Impressed with Knipex

[Jim C.]

It's no secret that Lowes has been eliminating its stock of Channellock and Knipex pliers/tools. I've been taking advantage of the savings on the Channellocks. My local Lowes sold out the Knipex stuff pretty fast. Even at reduced prices, the Knipex tools were still fairly expensive so I passed on them. Prior to the liquidation, I never really considered buying a pair of Knipex pliers because of the cost. In the past, I occasionally took various Knipex tools off the display hooks, gave them a good look, determined that they were high quality, and then put them back on the hook mostly because of their price tag.

Well, I was at Lowes looking to see if there were any more Channellocks that I had to have, and determined that I'd gotten one of every type they had. I looked up where the Knipex tools had once hung and saw two pair of electricians needle nose pliers with the wire strippers and crimper (which I don't need), and one pair of mini bolt cutters (which I convinced myself I "might" need). Still, for $27 they were expensive, but I bought them anyway. I have to say they really are well made and I'm impressed with their quality. I'm not so sure I'll be buying more Knipex in the future, again mostly for cost reasons, but they are top notch tools and I would at least consider them. I browsed the Knipex website and found that they make a plier or cutter for just about every application one could possibly think of, in several different styles and options. Like I said, I'm impressed.

Jim C.

 

[redwrench60]

The mini bolt cutters are one of knipex must haves. They will not piss you off.

 

[Spam16v]

The mini bolt cutters are one of knipex must haves. They will not piss you off.

One snap-on guy started, and I gave him some advice to get a leg in the area that hasn't seen one in a few years. They hired him as an employee, told him to get some of these and let people try to destroy stuff with them, they sell themselves. 2 weeks later, 1 week to order a dozen, next week to see me again, he said he sold all 12 the first 3 stops, and sold 2 dozen more the first day. Made his month, and threw me a pile of cool stuff.

 

[abvw]

How is $27 expensive for a pair pliers? Here in Canada we are paying $50 a pair, no sales ever, and on top of that 13% sale tax and that's not even terribly expensive for a professional tool.

I'd buy that in a heartbeat.

It's no wonder that Lowe's and Sears are clearing out all their good stuff, no one's willing to pay for them.

 

[Vvmvbb]

Yeah, their mini bolt cutters are one of THE best tools period.

 

[SteveCh]

My first Knipex tool was the mini bolt cutter. Few months ago. It is so good a tool, I've since bought a couple other things Knipex.

What I did was put the mini cutters on my Amazon wish list, in no hurry. Then, for a day, the cutters were listed at less than $20, don't remember exactly. And the order went through. Next day, up to almost $40. I've seen this on Amazon before: watching the price of a $120 Carhartt coat, it went to $50 one evening. I tried to order it the next morning, back up to $120. I did good on the bolt cutters, though, and what a great tool.

The Lowe's stores in my area have either not marked down any Knipex and Channellock or the mark-downs have been maybe $2 on a $45 tool. So I've passed. Cheaper to watch for deals online again, should I be so inclined.

 

[pfctblu]

Anyone know if these are the same as the Bahco ones? They look awfully similar

 

[toolstools]

Your impressed with a tool you haven't used?

 

[decaf]

How is $27 expensive for a pair pliers? Here in Canada we are paying $50 a pair, no sales ever, and on top of that 13% sale tax and that's not even terribly expensive for a professional tool.

I'd buy that in a heartbeat.

It's no wonder that Lowe's and Sears are clearing out all their good stuff, no one's willing to pay for them.

The price here in Sweden for Knipex pliers is almost exactly as yours, according to that website.


Soo 27$ for those pliers is a robbery....

 

[Trucky]

Anyone know if these are the same as the Bahco ones? They look awfully similar

They do look similar, however there are many differences.

Handle profile, the flat "shoulder" that the Knipex has on the handles (perpendicular to the pliers itself) ,the little stops are different on the inside of the handles, even the rivets are different.

I do miss my pair. Verrrrry tough. If I had caught one on the rack before they disappeared, I would have bought at least one.

 

[Jim C.]

Your impressed with a tool you haven't used?

