I Bought 19 Wire Strippers So You Don't Have To
This is a wire stripper review to find the best wire strippers for any situation. We cover the Knipex forged wire stripper, the Klein tools wire stripper, and many other forms of wire strippers that can be very useful. A wire stripper is one of the most used electricians tools so it's important that you have the right one. We will also show you just how each one works.
Klein tools wire stripper: amzn.to/3qCsKVN
Ideal wire stripper: amzn.to/3qyzPXA
Knipex installation pliers: amzn.to/458gV97
Knipex diagonal cutters: amzn.to/3QBvBsT
Knipex electricians shears: amzn.to/445mtji
Knipex shears: amzn.to/45850rS
Klein tools automatic wire stripper: amzn.to/45uR236
Felo automatic wire stripper: amzn.to/45l2Y7o
Fiskars utility knife: amzn.to/3qntcYc
Milwaukee hawkbill knife: amzn.to/3OYCbIP
Knipex wire stripper: amzn.to/45l36Uq
Knipex wire strix: amzn.to/45s5Z5H
Insulated: amzn.to/47smwIZ
Wiha nm strippers: amzn.to/3OCEMXj
Ideal nm strippers: amzn.to/3OYCtPV
Klein tools wire strippers: amzn.to/3YDPTnG
Knipex forged wire stripper: amzn.to/445mFiw
My Favorite Electrical Tools:
Knipex Wire Strippers
amzn.to/3IdccbL
Wera Screwdriver Set
amzn.to/41dSfKP
Veto Pro Pac Tool Pouch
amzn.to/3Ijv2hs
My Merch:
www.bonfire.com/american-elec...
Support The Channel:
gofund.me/b9d86784
#electricianstoolbag #electricianstools #wirestripper
I have everything i need, but now I'm back in the tool buying rabbit hole...thanks bro..
Ahahaha what are you about to pick up?
@americanelectrician Well now I'm convinced I "need" a Veto pro pac, some knipex forged strippers, Knipex SO cord strippers, Klein auto strippers. Tool porn is a problem.
You never have everything you need 💀💀
Why would a tool buy a rabbit hole? _How_ would it do that.....?
Omg!....I was in that hole once. But I was real deep in it. What started it? My first pair of Knipex wire strippers. I literally spent probably $1500 in Knipex tools. I was at the point of hiding Amazon packages from my wife if the timing would allow it. One year later No lie, the wife is gone but my Knipex collection will never leave me, except the few I have lost
Thanks for the info and your take. I’m in my 33rd year of playing electrician. It’s interesting how strippers have evolved in my time. The ergonomic handles have really helped our trade in respect to carpal tunnel. You all know our hands are where we “make our hay”. Everyone stay safe. Work smart not hard.😬
Outstanding! Take care of ya self! 👍
The 9in 7-1 Milwaukee wire strippers are hands down my favorite. Sharp and long cutters for MC or larger gauge wire. 18--8 solid, 20-10 strnd. Has a wide nose to it which is great for twisting wires so you dont need to use your linemans anymore. If you're working in a confined space they might be a bit bulky but otherwise they are amazing.
I use those I grind the tip down for a more needle nose. That and for 1/2 kos. Plus the crimper is super handy for carrying around less tools
That!! I have those rn they're butter in my hands
I love them. I wish they came smaller but the long grip makes it good for cutting
I love mine
The Milwaukee 6 in 1 is also really really good you should give them a go!
For most of the medium sized wires, the Knipex Ergostrip is the nicest. Your hand is actually in front of the wire instead of next to it with the standard style of there "hole strippers", which makes it much better. Also, it is suitable for unsheathing the rubber of a big (3x 2.5mm² or so) cable.
Ive been running the Klein K1412 strippers. Being able to quickly, cleanly and easily strip the jacket on a 12/2 or 14/2 is pure love
I have a pair from knipex similar to the felco set you showed but maybe a little heavier duty. I wire electrical panels for automation equipment at work and I love them.
The jonard cst 1900 is great for 12/3 sjo cable. The knipex forged installation pliers with the flat head is also my go to combo on set. The felo type is one i need to add to my kit. Love your videos keep it up !
