Knipex vs Snapon / Wilde snapring pliers

[Grant Gunderson]

Knipex vs Snapon / Wilde snapring pliers, has anyone owned both and can attest to which ones are better? Note, I am talking about for snap rings, not Circlip pliers for the rings with the holes in the tabs, as I already have a full set of Whia for those.

I know Wilde makes the Snapon ones, and they are a ⅓ of the price. Both appear to be good quality.

Thanks guys.

 

[Hiball]

Deleted

 

[javyLSU]

...Note, I am talking about for snap rings, not Circlip pliers for the rings with the holes in the tabs, as I already have a full set of Whia for those...

Could you help me understand what you consider a snap ring vs. a circlip?

I know Wilde makes the Snapon ones, and they are a ⅓ of the price. Both appear to be good quality.

Wilde does not make the current Snap-on snap ring pliers. Snap-on manufactures these internally, and they are a proprietary reversible/quick-release design.

 

[Grant Gunderson]

Could you help me understand what you consider a snap ring vs. a circlip?


Wilde does not make the current Snap-on snap ring pliers. Snap-on manufactures these internally, and they are a proprietary reversible/quick-release design.

Those are circlip pliers. For Circlips.


These are snaprings:


And Snap ring pliers:

I hope that clears up the confusion.

 

[Lucid Moments]

If I am correct OP is talking about this style of retaining ring pliers.

 

[Hiball]

Could you help me understand what you consider a snap ring vs. a circlip?

I think it’s a language barrier amongst brands. It’s why I deleted my earlier response.

 

[Grant Gunderson]

I have a full set of the Wiha circlip pliers that I am extremely happy with.
i need to replace the craftsman snap ring pliers as they have too much deflection in the tips to properly remove most snap rings.

 

[Hiball]

I have a full set of the Wiha circlip pliers that I am extremely happy with.
i need to replace the craftsman snap ring pliers as they have too much deflection in the tips to properly remove most snap rings.

IME Most domestic manufacturers call those Snap ring/retaining ring pliers. The craftsman in the lower right “I” would call Lock ring, Circlip pliers. I have Snap on, Proto, Blackhawk and a few other older US brands.

I believe based of past discussions, they are all “versions” from the “circlip” family, which is why it’s solely dependent on how the Manufacturer markets them and they are type specific obviously.

 

[Grant Gunderson]

IME Most domestic manufacturers call those Snap ring/retaining ring pliers. The craftsman in the lower right “I” would call Lock ring, Circlip pliers. I have Snap on, Proto, Blackhawk and a few other older US brands.

I believe based of past discussions, they are all “versions” from the “circlip” family, which is why it’s solely dependent on how the Manufacturer markets them and they are type specific obviously.

Well, regardless of what you want to call them, that set on the lower right is what I need to replace. So hoping someone has experience with the snapon / wilde version and the Knipex ones. I'm tempted to just order both from Amazon and then return whatever set I dont like.

 

[Hiball]

Well, regardless of what you want to call them, that set on the lower right is what I need to replace. So hoping someone has experience with the snapon / wilde version and the Knipex ones. I'm tempted to just order both from Amazon and then return whatever set I dont like.

I have about 4-5 pairs, Nothing exotic like Knipex or anything with comfort grips. I can’t say I’ve noticed any differences between SO or Proto/Blackhawk. I do have a couple tip variations, some with the dimple and some with knurling on the outer tip face.

 

[sweet victory]

I think it's safe to assume both pliers are excellent quality - where you will notice the most difference is their size. The knipex is about 6", while the wilde/so are 9". What you're working on (minimum snap ring opening/plier max open size) will probably tell you which one you need.

 

[Grant Gunderson]

Ok, So I ordered a bunch to test from Amazon.

KNIPEX - 45 10 170. These ones are the nicest feeling of the bunch. They have a much smaller cross hatching on the tips then the rest. So for thinner rings they work really well. The tip thickness is about the same as the Photo / Wilde so no advantage for confined places.



KNIPEX Tools - Special Pliers, Retaining Rings, 30 Degree Angled (4521200). I was not a fan of these and was planing to return them. However they have the thinest cross section of the tips and I can across a few round wire snap rings today where these where the only option to remove them.

The tips dont have the cross hatching, so they only work on rings where the ends have been angled. They won't grab rings with squared off ends at all. Plus they do not want to fully close without a lot of additional force. The joint is no where near a smooth as typical Knipex quality.




Stanley Proto J250G Proto 9-Inch Lock Ring Horseshoe Washer Pliers. I think these are the best of the bunch. They have both the cross hatching and the recess in the tips, so work well with all snap rings. The tips are the same size as the black Knipex, but these have larger and longer handles so they have more leverage. I do think the black Knipex feel the best in the hand, but on 2-3" diameter rings, these are superior in every way. These are made by Wilde, and are the same as the Snapon ones as well. With the PROTO badging, they are cheapest. The Snapon ones I borrowed are a bit more polished, but otherwise same exact tool for 3X the cost!



Wilde Tool G705.B/CS 10" Compound Lock Ring Pliers-Black Oxide. These ones are a hard no for me. They dont have the cross hatching on the tips, so only work with rings that have the angled ends and not the squared ones. Plus these ones are quite a bit thinner in the cross section, so want to deflect a lot.... same problem I had with the Craftsman ones. Plus these tips are super thick, so not great for confined spaces. Even with the compound action and the longer handle, they didn't give me any mechanical advantage over the Proto pliers due to the tips deflecting.

 

[AJHD]

Thanks for that quick review. I've been looking at those Knipex and Proto "snap ring pliers" for awhile now. I want something to go along with my Snap On "circlip pliers" set.

 

[Steve_P]

I have the parallel opening Proto and also Wilde. I have others in this style, but those are all I use.

 

[Mgdoug3]

I saw this review and it reminded me the last time I tried to use my parts house brand pliers. I found a new pair branded SK made by Wilde for a good price and ending up buying it. Thanks for the review!

 

[sandyeyes]

I have a full set of the Wiha circlip pliers that I am extremely happy with.
i need to replace the craftsman snap ring pliers as they have too much deflection in the tips to properly remove most snap rings.

How often do you use the Wiha?

 

[Grant Gunderson]

How often do you use the Wiha?

Daily. I have a mountain bike suspension business so they get lots of use. They have held up very well.