Harbor Freight Icon Pliers Wrench VS Knipex Pliers, which is better? A Tool Showdown! 

It seems nobody can agree on how to say Knipex. For those of you who are curious here is an example of how the German Knipex employees say it. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-YfZwJ3_f1WQ.html

You can't rip harbor freight for this. How many of you got a genuine colt 1911 or armorlite 16? Exactly! All you guys are rocking the clones 1911s and ar15s!

I've used Knipex professionally for years, and have had 0 complaints about them since my first pair back in the 90's. However, recently picked up a pair of the HF Doyle clones, and have to admit that they are a perfectly usable substitute. I keep them in my go bag, along with other lower priced, but perfectly usable tools.

I like the Knipex a little better-I have three sizes of them-but not $30 better. If you're patient you can get the Icon for even less with a coupon.

I bought a pair and can 100% vouch for the Harbor Freight pair being amazing. If you’ve never used a pair before it is a total game changer!!

I agree 100% on the Warranty and exchanging them is a Huge advantage. You can beat the crap out of them then when they break you get a brand new one same day

Thanks for this. I have two of the 7" knipex pliers wrenches but will be grabbing a set of the 10" icons to round out the collection.

I’m unreasonably excited to go to Harbor Freight and buy those lol

Well these definitely look like a winner to me. Thank you so much. 😀

This is one of the tools I would have went name brand with before the icon line came along, I’m going to have to pick these up now.

Making my own video this week. But I enjoy hearing others opinions. Good video man

Great review! Cheers

Harbor Freight if you're listening make the 5", 6", 7", 12", and 16" pliers wrenches.

I had the knipex 10 in version. Still do, but they broke and knipex semt me replacement parts but the wrong size. Im definitely going woth harbor freight now. Its literally on my way home from the shop. The knipex replaced my snap on adjustable wrench. Just wait until i tell my snappy dealer hf replaced them

I'm excited to see all the new Icon pliers coming out, they're really nice quality. The grips are awesome, I love the texture and cushioning.

Crazy how well companies can make just about the same product for much cheaper, I was stuck on brands for a while thinking they are so much better, but I’m starting to realize there are some great alternatives for some tools, not all but more than I originally thought. For new comers it’s great , they can have quality tools and not break the bank when they start their career.

Im curious as to the actual material quality and hardness of the Icons. Generally if a clone is heavier than the original its because the original is a better quality forging with tighter/stronger grain and better toughness/hardness. I'm not saying this is necessarily the case here. Just that I'd like to see them tested.

‘’Their own version” had me 😂

Found yer vid on Hazard Fraught's own website, hopefully they make these in other sizes too. They look like they're out of the same friggin factory so the price on the Knipex is just bonkers.

The old HF warranty is amazing. I own the Knipex pliers wrench, and I’ve never even considered their warranty. Guess I know I won’t likely ever need it. Remember TommyBoy? “I can crap in a box and slap a warranty on it, but you do have”?

You can regularly find knipex for 50$ .... And for $10 difference the metal quality and the original design on knipex is the way to go

Dang you, I just started buying knipex. But I’m a sucker for a smart deal, for a decent quality and similar look.

thanks!

The Icons look nice minus the thick grips. I have several of the knipex 7” and 10” I love them. I bought them when they were cheaper than the icons. $32 and $37 respectively. I personally do not like the thicker grips on any of my pliers. Knipex makes slim design tools for a purpose and thick ass grips just make a tool harder to get into tighter areas .

This is an exciting development to me. Im a big fan of Knipex and while I'll willingly spend 30-some-odd dollars on a 4" mini-Cobra pliers, for some reason i have a mental block about scaling up my Knipex spending to all the (many, many) $40+ items which includes anything bigger than 8". So this larger tool for $40 is useful because it helps me avoid confronting my own hypocrisy. Pound-foolish, tool wise? Eh, who am i kidding.

“Harbor Freight did an outstanding job of creating their own version…” Hmmm… I’d actually say that they did a straight up copy. Even down to the red color grips! I’m not downing the Icon version - what an outstanding value for what looks like a quality tool. But let’s call it what it is, a carbon copy.

It looks like the Icon set has slightly smaller teeth, which may give it more slots for adjustability and also make it slightly weaker overall

Hey as long as they work properly, hell yeah! Power to the people make these companies drop prices 😅 more savings for us

I see a lawsuit coming in the near future over these things. They are just way too similar. Right down to the cosmetic cutout patterns on the sides of the jaws. Even the same color of red on the handles. If Knipex was making these for harbor freight then of course there wouldn't be a problem. But from what I've read so far, Knipex does not make these for harbor freight. It will be interesting to see how this goes.

Could you please measure the total length of the Harbor Freight/Icon 10" pliers wrench in mm and post it here as a response? (Photos are appreciated with ruler side by side or add it as a separate video.) Thanks

I really wish ICON would make a full line of pliers and cutters to compete with Knipex. I have the "parrot head" ICON version of the wrench/pliers and it is awesome!

