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Knipex alternatives - do they exist?

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Brunel

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May 30, 2014
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156
(I am in England so please take that into account when replying)

I'm a big Knipex fan - I have something like 25 pairs of their pliers and cutters in various shapes and sizes.

I need to make up a new tool kit for a project, and was thinking about including a different make of pliers. I need dipped handles which rules out Hazet.

I looked at all the obvious candidates - Wiha, Stahlwille, Gedore, CK, NWS - and wasn't impressed - their ranges aren't as big, and their prices tend to be higher.

Am I missing something? Or is it the case that there aren't any real alternatives to Knipex?
 
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Brunel

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May 30, 2014
Messages
156
Here's an example for combination pliers from TBS Aachen:

Knipex EUR 13.95

Knipex 03 01 180 Kombizange

Knipex 03 01 180 KombizangeKnipex 03 01 180 KombizangeMerkmale:mi...
www.tbs-aachen.de www.tbs-aachen.de

Gedore: EUR 16.95

Gedore 8245-180 TL Kombinationszange

Gedore 8245-180 TL Kombinationszange Gedore 8245-180 TL Kombinationszange Euro-Modell 180 mm tauchisoliert Gedore 824...
www.tbs-aachen.de www.tbs-aachen.de

Stahlwille: EUR 23.77

Stahlwille 6501 180 mm Kombinationszange, poliert

Stahlwille 6501 180 mm Kombinationszange, poliertStahlwille 65016180 6501 180 mm KombinationszangenKombinationszangen</st...
www.tbs-aachen.de www.tbs-aachen.de
 
D

Dave455

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Mar 19, 2013
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5,796
Location
Sussex, England
There are loads of alternatives, but you have to expand your search a bit!

Bear in mind that Knipex are probably the biggest manufacturers of pliers on the planet now, so you're going to struggle to get a comparable sized selection anywhere.

For what it's worth, I'm broadly with you regarding the brands you list. VBW (Stahlwille) persist in offering pliers with these rough grips, and I hate them. NWS never seem to be quite in the same league as Knipex, and Wiha should be cheaper coming from the far east, but they work out more expensive..

Makers to consider -

Anything from Japan. Hard to single out one maker but if you want dipped grips try Tsunoda. Go for the "King TTC" range with the yellow dip coated grips. They have an amazon "store" now and prices were reasonable last time I looked.

Tsunoda King TTC
20240515_121643.jpg

Others from Japan include Fujiya, Merry (who make some unique heavy duty patterns), Victor (awesome quality) and KTC.

Consider Facom. Their pliers are all made in France, the designs are lovely to use, their "dip coated" sleeves are just a little thicker / stronger than others, and the finish is good. I have Facom in my "road box".

Facom
20240515_121614.jpg

Finally, consider Channellock. Made in the U.S, dip coated as standard, and very decent. The American patterns tend to be slightly different to the British / European, but that can be a bonus as it gives you more options. I like the American pattern snipe nose (which they call needle nose) which are much stronger than the European equivalents and a good complement. I also like their "long reach" pliers and their large slip joint's.

Channellock20240515_121708.jpg

I once bought a pair of Stahlwille long reach pliers. They were the most awful things I've ever used with sharp corners and rough grips. These Channellock 718 are lovely to use.
20240515_121726.jpg
 
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Steve_P

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Sep 15, 2010
Messages
5,181
Channellock is definitely several steps below Knipex as far as quality and durability; I have both brands, and I personally wouldn't consider buying any more Channellock. I like NWS, but they don't have the selection that Knipex does, and they're fairly uncommon in the US. As said, I don't think you're going to beat Knipex for quality and selection, but if you want something different, try a few of the basic designs from brands like NWS and Tsunoda and see what you think.
 
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lardy1

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Mar 17, 2019
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Location
Michigan
I see no drop in quality from Knipex to NWS at all. Obviously, I don't own examples of both in all configurations but, to be honest, I prefer NWS long nose pliers.

Second the Facom recommendation. also. Pricy but nice. The thicker handle takes some getting used to.
 
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Hakeem

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Jan 22, 2024
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Location
Chicago
Klein is comparable in quality and is generally the plier brand of choice for tradespeople. Knipex is a bit more refined and their fit & finish a bit better, but Klein pliers are more durable in my experience. Knipex blades seem harder, which means they stay sharp longer but they will tend to chip if overstressed. I’ve never seen a set of Klein blades chip, they just roll over, suggesting that the metal is softer but tougher. I dunno, not a metallurgist.