I was initially impressed with their construction, and the fit and finish of the tool itself. I actually bought them about a week ago for purposes of cutting the wire baskets around some saplings I planted in my yard. After using them to make about twenty cuts, I remain impressed with their construction, and their function. So yes, I was impressed with them before, and after, I used them. I failed to mention that I had in fact used them prior to my initial post.

Jim C.

 

[toolstools]

Lol ok gotchta now

 

[Jim C.]

How is $27 expensive for a pair pliers? Here in Canada we are paying $50 a pair, no sales ever, and on top of that 13% sale tax and that's not even terribly expensive for a professional tool.

I'd buy that in a heartbeat.

It's no wonder that Lowe's and Sears are clearing out all their good stuff, no one's willing to pay for them.

After tax they were about $30. Prior to buying that pair of Knipex, my pliers and/or cutters consisted of old Craftsman and some newer Channellock tools (most of which I recently bought on sale). I'm sure I never paid anywhere near $27-$30 for a single pair of pliers/cutters. So, in my mind that was an expensive tool compared to what I'd purchased in the past. I bought the Knipex because I thought I could use them, and also because they were on sale. I also recognized that $27 was a good price for that particular tool, which I had passed on many times before when they were selling for full price. I think I got a good deal, and I think that the Knipex is a quality tool.....but still a little expensive on sale and particularly expensive at full price. As I said earlier, I'd still consider buying more Knipex tools in the future.

Jim C.

 

[kc-steve]

.....but still a little expensive on sale and particularly expensive at full price. As I said earlier, I'd still consider buying more Knipex tools in the future.

Jim C.

I haven't been following the currency markets lately, for a while the Euro was falling faster than the US dollar, meaning German tools are cheaper (should be) here in the USA. I still think there will be better buying opportunities in the future though.

Steve

 

[jeffmoss26]

Those mini bolt cutters are probably my favorite pair of pliers!

 

[loranger]

Those mini bolt cutters are probably my favorite pair of pliers!

They were just marked down to $18 at my lowes so I finally bit. Hoping to pick them up this evening!

 

[Jim C.]

Those mini bolt cutters are probably my favorite pair of pliers!

Yes Jeff, I can see why you'd say that. They're pretty nice cutters, and I can see them becoming my "go to" cutters for heavier gauge wire, etc. Over the last few years, I looked at those cutters almost every time I went into Lowes. I just couldn't get past the $50+ price tag. It was the last pair left and I couldn't pass them up since they were on sale.

Jim C.

 

[jeffmoss26]

I primarily use them to cut music wire and other hard metals for making lock picks and tension wrenches.
I have not used them for copper wire, but I am sure they would cut just fine!

 

[buco]

I wonder what they cost in Germany.

 

[Jim C.]

I wonder what they cost in Germany.

That's a good question. I'm guessing that they're still at the higher end of the quality scale and probably priced accordingly. Maybe there's some savings because they're not imported from elsewhere, but I really don't know.

Jim C.

 

[CWP1616L]

The must haves are their Cobra pliers, nothing else comes close.

 

[egfdevos]

I wonder what they cost in Germany.

http://www.preisroboter.de
€28.99 = $38

 

[jjjrmx5]

The must haves are their Cobra pliers, nothing else comes close.

"AND" the mini bolt cutters.

I spent a week prototyping and modifying lock rod arms for many many many Chevy Suburbans and GMC Yukons and the only tool to do the job was a Knipex mini bolt cutter unless you went all Do-All saw, metal chop saw or metal cutoff band saw.

All way too long to use. Too fussy and too bulky. And too messy.
Knipex and done.
Snap-On rep sells the Knipex at corp discount but nowhere near the discount prices on-line or at major clear outs.
$39 USD is fair to me for the mini bolt cutters.

Under $30 is a steal.
Worth every penny. Not many comparables out there.
BTDT>

 

[therealwormey]

How is $27 expensive for a pair pliers? Here in Canada we are paying $50 a pair, no sales ever, and on top of that 13% sale tax and that's not even terribly expensive for a professional tool.

I'd buy that in a heartbeat.

It's no wonder that Lowe's and Sears are clearing out all their good stuff, no one's willing to pay for them.

but you got that free healthcare thing to offset your tool allowance right?

