First of all Klein offers most of their tools in a lot of different varieties. You need to understand their model designation part mumbering system, or look through their catalog. For instance their Lineman Pliers part mumber: HD2000-9NE They break down into a few different sections: HD - Handle finish: HD = Double Dipped, D = Dipped, J = Journeyman (there are a few others, but they'll be labeled in the features section generally) 2000 - The tool steel, and heat treat used in the plier: for Lineman pliers there's two main series, the 213 and the 2000. The 2000 series, are their heavier duty pliers, that uses harder steel in the head, with an extra hardened knife edge, so that they're able to cut screws and nails, besides just wire. 9 - the overall length of the tool in inches. NE - New England style head, that has a slightly bulged rounded head to make it easier to ream out coduit pipe (these final letter designations will list any major style or feature differences).
8:51 you kinda ignored or brushed over the fact you had to change your grip further back on the Klein to increase your leverage when cutting through the 6g wire. You were easily able to cut through it with the Knipex with your hand choked up closer to the pivot.
I'm from the USA, so I usually like my hand tools made in the United States. Since they've always been the best in my experience. But after getting a pair of the Knipex plier wrenches, which are really nice. If their pliers are the same quality I probably take them. But you can't go wrong with either of these two pairs of pliers there both top notch.
i have worked with both in commercial electrical and here are my conclusions. -yes the knipex are broken in out of the packaging but after a few months of use and hammering with them, i have found them to have a lot of slop in the handle where as the Klein J2000s have no slop at all and are just as loose now with better machined tolerance -i prefer the heftier weight of my kleins because i use them for knockouts and light hammering. -cutting is a lot smoother with my Kleins and less force required in cutting, also less of a shockwave in the handle -the Knipex have a wider opening than the Kleins which i like - the Knurling and grip are equal in both pairs of lineman's i use my Kleins way more but the Knipex are my backup pair
Bro. Pliers are not designed to be used as a hammer despite the tons of idiot electricians who do this. Buy yourself a $5 8oz hammer and toss it in your bag.
@esl4058 bro you have never ever ever ever ever ever ever stepped on a jobsite and it shows its quicker and easier to use your linesmans just because it does not say hammer on the tool does not mean it can't be used as it
Klein is expensive here in Germany, Knipex is expensive in the US... But you didn't challenged their real cutting abilities. Although hardly any electrician will need it, the Knipex cut through 3,0 mm of piano wire...which is about the hardest stuff you can cut with pliers anyway. As a German tool and pliers nerd, I have both, and for me the Knipex are wieldier, so to say. Lineman's Pliers are not that popular here in Germany, I discovered them on YT and like them pretty much. If it doesn't need to be the very hefty specimens, I'd advise to give the NWS a try, They're only 9" long (whereas my Klein an Knipex are 10"), but way easier to handle due to lower weight and better weight distribution. On the other hand, they don't have crosscut knurling on their front, so it depends on individual preference which to choose.
We tend to use out lineman's pliers as hammers, so there is something to be gained for the weight. Still, I agree with you, I don't want to carry around heavy tools. That's why I carry the Klein "Hybrid Pliers". I wonder how the Klien 2000 series handles piano wire.
2000 series Klein pliers have the induction hardened edge and are rated for acsr nails screws etc. Non 2000 series stuff will chip way more quickly trying to cut anything besides copper aluminum or anything relatively that soft. I could be wrong, but I think all knipex cutting pliers have that type of induction hardened cutters.
I felt the snap and to me it is bothersome if you have arthritis or like pain and the Kleins not so bothersome. Besides I can't afford knipex pliers and they are snap-on priced although good pliers I will stick to Klein for what they are and absorb the snap.
It’s likely more due to the cutters going clean through the wire. You can see the klein holding onto bits of insulation on thicker cuts, where the knipex it flies right off.
I’ve always preferred my lineman’s to have the dipped grip because of all the maneuvers you end up doing to splice wire and all that, it’s just easier and less bulky. Comfort grip for me everything else tho
Well, if I could afford it, I'll take the Klein JourneyMan because most people on YT said the handles are more comfortable and I really like the black and blue color combination.
@@chrisampere I disagree completely, my Knipex were butter smooth out of the box and my Kleins were all seized and rough out of the box. Although Kleins are good the Knipex are just better in my opinion.
