NWS or Knipex

[tungas123456]

Hello guy,
I am noob in handtool
I am in need of buying a cutting plier and I wonder between the brands NWS and Knipex.

NWS 138-49-200
Technical specifications

Price:43.12$

Knipex 73-72-180
Technical specifications

Price:64.68$

Both tools have similar specifications,would nws give better performance on price than knipex?

Sorry for bad english, thank you for the support.

 

[MetricTech]

IMO knipex is higher quality, & know what they are doing so well many other company’s are compelled to copy the knipex designs. That being said I have a lot of nws pliers cutters and shears as well as knipex. The price is hard to beat on the nws. I’ve noticed the nws chrome finish doesn’t hold up as well as knipex. I haven’t had problems with their performance. I like trying every brand. Gedore and stahlwille have great pliers as well. Depending on what you need you ought to check them out as well. I’ve never been a big fan of multi component grips but a lot of guys love them. Check out KC tool, chads toolbox, and even Zoro for great deals on these brands if you haven’t already.


Metric Tech

 

[tungas123456]

IMO knipex is higher quality, & know what they are doing so well many other company’s are compelled to copy the knipex designs. That being said I have a lot of nws pliers cutters and shears as well as knipex. The price is hard to beat on the nws. I’ve noticed the nws chrome finish doesn’t hold up as well as knipex. I haven’t had problems with their performance. I like trying every brand. Gedore and stahlwille have great pliers as well. Depending on what you need you ought to check them out as well. I’ve never been a big fan of multi component grips but a lot of guys love them. Check out KC tool, chads toolbox, and even Zoro for great deals on these brands if you haven’t already.


Metric Tech

Thank you for advice and great information!!!
I also have a question about hex key, pb swiss tool is the number one choice ?

 

[MetricTech]

Yes for myself and many others PB Swiss is the top choice for hex keys and screwdrivers because of the spring steel alloy and finish on their steel. The Pb Swiss quality standard is amazing. Many other brands will have well made hex key sets for much cheaper but if you want to treat yourself try the Pb Swiss. Some other options for a cheaper but still great quality set would be
Wiha from Germany
Wera from Czech Republic
Asahi & Eight from Japan
Bondhus from the USA
Any of these brands make many variations to fit your needs.


Metric Tech

 

[eschoendorff]

Knipex has a lot of love here. They’re great tools. As for hex, Bondhus and Ecklind are great less expensive choices.

 

[tungas123456]

Yes for myself and many others PB Swiss is the top choice for hex keys and screwdrivers because of the spring steel alloy and finish on their steel. The Pb Swiss quality standard is amazing. Many other brands will have well made hex key sets for much cheaper but if you want to treat yourself try the Pb Swiss. Some other options for a cheaper but still great quality set would be
Wiha from Germany
Wera from Czech Republic
Asahi & Eight from Japan
Bondhus from the USA
Any of these brands make many variations to fit your needs.


Metric Tech

Thank you for advice

Knipex has a lot of love here. They’re great tools. As for hex, Bondhus and Ecklind are great less expensive choices.

Thank you for advice

 

[Xcursion88]

Knipex is really hard to beat.

Unless it's something they don't carry otherwise they're pretty much the pinnacle of pliers.

I look at three things when buying a tool.
1)Where it's made #1 / Quality
These usually go hand in hand

2) do they have ecactly what I need

3) in the rare event of breakage the ease to replace

Snap on has Knipex on the truck.

 

[jshailor1871]

Another vote for Knipex. I have two pairs of side cutters and both perform flawlessly.



Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

 

[JBH]

Both tools have similar specifications,would nws give better performance on price than knipex?

I suspect performance would be a tie. Knipex will be better finished. NWS is a little like Orbis - they usually get the fundamentals (joint machining, jaw alignment and other QC issues, etc.) right and offer some useful innovations, but they skimp a bit on finish quality.

