used them yet. But I bought them because I thought noses are a bit longer than Gedore and profile look thinner so I can reach rings in motorcycle forks. My don't have play in hinges, but It's a screw so you can probably tighten them.

At work I used Knipex (not precision models) and some other brands, probably asian. Knipex are very good, asian are some good some ****. The material is most important aspect of them, design not so much. And to know how to use them. Unfortunately I've seen too many idiots who are using small pliers for larger rings and then damage tips.

Just buy ones that you find more attractive.

Skin · Apr 25, 2020

Thing about the more steeply angled tips and the way they cut them at a slant is that you won't get as full of an engagement on rings in a bore since the tips will bottom out at an angle. It's splitting hairs but the Knipex just look like a cleaner more precisely made tool. On the flip side I'd prefer a riveted joint over a screw. The spring on the Gedore doesn't bother me at all. A lot of precision electronic pliers use the same spring like Klein and older (pre-spain junk) Snap-on.

I will say that etching on tool steel lasts a lot longer than the inking knipex does on the handles but you'll need to use them a lot for that to become apparent.

Wamsutta · Apr 25, 2020

Here's my comparison:

Knipex Precision: pressed in tips might be more durable than regular turned tips (Knipex says they are)

Gedore: tips are angled more, so therefore might hold onto the snap ring better (this is the reason why I never buy the replaceable tip kind of pliers)

Mohawk Dave · Apr 25, 2020

Tool_Man said:
Lang.

M635_Guy · Apr 25, 2020

I wish I could help with the question, but you get the award for clear question and excellent visual aids.

pizza · Apr 25, 2020

good comments. thanks, everyone. like most of you say, this is really splitting hairs. both sets are amazing.

yes, etching or stamping the model info would be better than what either tool company has done, but between the two i've got in front of me, the markings on the knipex are more durable than gedore's.

and if i keep the knipex, i'll probably just put a little strip of tape (maybe gaffer tape) on each internal snap ring pliers' handle to quickly differentiate them visually from the external ones.

brollona said:
My don't have play in hinges, but It's a screw so you can probably tighten them.

the play really isn't a big deal and would not affect use. probably not all of them even have this problem. i think that on my batch, the tolerance was just too high between the hole and screw diameters.

i did test it just for kicks. i tightened one a little, and the joint friction increased as expected, but the play was still there. the play can't be adjusted out.

DSLTRK · Apr 25, 2020

Have you used them to see how well the tips are holding up? Snap rings are very hard steel, and will quickly let you know if the tool is made of inferior steel.

pizza · Apr 26, 2020

alas, i have not done the most important test: actually using them.

like i said in the OP, i bought them to work on my bike, and it's too cold outside for that for my liking right now. also, i want to return one set, and i don't want to return used tools.

BigBoreFan · Apr 26, 2020

Here's a good review of the Gedores.

pizza · Apr 26, 2020

i love german tool reviews. i hope he starts making videos again.

pizza · Apr 29, 2020

question: knipex often speaks of "zero backlash" in their marketing, but i don't actually understand what that means in pliers. when i think of backlash, i think of play in a mechanism that does not cause input to be transmitted downstream in the linkage. can anyone describe exactly what knipex is talking about? i'm wondering if i've actually demonstrated whatever they mean by backlash, and my pliers would be 'defective':

https://gfycat.com/dimwittedscrawnyafricanaugurbuzzard

regardless, this does not affect operation, and i ended up keeping the knipex. i'm a knipex fanboy, and i like the way the grips feel more. if i actually can't access a snap ring because of the beefier tips, then i guess i'll buy a single gedore pliers later or something. i don't think it will come to that though.

also, those beefy, flat surfaces are apparently a selling point:

they're referring to the red-shaded surface.

pic

also, obligatory marketing **** video featuring adjustable set screw limiter (i didn't get those ones):

Mohawk Dave · Apr 29, 2020

Pizza,

Just a wild *** guess, but I presume "backlash" in this case would refer to the tips moving around in the holes. But because they are properly sized and point outward, they fit frikin tight: aka no backlash.

I know I've had to push off clips more than once from my Knipex after the clip was removed from the work piece. I love that the clip doesn't fly off into oblivion. (I'm still careful about it, but you catch my drift)

-Again, just a WAG on what they mean...

pizza · Apr 29, 2020

that is a good guess, but i think that they are specifically referring to the joint and not the tips.

this marketing appears all over their catalog (at least 17 pages) referring to a variety of pliers.

some examples of text containing backlash:

knipex catalog said:
The Subtle Difference: KNIPEX precision electronics pliers are made of high-quality ball bearing steel and processed with the highest degree of care. Each opening movement is gentle and even without backlash. Each work step proceeds reliably and precisely. This makes work much easier for professionals.

The precision of pliers is essential for their function: without accuracy there can be no reliable cutting, gripping, bending and zero backlash. The tight tolerances, which we make sure are complied with through the use of modern production technology, enable us to meet our stringent quality specications.

> bolted joint: precise, zero-backlash operation of pliers

> sturdy, zero backlash box-joint

> high degree of stability and zero backlash due to precisely

milled forged-in axle

> zero backlash jaw surface pressure prevents damage to edges of

sensitive components

Mohawk Dave · Apr 29, 2020

Huh....without a screw and nut (parallel like on a lathe or mill) IDK how you could say no backlash when dealing with a perpendicular screw...have no idea...

Steve_P · Apr 29, 2020

their backlash comment might be a translation "error". I have the Knipex piano wire pliers thru 100 mm shaft size and love them. Yes, the Lang set is the smart choice for the $ . But if you have the $, you'll really appreciate the Knipex every time you use them.

1 Tooth Ratchet · Apr 29, 2020

If I could only keep one, I'd probably go with the Knipex due to the textured handles.

dnschmidt · Apr 30, 2020

Everybody has Knipex only a special few have Gedore. Deutschland Uber Alles when it comes to cool tools.

chopper88 · Apr 30, 2020

I have several of both, from all sorts of age ranges.
My experience is they'll both probably last forever, and you always need one with tips, or a specific angle that is slightly different than the dozen you already have...

Best Snap Ring Pliers: Knipex Precision vs Gedore

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