Nah it’s great when your up a lift and you cut a piece of wire and it doesn’t fall from above and land all over the place you can just drop it into your lift.. especially great for mc they hold it in the cutters
@@Greg-oq1rf I still use klein screw drivers for specific task. I do not hammer on them nor use them in high torque situation. I don't think they are made for that. Mostly used for electrical work and in that area they do great. For hard use. I use my beaters, like my wera demo screwdrivers. As for Klein multi tool screwdrivers, no one compares in my opinion.
Watching a few cuts, I have the feeling that the sound is dampened by the Klein by the fact that it "keeps" the piece you just cut in the edge of the cutting parts. So it is a kind of "soft close", I think the sharp edge is a bit differently designed so it holds a bit of the insulation and there is less of a snap. Hence, less vibration and also less sound.
Ok so I can give possibly a bad advice that worked for me. I bought a very cheap pliers for $4. They required to use both hands to fully open and close. I tried to loosen them up for a week with wd40 and other stuff but no luck. Somewhere on youtube I saw someone using grinding paste... Since my pliers were cheap and unusable I tried the grinding paste. After 5 min pliers were perfect just sprayed wd40 to get the paste out at the end. By doing this I might decresed the life span of the pliers but I'm willing to gamble away $4. If you have expensive pliers I would think twice with using this method.
@@TheToolReviewChannel well I didn't have ballistol but tried with similiar greaing compounds with little to no effect. Perhaps I need to invest in Ballistol but I think since those pliers were so cheap the issue was not with lack of grease but with the manufacturing of the pliers itself. I have wiha and knipex pliers in my toolbox and those I could operate with one hand and were basicly ready for use. The cheap ones I had to use both hands to fully open...
Both are worth your money. Klein is one of the rare "focus on quality" manufacturers left in the US, so I like them, too. (/edit: seems like they have fallen from grace post covid...) One issue with the Klein pliers is: The jaws don't completely close. They leave a gap. Maybe this helps when cutting the thermostat wire insulation. The Knipex closes both on the same time. (Seemingly not on the models sold in the US, as you don't like that...) I'm German, and having helped my dad building a House when I was little, I have a special place for Knipex in my heart. They were cherished tools of my dad and I was proud whenever I was allowed to use them. ;) I still have these pliers, and they still work like a treat. I can imagine the same with Klein if I was an american. ;)
@@jackmclane1826ya man everything post covid from Klein is ass. Got lineman’s back in 2017 and my buddy just got a new pair and the quality is noticeably different.
@@maverickbeats2226 yup klein really took a toll my klein longnose pliers bent after 6 months of use, wiha took a toll too. Knipex still great quality tho
Never liked the crimper below the hinged joint especially if I have more then a few sta kons to crimp. Prefer made in USA tools made by American tax paying workers. The best ones that I like are the ones that can cut thru ACSR wire .Have used two different grades of lapping compound to free up linesman pliers. Have to start with a course grade and force it into hinged joint and work it back in forth for several minutes then use the finale grade. Have to easily cut thru #2 aluminum wire if up you do a lot of 100 amp services.
Been using Kliens for about 25 years or so and the best thing about them is they last, I have blown them up making mistakes with live electrical that turns the cutter into a wire stripper is the only time I have to get a new pair. How is the Knipex after years of use.
Fit and finish don't finish don't get the job done. The Kleins snap less, according to you, and have a MUCH better fish tape puller. The only pair of Knipex I've seen in the field didn't hold up, but I'm sure the guy used them like people do Kleins, as a hammer and everything else. I'm getting pair of Knippex to try for myself, but I would be lying if I said I was optimistic. I hope to be pleasantly surprised, but I know they aren't bad tools initially.
Do you find you use diagonal cutters much or you do most cutting with linesmans? For recent 240 work with 4 and 6 gauge, my 6 inch Craftsman diagonals were barely up to the task. If I get good linesmans should I not worry about separate cutters?
In electrical, it's essential to have a pair of dykes. If you're only getting one now, a pair of linemans will do, but make sure your diagonal cutters are on the list. Klein or Knipex, either or will be a great pick. If you go Klein, get the 2000 steel series so the cutters last longer.
Great presentation... Hello I'm an Electrician from the Philippines, I've seen a lot of your videos, they are all great...!!! Hoping you would notice my comment. Please help me to have a pair of Klein Pliers.. may be the one in this video.. thank you...
