American vs. German tools: Knipex vs. Klein, vs. Channellock: which lineman's pliers are better?
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- Опубликовано: 7 сен 2024
- Going toe-to-toe today are these models of linesman's.
Which one is the best? Watch to find out:
Channellock 369: $20-$25
“Soft” Klein (D213-9NE): $25-$30
“Hard” Klein (D2000-9NE): $30-$35
Knipex 09-01-240: $40-$45
Milwaukee 48-22-6100: $18-$23
Timestamps:
1:07 Models and prices
4:47 First test
6:40 Preliminary inspection of cutting surfaces
8:03 Rope cutting test
9:28 Cutting UF cable
10:58 Cutting AC/BX cable
12:42 Cutting SOOW
14:20 Cutting screws
14:40 Cutting SPAX wood screws
16:27 Reviewing the damage done to the tools
18:20 Conclusions
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Going toe-to-toe today are these models of linesman's.
Which one is the best? Watch to find out:
Channellock 369: $20-$25
“Soft” Klein (D213-9NE): $25-$30
“Hard” Klein (D2000-9NE): $30-$35
Knipex 09-01-240: $40-$45
Milwaukee 48-22-6100: $18-$23
Timestamps:
1:07 Models and prices
4:47 First test
6:40 Preliminary inspection of cutting surfaces
8:03 Rope cutting test
9:28 Cutting UF cable
10:58 Cutting AC/BX cable
12:42 Cutting SOOW
14:20 Cutting screws
14:40 Cutting SPAX wood screws
16:27 Reviewing the damage done to the tools
18:20 Conclusions
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I own all of the above. After a few years now I feel like I can give a decent opinion. My CL actually came the loosest new, Klein being painfully too tight (which will require break-in). CL has the most maneuverable and smooth cut but a bit less durable with the smaller head. Knipex has a perfect closing action with the best fit and finish, but the "snap" you mentioned works better for certain wire types than other. The Klein is overly heavy, but I feel comfy using it as a hammer for small staples, as well you can fit an extra wire in for the twist. Milwaukee is better than a cheapo pair, but the metal is so soft you creat divots as soon as you cut a 6-32 with it. It's as bulky as Klein but lacks the same durability. For general work, I would carry a Klein because it's good enough to handle more things, but would carry CL for electrical work (lots of electrician getting mad at me right now LOL, but it is what I feel).
I appreciate your opinion .,were in the same frame of thinking but I love my Milwaukee's but pack kleins in my pouch and in my spare packsack I got channellocks
The only comparison on RUclips that actually cuts wire
Our most common conductor to cut with Lineman’s is #2 & #4 ACSR. Also, stripping copper wire off salvaged poles with staples and cutting #6 solid copper, #2 and #4 stranded copper and #4 Thick insulated high voltage. I own all of the pliers you demonstrated. As a 40+ year Lineman I used Klein’s forever! But lately, I favor my Knipex for cutting all of the conductors I listed. In addition, the larger opening on the Knipex allows for more clearance for thicker insulation.
When doing hot work (7,200 v) a good set of cutters is a must to control a Hot tail when cutting jumpers loose.
I had base model Kleins until they walked off the job. Up until then, no problems with for 3 years. I decided to buy Knipex after falling in love with the cobras. I have had Knipex linemans for a year now and they were awesome for a couple months however, they do not hold up very well over time. I have several rolls in the knives and a decent sized chip in one side. I recently purchased 2000 series Kleins as a replacement set, so we will see how they are once I recieve them
Excellent review. I've heard from several folks who use linesman's pliers on the job everyday that the snap you felt with the Knipex was a real problem when one is cutting a lot everyday. You mentioned the smaller rivet in the Channellock pliers. That brings the point of rotation closer to the cutting edges and makes the cutting easier. I assume they've added to the strength of the rivet by the type of steel used and perhaps the hardening. In the 369's the smaller rivet and the 9.5 inch size gives great leverage, a smart design.
I have a video referencing the Knipex vs Channellock. In the video I share your frustration with the Knipex; plus the handles are too skinny and it really feels like it digs in without wearing gloves. Great video thumbs up 👍
Thanks!!
