8 or 9" Lineman's?

[Fly Fishing Rick]

I'm a homeowner and I also do residential handyman work and I'm looking to get a pair of good Lineman's pliers but can't decide between sizes... Do you prefer an 8" or 9" version for general purpose work? I have it narrowed down to either the Klein D20009NEGLW or the D2000-8 models. They're more or less the same price with the 8" version having significantly lower ratings on Amazon for some reason. Thought it might be useful to get some feedback here before I spend $35-40 on a pair of pliers.

 

[Wamsutta]

Always get the 9 inch.

 

[Beerhippie]

I'm sure Knipex makes a pair for at least half again as much.

Channellock makes--or made--nice lineman's, too. Mine are from yard sales, so not new.

 

[rust in the eye]

Depends on the size and strength of your hands. 9" get heavy faster

 

[four.cycle]

If you've got big hands and you're really going to work them: Klein D213-9NECR

They are heavy.

 

[Fly Fishing Rick]

I'm sure Knipex makes a pair for at least half again as much.

Channellock makes--or made--nice lineman's, too. Mine are from yard sales, so not new.

The Knipex lineman's are actually comparable in price to the D2000 series Kleins, but they only come in 9.5" unless you go to their combination version. I know klein makes incredible lineman's that I do like, but I don't know that I'll like the combination pair. I also definitely don't want anything over 9", so Klein seems like the best choice for me personally. The Knipex diagonal cutters are also comparable in price to the D2000 series, but I have got to try those side by side and I prefer the Kleins. They seem to cut easier and feel nicer when they finish a cut in my pinion.

 

[Fly Fishing Rick]

If you're got big hands and you're really going to work them: Klein D213-9NECR

They are heavy.

I wear XL gloves but I doubt I'll ever have a single day where they will be my primary tool. But they'll prolly see use at least a few times for most jobs I do. I also don't really want or need a crimper on mine. I'd rather use a dedicated crimping tool with the crimp in front of the joint if I need to do any crimping.

 

[Beerhippie]

The Knipex lineman's are actually comparable in price to the D2000 series Kleins, but they only come in 9.5" unless you go to their combination version. I know klein makes incredible lineman's that I do like, but I don't know that I'll like the combination pair. I also definitely don't want anything over 9", so Klein seems like the best choice for me personally. The Knipex diagonal cutters are also comparable in price to the D2000 series, but I have got to try those side by side and I prefer the Kleins. They seem to cut easier and feel nicer when they finish a cut in my pinion.

I have both the Knipex and Klein dikes. Can't say I prefer one over the other.

 

[Jlanciani]

D2000-9NE for the win.

 

[Fly Fishing Rick]

I have both the Knipex and Klein dikes. Can't say I prefer one over the other.

The kleins seem to have the cutting blades ground as a slightly shallower angle. Increasing the likelihood of damage, but also allowing them cut while applying less pressure. But this is just based on observation and use throughout one day with someone that had both with them and was kind enough to let me try them for the day, I haven't actually measured anything. Maybe the Klein handles just fit my hand better...

 

[Steve_P]

My favorite are the discontinued 7" Channellock 347s for home use. Since they're NLA, I'd go 8" as I don't need anything longer and heavier; there's no need for my hand to be in the next time zone from the wiring .

 

[Fly Fishing Rick]

D2000-9NE for the win.

Why the New England style? Just curious.

 

[dave*99]

Why the New England style? Just curious.

I have Klein D213-9NE 9" My hands are average size. IMHO 8" is too small. I do own a small pair but never use them.

The web explains it as follows:

New England style lineman's pliers have a rounded, streamlined nose (instead of a squared-off one) to slide into tool pouches or tight spaces easier, while still featuring strong grips for pulling, bending, and cutting heavy wire, plus often a built-in crimper and a fish tape puller in the joint, making them a versatile tool for electricians and linemen needing to work efficiently in confined areas.

 

[Nobody-named-Olli]

I have the, now discontinued?, Klein Tools J2000-9NECR. They live in the Veto on top of my toolbox, for many applications the first pair of pliers I will grab. Got some very stubborn nails/fasteners out with them, as well as used them to crimp an eyelet to a pull cord/string and it performed very well.

Had a minor accident with a blue steel/hardened nail and the cutters, but that was my fault for not realizing early enough. Minor dent, de-burred with a file, all good.

I really like how smooth they run and how heavy duty they are overall. Serious pair of pliers, happy to have/ use them!

So, my vote, go 9”.

(Everything else will come anyway at some point. … )

Kind regards,
Olli

 

[Wamsutta]

I have both the Knipex and Klein dikes. Can't say I prefer one over the other.

I have a strong aversion to the other kind of dikes. Can't stand them. They freak me out. Can't put enough distance between me and them.

 

[u2slow]

I mistakenly ordered the 8" for work after having used 9" the last 24 years. Not cool. Definitely the 9's for leverage.

 

[willf650]

I have about 3 pairs of these spread around in different bags.
D2000-9NE

In my main/ big bag I have a Channellock brand set I got somewhere when they were blowing them out. They are also good and the 9” version.

I always make it a point to buy the 2000 series when I‘m buying Klein lineman's or dykes.

I personally wouldn’t get the glow in the dark handles as the blue one will get stained. I would think those would be substantially worse.