I'd take the kleins after removing those crap factory grips and putting on a pair of the hard red grips if they're still available. They're less bulky and have tooling to help keep them from slipping.
I love knipex and I have a lot of their tools but My milwaukee lineman pliers cut romex nice and smooth without snap and knipex lineman pliers make that loud snap. I had to return knipex and now Im waiting for klein pliers
My Klein J2000 series have cut through many nails, screws, ceiling wire, MC, etc without any burrs or deforming of the cutting edges for several years of use. The Knipex I tried out didn't last a week without the edge chipping. The Knipex wire strippers are the bees knees though and wish the American set came in VDE.
First of all Klein offers most of their tools in a lot of different varieties. You need to understand their model designation part mumbering system, or look through their catalog.
For instance their Lineman Pliers part mumber:
HD2000-9NE
They break down into a few different sections:
HD - Handle finish:
HD = Double Dipped, D = Dipped, J = Journeyman (there are a few others, but they'll be labeled in the features section generally)
2000 - The tool steel, and heat treat used in the plier: for Lineman pliers there's two main series, the 213 and the 2000. The 2000 series, are their heavier duty pliers, that uses harder steel in the head, with an extra hardened knife edge, so that they're able to cut screws and nails, besides just wire.
9 - the overall length of the tool in inches.
NE - New England style head, that has a slightly bulged rounded head to make it easier to ream out coduit pipe (these final letter designations will list any major style or feature differences).
8:51 you kinda ignored or brushed over the fact you had to change your grip further back on the Klein to increase your leverage when cutting through the 6g wire. You were easily able to cut through it with the Knipex with your hand choked up closer to the pivot.
reason he didn’t have wire at back of the cutter
I'm from the USA, so I usually like my hand tools made in the United States. Since they've always been the best in my experience. But after getting a pair of the Knipex plier wrenches, which are really nice. If their pliers are the same quality I probably take them. But you can't go wrong with either of these two pairs of pliers there both top notch.
i have worked with both in commercial electrical and here are my conclusions.
-yes the knipex are broken in out of the packaging but after a few months of use and hammering with them, i have found them to have a lot of slop in the handle where as the Klein J2000s have no slop at all and are just as loose now with better machined tolerance
-i prefer the heftier weight of my kleins because i use them for knockouts and light hammering.
-cutting is a lot smoother with my Kleins and less force required in cutting, also less of a shockwave in the handle
-the Knipex have a wider opening than the Kleins which i like
- the Knurling and grip are equal in both pairs of lineman's
i use my Kleins way more but the Knipex are my backup pair
Bro. Pliers are not designed to be used as a hammer despite the tons of idiot electricians who do this. Buy yourself a $5 8oz hammer and toss it in your bag.
@esl4058 bro you have never ever ever ever ever ever ever stepped on a jobsite and it shows its quicker and easier to use your linesmans just because it does not say hammer on the tool does not mean it can't be used as it
@@LightningBolt-sf9mt not sure who you're replying to. i said i DO use them as a hammer.
@mailchrisbailey guy that commented on your comment but he deleted his reply
His account was esl4058 stated you should never use your linesmans as a hammer under any circumstances
Klein is expensive here in Germany, Knipex is expensive in the US...
But you didn't challenged their real cutting abilities. Although hardly any electrician will need it, the Knipex cut through 3,0 mm of piano wire...which is about the hardest stuff you can cut with pliers anyway.
As a German tool and pliers nerd, I have both, and for me the Knipex are wieldier, so to say. Lineman's Pliers are not that popular here in Germany, I discovered them on YT and like them pretty much.
If it doesn't need to be the very hefty specimens, I'd advise to give the NWS a try, They're only 9" long (whereas my Klein an Knipex are 10"), but way easier to handle due to lower weight and better weight distribution. On the other hand, they don't have crosscut knurling on their front, so it depends on individual preference which to choose.
We tend to use out lineman's pliers as hammers, so there is something to be gained for the weight. Still, I agree with you, I don't want to carry around heavy tools. That's why I carry the Klein "Hybrid Pliers". I wonder how the Klien 2000 series handles piano wire.
Knipex for me in the UK , we don"t see many Klein tools - If i was in the US though probably Klein would be for me .........
Both are good but the Klein’s are the easiest to find
After going through 2 pairs of Kleins due to chipping on the cutting edge, I'm going to try out the Knipex.