Can"t see why anyone would buy those Milwaukee"s when the far-superior US made Channellock"s are basically the same price 👌
I own the Milwaukee linesman pliers and they get the job done for me and by the way they (milwaukee) came out with made in the United States of America 🇺🇸 pairs of pliers sold at home depot check them out.
Just starting out, I picked up a pair of Channellocks due to the price point, I have never been more thrilled! They cut like butter, grip everything that I put in, and the biggest appeal to me is the actual handle material. It is crazy to me how much grip and control that blue handle gives me. (I may have become a “blue” fanboy) Your videos are awesome, to see you ACTUALLY test these products, keep it up!
Chanellock. 😍love my chanellock tools, I’m from Ecuador and I like this brand. High quality , American made tools always are highly appreciated in my country , although This brand doesn’t exist in Ecuador , but there exist Klein 👍 good too . I met this brand when I came to USA 🇺🇸 since that time I love this brand , I’m in (automotive industry) I work in a body shop , I think if chanellock could import their tools there Ecuador 🇪🇨 it will be a profitable trade , they would have good sales , I swear
Thanks for watching! I feel the same way about having Channellock and Klein tools imported to Russia: they would have done well in that market. At the same time, I realize that going global like that will require them to move some of their manufacturing to China, which would bring down their quality.
Shout out to Ecuador, we love you in America 🇺🇸! Channel lock gang!😎
The knipex I have are crimpers and fish tape pullers.
I been using them for like 10 years as a industrial electrician. They have been very good better than my kleins.
Been very ligth on the hand and blades have always cut like butter
I really like Knipex tools and I own and use many as my go to choice. BUT I am not a convert yet that they have a better tool than Klein in this style of tool. Across the product line, Channel Lock is inferior to Klein and Knipex. If you value professional grade tools the price difference is very small for advantages that the better tools bring to the table.Klein offers many subtle variations in the linesman product line, so you can have the pick of your favorite features. These Kleins are designed for the electrician, and they hands down outperform others for those job functions. They slip into your pocket with ease, they are most the right size and shape for virtually every wireman's hammer need except setting fasteners, and they easily fit into electrical cabinets a, boxes and enclosures. The smooth outside edges don't damage conductors in enclosures. I keep 6-10 pairs of Klein linesman, because they are so very useful. I have given away possibly 50 pair, because others won't spend to upgrade. Snap-On linesman are very robust and costly. I think that they are uncomfortably clunky I own dozens of Channel Lock tools that were once front line budget tools, I long ago upgraded and these tools are now second tier. I have never owned their linesman. I liked the look of the model you demonstrated. But I would advise the novice and casual tool user to buy Klein. Some of my daily users are pushing 50 years old and are still strong performers.
Jaw width is an issue you didn't address. Some makers reduce the width, stepping it down in front of the cutter. This reduced the effectiveness of the twisting function of the jaws, reduces the striking face surface area and snags on your jeans pocket.
Kleins are designed for the wireman, but this tool is pretty universal across the trades. They are in my mechanic shop, fab shop, machine shop, wood shop and in my maintenance tool kits.
I have heard that the Klein yellow handled tools are softer than the blue tools and the journeyman are the hardest. I only upgraded to journeyman in my diagonal pliers and suspect that they are the premium choice for linesman. I cannot tell the performance difference in yellow and blue linesman, but all of my daily users are blue. The yellow color reminds me of the inferior Ideal tools, so I am biased by the color.
My career was industrial maintenance, but my primary trained skill was electrician. I comment with an electrician bias. But maintenance workers must be competent in other trades. I find that Klein linesman tools are universal for many trades. Abusing them by unintended misuse doesn't destroy them when you go back to wireman duties.
Don't need any but I'd go with the Channellocks if I did.
Great video sir gracias again por este video I have every linesman pliers but the knipex (I don't have them) and they work great even the Milwaukee pliers (to me) once again gracias mi amigo they are good pliers and great video.