It's a shame you didn't include the Klein Tools 11048 Yellow Strippers. Maybe an unpopular opinion, but favorite wire strippers without a doubt. So simple, so basic, yet so perfect. Comfortable handles and sharp. Small and springy. I always get these. I find bigger strippers a little clumsy
As a genral mechanical technician, I bought the knipex strix because ultimate versatility is really important to me and they can handle stripping very small wires pretty well. I only wanna carry one small bag of tools around and that bag is supposed to save me the most trips back to a toolbox as possible. I also carry that older style of knipex scissor/shear combo as my main pair of scissors in that bag.
I agree with the knipex combination pliers and strippers being at the top of your list of good wire strippers, I thought they might have been a bit hyped up but they're by far the best pair I've ever used 👍 nice informative video as well. It's nice to see people getting straight to the point
The cutter on the Klein Catapult is really great when working with finely stranded machine tool wire. It leaves a nice square end to insert in a crimp terminal or a ferrule. This was 12 AWG and 10 AWG with over thirty strands.
As a primarily residential guy, the rack-a-tiers crocs are my go to. With the 14/2 nmd cutter, shear, bolt cutter, and wire stripper all in one
Best one so far .
I love that you have those Knipex at the end. They're my favorite stripper/plier combo, totally different level with the others in my experience. The only thing I found to be better for my needs was the Knipex PreciStrip 16 for low voltage wiring. Way quicker with a dedicated tool like that to strip dozens of speaker wires, and rarely cuts copper strands from it. Some tools, especially cheap ones, will have you losing 20% of your strands when you strip it...
SouthWire S816SOL are the best wire strippers for residential electrical. I wire probably 50+ houses a year and this is hands down the best with all that I have tried. I also love the romex stripping variation (SNM1214) because it strips the sheathing of 14-2 and 12-2 while also having a 14 and 12 AWG wire stripper. Both designs feel great in the hand, are very rigid and durable, have 6-32 and 8-32 bolt cutters, and with the shape of them the loop hole in the frame makes an absolute perfect device loop.
The only Milwaukee hand tool I own are their "6in1" strippers. They are not 6in1, but they are a needle nose stripper that goes up to 8AWG solid with curved shear style cutters and 6/8-32 cutters. I love em, and if it wasn't for using the 8/10awg so much I might get those Knipex.
Those knipex combos at the end are so good i never end up taking my linesmen out LOL
I have several stripper, mostly from knipex and I find that for electrical use knipex ErgoStrip is the most versatile and it just works great for my uses.
I’ve used quite a few different strippers from Klein, south wire, ideal, and knipex but my favorite has to be the Milwaukee 7in1
The "grabber" part of the knipex combination pliers are really good for "crimping" big stranded cable back together if a strand gets lose. Just slowly spin while crimping and the cable will be good as new. I call it the kcm killer.
You should try some self sizing catapult strippers. I've had both self adjusting and predetermined size ones and can confirm they are a much better tool in all regards. They can easily strips just about any cable up to #10 awg. They can go even larger If you use the cutters on them to score the insulation first, I've stripped #6 awg no problem with that method. And on top of that they can even be used to strip the outer jacket on LV cable. One of the best tools I own tbh.
One of ur other videos you said you didn’t like the fiscers utility k life as much as other but here you give it high praise
You have to try the weidmüller stripax, it's by far my favorite, it's similar to the fela but better and the cutter is butter smooth and requires no effort.
Weidmüller is the best.
Finally, someone that knows about the BEST professional wire strippers that never rip out strands from the conductor. This guy omitted a review of these... which says he has much to learn.
Awesome content saw some I never seen before
Great video man
After having tried some of those you show, it's the Knipex Forged Wire Strippers for me.
harbor freight has a $15 quinn brand automatic wire stripper I just got works the felo. its a copy of the snap on blue point strippers been using for 5+ years depth adustment was nice feature but broke early . these are my favorite style. i've tried the basic kind, scissors, & and both automatic stripper types. i am working with 22-12 gauge wire mostly 22-16 speaker wire all day.
