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Sidecutter "Dykes" purchase suggestions ?

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Marctrees

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Lost my trusty Klein full size red handle cutters.

I've learned through the years sidecutters REALLY vary in cutting capability, largely due to total overall geometry.

I come from Electrician background, everyone bought Klein, NOT familiar w these newer like Knipex etc.

So, I can research the "best" Kleins available now, or take suggestions for possibly even better ??

Marc
 
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IUEC Medic

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Most of my tools are knipex. Kleins are good, I have a handful of those too, but knipex is the first brand that comes to mind for high end pliers and cutters.
 
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Codejack

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Oooh, I've been drooling over those Irwin pliers.

If those are too rich, I've had good luck with the Stanley Fatmax pliers; good grips and I haven't managed to break them, yet...
 
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racinfarmer

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If I were to be buying new at a store here (MN), I'd definitely be buying Channelock, Knipex, or Klein - IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER.
 
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Marctrees

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No no... $20 just fine, I expected no less.

Shall I just get those Irwin's, or keep your ideas coming?

I'm pretty fussy, don't mind paying as long as not insane.

Will look into those tomorrow, beddy bye now. Marc
 
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Tdubyac

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You won't be disappointed in the NWS (Irwins) i've had that pair for almost 2 years. Might go pick up another pair at that price. The only thing some people don't like about them is the compound action requires you to open the handles rather wide.
 
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kctyphoon

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Are you referring to lineman pliers or diagonals? Side cutters are generally lineman pliers. Dykes are diagonals.. either way my choice are the same,


Lineman pliers - Knipex.. the rebadged nws ones are nice, I have those too, but I'm not a fan of the wide grips.. the Knipex are available in regular version or a set that incorporates a crimper and fishtape puller too. The pair without are a little cheaper. I must have a dozen different brands and models, the Knipex are my favorites and what I carry. Same goes for diagonal cutters

The problem with the nws Fantastico cutters are how wide you need to open your hands in relation to how wide the jaws open. Your hand will do a lot more work, and the jaws don't open very wide. Some items will even require two cuts over the one cut with standard high leverage cutters. Unless you have a specific need to cut something thin that's very hard, Knipex high leverage diagonals are the better choice for buying just one pair. And again, I don't prefer the wide grips. That can be an issue for tool pouches too.

For Klein diagonals the best model is the heavy duty set with the blue handles. They are rated for hard material like the Knipex. I believe the Knipex jaws are longer than the Klein as well, giving you more cutting area. The Knipex and nws both require no break in period for their pliers to operate smoothly. Both are butter smooth new, unlike lineman pliers from Klein. The nws lineman pliers are actually the smoothest, but the Knipex are very very close.

Channellock cutters are nice, but they WILL NOT withstand hard use. There is no cuter rated for heavy duty use unlike many people think. All there metal is the same despite what cutter you choose. For soft cutting they are great, but stainless steel clamps will destroy channellock cutters in no time. Yes, they are RATED for piano wire, but reality and advertising are two completely different things.

Stick with Knipex. You won't regret it. And I own every brand I mentioned.
 
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rustbucket5

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knipex is the best ive come across seems like they will stay sharp longer than ill be alive
 
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FSrepair&fabrication

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knipex all the way. i have 3 pairs of the long handle cutters amd they will cut almost anything you can wrap them around. First pair i bought 10 years ago are still sharp after ALOT of abuse.
 
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Jack Olsen

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I have Knipex and NWS. I like both, but kind of think the NWS are a little better. But my NWS are the Fantasticos, which have the sliding pivot pin to increase leverage. The Knipex ones I own have the more conventional design, with longer handles increasing leverage, but that's all. I like (and use) both brands. And I keep some cheaper ones on hand for cuts that seem likely to damage a good tool.
 
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HomeTheaterMan

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I'm going to be the odd man out, but I LOVE my USA made Craftsmans. Especially for the price. I don't feel bad getting them dirty, abusing them, etc. They have stayed sharp over the years and just work well.

I also have a pair of Knipex ones and I like them as well. However, they really don't work any better than the Craftsman ones and were 4x the price.
 
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Wamsutta

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The 10-inch Knipex

7401250-01-1.jpg
 
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ocloc24

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Knipex, snap on, and cheapos for stuff I probably shouldn't be trying to cut. Snap On are pricy but they're stout and durable, knipex are sharper though and haven't dulled either.

Sent from my SM-G930P using Tapatalk
 
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gdocktor3

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HomeTheaterMan said:
I'm going to be the odd man out, but I LOVE my USA made Craftsmans. Especially for the price. I don't feel bad getting them dirty, abusing them, etc. They have stayed sharp over the years and just work well.

I also have a pair of Knipex ones and I like them as well. However, they really don't work any better than the Craftsman ones and were 4x the price.
Click to expand...