I've got three knipex pliers sizes. They are great but I got all in a pack years ago for around 100. At full price I'd give the hf ones a try. Look good based on initial reviews I've seen. For home use the 6 and 8 inches ones get the most use. They are all very handy.

Need to get me a pair yet

I’d be interested to see the comparison of metal quality and hardness of these two tools

Just when I think I’ve heard every pronunciation of Knipex there could ever be, this guy hits me with the Kuh-kneeee-pex lmao.

My only concern would be the quality of the steel of the HF ones. I have had a set of Knipex Cobra Pliers for 10+ years now and the teeth on those are in the same shape as when I got them. I have the Icon equivalent and the teeth are worn out after just a year. Something to be said for the strength of German steel.

Assuming they are Taiwanese, I'll get a set when they get around $30.

Why would you even need to warranty these? I’ve had the knipex version forever and jaw as well as the handles are in exceptional shape. I’m sure ICON will do the job just as well since they shared the same design, but only time will tell how they hold up over time.

Awesome review, they look really nice... Are they made in Taiwan?

The fact that you worry about the warranty tells all. What's the steel used for the Harbor Freight? You might need that warranty sooner than you think. Also, when has an exact copy become 'their own version'?

Jeez that's one shameless copy

How much are the icon?

Not any kind of a "showdown"!! No strength tests, no jaw tests, just a couple of 'touchy-feely' comments, and raving about HF warranty... BUT, I don't want a tool that *NEEDS* a warranty exchange! I don't want a tool that fails me in some remote location, or damages a fastener, or bloodies my knuckles but gets a warranty easily. Unless you are many kilometers from HF store, or even have one close to you, or can afford to blow off the time and expense to go there to exchange a $40 tool. In 30 years with Knipex Cobra's (multiple sizes, multiple locations), I've never had one fail me, and learned the lessons about tool warranties a long, long time ago. Better to spend $30, or so, more, and never need the warranty :-)

Do they have smooth jaws? I need a universal type that I can tighten up all thread rod. 3/8 to 1/2" will this work for me

I'm pretty sure the pronunciation is KNEE--PEX. I've worked overseas where these tools were used by European crews & I worked with a lot of these guys & they pronounced it the way I have suggested.

Yes but do they sell a 7-inch version? That's my main one I use at work

What about the tool steel grade, can you prove that they're just as good? Like a Rockwell test would be even slightly useful. If they're made out of rubbish steel or not the same grade as the Knipex, then they are a subpar tool. The one thing that really makes a tool last is the quality of tool grade steel that they are made out of. Because that tool steel grade is so hard to machine and work with the cost is usually more to produce a tool with quality steel. It really irritates me that this is not even a point/question in your review.

how do the irwins compare to these? I saw you did a review on those as well, but didn't see a direct comparison to the icon. thanks.

Durability is also important. I can fold a penny twice (into a pie piece) with my Knipex and there was barely a mark in the finish. Still, Harbor Freight is doing well with their hand tools. Unfortunately, that’s not universal for their products. I recently purchased a hand winch that was so poorly designed as to be dangerous. Return was very s easy, though.

Wish they also made the 12 inch

That’s the 3rd pronunciation of the brand I’ve heard…. Will this ever end..?

They should've brought these out on the Doyle line

Damnit I just bought the Knipex one the other day not knowing horror fright had there own.

Great Video.. makes me want to drive to Harbor Freight to buy a pair of pliers, even at $39.99. I will say that at the 2:03 mark on the video, it looks like the Knipex has a little better fit where the cam/pawl fits into ident on the plier jaws.. Does it feel like there is more slop when closing the grip? I'd also be curious to know if Knipex uses hardened steel in their pliers, or at least a harder steel than the Icon. I can see how these would wear alot more if a softer metal was used..

If you only ever buy the knockoff version of stuff then your putting less support in to the R&D of new tools and innovations

I wish the harbor freight was availible in the UK, i just got the knipex version and feeling slightly ripped off.

Not arguing for or against HF, but am curious about the type and quality of steel they used versus Knipex. Weight and/or thickness alone doesn’t tell us anything.

Wow, the harbor freight clone is on point, you can't beat that return at harbor freight no questions asked. I'll keep my eye open for them at my store. Thanks for sharing.#PEACE ✌🏾

Regarding the return policy at HF, what did you mean by: “I have done it many times myself”? It appears you and HF have a habitual process.😜

I’m waiting for Icon to make the next 2 smaller sizes.