 

[sparky 1971]

I use 9" in both Klein and Knipex flavors. The Klein when I'm wiring houses because they are a smidge wider and I can fit more wires in the jaws to pre twist; they also make a much better hammer. The Knipex for service calls and commercial work, a little lighter and a better cutter. At one time I had a pair of 8" Channellock linesman pliers given to me, I don't recall ever using them and now that I think about it, haven't seen them in years. I do remember picking them up and thinking they were some kind of joke.

 

[Fly Fishing Rick]

Went ahead and got the D20009NEGLW 9" pair. Thanks for all the help!

 

[Beerhippie]

Went ahead and got the D20009NEGLW 9" pair. Thanks for all the help!

That may be the right way, but it ain't the GJ way: Buy one of each!

 

[Fly Fishing Rick]

That may be the right way, but it ain't the GJ way: Buy one of each!

If only I could afford it... I'd have 6-9" here tomorrow given the choice lol

 

[tiredoldironworker]

Ironworker foreman who also has to occasionally tie rebar. Klein D9 2000 FTW!

 

[sayn3ver]

Doing commercial electrical work, I have had several pairs of the knipex (09 02 240). I started out as an apprentice 14 years ago using a pair of kleins (D213-9NE or similar). I like the knipex for cutting mc better.

Both are good enough. I don't think id buy an 8" or smaller pair unless it was task specific.

Not that you asked, i think the sharper nose on klein's diagonal pliers is worlds more useful then the more rounded profile knipex uses on a few of their models.

​

 

[KnurledNut]

Ironworker foreman who also has to occasionally tie rebar. Klein D9 2000 FTW!

You using the ironworker version?
I've busted a few rods over the years. I like the 9" 201-7CST with the smaller/thinner head and fine serrations for repetition and speed (dark blue), but for all around heavy duty use the 9" D2000-9ST with the aggressive jaw pattern wins the serious battles and I also find its bigger size pulls saddles tighter.
Any of your guys use milkers?

 

[YesIHaveAHammer]

Note the spec lengths of Kleins:

D2000-7 7.77''
D2000-8 8.89"
D2000-9 9.35''

 

[YesIHaveAHammer]

Definitely the 9's for leverage.

Anyone else have reasons?

It'd be interesting to know why people like the size.

 

[u2slow]

Anyone else have reasons?

It'd be interesting to know why people like the size.

It fits my hand better too. My hands are on the large-ish side.

 

[PelicanPines]

Always... All sizes...

 

[Joemctag]

Unless you’re cutting NM (Romex) cable, you don’t need them at all. Get some Channellocks and some Vise-grips. WAY more useful all-around.
Vise-grips are supremely awesome.

 

[YesIHaveAHammer]

you don’t need them at all

I was thinking much the same recently.

Unless it's particularly beneficial to have a cutter and pincher on one tool, as far as I can see there's something other tool that'll do the cutting or the pinching better.

 

[KnurledNut]

Anyone else have reasons?

It'd be interesting to know why people like the size.

In American trades, 9's are the industry standard. If someone ask you for the "nines" you damn sure better not hand them a 7" linemans. They'll never let you live that down.

 

[Nobody-named-Olli]

Anyone else have reasons?

It'd be interesting to know why people like the size.

I’d say that is one, maybe the, main reason. (Leverage)

Capacity for cutting & twisting are big ones as well.

All I can say is that for me the 9” are a serious pair of pliers that make things move - if they want or not. I removed nails and other (direct type) fasteners with them that would simply not come out with other pliers. They feature excellent ergonomics, are comfortable to work with and feature a certain heft. They grip/bite really well, you can really put some force on these big handles and that transfers well.

I’ll try to convey that with the following picture set.





















1 of 2.

 

[Nobody-named-Olli]

2 of 2.





Kind regards,
Olli

 

[u2slow]

I was thinking much the same recently.

Unless it's particularly beneficial to have a cutter and pincher on one tool, as far as I can see there's something other tool that'll do the cutting or the pinching better.

They are the primary tool I use for twisting up pigtail splices.

Edit: Lineman's or "Kleins" is all we ever called them. Most of the Klein branded ones have a grip near the hinge for pulling on a steel fish-tape.

 

[JohnX14]

Why the New England style? Just curious.

It's the only one I've used for at least 10 years. Hard to explain, just great quality. No "break in". The 9 1/2" has more leverage. I could still "live with" the Klein 9's the Knipex are just so much better and not much more money. If you don't spend all day, every day, using linesman's, you probably won't appreciate the difference.

 

[Outwest]

Here’s a couple pair of 9’s. One pair with milkers.

 

[dave*99]

I was thinking much the same recently.

Unless it's particularly beneficial to have a cutter and pincher on one tool, as far as I can see there's something other tool that'll do the cutting or the pinching better.

I’m not sure what you are pinching. But if I’m twisting wires together for a wire nut I’m using 9” Kleins.

After the twist I make an angle cut on the wire and add the wire nut.

 

[YesIHaveAHammer]

I’m not sure what you are pinching. But if I’m twisting wires together for a wire nut I’m using 9” Kleins.

Anything and everything really. We don't do wire nuts here the other side of the pond.

 

[GaryM909]

Anyone else have reasons?

It'd be interesting to know why people like the size.

About all I use my 9" Kleins is for cutting Tig wire.

 

[dave*99]

Anything and everything really. We don't do wire nuts here the other side of the pond.

Well now you know what we use them for. If you see an electrician in the US and he doesn’t have linesman’s. Well, he probably isn’t an electrician.