Thank you for advice and great information!!!
I also have a question about hex key, pb swiss tool is the number one choice ?

I haven't used PB Swiss, or any of the non-standard "gripping" keys by Wiha or Wera. So I can't say how they work.

As for others, I think most of the German companies (except Wiha and Wera) source their hex keys from a firm called HaFu. I have VBW, Stahlwille, and Elora hex or torx rebrands, and have seen the same keys with different case colorways from Gedore and Hazet. In my view there is nothing that makes them superior to Bondhus. Bondhus seems to be the surprisingly rare American tool company that makes a world standard product and prices it very well. Pick between Bondhus and HaFu or a rebrand based on price, or your opinion of the holder design.

 

[NC Rick]

+1 for the Knipex side cutters. I have a set that have been used hard for a few years and bought a pair of Klein as backups that I have not used. The Knipex fit my hand, offer great leverage and cut hard steel without hurting the jaws.

I make 1.5mm spring retainer clips by winding a coil on a lathe using stainless steel spring wire 0.060” thick and use the cutters to make individual circles. I have cut hundreds with the same set. I’m a believer. They are as good as new.

There may we’ll be better side cutters but I don’t need to look. The Klein’s look nice, I don’t like the ergonomics as much, they are made in the USA so I bought them. They may be better but they sit in my box unused.

 

[MetricTech]

The only thing I don’t like about my bondhus hex key sets is that I have to keep a coat of light oil on them just like impact sockets or they will rust. I can throw my Pb Swiss sets in my tool bag right out of the rain without worrying what they will look like the next time I get them out. Bondhus makes the sets that you see on the tool trucks and for brands around the world. They do have some gold coated sets that I’m sure would resist rusting.


Metric Tech

 

[jgromada]

I have a few Knipex tools, very happy with all of these.

Looking for some NWS pliers for comparison.

 

[apdxyk]

You can also look at at Klein, Keiba (Japan) for the side-cutters

 

[mr.lemons]

There was a post on here a while ago comparing German pliers. It's about combination pliers but the info also applies to side cutters and somewhat mirrors my experience with the different brands so far.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=3447494&postcount=104

 

[2manytools]

I own the Irwin rebranded NWS diagonal cutters, and I absolutely love them. I also have many Knipex tools through Sears deals, so am familiar with both. For the $20 difference, I'd go NWS. On top of that, I'm not aware of a Knipex model that has something similar to the power-slot on the NWS.

 

[Professional Tool User]

In this case with the compound leverage side cutters, NWS. The NWS handles should be more comfortable. Depending on the market, Knipex may have a warranty that's better than NWS' 5 year warranty. There are certain pliers where Knipex is much better designed and this isn't one if them.

 

[Xcursion88]

The only thing I don’t like about my bondhus hex key sets is that I have to keep a coat of light oil on them just like impact sockets or they will rust. I can throw my Pb Swiss sets in my tool bag right out of the rain without worrying what they will look like the next time I get them out. Bondhus makes the sets that you see on the tool trucks and for brands around the world. They do have some gold coated sets that I’m sure would resist rusting.


Metric Tech

Bingo..tje USA made hex sets on the truck are these. Work great. Yes on the rust. Oiled!!!

Gold ones are a plating thaf are more made for identification than anything. Perhaps zinc plated and that could fend off corrosion some.

 

[tungas123456]

Knipex is really hard to beat.

Unless it's something they don't carry otherwise they're pretty much the pinnacle of pliers.

I look at three things when buying a tool.
1)Where it's made #1 / Quality
These usually go hand in hand

2) do they have ecactly what I need

3) in the rare event of breakage the ease to replace

Snap on has Knipex on the truck.

Thank for advice, I really still prefer knipex

 

[tungas123456]

Thank you everyone for your comments

 

[tungas123456]

There was a post on here a while ago comparing German pliers. It's about combination pliers but the info also applies to side cutters and somewhat mirrors my experience with the different brands so far.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=3447494&postcount=104

Thank you great information,

So with the opinion of the writer, VBW is better than Knipex and knipex has uneven quality
I don't know much about VBW, in that I suppress Knipex to be promoted more.

