Knipex, Klein, or Channellock?

[William Payne]

I would like to buy more tools, pliers and things of that variety are on my list. I have the choice of those three brands but am unsure. Klein and Channellock I can get from local shops and see and hold them before buying where as Knipex I would have to buy from a local online sales company.

I am after things of a more heavy duty variety but without the huge plastic handles found on alot of new pliers. I will not be doing any electrical work.

I am aware this is very much a personal preferance thing.

 

[Davo3]

I actually like the Crescent compound pliers very much, and you can find them just about anywhere. My diagonal cutters have held up very well, and after maybe eight months of cutting wire, they still give a good, clean cut on electrical tape. Although they do have the big handles.

 

[chris fresh]

i've been a channel lock guy forever,but i'm about to build a pouch for electric work,and i've been looking at all the nipex stuff.tools look very nice and are sold at my local lowes,wich is nice because i can hold them before buying.i think nipex is slightly more money than CL,but they look worth it and i've heard great things about there tools.you can also save good money by buying there kits.

i'm definitly due for some new stuff,i've been dealing with a pair of linemen's and side cutters that have chipped jaws for a year or two now.advice,don't cut coat hangers!.never thought they would ruin a pair of 30 dollar cutters,but they will.

 

[Stuey]

Mix 'em up!

I like Klein strippers, Knipex pliers wrenches, and Channellock pliers across the board.

 

[NUTTSGT]

All three make good products. I'd have a hard time buying a hand tool like those with out being able to put them in "my" hands to get a feel for them.

 

[guitardedhero]

I prefer channellock out of those for sure, it seems Klein pliers aren't quite as good as they used to be and their drivers have gotten just terrible. Their cutters are good, but I'm about to buy the new channellock 449 9.5" dykes as soon as amazon starts listing them - those are gonna be sweet! I'm using 437 7" cutters now and like those quite a bit but would really like some big *** cutters too. I also use channellock 369 lineman's pliers and love them to death. They don't have the built in crimper my yellow kleins had so I bought the channellock 909 crimpers and let me tell you these are friggin amazing! I'll never buy lineman's with a crimper so that I'll have to use these amazing 909 crimpers - perfect crimps every time! I also use the channellock 317 needlenose pliers with the built in cutter. Great needlenoses for sure. I also have a few tongue and groove channellocks that everybody knows and loves. I also have the code blue 6" and 10" adjustable wrenches and these are absolutely the finest adjustables I've ever used, definitely worth a look. They are a joy to hold. Of all three brands I vote channellock for USA quality pliers. Knipex are expensive and German and Klein seems to be going downhill more than normal.

 

[Singlecut]

Everyone of those brands have products that just shine.
I grew up with cheap-o tongue and groove pliers and found them real handy. When I wanted to get something new I handled the classic Channellock 426's but really I decided to go for the Knipex Cobras. They are just light years ahead and blow the other guys out of the water IMO.

For automotive use, you can't really beat Channellock's bare bones, tough-as-nails construction at their quality level. I would go to them for diagonal cutters and needle nose, best bang for the buck.
(On a side note, if you need one of those plier style oil filter removers, Channellock hands down).


However, to do intricate electrical work, I would definitely use Knipex's high quality box-joint stuff. It's worth the extra money for something that is more precise and nimble.



Here's my Cobras and my electrician's pliers:

And my Channellock Collection:

Klein, I haven't experienced yet.

 

[jeffmoss26]

I use Channellock for tongue and groove as well as slip joint.
Linesman, diagonal cutters, crimpers, needle nose, wire strippers are all Klein. I've also got some specialized telecom pliers made my Crescent.
I've definitely noticed a decline in their screwdriver tips over the past few years.

 

[Stuey]

I'm about to buy the new channellock 449 9.5" dykes as soon as amazon starts listing them - those are gonna be sweet!

Where did you see these listed? I see 'em on the webpage, but didn't see where they were first discussed.

 

[guitardedhero]

I first saw them discussed in the "anyone like channellock?" thread here on gj. Only a few online stores list them such as all2ools.com

 

[Jim C.]

