Why are people Knuts for Knipex?

[Blacknwhitepit]

I have bought a couple here and there... Thought they were decent tools and have noticed that they are not cheap in cost.

My most recent acquisition (today) was a set of knipex adjustible pliers that were marked Blue Point.

Does Snap on still sell them under the Blue Point label?

-BWP

 

[chadster1]

I have bought a couple here and there... Thought they were decent tools and have noticed that they are not cheap in cost.

My most recent acquisition (today) was a set of knipex adjustible pliers that were marked Blue Point.

Does Snap on still sell them under the Blue Point label?

-BWP

None of the pliers that I have seen lately are rebranded knipex. I have always been a big fan of the knipex cobra pliers.

 

[The Muffin Man]

Does Snap on still sell them under the Blue Point label?

The Blue-point adjustable pliers are made by Bahco (France)

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51Jmhz13UEL.jpg


http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...6&group_ID=754&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

 

[Blacknwhitepit]

The set I got was definitely genuine Knipex. Made in Germany stamped right in the side.... I guess they don't sell them anymore as Blue Points...

I kinda got the best of both worlds. A good German tool, with a lifetime warranty....


I have noticed that there is a small underground of guys here who really, really like knipex (the same guys that buy snap on and cornwell) and think Knipex makes the best pliers...

Strangely, I cannot recall seeing anyone sell Knipex on the classifieds...

I really don't know their resale value...

-BWP

 

[Art From De Leon]

My older ones are marked as Snap On, I believe my newer ones are marked as Snap On logo on the red handles, and forged Knipex on the side of the head.

 

[tw33k2514]

I think that knipex is top quality stuff. I have been able to cut stuff with my Knipex diagonal cutters that my channellocks would not touch.

 

[Blacknwhitepit]

I suppose Chadster1 would also know how often these come back to the truck....

-BWP

 

[wyndycity]

Ever since I heard about Knipex being stocked in Lowe's, I've been meaning to check it out.

Well, I finally did today and they had a nice selection including both the Cobra and Alligator pliers. Most of the stuff was almost all gone and the Alligators were wiped out clean.

I asked and a worker said the Knipex stuff has been moving pretty nicely so far...for a $19.99 price tag on the Alligator pliers I can see why. That's only a couple bucks more than the Channellocks.

 

[Mickey O]

They're European, I'll take my channel locks any day.

 

[Basskiller]

They're European, I'll take my channel locks any day.

........

 

[wyndycity]

I have several Channellocks and I love them. Especially since they're American made but each brand regardless of origin has different specialties and niches.

This is my favorite Knipex cutter and I haven't seen a Channellock product that compares:

View media item 2350

 

[Mickey O]

I have several Channellocks and I love them. Especially since they're American made but each brand regardless of origin has different specialties and niches.

This is my favorite Knipex cutter and I haven't seen a Channellock product that compares:

View media item 2350

Ah yes, the Knipex cutter, they make a **** load of cutters, anyone in particular? I actually just picked up two sets of Knipex diagonal cutters on eBay quite reasonably we'll see how they hold up.

I seem to break a lot of those, mostly Klein and Channellock. I still have them with broken tips, they will still cut wire but the broken tip bugs me. I wonder if they would be under warranty, otherwise I think it's finally time to dump them.

You want cutters here' a set of US made cutters for you (in black, cam action):

 

[FNFS2000]

Ever since I heard about Knipex being stocked in Lowe's, I've been meaning to check it out.

Well, I finally did today and they had a nice selection including both the Cobra and Alligator pliers. Most of the stuff was almost all gone and the Alligators were wiped out clean.

I asked and a worker said the Knipex stuff has been moving pretty nicely so far...for a $19.99 price tag on the Alligator pliers I can see why. That's only a couple bucks more than the Channellocks.

I've been a lifelong knipex fanatic, but my reaction to lowes is the opposite. I'm shopping for a new facvorite plier maker...

 

[caper]

I have one pair of Knipex cutters.Bought them off Mac about 15 yrs ago for cutting e-brake cables.Told the dealer what I wanted and that's what he recommended.So far he's replaced them twice because I broke the jaw.Cracked clean off.Decent cutters but definitely not the be all end all IMHO.They are in this pic under the snap on crimpers next to the channelock crimpers.The Channellock crimpers are much better BTW.

 

[RedBox]

It boggles my mind that anyone could imagine the quality of a tool is diminished by who sells it. There is a non sequitur there that I cannot fathom.

RB

 

[tw33k2514]

I'm with RedBox. The method in which said company distributes it's product has no effect on the quality. Knipex is simply trying to expand their market. If you had a company would you not do the same?