Same here. All the USA made Western Forge made Craftsman stuff I own are great. And why wouldn't they be? Same exact stuff as Proto, SK, etc. I also own Channellock and Klein & have used Knipex side cutters. Only difference I noticed besides price, are the grips... :dunno:

Some say xyz brand is better because it can cut piano wire, which may be true, but in all my years on planet earth, I've never had to cut piano wire...
 
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AngryBeaver

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bob15 said:
Never had an issue with my Channellocks in many decades of usage
Click to expand...
That's because they are older. The new ones ****. They chip easy.


gdocktor3 said:
Same here. All the USA made Western Forge made Craftsman stuff I own are great. And why wouldn't they be? Same exact stuff as Proto, SK, etc. I also own Channellock and Klein & have used Knipex side cutters. Only difference I noticed besides price, are the grips... :dunno:

Some say xyz brand is better because it can cut piano wire, which may be true, but in all my years on planet earth, I've never had to cut piano wire...
Click to expand...
Again. Older USA tools were great. Most tools today ****.

ocloc24 said:
Knipex, snap on, and cheapos for stuff I probably shouldn't be trying to cut. Snap On are pricy but they're stout and durable, knipex are sharper though and haven't dulled either.

Sent from my SM-G930P using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

I'd never spend the money on snap ons. The handle is typically too short of any kind of leverage. I have two pairs.

Wamsutta said:
The 10-inch Knipex

7401250-01-1.jpg
Click to expand...

These are my go to. I am in the electrical field. The Klein journeymans are pretty good but the knipex are where it's at.

Buy once, cry once
 
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kctyphoon

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I have the 8" and 10" Knipex diagonals too. the 8" are what I use. Bought the 10's thinking I'd like them better, but the handles are so long that you mostly grab them at the same length of an 8" set to use them for 90% of things .. for me, there was no real advantage and just extra weight. The head design is also slightly different.
 
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cheechi

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bobcatdan

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I find Knipex side cutters over rated and nothing to write home about. Channellocks serve me pretty good, I find the joint will get wobbly before they really dull. Snap on side cutters seem to be the best for me. Snap on pliers can be a bit hit and miss, but side cutters are a big hit.
 
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bobcatdan

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I will add one thing, while not a side cutters per say, Knipex mini bolt cutters are awesome. Just not wowed by their side cutters.
 
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Marctrees

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So many responses, Thank You ALL very much.

These will be for general in shop bench use, not carrying in pouch.

If $ did not matter, I would get the Knipex 10" $36

Klein 2000 8"is $35

And those Lowes Irwin ones for $18.

Also at Amazon for $33, great reviews, link below..

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00N3VSPF0/?tag=atomicindus08-20


I REALLY like the idea of the Knipex, but w so many saying the Irwins are good, I'll go w that.

Just too many other things to always buy, seems the Irwin are great value, specially now at Lowes.

Marc
 
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Brownsfan

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Marctrees said:
So many responses, Thank You ALL very much.

These will be for general in shop bench use, not carrying in pouch.

If $ did not matter, I would get the Knipex 10" $36

Klein 2000 8"is $35

And those Lowes Irwin ones for $18.

Also at Amazon for $33, great reviews, link below..

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00N3VSPF0/?tag=atomicindus08-20
U

I REALLY like the idea of the Knipex, but w so many saying the Irwins are good, I'll go w that.

Just too many other things to always buy, seems the Irwin are great value, specially now at Lowes.

Marc
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I have the Klein 2000 series and for all around cutter they are the best. I also have the Irwin's. They cut hard metal like butter. But they don't cut wire and zip ties very well. That's where the Klein 2000 series shine. They cut everything well. The Klein's will cut hard wire but not as easily as the Irwin's. So in the Garage Journal spirit. Buy both. If it's only one you can get. I say Klein.
 
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JohnDeere1

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I have Knipex in both standard and long and they are the best. I also have Klein,Irwin/NWS,Bluepoint,and others they are all great but not as good as knipex only others that are close are NWS and SO.
 
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JohnDeere1

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I do love Klein I have a large collection I got one of every basic and more. My dad was a master electrician and master contractor for phone companies he gave me alot and I grew up using them they just aren't as good as knipex close but no cigar.
 
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Tallpilot

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kctyphoon said:
I have the 8" and 10" Knipex diagonals too. the 8" are what I use. Bought the 10's thinking I'd like them better, but the handles are so long that you mostly grab them at the same length of an 8" set to use them for 90% of things .. for me, there was no real advantage and just extra weight. The head design is also slightly different.
Click to expand...

I am glad you said this. I also have the 8s and was thinking I might 'need' the 10s. Now I know I don't.
 
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kctyphoon

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I strongly suggest (if the money you're spending is important to you) that you actually hold and use the nws pliers first.. I'm telling ya, it's not gonna be what you expect.. the extra leverage comes at a cost..
 
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