Knipex Mini mini bolt cutter failure

[Loscaldazar]

So my Knipex Mini Bolt cutters have a dent in their cutting jaws now! I was using them to cut antennae wire (copper coated steel, about 30% steel). Failed on the first cut. Only used them about two dozen times before this. These should have been able to handle a very thin (3mm) 30% steel wire, no?

On top of this, when I first got them, they had a chunk missing from the top of the cutting faces, but I didn't think much of it because it didn't affect the cutting performance. Usually don't care too much about small cosmetic defects.

Suppose I get to see how good their warranty is... ***** because these are the 71 32 200, which are comfort grips, return spring, locking, and notch. Very expensive....

The first picture it is easy to see the defect on the tip that was present from the factory. The second picture you can see how the jaws were dented in by the wire (note, the large gap at the bottom is the factory notch, not what I am talking about).

 

[JonDick13926]

"Cuts material like bolts, nails, rivets, etc Up to 52 mm dia."

So I would assume it should be able to.

 

[Kracin]

they are defective. just email knipex and show the overall wear to the tool and the jaws, they should be able to help replace them

i just cut chain links with mine yesterday, chain was almost 1/4" thick (thick enough where i couldn't start the cut except at the very tip), and i've cut a lot of other super hard things with it.

 

[PECVD2]

I hope it is an isolated case. Let us know what happens as I purchased a set recently for a friend.

 

[T45]

OP, just FYI they make a knipex with a notch in the jaws on purpose....71 31 200

http://www.knipex.com/index.php?id=1216&L=1&page=group_detail&parentID=1367&groupID=1473&artID=2408

Style 3:the recess in the blade allows easier cutting of thicker wires, e. g. for anchor bolts in false ceilings

+ All co-bolts are rated at 3.6mm piano wire...

 

[McFarmer]

I have never been impressed with mine. I cut 12.5 ga high tensile wire and they have problems with that. Cheap Japanese cutters that I have had forever go right through it.

 

['71 VW 1302]

I use those all day, every day cutting hard wire in spring making. I can easily cut up to 0.090" or up to 0.120" less easily.

I've only broken one pair when I tried to use them more like pliers than cutters, my own damn fault. Based on the picture, I don't think there is anything wrong with those cutters.

The Knipex are the best wire cutters I've ever used. Full Stop.

 

[AA/FC]

This is how I see it.....

 

[bsaint]

Ive had mine for almost 5 years and cut everything like nails and what not. Never an issue. I would send them back.

 

[woody 73]

That is not good, not good at all; please Keep us informed how the company fixed it for you.

 

[Kracin]

OP, just FYI they make a knipex with a notch in the jaws on purpose....71 31 200

http://www.knipex.com/index.php?id=1216&L=1&page=group_detail&parentID=1367&groupID=1473&artID=2408

Style 3:the recess in the blade allows easier cutting of thicker wires, e. g. for anchor bolts in false ceilings

+ All co-bolts are rated at 3.6mm piano wire...

i think he knows that, there are other issues that you can see with them.

 

[BJ42LX]

Since they're already damaged, how about running some more tests?

Grab a handful of old bolts in different sizes and start cutting. Take pictures so we can all see and document the deterioration of the cutting surfaces.

 

[Tronyadorable]

I hope it is an isolated case. Let us know what happens as I purchased a set recently for a friend.

Generally that's a batch failure at heat treat.How big is a batch ?

 

[skipnay]

They are made for cutting bolts no wire....

 

[T45]

i think he knows that, there are other issues that you can see with them.

Yep, ...those jaws should be harder than what they are cutting... & not chipping or deflecting...just send 'em back.

 

[Loscaldazar]

This is how I see it.....

Yes, thanks for highlighting the problems on the photo for me!

I've already emailed them, but it's Sunday, so obviously I'm not expecting a response. I'll keep everyone updated!

And I'd love to run demolition tests on this, but that may ruin the chance of warranty. $60 for a single pair of pliers is a lot to swallow if they aren't fixed.....

 

[TheGrooveking]

I've used mine for years never had a problem. Used mostly to cut chain link fence (a lot of it), worked great, some thick material 10 gauge.

TheGrooveking

 

[Boost Creep]

They are made for cutting bolts no wire....

then why do they list wire on their site for things they can cut?
http://www.knipex.com/index.php?id=1216&page=group_detail&groupID=1473

 

[Kracin]

They are made for cutting bolts no wire....

piano wire and heavy gauge wire are specifically listed.

the only things these do not well are extremely thin sheetmetal (i tried some .005 shim stock for fun), it just slips to the sides. and things that don't fit in the jaw or extremely large diameter stock of anything stainless or larger that need lots and lots of leverage. anything else is fair game.

 

[jeffmoss26]

I use mine specifically for cutting music wire. Never had an issue!

 

[ash95608]

Send them in they have great warranty,
here is there contact info
847-398-8520
[email protected]
KNIPEX TOOLS LP
2035 South Arlington Heights Road
Suite 110
Arlington Heights, IL 60005

 

[organ]

It's been my experience that antenna wire is tough as ****...

I have never been impressed with mine. I cut 12.5 ga high tensile wire and they have problems with that. Cheap Japanese cutters that I have had forever go right through it.

Please post the brand... we're all very interested.

