No love for Klein?

[loudog212]

I don't see much love for Klein tools. Just about every hand tool I use for work is Klein and all made in the US. These get used daily doing outside maintenance for a cable company. Thankfully they provide the tools. They are used and abused and see all sorts of weather and I have never had one fail me.

 

[Stooge]

you must be on a different board than i am, i see klein mentioned on here daily in a positive light

 

[geojag]

There are a few tools that other brands do better, but I don't think anyone questions the quality of Klein. Most of my electrical tools are Klein.

 

[Askme42]

There are a few tools that other brands do better, but I don't think anyone questions the quality of Klein. Most of my electrical tools are Klein.

I would compare Klein to channellock. Great tools but if you're looking for the best of the best someone else likely does it better.

 

[Brownsfan]

All my screwdrivers in my road install tool kit are Klein as well as most of my pliers and also wire strippers and crimpers. They see daily use and have had no breaks or wear. The screwdrivers get a bad rap for being soft but I have not seen it with my set. I like all my Klein stuff and dont see any need to look elsewhere.

 

[brook41]

I have used klein pliers for about 37 years, I feel the quality has gone downhill affecting the performance. Knipex is an option if the prices are reasonable. Channelock quality has remained the same in my opinion.

 

[Zeke]

I'm a Klein fan but I don't have many. I do have quite a bit of Channellock.

 

[Dr.JohnnyFever]

I used to be a big Klein fan. It seems like they aren't what they used to be quality wise.

Most of my screwdrivers are now Wera, Wiha, or Felo. Most of my pliers are Knipex.

I still have some Klein hollow shaft nutdrivers, conduit reamer, hack saw, strippers, and a few other odds and ends.

Edit to add: Since the bits fall out (and rust like crazy) in the 10-n-1 and 11-n-1 drivers, I have started using a Picquic for a multibit driver. Good stuff!

 

[Kaane]

Problem with Klein is they don't innovate. They have been making the same stuff forever. So now there are better options out there from companies that do.

 

[Davefr]

It's a love/hate relationship.

Their pliers were really good but one of their best models was discontinued D314-8. (far superior to anything Knipex ever made)

Their cushion grip screwdrivers used to be good but apparently they've forgotten how to harden the tips so all it takes is one camout and the tips are destroyed.

It seems like their current focus is imported electronics, specialty tools and logo'd merchandise.

 

[Dust Devil]

Everything I had that was Klein is now Snap-on or Wiha.

I remember when I thought Klein was the best thing going.

 

[sonvolt]

they make good quality tools I have a bunch of their pliers, cutters, and screwdrivers. From what I have seen their only knock is the screwdriver tips the last few years for being soft as compared to the past.

 

[garfunkle24]

Klein are overpriced and over-rated. Generally only really liked by electricians unfamiliar with the better options out there.

 

[kd3pc]

Klein are overpriced and over-rated. Generally only really liked by electricians unfamiliar with the better options out there.

for electricians out there,

what is better, and why do you say that? Especially the comment about overpriced and over-rated?

 

[1foxracing]

Best lineman pliers available in my opinion. My Knipex lineman pliers are toys compared to Klein. I have about a 25 year old Klein impact driver that has seen better days and just ordered a Proto to replace it with.

 

[jeffmoss26]

I use a ton of Klein:

 

[YenkoZL1]

Kleins are legit. I only purchase their specialty tools though. They are pricey so its hard for me to justify spending money on their standard drivers and snips. I have a set of their insulated driver's for electrical work around the house and a pair of diagonal cutters and a pair of their cable cutters for 0awg wire. Klein makes a great cable cutter, it was worth the money. Cuts through 0awg wire like a knife through warm butter.

Anyone who gives push back on Klein tools is unfamiliar with tools in general. The typical response I get when someone see's a Klein tool in my toolbox is "dude you got Klein tools? Sweet." Like Klein Tools the Legend, you hear about them but rarely see them.

