Responder
Well-known member
Klein all the way for our company. Beefy tool that gets used and sometimes abused. I know, proper care of tools but when you are in a manhole and getting wet, you do what ya gotta do to when ya gotta do it!
Lineman Pliers - Channellock 349, Klein, or Knipex?
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Cope
Well-known member
All I've used is Klein, and I see no reason to switch.
I have used the 2000 series of Klein and have been pleased. Channellock is also a good choice however and their 369 model can be had for like $24 which is almost half the price of klein. If I was going to go with Channellock though, I might choose their 349 model which is unusual in that it has a box joint and is supposed to be extremely long lasting. I might end up getting one at some point, just to have a second lineman's pliers at hand.
SantaAna12
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Klein. 9 inch. Fits in the hand just fine. Joint is easily flexed. With or without crimper, or there is also the tape option mentioned in an earlier post.
EOC_Jason
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I like the Klein with the orange handles.
ttpete
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There's a reason that all lineman's pliers are known as "Kleins" by professional electricians.
General Geoff
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I have the Knipex, and I'm quite pleased with them. The gripping, pulling and twisting capability of the sharp-toothed crosshatch pattern in the jaws is phenomenal. Bite down on some 10 gauge wire and you can twist them nice & tight without fear of them slipping out. One side effect of this is that if you get too aggressive, the jaws start to look like filthy cheese graters but with copper instead of cheese gunking them up!
The cutters are very sharp and very hard/durable. I've been very pleased with their performance.
The riveted joint has stayed tight but smooth, no play, through extensive use.
So yeah, I vote for the Knipex if budget allows.
I've used the Kleins, they're also very good. My cousin who is an electrician, uses the Kleins, and he's happy with them. They'll do everything the Knipex can, I'm sure.
The cutters are very sharp and very hard/durable. I've been very pleased with their performance.
The riveted joint has stayed tight but smooth, no play, through extensive use.
So yeah, I vote for the Knipex if budget allows.
I've used the Kleins, they're also very good. My cousin who is an electrician, uses the Kleins, and he's happy with them. They'll do everything the Knipex can, I'm sure.
BirdMobile
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I've got one pair of each - a 9" Klein, 8" Channel Lock, and 7" Knipex.
They are all comparable quality-wise, I'd be happy with any of the 3 brands for all sizes.
I've probably used/abused the Kleins the most - but that's just because they were the first ones I owned. As far as durability, all 3 are as tight now as the day I bought them, and none of them have deformed cutter edges or jaws. The grips on the Channel Locks seem to be a little softer and more prone to marring than the other two.
If pressed, I'd give a SLIGHT nod to the Knipex, but only because I like the grips and chrome plating better.
They are all comparable quality-wise, I'd be happy with any of the 3 brands for all sizes.
I've probably used/abused the Kleins the most - but that's just because they were the first ones I owned. As far as durability, all 3 are as tight now as the day I bought them, and none of them have deformed cutter edges or jaws. The grips on the Channel Locks seem to be a little softer and more prone to marring than the other two.
If pressed, I'd give a SLIGHT nod to the Knipex, but only because I like the grips and chrome plating better.
lbgradwell
Well-known member
Same here - except I have two 9" Channellocks (369CRFT and 349), a 9" Klein D2000-9NE, an 8" Japanese-made Fuller 194-8 from the 1970s or 1980s, and 7" Knipex 02 01 180 and vintage Channellocks 347...
They are all good. I'd like to know who made the Fullers; I've never been able to figure it out...
Yeah, the Wiremaster™ model (second from left) is superb.
StanleyAdams
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I've never used Klein as they're not available in Europe AFAIK. Lineman pliers are not a common type of combination pliers in Europe and I assume Knipex make that model with the American customer in mind. From experience Knipex shines in some niche areas where they have innovative products, like the dual rivet side cutters, pump pliers, pliers wrench, mini bolt cutters etc. For electrical application like side cutters, combination pliers (in general) you can do better. For lineman pliers you'll probably get better bang for buck if you go with klein (or milwaukee). If you want top notch electrical pliers, try NWS, but they don't have lineman pliers.
Are the Milwaukee ones available to you made in China? Their hand tools are relatively new here in the US. Although there isn't much bad to talk about, they aren't overwhelmingly great either, across the board (I have not used their linemans specifically).
That wirepro packaging is so 2001 K-Mart Martha Stewart-y. For $12 shipped it's worth picking up a pair to leave on the card as an example of milquetoast graphic design.
pauls_workshop
Well-known member
Yes, but try cutting some thick copper wire with them! Slice through like butter with that Klein goodness! If you've also got proper Kleins, Knipex, or Channellocks, or yes, NWS, please do a comparison between them! - Paul
rlitman
Well-known member
I saw a comment about not taking care of Kleins, and they get this way.
I take care of my Kleins, and the joint is too tight right from the store, though after some break in, they do improve.
The reason I reach for my Knipex before my Kleins is that the Knipex joint is head and shoulders better than ANY other comparable pliers. No break in required, and while they are free moving, they never feel loose (I've had Kleins that with too much age on them start to get wobbly, and when that happens, they cut like ****).