 

[Dumber than lumber]

I own the Irwin rebranded NWS diagonal cutters, and I absolutely love them. I also have many Knipex tools through Sears deals, so am familiar with both. For the $20 difference, I'd go NWS. On top of that, I'm not aware of a Knipex model that has something similar to the power-slot on the NWS.

This times 2.
All my NWS are excellent. I see absolutely nothing in the Knipex tools I own that make them superior to the NWS.
Unless you are one who says the more expensive item is always the better.

 

[Steve_P]

I like both NWS and Knipex. NWS Fantasticos are in a class in their own though - Knipex doesnt offer anything identical . The compound leverage is great for cutting nails and hard items, but I wouldn't use these primarily as general cutters, although you could.

 

[TalonFE]

https://chadstoolbox.com/nws-9-piece-set-of-popular-pliers-with-finish-69/

$234 as I post this.....a good coverage set for not too many $$$. Chad's is hit and miss with some of the fellas, so far so good here, though.

 

[Tattedhank]

I own a lot of Knipex and NWS pliers and cutters and you can't go wrong with either. While I would say that the quality of Knipex tools is hard to beat, the quality of all my NWS tools is just as good as Knipex and NWS offers some great tools that Knipex simply does not offer. Which ever brand you choose, I am certain you will be satisfied.

 

[kctyphoon]

Dont buy the Fantastico cutters if you go with NWS. Get the regular style heavy duty 8”.

Knipex and NWS both make great stuff.. i have both. The grips are different, the head design is a little different.. the Knipex cutters are bomb proof. The NWS i have are still fairly new, but i like the grips better, and i like the fact the cutting edge protrudes a little more. The look cooler - yea, but i would expect the same quality as Knipex.. ive beatean the hell out of my knipex cutters and they didnt even care..

You want 8” cutters.. not 7”, not 9”. You dont want an angled head. Knipex, NWS, or Klein d2000 series, but i like the heads better on Knipex and NWS over the Klein. I also have Kleins where the jaws skip over each other under pressure if you wanna split hairs.

None of these will change your life, they are all good. Buy what you like, but if this is gonna be a tool for general use, then dont buy a “speciality” version like the Fantastico. The benefits of levaerge will be outweighed by the small jaw opening, how wide you’ll need to open and close your hands, and the fact that many things will require you to make two cuts instead of one. The jaw opening limits what you can get down close to the joint, and thats where the leverage is. What you can do in one cut with standard high leverage cutters can take 2 cuts because the jaws barely open on those.

Compare maximum jaw opening on the Kleins and knipex to the Irwin branded Fantastico, vs how far the handles spread to achieve maximum opening.. thats a lot of handle movement for not a lot of cut capacity on the Fantastico. The Fantastico are good for small, thin, HARD material like piano wire. That is where you will benefit from them. The only thing worse is the Dewalts, which are useless and junk anyway.

 

[PhysicsDude]

I like both NWS and Knipex. NWS Fantasticos are in a class in their own though - Knipex doesnt offer anything identical . The compound leverage is great for cutting nails and hard items, but I wouldn't use these primarily as general cutters, although you could.

The Knipex "Twinforce" pliers are effectively the same as the NWS Fantasticos. Half the jaw opening size and double the leverage. Many designs out there, all with the same basic end result.

GermanToolReveiws did a review over these "Pivoting Joint Side Cutters" and the declared the NWS pair the slight winner over Knipex, primarily due to the lower cost.

Anyway I think NWS makes very solid products. But I also think that Knipex is usually 1 step above them in quality - with a price to match. I'm a huge Knipex fanboy, and I'm not afraid to admit it.