 

[Southernbuild]

Most of my electrical tools are Klien, Including most of the pliers and drivers in my electrical tote. But I've never felt the need to buy their non-electricians tools, ie wrenches, ratchets, pump pliers.... In my experience they are good solid tools. I haven't had a problem with my screwdriver tips, but I could have bought them before the quality apparently dipped.

Their curved handled wire strippers are my go to for wire strippers, I have at least 6 pairs of them, in various kits.

Keep in mind that a lot of their new tools are sourced abroad, but carry USA level prices.

 

[TangoFoxTrot]

I have some Klein stuff, mainly electrical tools.

Maybe an electrician can offer a different perspective but I would rate the stuff i have as pretty average, "hardware store" grade tools. Nothing bad but nothing that makes me a fan or seek them out.

 

[defektes]

They used to make good screwdrivers, the new handles and tips ****. I really like they're pliers however.

 

[TOOL FANATIK]

I like Klein tools. i guess that Klein was a German immigrant, came to the US for a better life, made all the tools here in the US. Fast forward a couple generations, and grandson Klein is, as southernbuild pointed out, outsourcing to other countries, Germany included. im not mad at 'em though. i think there is still a huge loyal following in the trade.

 

[mickeyone]

They still are gold standard in entertainment industry,with knipex making inroads. Have both, Klein for their linesman , dykes and needle nose, Knipex for their Plier wrench and Cobras.Still like channie 426,420 and 440.Klein makes a lot of good specialty stuff,ie threaders,pulling baskets,speed drivers,and unibits.also bags and pouches.Stuff is way better than Crescent,Husky.kobolt,true value etal.

 

[colsanders]

I have pair of dykes, and linesmans for work. Absolutely love them. I haven't found a better pliers for working with 9-wire.

 

[SantaAna12]

I don't see much love for Klein tools. Just about every hand tool I use for work is Klein and all made in the US. These get used daily doing outside maintenance for a cable company. Thankfully they provide the tools. They are used and abused and see all sorts of weather and I have never had one fail me.

I have a Klein oval like yours....it is a great bag. It is the one that sits flat....no pads on the bottom. It stays upright. If your working on a ladder......it is great.
As far as the tools.....I like and use some Klein. Not as much as when I first started. I have found some alternatives to work better.....Knipex on the side cutters. I still use the five inch needlenose, but I have added the 8 inch Knipex. The 9" linemans? No need for better.

Great tools and bags. Try using a Vetus propack in the air. Hah!

 

[1982fxr]

I like all the Klein stuff I have...

 

[Wirepuller]

I switched to knipex for anything that cuts really. I use klein screwdrivers for the most part as well as long hollow nut drivers. My main supply house has them on a rack. When I need them I just add them to an order so I don't have to go to a store or shop online. There's better stuff out there but klein is fine for my uses. I did however order some insulated wiha screwdriver set and them seem to be made far better.

 

[ClineWrench]

I have craftsman hard handle screw drivers for the most part, but I do have that one lonely Klein standard screwdriver with the rubber slip on over the hard handle. I have to say I love that screwdriver.

If I had to buy them all over again, it's likely I'd buy Kleins instead.

 

[HairMetal]

I like those camo pliers they did a limited edition of.I would just use them like anything else and not get all tool polisher and collector display with 'em.

 

[Holt]

I use to love Klein. Now im a little more selective with the re stuff. The tips have become softer and the Klein embossed logo on the handle hurts my hand when i need to torque something down. Lineman are good. Wrenches are SK rebranded as well as socket and ratchets.

 

[Dr.JohnnyFever]

Great tools and bags. Try using a Vetus propack in the air. Hah!

Use the right tool for the job. A Veto would be a pain up in the air. Most canvas ovals would be lousy in the plants I have been in.

 

[Flivver250]

Good tools. I have some and like them. I have many brands of tools in my arsenal and have no issue with Klein. No a hater.

