I was looking to get some wire cutters, what do you guys think about the 8 inch Knipex high leverage cutters? I've heard and read mostly good stuff about them but I heard a couple people say knipex's steel is a bit on the softer side. I was also considering the Snap-On equivalent.
Knipex Side Cutters
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Brownsfan
Well-known member
I have both actually. They both cut pretty much everything I throw at them. I prefer the snap ons because of the grips are the most comfortable I have ever used.
mikebramel
Well-known member
The Snap on ones are sharper too and the jaw is ground perfectly. the Knipex is not bad, just not as good
I have knipex and I'm not bowled over by their German superiority. While I don't have Snap On, my local SO rep sells both SO and Knipex. He said older models of Snap got many complaints and returns. New SO seem to be harder and more durable.
If I had it to do over, I'd choose snap on for everything but cobras and plier wrench. I also like the fixed pin snap ring pliers.
If I had it to do over, I'd choose snap on for everything but cobras and plier wrench. I also like the fixed pin snap ring pliers.
ChrisF250
Well-known member
I'd recommend SO only if you have access to a truck periodically, like weekly. The warranty is worth it IF you're going to (ab)use the things and use them all day long. The Knipex will satisfy any user if the warranty isn't of immediate concern. I've used both and prefer the Knipex, but as a previous reply mentioned, the grips are great on the SO pliers. However, I do like the Knipex comfort grips more so than those even. Get a handle on a few pairs and try them out if you can. You'll quickly find out which ones won't stress your hands so much.
I have these two pair of cutters. A pair of old beat up kleins that I have had for years and a pair of knipex ones that I just recently got this past winter. I originally had the Idea that I'll use the kleins for crappy junk work like cutting rivet heads etc and use the knipex ones for nice clean crisp cuts on wire.
Nope....I still reach for my kleins. I don't know what it is about them but I think the general feel in my hand is just better. I think I have cut one or two pieces of wire with the knipex ones. I am by no means saying anything bad about the knipex ones. They cut great for the small amount of times I have used then but for some reason I personally don't care for them.
With that being said. If I was to buy a new pair of dikes again....I would either get a pair of kleins or the snap on ones because the general shape and design of the snap on ones is very similar to the kleins so I feel I would like the snap on ones pretty good.
But If you have your heart set on the knipex ones go for it. They seem to be a great pair if dikes.
P.S.....I do have a mini pair of used snap on ones I got recently at a swap meet for 5 bux
Got em to use for small finicky work. Nice little pair but can't really make a comparison to a full size pair.
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Nope....I still reach for my kleins. I don't know what it is about them but I think the general feel in my hand is just better. I think I have cut one or two pieces of wire with the knipex ones. I am by no means saying anything bad about the knipex ones. They cut great for the small amount of times I have used then but for some reason I personally don't care for them.
With that being said. If I was to buy a new pair of dikes again....I would either get a pair of kleins or the snap on ones because the general shape and design of the snap on ones is very similar to the kleins so I feel I would like the snap on ones pretty good.
But If you have your heart set on the knipex ones go for it. They seem to be a great pair if dikes.
P.S.....I do have a mini pair of used snap on ones I got recently at a swap meet for 5 bux
Got em to use for small finicky work. Nice little pair but can't really make a comparison to a full size pair.
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bareass172
Well-known member
I recently bought the 9" high leverage ones and expected great things. I have a handful of Knipex stuff and most of it has really impressed me, but I'm afraid of ruining the Knipex. Let me explain - I've had the same pair of Klein linesman pliers for 20+ years, I use them for EVERYTHING and they never skip a beat. The worst thing I can say about them is that after 20+ years the "knurled" teeth in the jaw are worn out and there is a small circle in missing blade about the same size as a live 12 gauge electrical wire... That wasn't me, seriously. I cut nails and drywall screws all the time with them.
So I got these Knipex and was on a job, I needed to cut 4 drywal screws and since I replaced my Kleins in my belt with these out they came. After the first cut I knew I was screwed. Each cut made the gouge in the blade slightly bigger. Here's the pictures after 4 drywall screws...
I know this is not what these are made for, but I guess I got spoiled by the durability of those old Kleins. This kinda pisses me off too, because they were about 2 weeks old when it happened.
So take it for what it's worth, I have no experience with the SO ones. The other Knipex stuff I have I'm very pleased with.
So I got these Knipex and was on a job, I needed to cut 4 drywal screws and since I replaced my Kleins in my belt with these out they came. After the first cut I knew I was screwed. Each cut made the gouge in the blade slightly bigger. Here's the pictures after 4 drywall screws...
I know this is not what these are made for, but I guess I got spoiled by the durability of those old Kleins. This kinda pisses me off too, because they were about 2 weeks old when it happened.
So take it for what it's worth, I have no experience with the SO ones. The other Knipex stuff I have I'm very pleased with.
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The Kleins you mention.. Do those happen to be the 2000 series ones? Those are great for screws, hard wire, etc. and I would expect them to handle that kind of use. As for the knipex, I would have (personally) gone with cobolts or something specifically made to cut hard stuff. I've found my regular knipex diags to actually be more durable than my Kleins.. But my Klein diags are the regular kind. The 2000 series linemans laugh that stuff off. It's unfortunate that they are relatively expensive compared to the regular series though. And the alignment on the head is horrible on the Kleins. it's a replacement pair too. Meh.
bareass172
Well-known member
Funny you should ask. I've had them so long I had no idea what they were. I sent a picture of them to Klein to ask so I could look for something comparable (after I had this incident with the Knipex) and they replied:
"Those are probably our HD213-9NE or HD2000-9NE pliers. Based on the forging pattern they are vertically forged, not flat forged, so they are at least 25 years old."
I wish they knew for sure, but they have no markings and it was only a picture...
"Those are probably our HD213-9NE or HD2000-9NE pliers. Based on the forging pattern they are vertically forged, not flat forged, so they are at least 25 years old."
I wish they knew for sure, but they have no markings and it was only a picture...
I hate my snap ons love my channel locks
MattPersman
Well-known member
I reach for snap on pliers most of the time for anything
Holt
Well-known member
I dont own the snap ons personally but I own knipex cutters. My friend does not use his snap on cutters as heavy as me and they are in poor shape compaired to my knipex. If you get knipex get comfort grip as standard dip are kinda thin on them. Just my experience. If warranty is concern I would go with snappy.
Well I'm gonna answer my own question because I called snap on later today. They told me the power edge with the gap near the joint is no longer and they have gone to a different design which is better. I don't know how different this new design is besides the jaws closing completely now like all the others ...haha
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Well I'm gonna answer my own question because I called snap on later today. They told me the power edge with the gap near the joint is no longer and they have gone to a different design which is better. I don't know how different this new design is besides the jaws closing completely now like all the others ...haha
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Brownsfan
Well-known member
I really didn't mind the power edge design. I actually really liked it. They cut like no others except maybe Klein 2000 series.