Great explanations and tools. I have most of them except Klein which is not very popular here in Europe, Knipex, Felo, wiha. I mostly use automatic wire strippers,like the knipex precistrip, Weicon no. 5 pro, buy I also have the knipex electrician pliers and scissors.
the southwire compact stainless strippers definitely get overlooked. i got a set for a small bag that i set up and i ended up really really liking them. and im a knipex guy!
I like using my snap on automotive crimper cable stripper they have 2 different version 12-20 and 16-24 i believe are the 2 ranges. Carlyle from Napa also has carries a similar style made in taiwan, then OTC has a similar pair but the crimper has a right angle to it.
I wire automation panels for a living and on an average day I strip 300-400 wire ends. I’ve tried 4-5 different strippers and the ones I always come back to are the Klein with the blue handles. Always a clean strip, precise, no damage to the strands and I prefer squeezing over pulling
My dad is an electrician i worked with him for a bit. One day he loan me his Klein stripper. N i wanted nothing else. I don’t do as much electrical work now but i have my own Klein for when i do.
I have fallen in love with the Knipex forged with the dipped handles
I just watched the project farm video a year ago and I wasn't disappointed when I bought based on his recommendation
you failed to mention one of the best parts of the Knipex 13 72 8 is that you do NOT have to thread the 6 32 or the 8 32 machine screws in. You just push them in, cut, then remove... no threading required. I use them to cut hardware screws to length for cabinetry,,, and when you have to do 30 screws, it makes it so much easier and quicker
I personally like the rackatier crocks they have been my daily use set for a little over 2 years large enough cutter for 10/3 mc and a romex stripper for 14/2 and 12/2
I purchased my first "Commercial Electric" wire stripper few years ago and I finished several jobs with it. Last year I picked up a Pittsburgh version of Klein stripper from Harbor Freight, with a nice red grip. They are not recommended by Pros. I agreed, they did their job nicely, just as other pro tools did.
Kniprx ergostrip. Those knioex sheers are awesome too
I have a couple of wuerth and bacho strippers (they are the same tool, different color and i've seen other that look identical) that is the same style as your felo strippers, they are great for automotive work where most wiring is relativly small, induvidual stranded wires. the ability to set depths makes wiring up crimped connectors a lot nicer since you just set it at the correct depth for the crimp terminal and then just do all the wires and get the perfect amount stripped.
I like the Klein cheap version. Small, inexpensive, durable, sharp and I constantly use the solid wire bending hole to form wire for termination. The needle nose is just the right size for the final squeeze around the termination screw. I like the compact nose with the stripper near the nose for close quarters work. I don't understand why some manufacturers still put the stripper function between the handles. This really frustrates confined working space. I tried the auto strip style about 40 years ago and found that was difficult to ensure that the conductor was in the correct slot and the tool had no close lock feature. It simply couldn't be stowed in a tool pouch. My Ideal version is still in virtually brand new condition. My Paladin "spin stripper" seemed ideal, but setting blade depth was too finiky. Mine has a blade rotate feature that turns the cutter 90 degrees for the lateral slit. It sort of worked, but it tended to slip to the bottom of my pouch and I went back to the razor blade knife using care and experience to control cut depth. Lenox used to make my favorite style that also had no tool blade change function. I own several and nurse them into geriatric age since no one offers a similar option today. The knife was simple, fat and ergonomic. I am retired and don't do much wireman work anymore. The Knipex forged strippers might still motivate me to think that I need another upgrade. A lot of folks like the oversized comfort grips. I prefer the thin dipped grips. I reserved my insulated tools for only live work. I think NFPA 70E still mandates keeping those functions separate. The insulated tools are awkward for my hand and since I don't like comfort grips pliers tools, I have double reason to avoid using insulated tools. The Klein forged strippers needle nose is too long for my liking on a stripper. I did mostly industrial work, so I limited NM experience. I own several pairs of the Klein NM strippers, but I seldom remember to get them and still strip NM with.y razor knife. Does anyone have a stripping solution for UF cable? I was introduced to UF in 1974. I still can't strip that stuff and avoid using it for only that reason.