 

[fatfillup]

First, addressing who sells a product and why someone may want to look for another brand. The big box stores are notorius for leaning on their suppliers to lower costs. Most succumb by lessening quailty to meet the price point the big boxes want. Typically this happens gradually while in the meantime the end comsumer gets used to a brand name they can count on. Then the quality starts going away and they trade on the brands past reputation.

One example of decrease in quailty over time that most everyone will acknowledge is Craftsman. I believe the Kohler plumbing products sold in the big box stores are of lesser quailty than what you may find in a plumbing supply house. Yes the part numbers will be different, but the point is the big box stores love to trade on past reputations while squeezing their vendors to lower price and quality.

Now to Knipex. I have found their quality to be outstanding. Don't get much for resale but it usually sells quickly. As far as pricing, roughly 40% of new depending on condition.
Knipex definitely has a following.

 

[chadster1]

I suppose Chadster1 would also know how often these come back to the truck....

-BWP

I have never had too warranty a set of pliers. Some of their cutters, yes. It is my opinion that th majority of cutters that I have to warranty have been used to cut something other than copper wire but I am not going to deny warranty as long as I keep getting credit on the ones that I return.

 

[american lockpicker]

Ever since I heard about Knipex being stocked in Lowe's, I've been meaning to check it out.

Well, I finally did today and they had a nice selection including both the Cobra and Alligator pliers. Most of the stuff was almost all gone and the Alligators were wiped out clean.

I asked and a worker said the Knipex stuff has been moving pretty nicely so far...for a $19.99 price tag on the Alligator pliers I can see why. That's only a couple bucks more than the Channellocks.

I've noticed that too so a few weeks ago I went and purchaced my first Knipex tool.

The prices are a bit higher than online but they will price match.

 

[brockstar]

BWP -

I don't know if you plan to keep the Knipex pliers, but Germans have a different thought on lifetime warranty. The supplier may have a different warranty policy though.

Autoace's experience with the warranty:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=42128&highlight=knipex+warranty

I kinda got the best of both worlds. A good German tool, with a lifetime warranty....


-BWP

 

[66HertzClone]

I have one pair of Knipex cutters.Bought them off Mac about 15 yrs ago for cutting e-brake cables.Told the dealer what I wanted and that's what he recommended.So far he's replaced them twice because I broke the jaw.Cracked clean off.Decent cutters but definitely not the be all end all IMHO.They are in this pic under the snap on crimpers next to the channelock crimpers.The Channellock crimpers are much better BTW.

I have these and they cut thru cable like the proverbial hot knife thru butter.

 

[Monte]

Since they produce high quality tools the tools last a long time. So you have to look for new markets since the market in germany is set. I don`t think they will lower the product quality since they only sell to companies who buy their tools for the prices they ask. For the customers who don`t want or can`t pay the prices Knipex has 2 subsidiaries www.orbis-werk.de and www.will-werkzeuge.de

 

[Flash21]

BWP -

I don't know if you plan to keep the Knipex pliers, but Germans have a different thought on lifetime warranty. The supplier may have a different warranty policy though.

Autoace's experience with the warranty:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=42128&highlight=knipex+warranty

I think that is what he was saying, that he got a quality pair of Knipex pairs with the warranty backing of Sears.

 

[Vinko]

It boggles my mind that anyone could imagine the quality of a tool is diminished by who sells it. There is a non sequitur there that I cannot fathom.

RB

I agree with you on the general point, but I don't think it's a non sequitur at all: I see the other side too: "marketplace perception" of quality could be diminished by who's offering your goods. That's why you'll find that certain manufacturers in a lot of things (not just tools) are very careful who they let sell their products. The "idea" of exclusivity can add value to a product.

 

[FNFS2000]

I agree with you on the general point, but I don't think it's a non sequitur at all: I see the other side too: "marketplace perception" of quality could be diminished by who's offering your goods. That's why you'll find that certain manufacturers in a lot of things (not just tools) are very careful who they let sell their products. The "idea" of exclusivity can add value to a product.

Buyer perception is everything with a "quality" brand name" You don't see Mountain Hardwear, Lowe Alpine, Marmot, etc anywhere but "high end" retailers, defintely not walmart equivelents. A honda dealership is not going to be allowed to sell new mercedes under the same roof, same ownership maybe, but they need to be across the street... in a much nicer looking building.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

I don't have much Knipex stuff, but what i do have is good. I love the push button feature on the Cobras (i think?) that i have. For constant-tension hose clamps they're great, as you you open the jaws wide for the tabs and they don't slip and re-adjust. They also bite very well, i've found them to be very good for track rod adjustment in wheel alignment.

I also have a pair of the small Pliers Wrench, and they work very well. The quality of them is great, really nice tough finish. They work great.

I have these and they cut thru cable like the proverbial hot knife thru butter.

