These are 5 tools from Knipex I wouldn't buy. While I love Knipex, I would avoid purchasing these. Most of these have stayed in a tool box for a long time now or have better options available from Knipex. I will also cover the tools I would get in place of these.
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THE TOOLS
Knipex knife: amzn.to/48MvBMb
Fiskars knife: amzn.to/3wUZtZa
Angled Cobolt cutters: amzn.to/3TfQ2LM
The good Cobolt cutters: amzn.to/3wEUMTg
8 IN angled diagonal cutters: amzn.to/49JLHat
1O IN VDE diagonal cutters: amzn.to/49EWX80
Strix: https: //amzn.to/49J9mIf
Forged wire strippers: amzn.to/3wIJM7r
Needle nose combo pliers: amzn.to/3wLgKUS
Small alligator pliers: amzn.to/4a43cCk
VDE alligator pliers: amzn.to/4a58Aou
Cobra XXL: amzn.to/4a4m0ky
My favorite pair of cobras: amzn.to/4c3zAGV
My watch: shop.diywatch.club/
#electrician #knipex #electricianstools
Bro said “Expensive isn’t bad. We like expensive. You get what you pay for” facts. Gotta treat yourself. Being an electrician takes some skill worthy of having nice tools.
having shit tools takes more skill
@@macanjeezyou must have the most expensive tools 😎
@@macanjeez you don't need don't always need expensive tools but using the cheapest tools isn't the way either. You gotta find a mix
a $20 knife is still a $20 knife with a $15 handle
@@macanjeez That's the main reason I like my Skil impact
I believe Alligator pliers are preferred to Cobras by some people for outdoors work - they have fewer moving parts and are less prone to getting jammed up with dirt.
I installed fence and had cobras covered in mud ,I can assure you this is bs. I can't afford a Porsche, apparently they consider this to expensive without trying.
I work in landscaping and i always carry a small Cobra on me. I thought the pliers would make Problems cause of dirt and water exposure but they work like a charm.
An someone who owns the 12,10, and 7 inch alligators I can (maybe I am “old school” even tho I’m 20 XD) say that I just prefer the alligators for their simplicity more than anything else. Cleaning isn’t a hassle, and honestly just over all I feel the alligators grip better, I could be wrong but then again all tools are felt differently according to the user
01:08. UK here. I can assure you that no UK electrician would strip a live cable, with that Knipex knife, or with any other strippers!! The insulation is for safety reasons, just in case. Electrician apprentices in the UK are taught in college to use the knife for cable-stripping, in order to practice hand skills and to get the feel of stripping wires carefully. The apprentices hate having to do this, but it is required whilst training.
There is much better knives for cable stripping. As for insulation I think it's more for the case of having 0 risk than stripping a live cable. However from what I see the tool he's using isn't made for the same things. I mean utility knife to replace a wire stripping knife ? What I don't like with his model of knife is the straight shape of the blade. I do like cable strippers but for this I get Jokari or something similar. It's just better for the task. Besides there is countries where utility knives are somewhat banned...
US Sparky here. It’s good that your schools teach the apprentices over there to do that. It took me a while to grasp it, and even now as a journeyman I still somewhat struggle with it and I could never find a knife liked that doing it with. Other than skill and practice doing it more, what knife would you recommend on splicing cable?
Greetings from Greece.I will agree with the most you said...I am electrician and i have only VDE tools because we r working smt under power 220V.Knipex is a respectable company but I ll recommend you to check also Würth.
The dismantling knife you've got to get the 98 55 one with the nub on the end that allows you to slice down a cable and take the jacket off of it. Better than a box cutter any day.
I use the knipex 89-250(5 settings)as an electrician. Still self locks but easier to use one handed. Especially when I’m tightening couplings/connectors
I have that Fiskars knife and its the bomb. Super comfortable and opens and closes real smoothly. Thanks for the heads up about those cobalt cutters because I was leaning toward getting that pair, but you saved me some heartache and frustration on that one. 😂
I bought the blackout veto pro pac, knipex wire strippers, and so much more because of you this month. That being said, my bank account now hates you haha thanks for the content brotha!
