CK Tools Germany, anybody use them?

[Scotland Offshore ABZ]

Does anybody use CK tools? http://www.ck-tools.com/

I have just broken the very tip of the jaws off a pair of their wire snips. I have used them hard for over 20 years and they have never let me down. I am now looking for a quality replacement set.

Knipex, which look identical. Either that or MAC which seem very good. The Snap-on ones just dont feel right in my hands if that makes sense. Any recommendations? Also I have seen Knipex pliers but with another company name printed onto them at the same time. Are these as good or knock off?

Any help as always appreciated.

 

[fnsane]

Knipex. Puts Klein to shame

 

[Scotland Offshore ABZ]

Are they really that good? I have looked at some Knipex, but the handle just felt wrong. The MAC ones felt just right. These were MAC's own ones not the Knipex/MAC ones if that makes sense.

 

[Olafur]

Knipex are tried and trusted workhorses. Generally speaking it's hard to find something better. When Bauhaus had grand opening here in Iceland they had full rack of knipex on discount. Day two the rack was empty, and the only rack that was empty. Long line of craftsmen stocking up. They knew what they wanted obviously.

 

[M6erfan]

Keiba FCC-206, very very nice...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/KEIBA-High-Grade-Diagonal-Cutting-Nippers-2-Component-Handle-150mm-FCC-206-/121971959186?hash=item1c66186592:g:BGEAAOSwFEFXJBeX

They're 6"/150mm, I think the ones you show are 200mm, so don't know if that's an issue... knipex is good too

 

[no704]

Why not just grind the tip down to the good blade?

 

[ChevyEFI]

The Snap-on ones just dont feel right in my hands if that makes sense.

I have looked at some Knipex, but the handle just felt wrong.

I am a fan of the ergo of Facom's range.
Examples are:

391.16CPE

192.16CPE

FWIW, I think 20 years sounds like a tool to buy a second time.

 

[Monte]

the OEM of your pliers is NWS http://www.nws-tools.de/

 

[dutchgray]

I have some modern CK pliers and a pair of side cutters. They are decent but not Knipex decent. (or NWS) they were cheap though which helps.

 

[fnsane]

Buy what feels good in your hand brand not withstanding

I use Knipex every day, smooth action, feel good.

Fnsane

 

[Dave455]

I've got a fair bit of their stuff. Some of it, such as their 'classic' hard handle screwdrivers are superb!

Never been mega impressed with their pliers. Although they are durable enough the steel always seemed to rust at the slightest, which was never ideal as I kept them in my road box! They were mega cheap though!

Any of the major German makers will offer a similar tool, but of higher quality. Knipex are pretty good, and if you buy from somewhere such as TBS Aachen are superb value too! NWS seem o.k. but I much prefer VBW who make the Stahlwille pliers. They are often available on u.k. eBay at sensible money.

MAC don't actually make any pliers or cutters, they are all rebrands. The U.S. made stuff is Channelock with red grips. If it's these you like, get the originals and save a stack. Available on Amazon, or U.K. eBay! I've seen a lot of Knipex on my local truck though. See above!

 

[Scotland Offshore ABZ]

Are Channelock good then? I just tried them in my hands on the MAC truck and they seemed to feel very good.

 

[Scotland Offshore ABZ]

Why not just grind the tip down to the good blade?

I would do that, but quite often I have to use the very end of the tips to snip locking wire when I can't get in about the wire without a full strip down.

 

[Dave455]

Yes, Channellock are very good. They are probably America's premier plier and cutter manufacturer! They make a considerable range of patterns and sizes though, so if ordering online, ensure you are getting the same ones you tried.

Some U.K. sellers attempt to charge stupid prices for these tools ( in the U.S. they are very competitively priced). You can usually get a decent deal by searching eBay and Amazon, but if you struggle, MSC industrial supply will source any model for you!

 

[Scotland Offshore ABZ]

Thanks for the help. I would prefer to buy USA opposed to German tools if I can.

 

[gdocktor3]

the OEM of your pliers is NWS http://www.nws-tools.de/

Thanks for the help. I would prefer to buy USA opposed to German tools if I can.

And unfortunately, the OEM for most of Mac's pliers is http://www.goalmactools.com/product_m.asp?class_id=30&class_f_id=12

With that said, I own a few pair of Mac's newer foreign made pliers and they are exceptionally well made. I will agree with the OP that they feel good in the hand and work great. I also like the feel of the grips compared to others like Channellock, Knipex, or any other hard plastic or thin vinyl covered grips.

Interestingly, these pliers that are made in China, not Taiwan, really do work/feel like any other quality USA made tools. This is proof that quality tools can be made in foreign countries if wanted. Most companies shift overseas to save money, thereby using cheaper material and labor. Perhaps only cheaper labor was the reasoning behind this shift, while still using quality material.