Your video made me check my set of lineman pliers. I have Southwire, Klein and Fat Maxx Stanley 9 in pliers and when I cut 12/2 cables, the Southwire and Klien are about the same feel. The Stanley is by far the easiest. Cuts like butter. And its much cheaper. And all of them are basically new. I don't use 9 in. so much. I prefer a smaller plier to do most electrical work. Thanks for the video.
Nice! Now I understand better why I've have liked my Klein lineman pliers since 1984 :-)
Former channellock lover ,klein supporter and user but my favourites are Milwaukee's
Wow, knipex really disappointed me, I'm going with klein D213 for my next linesman pliers. Thanks sir for saving me money and time.
For what they're meant for, I like the multi component Knipex slightly more than the Kleins (by a hair). Lighter, much better teeth, not covered in swarf and metal shavings when you buy it. The d213-9E is great though. They're the sure bet when reccomending something that will please everybody. For cutting wire, I reccomend them over the "heavy duty" versions. I'm not cutting nylon thread or hardened spax screws with linesman pliers anytime in the next infinity. The Channelock's higher leverage design allows them to cut nails and such better than the "hevy duty" Klein and Knipex but I find them a bit awkward in my hands.
I have THOSE same exact linesman Knipex's. I will have to say after 3 years of DAILY wear and tear, they have been the BEST purchase of my career. Not only can they take a beating but they have the BEST hand feel of all of the linesman. I have tried EVERY brand on this table AND them some (Greenlee, Crescent, DeWalt, Ideal, etc) Those Knipex pliers are THE BEST, and they are the lightest of all the brands which MEANS a shit ton esp when you don't like using a tool pouch and keep them in your back pocket like I do...Best $40 I have EVER spend...AND don't get me started on their Cobra Pump Pliers...Jesus LORD! LOL
I am torn, because the Cobras are sooooo good, but my experience with Knipex's combination pliers and sidecutters hasn't been as good as yours. I tried to be unbiased, but I this test only reinforced my love for my Klein's
@@russiansparky4194 WOW I am SO sorry to hear about the hassle Knipex US gave you! that's a shocker AND has me doubting the brand (esp when they are giving a fellow brother, a hard time!) - I will AGREE 110% THERE IS NOTHING LIKE THE GRIP OF THE KNIPEX'S COBRAS! I usually DO NOT spend a lot on TOOLS, I DEF wont spend money on Kleins JUST bc they are the "electrician's brand" fuck that, Channellock, Crescent, DeWalt, Milwaukee, Irwin, etc ALL make GREAT hand tools and get the job done! BUT, when it comes to pump pliers, I will NEVER NOT use Cobras...LOL. But, as far as using Knipex for anything else, fuck that man - they will either get lost or stolen......
@@russiansparky4194 I think the most important thing to get out of all of this is just how inconsistent pliers generally are as a product. Grab a handful of the same model from any reputable banrd and none of them will be similar. I want to say about half of my Klein pliers purchases involved defects. Some I exchanged, others I just didn't bother. When they're good, they're damn good, though. I presume my experience was the luck of the draw, and with Klein, it has mostly been rivet issues. I've had one Knipex plier out of dozens with a genuine defect. Meanwhile, there's a post of some dude on Garagejournal who claimed he had dozens of defective Knipex. None of these come close to my experiences with Snap-On. Holy crap the the ridiculous things they let out of their pliers factory. Or again, maybe it's just my luck.
Excellent Comparison! Thanks!!!!!!
Thanks, John!
Nice comparison of the linesman pliers, I've seen a few reviews of the Knipex cutters that doesn't seem very good for their high price. Knipex does the cobra and pliers wrench really well but they cant do cutters it seems. In those tests Klein and Channellock cutters finish in a tie for 1st place. Speaking of cutters you should try the Channellock E338 8" XLT. They are effortless with nails and wire and designed to get every bit of leverage with a closer pivot point and a little longer than the standard 8" 338.
People don’t understand that different locations use different material . Europe and other countries use sj cable more like extension cord wire with stranded soft stranded copper so knipex works perfect for that wire . Klein cuts it all , even nails . 20 year electrician no pliers out there like Klein .
Very good test
Great review, thanks. Just FYI, your results seem a bit funny. The Milwaukee scored last in value, but then beat the Knipex in absolute quality. I think those are backwards maybe?