 

[mrspeed]

I recently posted a quick comparison of the NWS/Irwin compound joint cutters to the Knipex Twin Force, along with several other German brand cutters.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=7753818

On the topic of Stahlwille/VBW, I also recently posted some side by side pictures of the VBW next to the Knipex.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=7754062

I haven't yet read through the comparison post linked above, but here is my experience. NWS can be really nice, but they're quality control send to be lacking, because I've received several with less than stellar finishes, grit in the joints that make them difficult to move, and other issues. I've seen pictures and YouTube videos of others with similar experiences. However, I've also received NWS pliers that were spot on in finish and movement. So, I can understand why many say they don't have the best finish quality while others say they're great.

Between VBW and Knipex, I think VBW quality is just slightly better than Knipex, but almost the same. But Knipex has a much larger selection of pliers types and variety of configurations for each type. And they have some pliers which are best in class, like the Cobras.

Personally, I like the finish of the Gedore pliers the best. They have a matte chrome finish and a gray steel finish, both of which are almost too nice to use.

But my favorite cutters at the moment are the Facom. I really like the design of the handle and head shape, they seem like they could take a lot of force. Though I've never had a pair of cutters fail from broken handles or joints, so who knows which are actually strongest. I also have too many cutters to have used any of them that much, so consider all of this more or less first impressions.

Sent from my Pixel 2 using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[eschoendorff]

I recently posted a quick comparison of the NWS/Irwin compound joint cutters to the Knipex Twin Force, along with several other German brand cutters.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=7753818

On the topic of Stahlwille/VBW, I also recently posted some side by side pictures of the VBW next to the Knipex.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=7754062

I haven't yet read through the comparison post linked above, but here is my experience. NWS can be really nice, but they're quality control send to be lacking, because I've received several with less than stellar finishes, grit in the joints that make them difficult to move, and other issues. I've seen pictures and YouTube videos of others with similar experiences. However, I've also received NWS pliers that were spot on in finish and movement. So, I can understand why many say they don't have the best finish quality while others say they're great.

Between VBW and Knipex, I think VBW quality is just slightly better than Knipex, but almost the same. But Knipex has a much larger selection of pliers types and variety of configurations for each type. And they have some pliers which are best in class, like the Cobras.

Personally, I like the finish of the Gedore pliers the best. They have a matte chrome finish and a gray steel finish, both of which are almost too nice to use.

But my favorite cutters at the moment are the Facom. I really like the design of the handle and head shape, they seem like they could take a lot of force. Though I've never had a pair of cutters fail from broken handles or joints, so who knows which are actually strongest. I also have too many cutters to have used any of them that much, so consider all of this more or less first impressions.

Sent from my Pixel 2 using The Garage Journal mobile app

Facom are my favorite too. The French made variants. I’m not familiar with any of Facom’s taiwanese offerings

 

[mrspeed]

Facom are my favorite too. The French made variants. I’m not familiar with any of Facom’s taiwanese offerings

Yes, I am most definitely referring to the French made pliers, which I believe are made by Bost, which Facom bought before Stanley Black and Decker bought all of them. I also haven't tried any of the Taiwanese made Facom pliers or cutters.

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

 

[mrspeed]

I forgot to mention, I think my favorite pliers and cutters for shiny chrome finish, as opposed to the Gedore matte chrome finish, is probably Beta, made in Italy.

I would also rate the Bahco made in Spain pliers and cutters equivalent to NWS, which is to say, not quite as good as VBW, Knipex, or Gedore, but really close.

Sent from my Pixel 2 using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[tungas123456]

Yes, I am most definitely referring to the French made pliers, which I believe are made by Bost, which Facom bought before Stanley Black and Decker bought all of them. I also haven't tried any of the Taiwanese made Facom pliers or cutters.

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

I forgot to mention, I think my favorite pliers and cutters for shiny chrome finish, as opposed to the Gedore matte chrome finish, is probably Beta, made in Italy.