Like the feel of insulated handles but prefer dipped un the field bc they're so much less bulky in a belt pouch. Easier in & out, too.
The Strix is not used frequently, but when you find extremely short wires in a box and there’s only one chance to re-strip, it’s a nice tool to have. I don’t use a plunger that often but it’s kinda important.
I like your's videos. I am not a electrician, but i use diagonal cutters for nails and thing like that. And i also use multi bits screwdrivers. Is good to see that's you helps other in they ideas to buy tools 🤙💯.
Wish I saw this before grabbing the cobalt cutters, agreeded with everything you said about them.
Did you try sharpening the knife?
Firstly love your tool vids. But as a UK electrician just a FYI we dont HAVE to have VDE tools (unless specified by a employer etc) but I think most of us prefer VDE tools for the added safety factor (and personally for comfort). Regarding the alligator pliers though I have both types in my bag. The small dipped and the larger VDE. I find the larger set better for things like Conduit and SWA glands. But I prefer the smaller ones for tightening bushes etc.
Solid video man, thanks for the warnings
Thanks for making the second half of the video the stuff you should get instead, that was helpful
Appreciate the video. I too have many Knipex pliers and they are my favorite. My absolute favorite "help me out of trouble" plier is the Twin Grip. Even bought a second so I always have one with me. Not that it means much because I buy what i need, but I don't have any of the tools he regrets buying. Interestingly, I do have his preferred bolt cutter. If I needed them, I would have no problem with those giant Knipex Cobras. I love the three sizes I have. I don't need it the large on because I have a monster Channellock that I inherited. Have yet to use it .
Think about the insulated knife being used in a panel that is live… adding a circuit and having to strip out the new cable. Not stripping out a live cable ..
The second item - that item is cutting busbar like butter! The only thing I use it for
As far as for an electrician’s duties, I get it but for someone who works as an electrician but also has a tool addiction and hobbies outside of electrical work - all these tools are amazing. I restore told vintage tools and axes and most of these are perfect for many other tasks LOL😂
Sure, there's a high cost of entry with Knipex, but you get your money's worth over the long run compared to buying SnapOn or Milwaukee or Temu hand tools.
I use the offset Cobolt cutters in place of my diagonal cutters. I don't have much need for cutting heavy duty screws, though. So far so good for me.
Cobolt's rock. I just hung a plant pot by chain for the wife. You snip chain like you snip wire. one handed and effortless.
The one knipex tool I regret buying is the 81 11 250 siphon pliers. As a plumber I thought they'd be great for the chrome plated bathroom siphons, which is what they're intended to be used on, but with the smooth jaw inserts I just couldn't get a grip, I kept slipping and the inwards curved handles kept pinching my hand HARD every time I slipped. They worked a bit better when I took out the jaw inserts, but then they would marr the surface, which defeated the purpose and I just could've used my cobras... total waste of money
The needlenose you don't like might be more suitable for a technician; someone working with circuit boards with assorted connectors on them.
Actually I do have them in an EDC kit, the insulated handles makes up for safety. If you do a lot of work with pliers, yeah they aren't the best, however I only do from time to time electrical work. So that's fine.
Love the Fiskars but have you tried the Knipex Cutix? The snap off blade knife? I PL’d a pocket clip off eBay to it, it’s amazing - you have about 10-12 (iirc) blades in one, super sharp, flexible if you need to strip wire and follow the contour of the insulation and copper and has an optional rigid back you can slide out for more stable cuts…
There's plenty of super niche offerings from Knipex, stuff that works, but just doesn't work for me. I with you on that. I've got some Knipex pliers in my toolbag that I've used once and never again... Those Knipex combination needle nose pliers, personally, carry and use every single day. You are correct in your assessment that they are more of an EDC-type pliers. These are closer in functionality to the kind of pliers you might find on a Leatherman multi-tool, but better because the Knipex doesn't have to compromise on being a multi-tool.
in UK I use a set of smooth jaw Plier wrench 180mm, as a dumb plumber they are fantastic as an EDC in my pocket and they open up a fantastic size
The dipped handles are my favorite too, I like the more classic look and I am a man of boujee tools.