What Kleins did you have and what were you doing with them? They make different models. The only Kleins I've damaged were blown up. :D
Blue handled kleins are good knipex are good personal choice
2000 series Klein pliers have the induction hardened edge and are rated for acsr nails screws etc. Non 2000 series stuff will chip way more quickly trying to cut anything besides copper aluminum or anything relatively that soft.
I could be wrong, but I think all knipex cutting pliers have that type of induction hardened cutters.
I dont think the snapping sound has to do anything with the handles, more with the way the cutters are designed.
I felt the snap and to me it is bothersome if you have arthritis or like pain and the Kleins not so bothersome. Besides I can't afford knipex pliers and they are snap-on priced although good pliers I will stick to Klein for what they are and absorb the snap.
I paid less for the knipex than the kleins. $50 on Amazon USA.
It’s likely more due to the cutters going clean through the wire. You can see the klein holding onto bits of insulation on thicker cuts, where the knipex it flies right off.
It’s all how you cut it. He’s exaggerating the knipex I can make my Kleins snap just as loud. And the cut is never clean
I’ve always preferred my lineman’s to have the dipped grip because of all the maneuvers you end up doing to splice wire and all that, it’s just easier and less bulky. Comfort grip for me everything else tho
I like Klein everything besides the twin grips, cobras and pliers wrench
Well, if I could afford it, I'll take the Klein JourneyMan because most people on YT said the handles are more comfortable and I really like the black and blue color combination.
Klein is better tha knipex. I have it both and Klein is far better when it comes in cutting and comort.
@@chrisampere I disagree completely, my Knipex were butter smooth out of the box and my Kleins were all seized and rough out of the box. Although Kleins are good the Knipex are just better in my opinion.
Could just be me, but I've always hated that remnant piece of wire stuck to the pliers after making a cut.
Nah it’s great when your up a lift and you cut a piece of wire and it doesn’t fall from above and land all over the place you can just drop it into your lift.. especially great for mc they hold it in the cutters
I'll take both.
Klein screw drivers blow now, use to be my favorite but the steel they use is soft and the tips wear out way to fast
@@Greg-oq1rf I still use klein screw drivers for specific task. I do not hammer on them nor use them in high torque situation. I don't think they are made for that. Mostly used for electrical work and in that area they do great. For hard use. I use my beaters, like my wera demo screwdrivers. As for Klein multi tool screwdrivers, no one compares in my opinion.
Problem I have with the multi drivers is it’s Chinese steel made in taiwan
All 9 inch Klein easy cut 16mm-35 mm cooper wires and with difficulty 50 mm !
They are T-Rex of the all pliers
Watching a few cuts, I have the feeling that the sound is dampened by the Klein by the fact that it "keeps" the piece you just cut in the edge of the cutting parts. So it is a kind of "soft close", I think the sharp edge is a bit differently designed so it holds a bit of the insulation and there is less of a snap. Hence, less vibration and also less sound.
Ok so I can give possibly a bad advice that worked for me. I bought a very cheap pliers for $4. They required to use both hands to fully open and close. I tried to loosen them up for a week with wd40 and other stuff but no luck. Somewhere on youtube I saw someone using grinding paste... Since my pliers were cheap and unusable I tried the grinding paste. After 5 min pliers were perfect just sprayed wd40 to get the paste out at the end. By doing this I might decresed the life span of the pliers but I'm willing to gamble away $4. If you have expensive pliers I would think twice with using this method.
I just use Ballistol to break my pliers in and it does the job!
@@TheToolReviewChannel well I didn't have ballistol but tried with similiar greaing compounds with little to no effect. Perhaps I need to invest in Ballistol but I think since those pliers were so cheap the issue was not with lack of grease but with the manufacturing of the pliers itself. I have wiha and knipex pliers in my toolbox and those I could operate with one hand and were basicly ready for use. The cheap ones I had to use both hands to fully open...
I’ll go for knipex!!! Nice comparison!!!
Thank you!
I've been using Knipex since 1989
A lot of the new guys I’m working with have purchased the knippex and they are complaining about how fast they get dull I’m personally a Klein guy
Psssh, sure guy.
Tell them ro stop buying knipex cause i never saw a dull knipex pliers even our ood ass knipex pliers at work
If it ain’t Klein it ain’t mine
thank you i subscribe. please test knipex vs wiha.
Both are worth your money. Klein is one of the rare "focus on quality" manufacturers left in the US, so I like them, too. (/edit: seems like they have fallen from grace post covid...)