I first saw them discussed in the "anyone like channellock?" thread here on gj. Only a few online stores list them such as all2ools.com

I started the "Anyone else like Channellocks?" thread, so you probably know which way I'm leaning!!

Jim C.

 

[WRX/Z28]

Channellock for sure. They're practically indestructable. Grip like crazy and are made in the USA.

 

[bart1]

I have at least one set from all those brands and they are all good, but still prefer my NWS if cost is no object. If it is, stock up on Channellock.

 

[saturdaymechanic]

Channellocks are tough as hell. I like the Cobras, but I'm just used to grabbing my 420's for a job before the Cobra.

Long nose pliers definitely go to CL.

 

[ramonki]

Knipex

 

[SpiderGearsMan]

the ones that don't rust

 

[bigbob302]

I just went through this dilema to replace some old silver eagle and craftsman pliers i had. I followed the advice of "channel locks are tuff as nails" "best value" all that stuff and who doesnt have a 50 year old pair of tounge and groove channel locks in their tool that came from grampa box... well i went to home depot and bought a 4 piece set of channel locks. needle nose, slip joint, side cuts and a pair of 420 water pump pliers... a week later my side cuts chipped right at the very tip. sheered right off and are no longer of any use. and the water pump pliers jaws bent about 45* apart from each other (laterally) I am going to take pictures and start my own thread but thought i would let you know. look back tomorrow Ill take pictures and start a new thread on it. Perhaps i got a bad batch but these were brand new and were not used on anything i would call abuse. Yes i use my tools hard and yes i expect them not to bend, chip, and brake. I will be looking for another brand.

 

[William Payne]

Anyone have any experiance with the klein 2000 series when it comes to heavy duty side cutters?

 

[Lt CHEG]

I'd probably say all three. I'm not trying to be flippant but there's probably something that each company makes that you will like better than the other two. Try a little bit of each, bit by bit and see what you like the best. I've got some old channel locks that are tough as nails, a set of Klein's that work terrific and a few Knipex that have got just about the most comfortable grip ever along with an assortment of Cman, Stanley and a bunch of other no name stuff that I've had forever (some of it was my grandfather's). Thankfully I've been able to pick up a few here and there and have now focused in on what I really like from each brand.

 

[PowerGenGuy]

Linesmen I have a Klien at home and Channellock at work. Diagonals, klien at work and channellock at home, Needle nose channellock home and work (had Klien until they walked, or I left them somewhere I cannot rem.), slip-joint Gray at home and Snappy at work, waterpump channellock and klien at work, channellock at home, strippers klien, crimpers klien home and work, oil filter pliers KD, adjustable wrenches Channellocks, wright, snappy and gray.

 

[Davefr]

Klein makes the best needle nose pliers IMHO. I have a pair of Knipex and can't stand them.

For adjustable I do like Knipex.

For precision work nothing beats Tronex.

 

[BigJohn20]

I'd say you're safe with any of those except for Knipex Diagonal Cutters. I've personally had problems with breakage near the tip of them, as have a bunch of other people. My Klein Blue Diagonal Cutters have been damn near indestructible.

For linesman I like Knipex. Comfort grip or no is up to you.

The Knipex Plier Wrenches are awesome.

 

[5lima30]

For electrical side cutters I like Klein. I like Channellocks for everything else except Vise-Grips. YMMV.

 

[zer0cell]

I have the Klein 2000 series linemans pliers. They have held up pretty well for me for various projects including rewiring my entire house starting at adding a brand new load center and moving on from that point. The cutters appear to show very little wear, although the gripping tips of the pliers are not as sharp/pronounced as they used to be which I guess is to be expected.

I have mainly used them for cutting and twisting copper wire and some nails and a few other things I can't remember. I admit to using them as a hammer on occasion as well The joint still feels very tight but it isn't hard to open/close them and the cutters are in proper alignment with no slop. I would buy them again if lost/stolen but I expect them to last much longer otherwise. I prefer Klein lineman's pliers over Knipex as the latter feels sloppy to me. I have not really used Channellock's lineman's pliers, which are easy to find and less expensive, but based on their track record in my personal experience I would feel comfortable purchasing them too.