Either way the channel lock seems to be the clear winner here. Maybe hard Klein’s
Yep, it gets confusing with multiple scales, and I created a lot of that confusion. You are right though - the hard Klein and Channellock seem to have fared the best.
I love my Channellocks !
ChannelLock is the best ome, hands down!
I was always told the gap was so you don't crush and damage your copper wire.
Anything's possible, but seeing as you've used these, you'd probably know - it's a tall order to crush a copper conductor, at least with linesman's, even with these....
Same, we use linesmans for tying rebar and the gap helps when twisting wire, you don't break it as easily
I literally never use linesmens pliers and I’ve been a electrician for 5 years they aren’t good at any one task. Only thing I find them useful for is untwisting a splice after removing the wire nut when the wires are all twisted around each other.
And what do you use to twist wires ?
??? How is it possible
What do you use then
Nice review, try the difference cuts and results, thanks for your work
I own several different brands of lineman pliers. Oddly enough, my favorite is the Craftsman Professional due to smooth operation and rubber grips.
Were they made by Western Forge? I have some Ideal pliers made at WF before they had to shutter the factory (the SK model was the same) and they're fantastic. I'd rate them right next to Knipex and Klein (and in many ways, ahead). They cut copper and nails better than Knipex or any Klein.
Craftsman Pro linesman were Ideal/sk. Their strippers were klein.
@@HeWhoSitsOnFences I'm gonna be that guy (you are allowed to flog me): all of the stamped steel strippers from the US are made by Imperial/Stride. They are indeed most recognizable with Klein branding.
I will NEVER not use Knipex Linesman, Kleins are great of course, I even LOVE these Milwaukee's and the CL brand, BUT That pair of Knipex only weighs 9oz! The others weigh close to 14-17 oz....I am all about the lighter the tool the better! And the blade NEVER dulls (I believe the blade in his review was defective as I have had two different pairs (one got lost) of those Knipex Linesman and they can cut through a hanging thread on a t-Shirt! lol
i like channel lock because in canada you can bring them back to canadian tire no questions asked and you get a new pair. but i don't like how on many of their pliers the metal they use feels flexible.. they are not firm... they flex in when you squeeze hard. not a fan of that...
kleins are great, i am currently using the j2000 journeyman series 2000 which don't have the rubber dipped handles. they don't look like the ones in this video.. not sure if the spec is different. they seem to hold up pretty well but i had to grease them and break them in before i could use them. not sure what the return policy is at home depot, but i have heard they sometimes refuse for what ever reason.
i really like this pair of IDEAL linesmans i have... they took years of abuse, they still hold up great... the thing i really like about them is in the mouth of the plier, the cross thatched grip is not too rough.. it has grip but it is still sort of flush which is great for lighter more delicate applications. for example, i have the orange insulated kleins and their grip has a similar grit count to a gravel road hahaha.
Good video. I have the klein 213s. Love em.
Just bought some knipex diagonal cutters, but I'm keeping my channellock and kleins just in case they don't work , lol
What do u think bout them?
The knipex have a snappy vibrating cut and makes my hand a little tired , currently I'm using Klein hard cutters and by far outperform knipex....
@@HURTSWHENIPEE310 ah, great to know. Thanks much for the update!
Barbaric! 😎
Yep, I still really like my blue handle Klein 2000's just like yours.
I like your soft-Klein hard-Klein terminology.
You should see the visual effects from my soft Klein's, on energized SO cord! :-)
That was many years ago, but I can very much remember the laughter from my electrician co-worker :-)
My peering back at him from under a small cloud of smoke, I'm sure, was quite funny 👷
Yep... I've had my share of bang/flash shows :)
Well.....Klein & Channellock it is !
Can you recommend me knipxe0901240 klein tools, which is better, strong cutting edge, I'm deciding to buy.
Thanks for the video.
No fishtape pullers to be seen!? But I have changed that in the past with a dremal and a cut off disk... no problem
great tools amigo have 3 but the knipex but muy bueno los tools
Gracias, hermano!
