Klien 2000 series when did it start??

[Manny2_0]

I was wondering if anyone knows when klein started offering the 2000 series,

Reason I ask is because I have some

hd213-9ne linesman the red heavy duty version of the standard blue handle

and

d213-9netp linesman blue handle,,

both are essentially the same except for the better grips on the hd

that are about 12 yrs old, and am curious if these are the older quality that everyone talks about when they say they aren't what they used to be???

 

[jeremy v]

I bought most of my Klein stuff about 15-17 years ago and at that time all the really good quality lineman pliers and diagonal snips that could cut nails, small screws, etc. had blue handles. The stuff designed more for just general use, cutting copper wire and other softer materials had red handles. Some things like needle nose pliers, channel lock type pliers etc. always had yellow handles in recent history and they are/were top notch products just like the blue handled stuff.

I don't know when the 2000 series designation actually started, but the handle color difference on lineman pliers has been around for at least 20 years, because all the people I worked with that had used tools still had the blue/red color differentiation.

I don't remember all the product numbers anymore, but if you have hd213 pliers I think you have red handles which means that they are still good quality pliers, they just can't handle cutting nails etc. without damaging the cutting edges.

In as far as the drop in Klein quality recently, I have only heard that in terms of screwdriver tip life, mainly related to their Phillips and square drive screwdrivers. That problem seemed to pop up about the time Home Depot started carrying Klein and in my experience it only seems to be the newer screwdrivers that have "Klein" in raised lettering on the black rubber handles, not the slightly older screwdrivers with "Klein" screen printed onto the black rubber handles.

 

[Cope]

Most of my Klein pliers were purchase 40 years ago without any insulation. I added the red plastic grips. I FUBARed my 213-9NE that I bought used back then, and the replacement had the blue rubber. I cut it off and put the red on. They are not as soft as the new grips, but I'm used to them.

 

[jeremy v]

If I remember correctly the H version of the D213 pliers only designates a thicker grip, the rest of the plier is exactly the same. The TP designation at the end of the plier name tells you that they have the feature at the hinge/handle interface for pulling fish tapes. It is very handy and works well if you do that sort of thing.

EDIT: I just looked around on the Klein website and it seems that they no longer stick to the red blue handle quality levels. They seem to be mixing and matching colors a bit now and the 2000 series model designation is the only thing telling you the pliers are for ACSR, screws, etc. I tried to understand their current product line in a simple way but it seems very convoluted. I don't know when all those changes were made, so I guess maybe all the stuff I said no longer applies. I think I am now starting to better understand the reason for the OP's question/confusion.

 

[CNGsaves]

Pictures are always good idea . . . let's SEE what you've got !!

 

[jeremy v]

Man that's too bad. I was wanting to purchase a set of the 2000 series pliers, but now that I can see the difference I greatly prefer the dark blue d213 handles to the ugly royal blue of the d2000's. I guess once again I am going to have to choose between looks and performance instead of getting both.

 

[Cope]

Man that's too bad. I was wanting to purchase a set of the 2000 series pliers, but now that I can see the difference I greatly prefer the dark blue d213 handles to the ugly royal blue of the d2000's. I guess once again I am going to have to choose between looks and performance instead of getting both.

I doubt you will miss the performance that you gave up.

 

[cheechi]

It is my understanding that Klein used to use red for copper and blue for steel, specifically referring to what the cutters were intended for.

I have a pair of yellow/black 2000 series needle nose that are very nice but haven't used them to cut anything so couldn't say.