I been looking at those angle Cobolts for awhile now I’m hella happy you said they weren’t the same strength as the normal ones because on all the websites they market them the same
Yeah man they say everything’s the same but they do not cut the same
Hey Bro’, this is Oz(🇦🇺) calling. We suffer from exchange rates & “mark ups”…. If you check our prices, make sure your cardiac medication is up to date!
I have and used thoes end strippers before and the price is crazy for how little they get used. 90% of the time I use felo dragon automatic strippers (or any other rebrand from Germany) as long as I have 1.5 in to get back there I'm good. Around 20us is helpful too 1/3 the price and though not rated vde there all plastic besides the teeth and me mechanism nothing exposed.
Alligators all day! I use them at work everyday the design is inherently more robust than the Cobras and once you get used to the tool can easily quickly adjust them in my opinion i just don't feel any urgency to get the Cobra's the alligators are just as good
I bought the 24 inch cobra, i returned them 2 days later, they are way too heavy. Currently I'm thinking I'll get the 22 inch Crescent pliers, about 30% lighter, greater opening and half the price (55 dollars). FYI, i love the 180mm, 200mm and the 300mm cobra, they are the best. I have not tried the 400mm cobra yet
I love my Comfort Grip 250 and 300 Cobras because I can put a lot of pressure into the handles to tighten and break loose black iron piping easily. As an electrician though I can see why the thinner handles would be more useful.
I mean I think you can put almost as much pressure on the dipped handles. I love their comfort grip for sure and I have them on my pliers wrench and it’s great
I love those needle nose. The nose is really beefy and won’t flex as much as a longer pair, and it stays out of the way when you need to use the cutters. But yeah if you don’t use needle nose then there’s no need for those.
Where can I get that sweatshirt?
I have those big pliers....they work awesome when needed....haven't failed me yet....👍
I love the angled dikes, it's great for prying on stuff and cutting. Although if im doing a lot of cutting im using my aviation snippers anyway so I don't need the extra leverage with the straight head.
Perhaps the KNIPEX Long Nose Angled Pliers instead of the long nose combo pliers.
The ones I don't care for are there I think 10 inch soft pipe grip Pliers. Those soft grips are junk. However if you unscrew them, the Pliers are extremely good..
I dont own or even considered getting any of these. I love knipex though. Especially the automatic pump pliers and the stripper/lineman combo pliers.
The alligators really are good for tight spots where the button gets in the way
I like the simplicity and thinness of the Alligator better than the Cobra, and the Cobra is very right-handed. No so great if you are a southpaw. I totally agree about dipped handles on these tools. Much more agile.
Wire stripers? Weicon and Jokari or with skill - Engineer PK-50
A jokari is invaluable with yy or hi tuff cable.
dude, my full set of tools or from facebook market place, a few channellocks, some klein, 1 knipex (cobra) rest no name stuff, along with milwaukee power tools, this set has been with me since 2016, through my apprenticeship and a few years as a red seal. I am really against buying expensive new tools, these old tools got me through all sorts of environment setting, constructions, renovation, industrial etc never have any issues, please don't be spending 100s of dollars unless a tools is 100% necessary, now I definitely have not been in the trade for multiple decades, but the older guys on site usually just keep their tools light and compact, they can make and build everything with the tools they have!
Between the 2 strix you have, which would you choose if you could only keep 1? I'm wanting to get them for thermostat wire, set and forget size wize seems handy. And sometime they are extremely short. Was thinking vde just because of the chrome since they won't get used everyday. It's low voltage wiring ill ve using them on tho. I can already hear the comments from coworkers. I wish the strix came in dipped. Is the vde grip quite abit larger than the comfort grip?
The knipex dismantling knife is pretty decent for the inner jscket of teck 90 cable. But agree not the sharpest
I have a soft spot for the alligators. They were the first style I got when I first started off as an apprentice, and grew to love them. And to this day they’re still my go-to style of pump pliers.