@@Gruntled2001 si mi amigo
Great stuff here! Would you consider doing another one in the future by including other brands such as Wiha, CK, Wera and Ideal?
You Americans have a strange philosophy of using lineman's pliers . I am not a professional electrician but I did some electrical installations in European houses from the ground up. For cable cutting, there are definitely better tools like Knipex 1396200. Multi-core, power and welding cables up to 50mm squer no problem like a hot knife in butter. For inserting cables, punching cans, stripping insulation, and screws are simply not cut; only uses the correct length.
Knipex you show is a power combination pliers, not the lineman's pliers model 09 11 240.
I think you got a faulty set of Knipex, personally I’d recommend to write em and ask for a replacement
Could be, but Knipex fared just as badly in my sidecutters video, so it could be just that they are either losing their edge, or the competitors were better all along. Hard to say, but you see the results plain and clear. As for the warranty, Knipex were pisspots about it and told me to warranty them through the seller. Besides, Knipex does not warranty "natural wear and tear", which the damage I induced would count as.
Nothing compares to Klein's linesman pliers, carried them in my tool belt for years.
They're basically faultless, but until you've used Knipex tools you're just missing out. My drivers are all still Klein (except my insulated stuff, which is all Wiha), but all of my pliers are Knipex. i think Knipex is made of adamantiun 😁
Me with my Quinn’s jumping on them to try and cut a home run with a metal jacket on it 😭
😭
Keep Chanel lock and Klein and compeer whit others news brands models to see what surprise happen Very nice video I enjoy but I want new competition video to decide the winner Make New Competition Please 👍🏼🙌💪
Knipex is the King of All Pliers'
The channel lock ones are a little soft
The klein hybrid pliers beats anything... just cut in a fishtape puller and theyre the best set of pliers hands down!
Excellent review. I hope I can make it also on my channel. Keeo going sir.
Thank you!
I’m all for made in USA tools but I’ll stick to my Knipex
Good pliers have all but the (knipex pronounced like knife/ makes more sense to me) they are more expensive than the Klein
Is Klein 213 for cutting Armoured cable and screws? I thought only Channellock and Klein 2000 series are made to cut through steels.
Of course not, but when do we ever follow what it says on the tool's specs? lol
Klein & Channellock are superior with Knipex following on 3rd
That is the lower end Milwaukee the better cutting one is 48-22-6500 or 48-22-6502
KNIPEX is not cheap, but it is both light and durable
KNIPEX surpasses Japanese tools in various indicators in our country~Taiwan
Thank you for watching! In fairness, many tools made in Taiwan for US brands are really good. Southwire, for instance.
@陳文章 Due to the quality of tool, I think Knipex is too expensive. Old knipex was good but I don't think it is worthy now. Now I'd rather choose channellock or tsunoda pliers depending on the use. By the way, I am also from Taiwan.
@@halama172 是阿 我還活在民國84年
資訊已經過時了
Must include the Ridgid, & snap-on gudluck bro
why not try testingt them using what they are rated for? knipex specifically states not for hard cuts like those screws. no wonder you blew up the cutters
should see how they work as a hammer. lol
I bought a pair of Knipex diagonal cutters and I had to return them because of that gap in the cutting surface. It makes no sense to design them that way. I bought Klein and made my own holes a few days in after cutting a live cable but it’s still better than the Knipex 😂
what's up with the thin plastic on the handles?
That's one of the options, and many electricians like the thin, "dipped" handles. If you'd like, you can get them in thicker, "real" plastic.
@@Gruntled2001 i know, i've had knipex pliers with ticker handles for years... just wondering because he argues he feels the snap in his bones
@@B0uff0s He says there is no snap with Kleins or Channellock, even though those are dipped hendles, too. I get why people like dipped - the linesmans are already a monstrous tool in size, and if you add thick handles, they will be harder to grasp
Do Klein and/or Channellock offer ergonomic and insulating handles?
Yes, definitely. They come in ergo and insulated.
Klein has their "journeyman" handles and Channelock has "code blue" and neither are good IMHO. My general rule of thumb is to go for the multi-component ('ergo") handles on the german stuff (VBW, Knipex, NWS, etc) and standard dipped handles on US stuff. I don't do the multi-component on water pump pliers, however ("channelocks").