Greenlee PA1161 for ultra-confined spaces. Jonard Tools CST-1900 or CST-1140 for cable jackets or very large wire Ideal Stripmaster, best version (mil-aero grade) of Klein at 7:23
Have you tried the Klein 11061? I use it for working with Romex. :)
I love Knipex but I haven’t got to try their strippers yet definitely want to get some.
Awesome Video!!!
Have you tried Rack-a-Tiers? Totally replaced my Klein strippers. I've pretty much moved to German brands for everything else. But I really like those.
+1 for the forged knipex. They are the best.
7:25 love those, only problem is when you are working in a tight space ... but that's when I have to use my simple sidecutter. Yeah, I know I shouldn't use sidecutters to strip wires but it's the same that I have used for +30 years (yup they are that old) so I can say that I developed a good feeling using them over years.
I've been using the automatics like the Klein (various brands) for close to 50 years, and have never found anything I like better. Mine don't have any cutter, and I have never found that to be an issue in that I fit all to length prior to stripping, and diagonal cutters are far better for that anyhow (It *IS* a stripper and not a cutter by name, after all). Never broke a pair in all that time either . . .
I just bought the knipex strippers after using the kleins 2005n after a year. im a little dissapointed it doesnt have insulated/ non insulated crimpers like the kleins. but im going to buy a designated crimper and see how it works out :) Didn't see any good looking crimpers from knipex, so im looking at ones from snap - on, and also thomas and betts.
I love stripping tools by Felo, Jokari. adjust automatically to the diameter of the cable from 0.2 mm to 6 mm, are very light, have a built-in cable cutter. When wiring a control cabinet containing hundreds of wires that have to be stripped to equal lengths and then crimped in a ferrule. The Felo / Jokari model will work best.
Milwaukee has a set of the needle nose combo pliers that is relatively cheap and works great. Used them when I was installing security systems. And belive me I am not a Milwaukee fan in 99% of cases but I do like these
Oh man do you guys not have the irwin vice grip 8" swlf adjusting strippers?
6:30 The scissors now are usually made for cutting the kevlar strands in fiber cable
I have some Greenlee 1950-SS basic wire strippers that I like using.
Good video sir. It’s weird to watch this video and go yep, yep, have that one, yep, hate those, yep, hmm, wonder where those went. Nice to know I’m not the only electrician out here that has 40 pair of strippers. I agree with pretty much everything you’ve said. As an electrician who’s tried every stripper out there over the years, I always find myself going back to the Klein journeymen handle needle nose strippers. They’re the best strippers available for commercial work. I love the Klein romex strippers for residential work and use them daily. Recently have moved over to knipex everything except strippers. I have the pair you love but I don’t know if they’re not broken in yet or what, but I find them, “sticky”, when stripping wires, like the hole is slightly too small for the wire. I had the same problem with the Milwaukee strippers back in the day and they eventually wore in. Looking forward to that happening with my knipex. Good video sir.
Dang dang dang I didn't want to buy the kinpex stripers because I had just gotten some stripers a few months back but I think I'm have to buy them
Any recommendations for nm strippers for back of the box stripping?
For those final Knipex 13 72 200's, Milwaukee has a couple very nice competitors ("combination pliers") that can be had on sale sometimes @ home depot.. one's more like these (7.75"), and the other's more like a "linesman" style @ 9" with a nose that can grip NM-B well. You can get them for $20-30 regularly which is still cheaper than basically every Knipex I've ever bought.
The 9" Milwaukee strippers are so damn good.
I will agree the Milwaukee strippers were fantastic but the way these Knipex cut is just different, it’s so smooth I swapped out my Milwaukees for a pair and I’m thoroughly impressed.