Not even the cobras? 👀 to each his own
I was the same way with the 'End Style' KNIPEX strippers - bought them thinking I'd prefer them over traditional style strippers and both pairs are sitting in a drawer. Honestly never use them. I keep that adjustable on my van with all my insulated stuff JUST IN CASE I need to strip something super-short inside of a box or wall. The VDC pair just sits in my electric drawer at the house. My 'go-to' pair of strippers is the Klein 'All-Purpose' long-nose plier with the stripper/crimpers for HVAC Service.
I love alligators, honestly don't much like using cobras.
I got the Knipex diagonal cutters,I'm not impressed at all and they sit,my Southwires are way sharper and cut with much more ease ,tbh the Knipex were a letdown and I think even Doyle makes a way better pair.
I retire my tool buying “mistakes” to my hobby mechanic box or home repair kit, and keep the good ones in the pro bag.
Bro sell me those diagonal cutters 😅
what kinda electrician needs them massive cobras
Electricians who install 4” EMT and 3” or 4” Rigid. There’s a lot more to electrical work than just pulling NM cable.
If you do only residential then probably you'll never need them, but commercial electrician use big pliers very often
@KOLD504 @alvila701 we can explain to him we use it to tighten or loosen a 1/2” lock ring specially when there is a p-ring on a finished wall 😉
A commercial one. Or an electrician that also loves tools and has many hobbies outside his job LOL.
emt rigid nm cable all jibberish to me
Worst ones I’ve bought was the knipex wire strippers 13 71 8. For what I do the bulky “needle nose” end really didn’t work well so they sit in the backup bag. Went with the snap on stripper/cutter PWCSS7ACF and have loved them!
The wider front is necessary if you want to do any kind of conductor twisting.. but that say.. linesman pliers do that very well and other things too.. I got myself the Tsunoda PW102.. way lighter and cheaper.. with skills.. any linesman can do the same But that said.. i am in love with the Knipex 1396200.. so versatile for my work
@@dennisfabian2570 ahh that would be handy for twisting stuff together for sure. I do hvac so definitely different set of needs, they were very high quality though!
You might have a tool buying problem 😂 I recently started using Alligators to replace the channellocks I've been using for 35 years and I really like them. For all other electrician pliers and screwdrivers, I'll stick with Kleins. Never had a reason to change.
Hahahaha I definitely do. A lot of it now is for the channel but when I first started out it was bad
The 8" dikes that you showed here were a huge disappointment to me. The leverage is lackluster compares to 8" Kleins.
I have that giant cobra. I just prefer those over those pipe monkey wrenches. But yeah there lighter wrenches. But I have way more usage for those pliers. I also have the 400mm pliers wrench.
The Cobras are good. But for doing a lot of pipe work. Check out the Swedish pipe wrenches. They are way better then the classic monkey wrench and most brands that make them are lighter then them to.
@@tylern666 I wanted to get one of those I just haven't bought them yet, knipex seems to have some of those too.
The dull dismantling knife. Yeah keep that for when you go on a safety or no knives site! That's why that knife exists. You may want to be able to say oops grabbed wrong knife than plain get kicked off site.
Can you do a video on brands of screwdrivers to get?
I got you bro
Personally i really like wera, but there are a couple out there that are worth buying
Es que si has comprado 250 herramientas Knipex, pues normal que alguna te arrepientas. Ningún oficio necesita tanto.
Hey, CAN YOU PLEASE DO A COMPARISON VIDEO ON, MILWAUKEE PACKOUT STRUCTURED TOOL BAG VS VETO PRO PAC TECH PAC Please
As a person who had the big structured bag I really ouldnt find a redeeming quality in it and returned it even though I got it for 99 at the time. Long time user of tech mct and tech xl it held as many tools as mct but it's as big as the xl! Not that holding more tools is the end all but the m t did it better for less weight and size. The storage on the side of the bag wasn't nearly as useful as veto and worst of all the tool pocket loops on the isude felt cheap like the packout backpack. 270 for less quality thanks even 99 I'd rather get the veto.