Esse Clain é meu sonho de consumo pena que não posso compra-lo.
This is what I suspected. Knipex has smoother action and better ergonomics from better tolerances caused by easier-to-machine steel, but it's inferior steel to Klein. Sticking with Klein, then.
I kind of knew that when Klein outperformed Dewalt in the "cutting things you probably shouldn't" department. Dewalt is pretty hard to damage, so anything that outperforms it is amazing.
Channel lock pliers better far than knipex.channel lock pliers is strong and stylish.
Meu sonho de consumo pena que não posso compra-lo
Knipex all the way for me. Klien’s are good too though
everytime i buy klein, somebody steals them so i use channel locks. thiefs dont realize the CL's are better.
The "absorbing" snap? It's a good thing!
The snap doesn't bother me!
สแน็ปดีกว่าเยอะ คู่แข่งของknipex ตัดเส็ดต้องใช้มือช่วยดึงออก โครตตลก
Дорогое, не значит хорошее.
Meu sonho de consumo pena que não posso comprar.
Me desculpe meu amigo. Você é eletricista?
@@Gruntled2001 sim.
@@joseepifaniogomes1843 Por favor, deixe-me saber qual ferramenta você gosta e qual é o seu endereço de correspondência, e eu a enviarei para você. Fico feliz em ajudar um irmão eletricista. Por favor, escreva para elektromontazh.usa@gmail.com
no disrespect to Germany tools but I' keep it klein and Milwaukee all year long
You sound like Joe from Impractical Jokers..
The Knipex handles are absolutely hardened as well. No tool maker in their right mind would leave handle unhardened. If they weren’t, they would bend when you squeeze the handles hard enough. That comment made me laugh.
Why would you use pliers to cut cables in the first place?
1. to test them
2. cause you are in a tight crawlspace and that's all you have with you.
3. for shits and giggles
Shows
почему Русский Спарки?)
Milwaukee is the best
😂
Did knipex opened a faktory in China? Hahaha
Naw. Legit, authentic, from an authorized reseller.
knipex arent as sharp as most of the leading brands but they stay sharp longer.
These are all homeowner-grade tools, though. Why not test the professional-grade versions?
You mean the brands or the models? Every American sparky that I know uses one of these - I am not aware of any "professional grade" versions. Can you please give a reference?
@@Gruntled2001 Klein has different tiers of tools, as do Knipex. For example, i used to use the Klein 'journeyman' range of hand tools. Now, i use the 1000V-rated Knipex line
@@matthewkuhl79 Those are just different handles on the same quality frame. American electricians prefer dipped handles, because they are easier to fit in the tool belt pouches, plus we value our lives, and that is why we turn off the power before working on a circuit lol. Europeans, including Russians, fetishize Journeyman ("comfort") or 1000V versions, even though for a residential electrician there is barely ever a compelling need to work "hot". To each his own, I suppose, but it's a cultural thing, and using dipped vs journeyman vs. VSE handles does not mean that the user is a homeowner vs. a professional.
@@Gruntled2001 There is a difference, as well as the leverage advantage from longer, larger grips. i have used the entry-level Klein as well as the JW range and the entry-level pliers flex under load in a way the JW do not. For Knipex, the only difference i can see between the blue/red handles and the insulated version are the stops to mitigate accidental slips.
Back to your "every American sparky" comment, though - the majority of the guys who i worked with all used Klein JW tools because they are far more comfortable in the hands and the leverage advantage is a real thing for combating hand fatigue
I'll say this simpler - I was testing the metal, not the tool overall, and the metal is the same, regardless of what handle configuration is. Since I was buying new tools for this testing, it makes sense to me to buy the slightly cheaper model. That said, I use dipped handles, because 9 1/2 inch pliers are already big, so trying to wrap your hand around beefier handles is a difficult task. Also, easier to fit a jointed tool like that in a pocket of a tool bag or a tool pouch.
Klein tools.
pretty bias review
Please elaborate how it is biased - you see the test in front of your eyes.