A friend of mine has a pair of those. He tells me they're the best for cutting handbrake cables on dumped cars that he recovers, and cars that are (illegaly) parked outside his shop.

 

[FNFS2000]

Funny, those "knipex" little steel cable cutters are actually made in Japan by wit or hit or something like that and can be found at your local hardware store for half the price.

 

[american lockpicker]

I thought all knipex stuff was made in Germany?

 

[FNFS2000]

Used to be, I've bought several items in the last few months of other origins, wouldn't surprise me a bit to hear them follow WERA to the czech republic, or turkey or taiwan, especially after seeing the brand in big box centers. There's gonna be pressure on pricing, and the allure of more volume in the big boxes will throw quality out the window. Its a repeat of another thread here about buying US made products.

 

[camaross]

I had a SK torx bit that is of no use to me. It is a Torx plus T8 I think. I decided to do a crash test to see how the bit holds up. So I put the bit into a bit driver and started to squeeze and turn the bit using my brand new Kniplex lineman pliers.

Surprisingly, the bit was fine but several teeth of the Kniplex pliers were gone.

 

[FNFS2000]

no big surprise there though, bits from any halfway quality source are made harder than pliers.

especially a linemans, most people in the states thing they are a hammer, a prybar, nail puller, and just about any other abuse imaginable. Harder steel in a linemans and they would crack apart under the abuse.

 

[Blacknwhitepit]

I was a Lowes the other day and decided to check out the Knipex. I did not look long, but I did notice that their adjustable pliers were stamped that they were made in Germany...

This may be a good time to get them while they still are quality made (like Williams made KOBALT).

JMHO

-BWP

 

[american lockpicker]

That reminds me in Lowes they used to have Sheffield England Stanley chisels now they are getting new ones in made in china and for the same price WTF. Looks like I need to get some German knipex tools while I still can.

 

[FNFS2000]

yeah, if someone has a lot of spare money, it may be good to buy up a bunch of it, and make a killing selling "new/old" made in Germany knipex tools! If only the switch for WERA wasn't so covert, there will probably be a good market for "Made in Germany" wera tools as time goes on and people don't like the outsourced stuff they are sending out now.

 

[FNFS2000]

(Lowes is still one of the most expensive places for it, at least right now)

 

[american lockpicker]

Speaking of out sourcing is any of wiha's stuff being outsourced?

 

[alex71]

Ah yes, the Knipex cutter, they make a **** load of cutters, anyone in particular? I actually just picked up two sets of Knipex diagonal cutters on eBay quite reasonably we'll see how they hold up.

I seem to break a lot of those, mostly Klein and Channellock. I still have them with broken tips, they will still cut wire but the broken tip bugs me. I wonder if they would be under warranty, otherwise I think it's finally time to dump them.

You want cutters here' a set of US made cutters for you (in black, cam action):

LOL I recognize that thing. I've already dug through this guy's stuff a couple of times. He keeps finding new stuff to sell.

 

[Mickey O]

LOL I recognize that thing. I've already dug through this guy's stuff a couple of times. He keeps finding new stuff to sell.

Yeah, the guy had a whole garage full of stuff, I was mainly looking for hex sockets, but I picked up the wrench because the width of the jaws, I've been using it, it gets some strange looks.

I'm waiting for him to get to the hammer box, I saw a few I might want.

 

[FNFS2000]

I agree with you on the general point, but I don't think it's a non sequitur at all: I see the other side too: "marketplace perception" of quality could be diminished by who's offering your goods. That's why you'll find that certain manufacturers in a lot of things (not just tools) are very careful who they let sell their products. The "idea" of exclusivity can add value to a product.

Speaking of out sourcing is any of wiha's stuff being outsourced?

hahaha what does WIHA actually make? a fraction of their catalog. They are a few years ahead of Knipex in the big box spiral. Its run in the US, by some private distributor in MN that somehow has the right to stamp the WIHA name on anything they want to sell. I gave up on WIHA many years ago when I saw them in sears, changed to WERA, but now I think I'll have to move to PB swiss or something for my new purchases, they will at least have to change their name or something if they move.

 

[american lockpicker]

hahaha what does WIHA actually make? a fraction of their catalog. They are a few years ahead of Knipex in the big box spiral. Its run in the US, by some private distributor in MN that somehow has the right to stamp the WIHA name on anything they want to sell. I gave up on WIHA many years ago when I saw them in sears, changed to WERA, but now I think I'll have to move to PB swiss or something for my new purchases, they will at least have to change their name or something if they move.

Damn, I bought a set of security bits on amazon for a price that I thought was too low.

Heres something I noticed

Look here. See the difference. Also the quality didn't seem all that great.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/im...0?ie=UTF8&n=228013&s=hi&qid=1258396539&sr=8-6