One issue with the Klein pliers is: The jaws don't completely close. They leave a gap. Maybe this helps when cutting the thermostat wire insulation. The Knipex closes both on the same time. (Seemingly not on the models sold in the US, as you don't like that...)
I'm German, and having helped my dad building a House when I was little, I have a special place for Knipex in my heart. They were cherished tools of my dad and I was proud whenever I was allowed to use them. ;) I still have these pliers, and they still work like a treat.
I can imagine the same with Klein if I was an american. ;)
I think Klein quality has gone through the drain since COVID so idk what you’re talking about when you say focus on quality lol.
@@maverickbeats2226
Well... they used to. I didn't buy anything from them since 2020.
@@jackmclane1826ya man everything post covid from Klein is ass. Got lineman’s back in 2017 and my buddy just got a new pair and the quality is noticeably different.
@@maverickbeats2226 That is really sad to hear.
@@maverickbeats2226 yup klein really took a toll my klein longnose pliers bent after 6 months of use, wiha took a toll too. Knipex still great quality tho
Never liked the crimper below the hinged joint especially if I have more then a few sta kons to crimp. Prefer made in USA tools made by American tax paying workers. The best ones that I like are the ones that can cut thru ACSR wire .Have used two different grades of lapping compound to free up linesman pliers. Have to start with a course grade and force it into hinged joint and work it back in forth for several minutes then use the finale grade. Have to easily cut thru #2 aluminum wire if up you do a lot of 100 amp services.
Been using Kliens for about 25 years or so and the best thing about them is they last, I have blown them up making mistakes with live electrical that turns the cutter into a wire stripper is the only time I have to get a new pair. How is the Knipex after years of use.
At my job we have old knipexs and they cut as good as my brand new knipex
Fit and finish don't finish don't get the job done. The Kleins snap less, according to you, and have a MUCH better fish tape puller. The only pair of Knipex I've seen in the field didn't hold up, but I'm sure the guy used them like people do Kleins, as a hammer and everything else. I'm getting pair of Knippex to try for myself, but I would be lying if I said I was optimistic. I hope to be pleasantly surprised, but I know they aren't bad tools initially.
Do you find you use diagonal cutters much or you do most cutting with linesmans? For recent 240 work with 4 and 6 gauge, my 6 inch Craftsman diagonals were barely up to the task. If I get good linesmans should I not worry about separate cutters?
In electrical, it's essential to have a pair of dykes. If you're only getting one now, a pair of linemans will do, but make sure your diagonal cutters are on the list.
Klein or Knipex, either or will be a great pick. If you go Klein, get the 2000 steel series so the cutters last longer.
Great video bro 💯
Knipex is better for me if price is affordable I will sure
I pick Klein tools cause I can't afford knipex.
Both make a great Linesman!
@@TheToolReviewChannel both make great pliers for what they are and money spent.
Klein makes to many different versions. I’ve always bought them and loved them but the latest pair I payed $45 for and hate them
It’s a personal choice. Both companies make a great pair of pliers. Knipex does seem to be a little more fine tuned.
Great presentation... Hello I'm an Electrician from the Philippines, I've seen a lot of your videos, they are all great...!!! Hoping you would notice my comment. Please help me to have a pair of Klein Pliers.. may be the one in this video.. thank you...
I'd take the kleins after removing those crap factory grips and putting on a pair of the hard red grips if they're still available. They're less bulky and have tooling to help keep them from slipping.
I'd rather Klein lines man pliers
Der Name "Klein" klingt auch deutsch genauso wie Knipex!
It's was founded in American by German immigrants
Nipex
I love knipex and I have a lot of their tools but My milwaukee lineman pliers cut romex nice and smooth without snap and knipex lineman pliers make that loud snap. I had to return knipex and now Im waiting for klein pliers
I'd choose Made in America before made in Germany.
Bahahahahahahaha USA is a joke
My Klein J2000 series have cut through many nails, screws, ceiling wire, MC, etc without any burrs or deforming of the cutting edges for several years of use.
The Knipex I tried out didn't last a week without the edge chipping.
The Knipex wire strippers are the bees knees though and wish the American set came in VDE.
I'm from Europe Union! I vote 🗳 KLEIN TOOLS especially prefer New Old Stock Kleins maded in Chicago
They still make some stuff in Chicago but not like they used to