I have a nice expensive Milwaukee strippers. I use them to cut metal and string. I have a 5$ automatic strippers from harbor freight I use those to strip wire
One method I learned to strip 4/0 out of necessity. I used to do wire pulls all the time. 1-3 wire pulls for townhome building a week. I was burning through utility blades. They're cheap when bought in bulk so price wasn't a problem. But the real issue is when I have to use that same utility knife for ripping out wires and the blade is just destroyed. So I got a pair of klein loppers with the curved blades, like the Klein 63050. Try biting the tip of the cable and spinning like you would strip wire with side cutters. Just until you feel the conductor. Now take your non-dominant thumb and place it on the back of the of plier and you'll notice the curved top of the pliers are also bladed. Use this to cut down the center of the insulation to the tip, once you get here, wedge the blade in the cut and you can flick the insulation right off.
About the same technique used with the CC-22s, right?
Have you tried the knipex strippers that’s like your felo?
Hey here in norway all we youse for cabel stripping is the knipex kanelsaks 165mm
The lineman’s pliers are my faverit
The S & G Tool Aid 19000s are my favorite by far.
I’ll have to check it out!
What is the best type/version of wire stripper to use for fiberglass fiber braided insulated wire? Normally used in high heat applications.
I can't lie. Function and durability are what gets my money.i am faithful to the Milwaukee 7in 1 pair.i tried 6 brands and came back to my Milwaukee ones.they are perfect for me. I also use their insulated and non insulated screwdrivers again they just work for me
I have used the ideal, knipex, miluakee, Klein, kobalt and a couple more but Rack-a-tiers make the best balanced strippers if you do commercial and residential and if you in residential I think they are by far the best by far
The Irwin/Vise Grip auto strippers are the only stripper I use on 90% of my jobs. The other 10% are either too large, too small, or that horrible cheap thhn. I have the standard style and a knife and the amount of times I use a standard one vs a knife is still even 1-10. The auto stripper is the only way to be for anything flexible (industrial machine cabinets, etc) and that’s what I do. I also like its crimping functions. I rarely need a dedicated crimper outside of ferrules or again, large gauge wire where I’m using lugs.
"All for His Glory"... best part of this video!
I appreciate it! It’s the reason for everything. God bless
Vessel of the basic type. If i can ever find something better to deal with 30awg ptfe wire then I will change my mind, but I've yet to find it
i buy the cheap $4 wire strippers from Harbor Freight. Lifetime warranty. Once they get dull, take them back and they'll give you a fresh pair.
It's wierd watching this from Australia, we literally only use either crosscut linesmans or channel locks
Low volt electrician here. My go to strippers are the crocs from Rack-a-tiers. Comfy, strips regular and romex, built in crimper, 6 and 8 bolt cut off, just great all around strippers. I’m testing out the Knipex precistrip strippers and can’t decide how much I need what they do.
I’ve got a pair on the way!
What do you mean by "Low Volt" ?
@@americanelectrician Most of the strippers you show are more suited to a butchers shop. Work all day terminating wires and every one of them will consume a lot of time or rip strands out of fine stranded cable. Many of these have been banned from shops I've worked in due to the primitive high risk of damage design. Get your hands on a set of Weidmüller 'Stripax' and learn what a professional tool is and how flawed every one of those 'set die' cutters are, if you can. The exception to this is the rotary cutter for 'large cables', more like a pipe cutter, having the small pivoting blade that allows drawing down the length of the cable. The brands of these I have used for 40 years, longer than you have been breathing, are Ideal and Weidmüller.
@@BTW... low volt or limited energy electricians specialize in circuits less than a half watt in power. So voice and data, fire alarm, nurse call, A/V, access control, that sort of stuff.
@@Mudder1310 ahhh, OK. Relates to current loading, using small gauge (CSA) conductors and thin insulation standards. So, in some situations your 'Low Voltage Electrician' could be dealing with 100V line PA systems. Here, the term/s that include the word Voltage are based on operation voltage. e.g. Extra Low Voltage = up to 36V. Low Voltage = 36V to 1kV. High Voltage above 1kV. I've worked at all these levels. We use 240V AC single phase in most domestic appliances... which are actually low voltage wiring systems. Given the variety of small wire gauges and cable construction methods in your "low Volt" field, I highly recommend seeking out a pair of the Weidmuller Stripax . Very quick and very gentle on fine wire strands.... real low effort and easy on your hands. After years in the trade RSI is a real pain. As I say, in a typical wiring job I could be dealing with small gauge mA instrumentation wiring and larger high current 10A - 63A wires in the same control panel. My one and only stripper does them all without looking for a specific cutter die to suit that wire size. It will even strip off the outer jackets of stuff like CAT5e, Coax and that Romex crap you use in Nth America.