FWIW - my go to wire cutters are Craftsman USA. Chosen over my Channellock and Proto cutters. They are made by Western Forge, have comfortable grips, and really cheap. In my personal opinion, Craftsman's USA made tools are the best bang for your buck no matter which tool it is. http://www.sears.com/craftsman-5-in...WEAQzWj5ZqJ3DFOO7tKexoCNfzw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds#

 

[alfazer]

I have some CK and they seem to be one of the biggest selling brands in my local engineering supplies store. Local electrical trade place sells mostly CK and knipex too.
I have a pair of side cutters and the finish is excellent, no rust at all after maybe 5 years. i also have some random CK sockets, extensions and ratchet for years with no complaints.

 

[Scotland Offshore ABZ]

And unfortunately, the OEM for most of Mac's pliers is http://www.goalmactools.com/product_m.asp?class_id=30&class_f_id=12

With that said, I own a few pair of Mac's newer foreign made pliers and they are exceptionally well made. I will agree with the OP that they feel good in the hand and work great. I also like the feel of the grips compared to others like Channellock, Knipex, or any other hard plastic or thin vinyl covered grips.

Interestingly, these pliers that are made in China, not Taiwan, really do work/feel like any other quality USA made tools. This is proof that quality tools can be made in foreign countries if wanted. Most companies shift overseas to save money, thereby using cheaper material and labor. Perhaps only cheaper labor was the reasoning behind this shift, while still using quality material.

FWIW - my go to wire cutters are Craftsman USA. Chosen over my Channellock and Proto cutters. They are made by Western Forge, have comfortable grips, and really cheap. In my personal opinion, Craftsman's USA made tools are the best bang for your buck no matter which tool it is. http://www.sears.com/craftsman-5-in...WEAQzWj5ZqJ3DFOO7tKexoCNfzw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds#

In the end I missed the MAC man as I was out in the Truck and the Snap-On man came by today so I bought these. I also spent about another £200 on impulse! However I am very happy with these. They are well made and fit my hands well. I did prefer the MAC ones but unfortunately I missed him this month. I will probably buy the smaller sized ones off him though. USA made is the only reason I will buy any tool these days though. I gave the old ones to the apprentice and he is highly delighted with them. He ground the tips down on the grider and hopefully they will give him many years of service. At the moment I am getting rid of all my Chineese, Taiwan and European (Except British) tools and replacing them all with quality USA made tools. It will take me a couple of years but I would prefer a 40" box full of quality tools rather than what I have now (3 x 40" boxes with a lot of foreign junk) but it will take time. The apprentice will be a happy young man though as I am giving him heaps of these cheapo tools to help him start off!

 

[Scotland Offshore ABZ]

And unfortunately, the OEM for most of Mac's pliers is http://www.goalmactools.com/product_m.asp?class_id=30&class_f_id=12

With that said, I own a few pair of Mac's newer foreign made pliers and they are exceptionally well made. I will agree with the OP that they feel good in the hand and work great. I also like the feel of the grips compared to others like Channellock, Knipex, or any other hard plastic or thin vinyl covered grips.

Interestingly, these pliers that are made in China, not Taiwan, really do work/feel like any other quality USA made tools. This is proof that quality tools can be made in foreign countries if wanted. Most companies shift overseas to save money, thereby using cheaper material and labor. Perhaps only cheaper labor was the reasoning behind this shift, while still using quality material.

FWIW - my go to wire cutters are Craftsman USA. Chosen over my Channellock and Proto cutters. They are made by Western Forge, have comfortable grips, and really cheap. In my personal opinion, Craftsman's USA made tools are the best bang for your buck no matter which tool it is. http://www.sears.com/craftsman-5-in...WEAQzWj5ZqJ3DFOO7tKexoCNfzw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds#

Thanks for the tip. I have just bought a set of Craftsman Long-nose pliers off ebay. When they arrive I hope to see what the hype is all about! Nobody on this side of the pond knows what Craftsman tools are.! If they are as good as everyone says they are it will be worth the import fee. I did make sure before I ordered them that they were mad in the USA though.

 

[garthg]

Does anybody use CK tools? http://www.ck-tools.com/

I have just broken the very tip of the jaws off a pair of their wire snips. I have used them hard for over 20 years and they have never let me down. I am now looking for a quality replacement set.

Knipex, which look identical. Either that or MAC which seem very good. The Snap-on ones just dont feel right in my hands if that makes sense. Any recommendations? Also I have seen Knipex pliers but with another company name printed onto them at the same time. Are these as good or knock off?

Any help as always appreciated.

I would just go at those with a grinder and file. They'll be slightly shorter, but still usable.

I do have a pair of Craftsman USA (made by Western Forge) that I've had for 30 years and they have held up well. I haven't abused them, for example, by trying to cut piano wire.