Both Knipex and Klein (in the D2000 series) offer jaws hard enough to cut steel wire. That alone is a reason I stick to these two and not Channellock. The suggestion was made that they cost more money, so people like them better. No, they cost more, because they're made with better steel and have a better heat treatment, so they take more abuse.
One thing unique to Klein pliers is the jaw serration. Look really closely, and you will see that Klein linesman pliers are serrated in an asymmetric pattern (like a file), that is designed for pulling. Nobody else I've seen does this. The serration is sharp, and gives excellent grip. Something to consider.
StanleyAdams
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AFAIK they're made in China. I saw them at a tool/machine expo recently. Didn't know they were recent on the US market as well. I had a chance to try one of their 6in1 lineman and the other 6in1 type pliers and they seemed well made. They're a nice implementation of the idea. The thing is with the different standards and installation practices they're a much more useful tool for the US than here (the lineman's version). They are more expensive here than what they are in the US. Still a pair of those costs half the price of the Knipex electrical installation pliers (similar concept, different features). For electrical pliers I've used Knipex, NWS, Wiha, Gedore, Unior. For the money you can do better elsewhere (in the US NWS). And for less money you can get comparable quality, especially if you don't care about COO. Also, what I said, you're considering a type of tool made by a German company that is not widely used in Germany. There's a reason you don't see many lineman pliers coming from EU companies. There's really nothing special about the ones from Knipex in terms of features or ergonomics. Quality and longevity with Knipex is great, but from what I hear Klein are on par. If you can get them for less money than Klein or Channellock go for it.
wild cowboy
Banned
you guys are missing the pliers of the year, those new Irwin's made in Germany by NWS, high leverage and just feel better, easier to do the same job, lineman's available in 8" and 9.5" - $39 & $55 on amazon and most other places
strong enough to cut piano wire with little effort and they don't rust, which is big with me!
strong enough to cut piano wire with little effort and they don't rust, which is big with me!
I agree with all you said generally except that. I find the Knipex the most comfortable non-comfort grip pliers. There's more (metal) handle and less rubber grip on them, it just works for me. Across all the comfort grip pliers, they're relatively the same. But to me Knipex are definitely my favourite handles in that respect.
StanleyAdams
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I always buy knipex VDE if I can, just because the hand stop that's a safety feature but actually makes them more ergonomic for me, I don't care about their blue/red handles, might as well have the dipped handles for less, and save space in a small tool bag or my pocket. Also, with the price differences between VDE and non-insulated ergo handles, might as well pay the extra dollar for the added safety.
Maybe you haven't tried the Wiha professional electric handles
. But those are forged in Vietnam. Note: I wouldn't recommend their combo pliers.
It's always a compromise with quality, features, ergonomics, price. You can't have it all. For combo pliers I love NWS, just because of the sharpness of the edges alone they make stripping wire so easy (and it doesn't hurt that I can get them for less than knipex). To me that's what combo pliers are for, to do everything with one tool in your hand. If I have 3-4 dedicated pliers with me why would I use the combo pliers? There's always another type of hand tool that does a better job with less effort.
kctyphoon
Banned
For what I do, and how they get used, the only real advantage of having the heavy "traditional" klien linesman pliers over something light, and spring loaded like the compound crescents is if I'm planning to also use them as a hammer.. And no I'm not being sarcastic.. Obviously the old heavy pliers will last forever as long as you don't bury them in the yard, but I'm more than willing to sacrifice absolute longevity over something that makes my day to day job easier. Especially at this price point for the quality it provides. Admittedly, I use the matching diagonal cutters more then anything. But the pliers get used to cut tie wraps, pull nails, pull all sorts of clamps and screws as well as being used as the occasional hitting tool.. The cutters in the pliers are what gets sacrificed to keep the heads on the diagonal cutters in better shape. I also like how they have a dual tooth design on the head so you can grab onto small items and still grip the occasional nut or bolt.
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SantaAna12
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you guys are missing the pliers of the year, those new Irwin's made in Germany by NWS, high leverage and just feel better, easier to do the same job, lineman's available in 8" and 9.5" - $39 & $55 on amazon and most other places
strong enough to cut piano wire with little effort and they don't rust, which is big with me.
I dun theen so Pancho!
No need to spend twice the money.
And if you ever had the Kleins, you would know that rust is not a problem when you take care of them.
dirtydogintex
Well-known member
will the 9.5" model drive 16p nails? or persuade a ustrut fitting home? kleins will...you guys are missing the pliers of the year, those new Irwin's made in Germany by NWS, high leverage and just feel better, easier to do the same job, lineman's available in 8" and 9.5" - $39 & $55 on amazon and most other places
strong enough to cut piano wire with little effort and they don't rust, which is big with me!
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mickeyone
Well-known member
Have all three,use linesmans everyday,Kleins get the most workout,Knipex are the slickest, and Channelock has box joints.Utica,Kraeuter,and Diamond also made class stuff,Most electrics use the Klein 2000 series.You wont go wrong with any of them.Craftsman,Kobolt, and Crescent are sub par, no real electricians I know use them.