You’re videos are great just found your channel. I’m curious about some of the “German” brands.. do you see made in Taiwan or china on any of the weha or wera screwdrivers or other tools? On Amazon some of them say country of origin china but then people claim they’re made in Germany. Just trying to clear this up before I get all new hand tools.
I wish aviation wiring was more standardized - I have to use various Ideal Stripmaster frames equipped with different blades based on the milspec wire I need to strip. Unfortunately, and frustratingly, 16-26 AWG are not all the same in the milspec world.
CC22 and an ELK knife are the only ones needed
In my opinion the best automatic wire strippers are the WEICON No.5 Pro and they go from 24-5 AWG and 0.20-16mm2
I tried those and I’m not sure if I just got a bad pair or what, but it broke within a day of use. Wouldn’t lock the cutter in anymore.
I could never get into autos even when stripping all day for ltg control itl swear. I spend more time trying to find the right hole then with a short handle stripper feels more ergonomic
You've got a serious case of Knipex addiction going on!😁 I'm not saying it's a bad thing, just couldn't avoid noticing...
I was like "nice collection bro !!" I have all of them
Then nice collection to you too!
@@americanelectrician all those pliers to use knipex scissor/shear 99% of the time 🥲
AWESOME Content however! 👍
Thank you🙌🏼
Correction Knipex strippers Do Not require you to thread in machine screws
In most casses All i need for cables is just weidmüller kt8, knipex nexstrip and jokari 30155
- 30~20AWG = Knipex 12 80 100 SB - 20~10AWG = Knipex 12 12 13 - 10~2AWG = Knipex 95 05 155 SBA - 2AWG~4/0 = Knipex 16 30 145 SB - 4/0+ = Knipex 16 40 150 - ferrules = Phoenix Contacts CF CRIMPHANDY - Other = Knipex 98 55 & Knipex CutiX I am a tool nut and have different packs for different jobs. These are not all in 1 bag, and I do have duplicates of some.
I just need me some cutters😂
Does the kinepx have a version like that last one(your favorite) with romex insolation remover ? That would seem like the one to replace like 4-5 tools
There isn’t a dedicated nm stripper no
Favorites are racketeers juniors and kleins
Milwaukee 7-1 best I’ve used
Strange how none of these are used as wire strippers here in sweden. we use like knipex 95 11 165A and other brands of the exact same model. like 95% of us in sweden do. works great :)
You keep those knipex pliers in your pouch you say? They look like you just pulled them out of the package this afternoon.😂 Furthermore, if you used them every day, shouldn't you know that you don't thread the screws in but they still cut without damaging the threads like every single time. That's what sets them apart and, in my opinion, makes them worth the money. Anyways, thanks for the video. I hope you enjoy your new pliers 😉
you should do like the best budget wire strippers. Gotta be at least several dozen radically different designs out there all way cheaper than these, most being under $10. If this video nets you 150k views, a video like that would grab 500k, i bet you.
You miss the king of cable/wire strippers..."Jokari" 🌟
The best wirestripper by far is Stripax made by Weidmüller. Period.
I like your video ❤❤❤❤❤
You forgot about Knipex 16-95-01. All it's missing are shears
Klein has a wire striper and cripper combo
so far the automation direct composite automatic strippers are the best ive found, that and the cheap klein crimp dikes are in my pocket everyday
are knipex precistrip not available in NA? can't have a wire stripper comparison without them
They aren’t popular here
Weidmuller Stripax without any doubt.
Show me a pic of your “10 gauge lighting” you said it.
20 years electrician and the best by far is Knipex
Couldn’t agree more
I guess im unlucky my knipex 13 72 8 lasted 3 days then the alignment got wonky
I just use my snips. For thin wire my flats. but that is it.