Thanks for your video. Knipex makes their pliers wrench in several sizes including a very small one that I use as part of my secondary EDC along with a small version of their Cobra water pump pliers. The pliers wrench has replaced a small crescent in my toolset and larger sizes will eventually replace all of my crescent wrenches. I'm sure that someday I will find a situation where the crescent is the best choice; but the fact that the pliers wrench will not work loose and is rapidly reset in use makes me think that use case for the crescent wrench is going to be very rare.

they need to make a 6in size as well imo

I have my knipex plierwrenches since 2009. Still flawless today. I have never owned anything from HF that lasts more than a year before it starts to fall apart. HF is good for loaner tools when porters and service writers come and ask to borrow tools because they want to diagnose and "repair" stuff in the parking lot before they realize they have to pay a technician who will actually fix it right. You will never see me handing out my knipex to them or sloppy green techs who get their tools from Wal-mart. Knipex good, HF meh.

It's too bad the HF only comes in a 10" version. Knipex comes in five sizes from 6" up to 16"

Has Icon done something illegal by copying the Knipex?

A tool truck can warranty the knipex pliers and even if you don’t buy it off of them they should be able to take care of you

A bunch of squawking in the comments about these pliers being a copy of the Knipex brand. Duh, it's Harbor Freight. What did you expect? The copy complaint is running neck and neck with the name pronunciation complaints. Click on the link in the pinned comment to hear the name spoken by someone who should know the correct way to say it. And then go outside and get some fresh air, some of you sound like you need it.

Great review but those were the old version of those knipex pliers I have two of the updated once and they have the same handles as the Harbor Freight also instead of being shiny they are now black

warranty only works when the company will still have the same item 2 years from now. plus i lost count on how many harbor freight tools i have broken. now cant say the same for knipex. i NEVER have broken, stripped, or damaged any of the 20 plus pair of knipex. i abuse the hell out of them and my small cobras are one of my most used tools.if the tool is made awesome and never brakes then the warranty doesnt matter.

Mae shure mants Sold!

When is "creating your own version" also "theft of intellectual property"?

0:38 There is absolutely no way the HF copies could be better than the Knipex (not Kneepex!). In fact, everything you claimed as a better feature on the knock offs would be a detriment or short fall in my esteem. And, all the ways that you said the Knipex were better... well, you didn’t seem to point any out leading me to the conclusion that this tool showdown was one-sided from the onset. The HF copies do seem to be good pliers from what I can tell from your video. Either pair is probably well worth the money. As for the warranty, I’ve never ever needed to warranty a Knipex tool in the nearly 10 years I’ve been using them. Harbor freights warranty is the only thing that keeps people taking the risk on their tools. And everybody knows there’s a high likelihood you’ll need to use it. (The price is often a factor, too, but HF prices are not always much better than the good stuff. Those are my thoughts on what seemed to me more a review of the HF version of the Knipex (NOT Kneepex!) Pliers Wrench than a true head-to-head showdown. I appreciate the review, but didn’t see a realistic comparison of quality. Thanks for your time and effort to share. I didn’t even know HF was copying this tool.

Where are these made?

Well hate to tell y'all but channel lock I call them beak nose channel. They are the best hands down

The steel used in the Knipex is superior to the Icon

Channellock does the “harder you press on back handle the tighter it gets” also. No need to pull the front part. You can use a cheater bar on just the back handle

How amazing a knock off a german design I'm sold on the cheap Chinese copy

Buy knipex off of any tool truck and dealer will warranty if they ever mess up. Even though it is highly unlikely (best plier manufacturer)

These are NEVER available. Not sure what's up with HF.

You can not compare Knipex with any other brand!Just buy them and you are good for life!

K not silent?

I’m surprised you don’t pronounce icon as Econ lol

These are a blueprint copy of the conifex pliers before they changed the design to the lighter weight version

The icon ones are 'beefier' because the grade of steel isnt as good as Knipex.

Oof, they even copied the coutout shapes on the moving jaw to a tee. I wonder why / if knipex can't / doesn't sue them for this, that is egregious. I have the knipex with the more padded hanles (model 86 05 250) and I love them. I paid 42 euros for them.

Well they didnt try hard to disguise that they ripped of pretty much the entire design. Just make molds of a existing design, make it out of Chinesium and sell it for half the price. Plenty of brands make pliers wrenches but this is a bit much. Shame on them.

The way he pronounces it lol

I'll just my knipex over harbor freight tools any day

It’s Ryobi not Ryobi.

Thanks for the nice review, I have been a fan of knipex pliers for 20 plus years. The only question I have is what is the purpose of a wrench plier, doesn't a wrench work just as well?

Ka-nip-ex!

The K is silent!!

Kaneepx? Its said like "nip x". You say the k in knife? K-nif-e? Lol

The k is silent

Those are clearly knock offs I have a pair from Irwin they work fine I want a pocket pair but can't bring myself to pay like $50 for them I do have a 5" paid of the cobra

I hate having nice tools, anyone who comes over to work on something and uses my tools, everything is NOT a hammer. I have yelled at so many people.

Kee-nipx… kee-nowlege… Kee-nee… ❌ (K)Nipex…. ✅😂

Kuh nip ex ... not Kuh nee pex

Pronounced NIPEX silent K

Ffs… the K is silent….. this is painful..