Knipex Snap ring Old or New??

[Spookrider]

Knipex has an (Old Style)Snap Ring & regular snap ring. Witch one is better to get if looking for and simple set to have??

 

[dede2897234]

Spookrider,

Can you please describe the difference(s) between the Knipex old style and regular snap ring plier?


Thanks,

Dave

 

[Spookrider]

http://chadstoolbox.com/001957knipex4-pcprecisionretainingringpliersset.aspx
^"New Style"

http://chadstoolbox.com/001956knipex4-pcretainingringpliersset.aspx
^"Old style"

 

[scott37300]

I have 4-5 of the "old" style and love them.

 

[dede2897234]

Spookrider,

"Garfunkle24" posted in this thread posting his sizeable collection of Knipex "new style" snap ring pliers: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=909079&highlight=snap+ring#post909079.

You may want to send him a PM to post his experiences with the "new style" pliers here.


Dave

 

[garfunkle24]

The difference between the new and old ones are in the tips. The new ones have tips made of "piano" wire and are supposed to be stronger. I'm not sure if you can replace them or not.

I absolutely love them and they are by far the best snap-ring pliers I've used, but I can't give any kind of comparison to the "old" style Knipex as I've never used them.

I've extensively used the Stride quarter-turns (badged as Proto, OTC, Mac etc) and also the new forged Snap-on ones (WTF is with the wide handles?) and my Knipex are light years ahead of those.

 

[MBeaty]

The difference between the new and old ones are in the tips. The new ones have tips made of "piano" wire and are supposed to be stronger. I'm not sure if you can replace them or not.

I absolutely love them and they are by far the best snap-ring pliers I've used, but I can't give any kind of comparison to the "old" style Knipex as I've never used them.

+1

I also have a set of the new style and also think they are great. As garfunkle said, the body of the tool is forged steel, just like most other Knipex pliers, but the very tip of the tool is a piece of hardened steel (piano wire). I will admit I have not used them nearly long enough to really put the durability to the test, but they are by far the most "secure" feeling snap ring pliers I have ever used. Another benefit of them is that the body of the tips is quite compact. Unlike the convertible snap ring pliers with bulky pivots, these are quite sleek which makes them easier to use in tight spots.

Lastly, on the new style, for the external ring pliers, the return spring is completely contained inside the pivot of the tool. This makes it easy to keep clean and is one less thing to get the tool snagged on.

 

[Monte]

I would purchase the "New Style" too.

 

[Spookrider]

Sound to me that they took the old design and improve & tweek it to make the new design.

 

[Steve_P]

I have the new style and they're great. If you have the $, these are the ones to get.

 

[browntown]

As soon as I figure out whether I can get these things warrantied, I think it'll be time to try the "new style", or go back to snap-on. I'm frankly not sold on knipex snap ring pliers. I hope the piano wire method works.





Oh and unrelated, my latest home defense weapons found on craigslist - 42" HK Porter No5's, and a 24" Irega (Spain) adjustable wrench.