I would also rate the Bahco made in Spain pliers and cutters equivalent to NWS, which is to say, not quite as good as VBW, Knipex, or Gedore, but really close.

Sent from my Pixel 2 using The Garage Journal mobile app

I recently posted a quick comparison of the NWS/Irwin compound joint cutters to the Knipex Twin Force, along with several other German brand cutters.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=7753818

On the topic of Stahlwille/VBW, I also recently posted some side by side pictures of the VBW next to the Knipex.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=7754062

I haven't yet read through the comparison post linked above, but here is my experience. NWS can be really nice, but they're quality control send to be lacking, because I've received several with less than stellar finishes, grit in the joints that make them difficult to move, and other issues. I've seen pictures and YouTube videos of others with similar experiences. However, I've also received NWS pliers that were spot on in finish and movement. So, I can understand why many say they don't have the best finish quality while others say they're great.

Between VBW and Knipex, I think VBW quality is just slightly better than Knipex, but almost the same. But Knipex has a much larger selection of pliers types and variety of configurations for each type. And they have some pliers which are best in class, like the Cobras.

Personally, I like the finish of the Gedore pliers the best. They have a matte chrome finish and a gray steel finish, both of which are almost too nice to use.

But my favorite cutters at the moment are the Facom. I really like the design of the handle and head shape, they seem like they could take a lot of force. Though I've never had a pair of cutters fail from broken handles or joints, so who knows which are actually strongest. I also have too many cutters to have used any of them that much, so consider all of this more or less first impressions.

Sent from my Pixel 2 using The Garage Journal mobile app

I am so grateful for your precious share of pliers, they are very helpful in choosing a plier that fits me.
Thank you

 

[Jeff]

I prefer the NWS side cutter over the Knipex anyday.

 

[tungas123456]

I recently posted a quick comparison of the NWS/Irwin compound joint cutters to the Knipex Twin Force, along with several other German brand cutters.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=7753818

On the topic of Stahlwille/VBW, I also recently posted some side by side pictures of the VBW next to the Knipex.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=7754062

I haven't yet read through the comparison post linked above, but here is my experience. NWS can be really nice, but they're quality control send to be lacking, because I've received several with less than stellar finishes, grit in the joints that make them difficult to move, and other issues. I've seen pictures and YouTube videos of others with similar experiences. However, I've also received NWS pliers that were spot on in finish and movement. So, I can understand why many say they don't have the best finish quality while others say they're great.

Between VBW and Knipex, I think VBW quality is just slightly better than Knipex, but almost the same. But Knipex has a much larger selection of pliers types and variety of configurations for each type. And they have some pliers which are best in class, like the Cobras.

Personally, I like the finish of the Gedore pliers the best. They have a matte chrome finish and a gray steel finish, both of which are almost too nice to use.

But my favorite cutters at the moment are the Facom. I really like the design of the handle and head shape, they seem like they could take a lot of force. Though I've never had a pair of cutters fail from broken handles or joints, so who knows which are actually strongest. I also have too many cutters to have used any of them that much, so consider all of this more or less first impressions.

Sent from my Pixel 2 using The Garage Journal mobile app

Can I read that knipex quality control is not good, the two products are the same but the quality is not the same, is this true?
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=3447494&postcount=104

 

[mrspeed]

I am so grateful for your precious share of pliers, they are very helpful in choosing a plier that fits me.
Thank you

Glad it helped! Whenever someone says something nice on here, I show it to my wife. I've given up trying to prove I'm not crazy, so now I settle for proving to her that I'm not alone.

Another post I just realized may also help is one I did a while back ranking plier handle comfort. Beware though, this is highly subjective and depends on the size and shape of your hands, as well as how you tend to grip and use pliers.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=7426580#post7426580

Can I read that knipex quality control is not good, the two products are the same but the quality is not the same, is this true?
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=3447494&postcount=104

It's hard to say, as I have way more Knipex pliers than any other brand. Here are the ones I keep in the drawer:

I would say of all the Knipex I have, the finish and feel of the joint has been great on probably 9 out of every 10.