Anyways, the Klein linesman pliers are an American classic but I dont think they get used much in Europe. The 8 inch heavy duty needle nose are really nice and durable, far superior to the Knipex version. I prefer the Klein dikes as they are pointier and get into more spaces than the rounded-off Knipex dikes.

Aside from the Klein 9.5” linesman pliers, the d203-8 would be my suggestion as far as a “must have”

IMG_1199.jpeg

I do NOT recommend getting the set with the 12awg stripping hole, those are just a source of frustration.
 
M

macxpert

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Aug 1, 2015
Messages
2
For German pliers I use Witte and NWS. Same sort of quality as Knipex only less expensive in Australia. Otherwise Chanellock or Klien.
 
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neophyte

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Apr 23, 2012
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9,530
Location
Pennsylvannia
Brunel said:
(I am in England so please take that into account when replying)

I'm a big Knipex fan - I have something like 25 pairs of their pliers and cutters in various shapes and sizes.

I need to make up a new tool kit for a project, and was thinking about including a different make of pliers. I need dipped handles which rules out Hazet.

I looked at all the obvious candidates - Wiha, Stahlwille, Gedore, CK, NWS - and wasn't impressed - their ranges aren't as big, and their prices tend to be higher.

Am I missing something? Or is it the case that there aren't any real alternatives to Knipex?
Click to expand...
As has been mentioned, Knipex likely has the widest range of plier models and styles from any brand. (I think they basically copy any plier model they come across so they can offer similar pliers to any customer who asks).
The alternatives in Germany to Knipex are VBW (owned by Stahlwille), and Gedore, both of which also have a wide range of pliers, but not as wide as Knipex.
Facom from France has a wide range of pliers, and I really like the pliers, and they also offer dipped grips. I think these should be available in the UK, although availability usually isn’t as high as the molded grips.
Bahco/Lindstrom/Snap-On Europe, should also offer an incredibly wide range of pliers, and I know they offer dipped grips, but Bahco heavily focuses on “Ergonomics” so the dipped grips may be way harder to find than molded plastic or molded dual material grips.
From the USA there’s Channellock, Klein, and Proto (Stanley’s quality industrial line), as well as a few obscure brands. All offer dipped grips.
Klein probably has the better reputation, slthough I once did a “fine cut” test of all my cutters and pliers, and the Channellock came out best beating Knipex slightly.
There are a bunch of quality Japanese brands, but some offer a limited range, and I’m not overly familiar with the different brands.
 
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shakenfake

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Apr 16, 2023
Messages
609
Location
Shlumpt, TX
I was just in the market for a new pair of pliers last week. Needed a set of external snap ring pliers, 90* with fixed and angled tips. Knipex had the best selection of pliers and had anything you could ever dream of.

Plus they are made in Germany and not in China.
 
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jimf

Active member
Joined
Feb 29, 2008
Messages
32
Location
NC
Hazet recently introduced a set of pliers wrenches with dipped handles -- directly competing with Knipex. I'll soon be ordering these myself.

4 sizes:
125 mm - #762-12
150 mm - #762-15
180 mm - #762-18
260 mm - #762-26


Hazet_Pliers_Wrench_762-12.png
 
B

Beerhippie

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Oct 13, 2023
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Location
Far NE Oregon
shakenfake said:
I was just in the market for a new pair of pliers last week. Needed a set of external snap ring pliers, 90* with fixed and angled tips. Knipex had the best selection of pliers and had anything you could ever dream of.

Plus they are made in Germany and not in China.
Click to expand...
Yeah, because, what has Germany ever done to us?
 
B

Blind1

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Mar 8, 2018
Messages
355
Wamsutta said:
When it comes to the Knipex Cobra, I don't want any substitutes.
Click to expand...

Yeah I guess. My 10” cobras get a lot of work.

But above that my channellock 440’s are easier to adjust for larger stock.

Below that, a set of Wilde flush fastener slip joints get the nod…
 
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richfinn

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Jan 29, 2011
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4,809
Location
Leeds, Yorkshire, England
neophyte said:
Fake Nasa Moon Landings ?
Click to expand...

I can 100% confirm that the Apollo missions were in fact real manned Lunar landings (at least the ones that didn't fail like 13 or the tests).

It was completely nuts, ultra brave on the part of the crews and cripplingly expensive, but very real indeed. At the time as a little kid in the UK I was totally obsessed with the whole program much to the annoyance of my very British parents who thought it was completely insane. I thought at the time that "This is it, soon I can live on another planet with the Aliens".

Unfortunately your politicians/and other miserable SOB grown ups kinda put a stop to it all in the mid 70s ☹️
 
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