 

[maxwage]

I love my Klein tools. I love my Knipex more generally.

 

[ishiboo]

I would compare Klein to channellock. Great tools but if you're looking for the best of the best someone else likely does it better.

I think it's a fair comparison.

Klein, SK, ChannelLock, Pratt-Read, etc... American-made (for the most part) good quality tools with no frills. For the working man that doesn't give a **** his pliers don't have their own fancy model name and a hand-rubbed finish, made in some western European country by some guy named Dieter.

Love all my Klein stuff... strippers, 11-in-1 screwdrivers, electricians scissors, etc.

I love my Knipex alligators, too... but I usually reach for the Channellocks. The only thing I'm sold on with Knipex value is the bolt cutters... have the notched ones from the Lowes clearance, and a big 24" pair from Zoro's 30%.

 

[cheechi]

There are a few tools that other brands do better, but I don't think anyone questions the quality of Klein.

if you're looking for the best of the best someone else likely does it better.

It's a love/hate relationship.

that is a bingo.

I like Klein's current comfort handles but they aren't the best. I like Knipex much better than Klein, but I like Klein much better than CL. I don't think they're on the same level quality wise at all. Even though people are right to complain Kleins aren't as good as they were, the 2000 series is way better than the CL pliers I have ever used. I feel like a lot of the complaints people have about today's Klein vs previous years are more relevant to their drivers than pliers. No they're not perfect but the same way HF tools are worth what they cost, I think there are many Klein tools that are worth what they cost.

I'm more likely to buy vintage Klein than most any other brand tools. That said I don't go out of my way to look for or buy them. A lot of the things I was taught to do with tools I learned with Klein tools.

also FWIW I like the Klein bottle opener better than my Milwaukee or Cman.

 

[shampoop]

Klein are overpriced and over-rated. Generally only really liked by electricians unfamiliar with the better options out there.

Like what? No seriously, I'd like to see what german tool equivalents are priced similarly to kleins.

I love the german branded tools, but they are generally VERY expensive. And anything significantly cheaper than klein is garbage. To me kleins seem to be pretty cheap for being very good quality with a real lifetime warranty that can actually be easily exercised at local stores without receipts.

 

[Manny2_0]

also FWIW I like the Klein bottle opener better than my Milwaukee or Cman.

You take that back Mister

my craftsman wrench style bottle opener is the best EVVVERRR

 

[mikebaker1129]

I have used klein pliers for about 37 years, I feel the quality has gone downhill affecting the performance. Knipex is an option if the prices are reasonable. Channelock quality has remained the same in my opinion.

^ This has been my experience also over the last 22 years.
My older klein tools were top notch,the newer stuff is not what it used to be.
I do still like Klein,just seems like quality has dropped off.

 

[cheechi]

You take that back Mister

my craftsman wrench style bottle opener is the best EVVVERRR

You know what yes you're right. I was comparing apples to apples the Klein driver handle vs Cman driver handle. The wrench is obviously better than both.

 

[Cope]

Like what? No seriously, I'd like to see what german tool equivalents are priced similarly to kleins.

I love the german branded tools, but they are generally VERY expensive. And anything significantly cheaper than klein is garbage. To me kleins seem to be pretty cheap for being very good quality with a real lifetime warranty that can actually be easily exercised at local stores without receipts.

I even warrantied a pair of 213-NE lineman's pliers that I had accidentally cut a live wire with. I was going to toss them, but my son-in-law's uncle took them to a dealer and they swapped for a new pair. I picked up the old pair used in 1973, and was really sorry to see them go.

 

[reader2580]

Who makes better cushion grip screwdrivers than Klein that are Made in the USA? I have two sets of Klein screwdrivers and the newer ones with the raised lettering do seem like the quality of the tips has slipped.

What is there to innovate on in screwdrivers? As long as they fit the screw heads and the tips don't deform I don't what else I would want. I don't own anything else that Klein makes.