 

['71 VW 1302]

I use mine specifically for cutting music wire. Never had an issue!

Music wire for me, all day every day. With the mini-cobolt I can and have cut up to 3mm for OT Chrome Silicon. It's a bit hard, and I prefer a full size bolt cutter for that wire, but the only mini-cobolts that failed, I made the critical error.

I wish Knipex had a small diagonal cutter for music wire down to 0.010" It takes a well designed and sell executed cutter to stand up to hard wire that fine.

 

[nicksnothereman]

So my Knipex Mini Bolt cutters have a dent in their cutting jaws now! I was using them to cut antennae wire (copper coated steel, about 30% steel). Failed on the first cut. Only used them about two dozen times before this. These should have been able to handle a very thin (3mm) 30% steel wire, no?

On top of this, when I first got them, they had a chunk missing from the top of the cutting faces, but I didn't think much of it because it didn't affect the cutting performance. Usually don't care too much about small cosmetic defects.

Suppose I get to see how good their warranty is... ***** because these are the 71 32 200, which are comfort grips, return spring, locking, and notch. Very expensive....

The first picture it is easy to see the defect on the tip that was present from the factory. The second picture you can see how the jaws were dented in by the wire (note, the large gap at the bottom is the factory notch, not what I am talking about).

All mfgs have defects man. Contact them and they should fix it.

Honestly, I don't spend this kind of money on stuff that I can't walk into a store and have replaced. Hopefully they don't start a forensic investigation like williams (from that other thread) while you're left to cut wire with your teeth.

Consequently there is not a person on here that doesn't own redundant wire cutters (or something that can cut wire) so...if you're the only one you can buy a burner pair of chinese cutters for under 3 bucks anywhere.

 

[Loscaldazar]

I got a response today! I sent them back my shipping info, and they are going to send me an RA label to return the tool, and then once they have it, they will send me a new one!

I'll update again when something else happens....

And nick, yes I have multiple cutters for this stuff. It's just disappointing to see such an expensive and highly lauded tool fail so easily. The antenna project for my ham radio is already done.

 

[Kracin]

I got a response today! I sent them back my shipping info, and they are going to send me an RA label to return the tool, and then once they have it, they will send me a new one!

I'll update again when something else happens....

And nick, yes I have multiple cutters for this stuff. It's just disappointing to see such an expensive and highly lauded tool fail so easily. The antenna project for my ham radio is already done.

if you've ever worked in manufacturing you'd see how many companies have lots of defects making their way out of the plants. its just tough to find them because 99.99% are good to go. i've had the same issue though that made me leery of a brand, i bought some titan ball hex sockets. first turn on them with little to no pressure and the ball just twisted right off! no snap or anything just a quick twist... rofl, i took it back after breaking another testing it and sure enough, soft as hell. northern tool exchanged it and i went back out to try it, haven't broken another since.... it just happens, but it sure made me wonder if i should buy titan stuff anymore.

 

[Manny2_0]

what came of this????

 

[Loscaldazar]

It arrived at their facility on the 5th of January, and I'm still waiting for something back!


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[Zinc2005]

Bought these 3 days ago and did my own tests.

Pretty underwhelmed. Mine did not chip on the blade but really were not very impressive to me. Got and returned mine to Sears.

 

[tjmonsen5]

Bought these 3 days ago and did my own tests.

Pretty underwhelmed. Mine did not chip on the blade but really were not very impressive to me. Got and returned mine to Sears.

You must be very hard to impress. The knipex cobolts are probably the strongest pliers considering their size. No, they wont cut a padlock in half, but they cut A LOT better than channellocks in the equivalent size.

 

[fivespdcat]

It arrived at their facility on the 5th of January, and I'm still waiting for something back!


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Unbelievable! It should've just taken pictures to send out a new set, even if they wanted them back for analysis.

 

[Loscaldazar]

I ended up receiving them on about the 20th of January. They did send me a new pair that has no chips in it, and has worked well so far for cutting some bolts I needed trimmed down. I had to pay for shipping there, which isn't my favorite, but shipping these was pretty cheap. I suppose I'd rather pay a few bucks to get them warrantied than to spend another $60+ to buy another pair.

 

[ttpete]

Music wire for me, all day every day. With the mini-cobolt I can and have cut up to 3mm for OT Chrome Silicon. It's a bit hard, and I prefer a full size bolt cutter for that wire, but the only mini-cobolts that failed, I made the critical error.

I wish Knipex had a small diagonal cutter for music wire down to 0.010" It takes a well designed and sell executed cutter to stand up to hard wire that fine.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003XU78W2/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Palmer812]

I had a set of these I bought about 2 years ago that developed a bad place on the cutting surface as well. I honestly don't know what caused it. I use them all the time on different things and they have never failed to cut anything I put them on. I just looked at them one day and they were like that. I had bought mine off of the Mac truck (they even said Mac on the handle) and my Mac guy swapped them out on the spot.

 

[ninjamunky85]

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003XU78W2/?tag=atomicindus08-20

$304 Holy ****!

 

[340wedge]

I had a bolt I needed cut off from a starter cable under the car, tried a hacksaw and anything I could think of. I bought the Cobalt mini bolt cutter and it saved me, cut right through that bolt like butter, have used it several times, best 10 bucks I ever spent.