For VBW, I'd say 10 out of 10 felt great, but I literally own around 10, so it could be luck of the draw. Finish-wise though, I'm not sure what it is, but I think the VBW always seem like they have a slightly higher quality finish, and I also prefer the textured dipped handles on VBW and Gedore pliers to the smooth dipped handles on the Knipex. But I like the Knipex comfort grip handles better than the VBW/Stahlwille comfort grip handles, and I like the Gedore comfort grip handles better than either.

I have maybe 15 NWS pliers under various re-brands, and the finish and joint feel was good out of the box on maybe 5 of them. The rest felt too stiff and gritty, like there was dirt in the joint. They are also often not well deburred, and the Teflon or chrome finish on them is sometimes rough or uneven. The ones that happened to be well finished and felt good out of the box were top notch, as good if not better quality than the comparable Knipex pliers.

 

[MetricTech]

These baby cobras have lived in my pocket for the past 4 years or so. It’s amazing how many times they have saved me. Don’t leave the house without them! A pocket knife, flashlight, and baby cobras. I’ve been waiting for VBW to come out with a pair with the fine adjustment button so that I can switch it up.



Metric Tech

 

[NC Rick]

I obviously don’t have enough pliers!!!

 

[mrspeed]

Here are a couple examples of the poor finish on some of the NWS pliers. The gritty looking stuff is actually a solid part of the surface finish, not grimy buildup or anything like that. You can also see unevenness near the cutting tips on the end cutters.



Sent from my Pixel 2 using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[2manytools]

This times 2.
All my NWS are excellent. I see absolutely nothing in the Knipex tools I own that make them superior to the NWS.
Unless you are one who says the more expensive item is always the better.

No, not at all. I'm quite Dutch in the money department, but do prefer a quality tool, and either Knipex or NWS would qualify. I think 95% of people wouldn't mind either in their hands. All buy one or two Knipex came from Sears deals, so I paid minimal out of pocket. Previous to that, I had been eyeing some larger sets of NWS, I think on chadstoolbox or ebay. The price per plier could not be beat at the time, and I know I'd probably be just as happy. Knipex does beat them all on selection though.

 

[tungas123456]

Glad it helped! Whenever someone says something nice on here, I show it to my wife. I've given up trying to prove I'm not crazy, so now I settle for proving to her that I'm not alone.

Another post I just realized may also help is one I did a while back ranking plier handle comfort. Beware though, this is highly subjective and depends on the size and shape of your hands, as well as how you tend to grip and use pliers.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=7426580#post7426580

It's hard to say, as I have way more Knipex pliers than any other brand. Here are the ones I keep in the drawer:

I would say of all the Knipex I have, the finish and feel of the joint has been great on probably 9 out of every 10.

For VBW, I'd say 10 out of 10 felt great, but I literally own around 10, so it could be luck of the draw. Finish-wise though, I'm not sure what it is, but I think the VBW always seem like they have a slightly higher quality finish, and I also prefer the textured dipped handles on VBW and Gedore pliers to the smooth dipped handles on the Knipex. But I like the Knipex comfort grip handles better than the VBW/Stahlwille comfort grip handles, and I like the Gedore comfort grip handles better than either.

I have maybe 15 NWS pliers under various re-brands, and the finish and joint feel was good out of the box on maybe 5 of them. The rest felt too stiff and gritty, like there was dirt in the joint. They are also often not well deburred, and the Teflon or chrome finish on them is sometimes rough or uneven. The ones that happened to be well finished and felt good out of the box were top notch, as good if not better quality than the comparable Knipex pliers.

Wow my friend, this is a great collection.
Thanks again for the experience of using pliers that you shared

 

[mr.lemons]

I'm sure the op has made a decision by now but i've just read an old post comparing the NWS and Knipex cutters. Informal test with interesting results.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=5591448&postcount=24519