 

[Murphy4570]

Those mini bolt cutters are the cat's meow. I used a pair on Saturday to cut out rusted out brake line. Went through that **** like butter.

Knipex stuff is as good or better than Snap-On, IMO. The Germans know how to make quality tools.

 

[CWP1616L]

The Germans know how to make quality tools.

Yes and they're not shy about charging good money for them either.

 

[decaf]

Yes and they're not shy about charging good money for them either.

well spoken!!

I mean: it is only expensive if you are unhappy!

 

[Monte]

good product = good money

 

[jeffmoss26]

My CoBolt cutters actually came from Germany. I traded a guy on the lock forums for a padlock he wanted but could not bid on

 

[nev]

I love knipex too. i have a couple of pairs of there grips. and just bought a pair of combi pliers but didnt realise they were the 160mm ones so ive ordered some 200 mm ones too

 

[bcradio]

actually their bread and butter would have to be the pliers wrench. the mini bolt cutters and the Cobras are very nice, but the pliers wrench is where its at.

 

[Jim C.]

So now that Lowes has dumped Knipex from its inventory, who else carries it IN STOCK? I know various retailers can order it, but who actually has Knipex tools in their stores hanging on hooks?

Jim C.

 

[Brownsfan]

Surprisingly Sears still does. Just a few skus but it's the most popular ones. They have the mini bolt cutters in stock.

 

[Hootbro]

Surprisingly Sears still does. Just a few skus but it's the most popular ones. They have the mini bolt cutters in stock.

In addition to the limited SKU's at the store, SEARS.COM carries over 300 Knipex SKU's that can be ordered and shipped direct. Pricing on these is not the greatest but they are not full Knipex MSRP either.

 

[jjjrmx5]

So now that Lowes has dumped Knipex from its inventory, who else carries it IN STOCK? I know various retailers can order it, but who actually has Knipex tools in their stores hanging on hooks?

Jim C.

My local "mom and pop" stocked to the gills hardware store 5 blocks away still does.

Think Epstein's and go vertical.


They can special order me in Knipex as well.

Outside of Sears you are back to grainger, Fastenal and the industrial suppliers.

Unknowing consumers want cheap tools, not GOOD tools.
Duh.
LOLZ.

 

[Jim C.]

In addition to the limited SKU's at the store, SEARS.COM carries over 300 Knipex SKU's that can be ordered and shipped direct. Pricing on these is not the greatest but they are not full Knipex MSRP either.

Looks like Sears might be the way to go for in store, on the shelves, hold it in my hands now, Knipex tools. I'm not really looking for anything in particular, but was just wondering where else Knipex tools were sold on site, versus ordering them online, etc.

Jim C.

 

[Jim C.]

My local "mom and pop" stocked to the gills hardware store 5 blocks away still does.

Think Epstein's and go vertical.


They can special order me in Knipex as well.

Outside of Sears you are back to grainger, Fastenal and the industrial suppliers.

Unknowing consumers want cheap tools, not GOOD tools.
Duh.
LOLZ.

Yes, I checked my local Fastenal yesterday, and they'd have to order them. They don't stock Knipex in the store. Epstein's is probably a good place to look online.......but I don't really understand what you mean by "go vertical." Anyway, I was just wondering where else Knipex tools could be found in a store. Could be that online ordering is the way to go now.

Jim C.

 

[Holt]

For the knipex I own the must would be cobras, pliers wrench, linemans, and angled diagonal

 

[TangoFoxTrot]

I'm fine paying more as long as I feel the quality is substantially better. I definitely feel that way about Knipex products. $15 or so more for Knipex vs Channellock product is a no-brainer for a tool that will probably outlive me.

Most of my pliers are Channellock and if I could do it all over again, I would have bought more Knipex.

 

[kc-steve]

My local "mom and pop" stocked to the gills hardware store 5 blocks away still does.

Think Epstein's and go vertical.

I'm not sure what you mean by "go vertical" either. But it doesn't sound like you have been in Epstein's brick and mortar location. I think their 12-foot ceilings are the limits at the specific floor level, but there are three floors counting the basement. I have been in all three floors. I don't think they even know what all they have since they keep finding stuff they forgot about. I bought the last two NOS Thorsen ratchets they found from the 1990s.

Steve