@@MattHmm-rq6dngood info thanks
@@MattHmm-rq6dn yeah I just got the Milwaukee Structured Bag I’m still able to return it but to be honest I might just return it and get me a Veto Pro Pac Tech Pac because I really do need a big bag
I just got my tech pack and I mostly Ike it so far. My tech xl wl hold more than the tech pack and I got the double pannels for my tech pack too. If you need to carry alot consider the xl for sure!
Just get a veto bro. They're the real deal
Take a shot every time he says work flow
Bro I’m not trying to kill anyone
Do you also have expensive clothes that you bought shoes etc you don't wear. Me too.
BEST plier brand is channel locks
Knipex>channel locks
@@aye5211 I grew up in the era of hood and quality tools. Not overpriced, eye candy popular tools that you correlate the value of tools you buy to your ability to perform. In 2024 it’s cool to have the next best thing, the “high quality” high priced tools. Channel locks are far superior to knipex.
They're good and have their place, but Cobras are more versatile, lighter and slimmer.
@@highplains7777 I don’t need lighter or slim and I don’t know what you mean by versatile. I’m looking to get the job done. I need high torque capability and loosen nuts from 3/8ths up to 1.5”’s and occasionally use as a hammer which a lighter/slimmer pair can’t be used as a hammer. I’m an elevator guy, not an electrician or residential handy man.
@@rickjames4031 Well, I'm not going to comment on your trade as I don't know jack shit about it, except that I installed plugs and lights for the elevator guys on a commercial job about 6 years ago. I'm an electrician. What I mean by versatile is the Cobras are good at turning nuts, holding bolts, holding conduit, turning compression connectors and couplings and much more. They slide in and out of my pockets or tool pouch easily. I need light because I'm walking a lot and entering the early old fart stage of life (57).
Man I can't imagine you're actually making much money with all these redundant tools you have. Hopefully you recoup some of your money with this KZhead channel. Probably why you made it haha
Klein..you can't go wrong
If it ain't klein it ain't mine
Tool 1 : If you can't replace the blade then it is a waste of money. Tool Number 2 : you should have read 😂 first . You screwed up the tool and we are all laughing at you. Tool 3 : we all have our favorite cutters that feel right in our hand 😏 (you get left handed and right handed hands) my cousin has really soft hands. He needs Tripple insulation 🤣 Tool 4 : nobody ever uses that 😴 Tool 5 : 6 inches is never enough ... Pull out the big gun , she will help your work flow. Tool 6 : Aawww so cute 🥰 Tool 7 : why does it need to be VDE ? Nobody puts on 3 Condoms. Tool 8 : Put it on your wall and impress your friends. Tool replacement 1 : rather get a Stanley knife Tool replacement 2 : again you screwed up so the "replacement" doesn't count Tool replacement 3 : you read my mind 🤣 Tool replacement 4: i have the narrow head (i want the wider hea) and its not just a wire stripper kid Tool replacement 5 : take my advice: if u have 6inches , u can make it work , u just need to work harder. 6 : no comment 7 : its so cool
Sorry, but the rules are - he who dies with the most knipex tools, wins - so I'm working on it...
№ 1. So so. Low quality steel easy to sharp. Dull tool = still easy to cut pvc insulation, chance not to cut a strand in stranded wire or make fatal dent in а standart wire. May be strict German rules oblige to use it. I wouldn't buy it for DIY. But i always check, if I made a dent or cut a strend or damage insulation in my wiring. № 2. Totaly unacceptable!
Great tip
Blasphemy
Hahahaha it really did feel like it
Bro, you are clearly a DUFUS. These are ALL quality tools that serve a specific purpose . . . clearly NOT the purpose you had envisioned when you bought them.
Hahahaha I am indeed a dufus. The whole point of this was for one one else to be😉
All of knipex are junk
This has to be satire
How about the 71 32 200 cobalt cutters as I got that pair but not yet put to the test so not sure if they are the real beast?
I like the alligators for lock nuts inside boxes, where the button on the Cobras might get in yhe way