Derek420
Banned
Hey everyone I thought I'd do a quick comparison and review on 3 of the popular (American ) brands of pliers, and 2 wire stripper, cutter, crimpers from Snap On, Mac, and Klein. I included pics! I'll start off with saying I didn't have every plier or cutter for each brand but got a good enough assortment so you can see the manufacturing differences between the3 brands. We will start with the wire S/C/C's I have used the Klein's quite a bit and have performed well and I just got the snap ons but gave them a try and can say they are sharper and heavier made and the foam grips are nice and plush as the Klein pair have rubber grips but comfortable now they are made out of the stamped steel I believe and are not as heavy duty but both pairs do lock but snap on pair will open wider but are almost twice the cost but I got them for $10 off as they we're on sale.
Now the slip joints the snap on talon grips are I can say a better pair with the 3 positions and better grips and grips are thicker and good for big hands like mine. The teeth on snap ons are quite bigger and have more teeth on the tip to grab but the Macs are the same style both pairs have the spot to sheer off things. Looking at the 2 pairs you can see the snap on pair has more of a curve to the plier head than the Macs but both have the same opening in the middle and thickness is the same. I've had the Macs for awhile and the teeth have held up fine and are fairly strong I haven't tried the snap on pair yet though so I can't say on those now finish wise the Mac have like a clear coat on them to help keep rust at bay but scratches up very easy and starts to look rough and the snap on pair has a darker satin plating and I think look better the Mac pair might be a different model as the head shape is different not sure but fine for a comparison.
Now final comparison the long nose pairs which I'll make quick and start by saying the Klein is a smaller pair with the cutters but if fine for comparison. Looking at the 3 pairs the Mac and Klein's are both made the same down to the grips and finish and style. The Snap On pair is hands down made the best, they are satin plated and grips are more comfortable but cost the most and do the same job. The Klein pair has the most gripping teeth and cutters have been great and have not chipped even when cutting a screw or thick wires and cost the least but have been great and I've had the longest. The Mac pair like Klein has the thin rubber grips and neither pair are coated so have to be kept oiled but teeth are the weakest and like snap on have no cutters on these particular models but teeth are the same size and cost is in the middle, now to wrap this up all 3 pairs heads are the same thickness.
Final note to anyone looking at buying any of these pairs or brands all are built nicely and carry lifetime warranty and you can get by with either as all are made for the professional. The Snap One are clearly the winner in my book but I have grown up with Klein as my father was a Master Contractor and Linesman for phone companies all my life and way before I was born and used nothing but Klein and he has never had an issue other than using them hard and wearing them out but for the price you can't go wrong. There is other pro brands and cheaper brands Craftsman but I only wanted to compare the 3 most popular American Pro brands so Knipex is not part of the review ,I'm sure someone will mention them. Good Luck with your choice!
Now the slip joints the snap on talon grips are I can say a better pair with the 3 positions and better grips and grips are thicker and good for big hands like mine. The teeth on snap ons are quite bigger and have more teeth on the tip to grab but the Macs are the same style both pairs have the spot to sheer off things. Looking at the 2 pairs you can see the snap on pair has more of a curve to the plier head than the Macs but both have the same opening in the middle and thickness is the same. I've had the Macs for awhile and the teeth have held up fine and are fairly strong I haven't tried the snap on pair yet though so I can't say on those now finish wise the Mac have like a clear coat on them to help keep rust at bay but scratches up very easy and starts to look rough and the snap on pair has a darker satin plating and I think look better the Mac pair might be a different model as the head shape is different not sure but fine for a comparison.
Now final comparison the long nose pairs which I'll make quick and start by saying the Klein is a smaller pair with the cutters but if fine for comparison. Looking at the 3 pairs the Mac and Klein's are both made the same down to the grips and finish and style. The Snap On pair is hands down made the best, they are satin plated and grips are more comfortable but cost the most and do the same job. The Klein pair has the most gripping teeth and cutters have been great and have not chipped even when cutting a screw or thick wires and cost the least but have been great and I've had the longest. The Mac pair like Klein has the thin rubber grips and neither pair are coated so have to be kept oiled but teeth are the weakest and like snap on have no cutters on these particular models but teeth are the same size and cost is in the middle, now to wrap this up all 3 pairs heads are the same thickness.
Final note to anyone looking at buying any of these pairs or brands all are built nicely and carry lifetime warranty and you can get by with either as all are made for the professional. The Snap One are clearly the winner in my book but I have grown up with Klein as my father was a Master Contractor and Linesman for phone companies all my life and way before I was born and used nothing but Klein and he has never had an issue other than using them hard and wearing them out but for the price you can't go wrong. There is other pro brands and cheaper brands Craftsman but I only wanted to compare the 3 most popular American Pro brands so Knipex is not part of the review ,I'm sure someone will mention them. Good Luck with your choice!
