Electrician here. I own all 3 brands. They are all GOOD. Klein i prefer for alot of splices. The top heavy feel of the tool aids in splicing multiple wires and wires of different sizes. The weight also makes it a great hammer in situations. The cutters generally hold up the longest between the three. Rectangle cutout can hold a 3/8s nut and be used a 9/16 wrench in a pinch. Knipex. Balance and finish are unmatched. This tool is awesome, metallurgy makes it rust and corrosion resistant, round cut allows to cut heavy gauge wire. They cut very well. Ive cut 1/4 bolts several times, very minor depressions in blades occured still cut well. Gripping nose is slightly smaller than Klein. Channellock. A cheap USA made no frills tool. Probably cut the best but rubber handles slide off, the tool rusts pretty easily and the tool head is slimmer than the competiton, a big downside. If you need to splice 3 or more 12awgs your SOL, wish they would fix that. Channellock used to make wiremaster plier that the old timers swore by.
Couldn’t have said it better myself. I found a place that had a few wire masters still for sale about three months ago. Also own the CRFT. I’d also add Klein feels broken in from day one. Channlock is my work horse, gets used and abused. Klein is in all my bags Knipex is so nice I don’t want to use it. 😂
@@thunderhammer1937 Agreed. I have 5 year old Knipex Cobras that have held up well, but I watch them like a hawk on job sites. My Knipex Lines & dykes are now backups and stay in the truck. Their dykes suck, dont buy them unless its the 10", but thats a large tool to be running abd gunning all day. I have a sweet spot for Channellock. I have quite a few of their pliers at home. Their "Nut busters" are amazing when you need them. I think when my Knipex Cobras take a dumo theyll be replaced with 430s or 440s. Klein tongue and groove flat out suck.
The Kliens with the Journeyman grips are $39.99 at Home Depot. Nothing holds up as well as the Klien 2000 series. Not even the Knipex. You don't cut wire all day long barely squeezing the pliers like your test. You did not cut any 6/32 or 8/32 screws. The snap of the Knipex wears on your hands. The Kliens eliminate that snap. Channel locks can not cut any screws and rust quickly. 25 five years in the trade. Had numerous pairs of Knipex also that had too much daylight between the cutting blades. Can use the Kliens to remove knock outs hammering on a screw driver. If you do that with the Knipex the small pivot loosens and pliers get wobble in them.
The gap in the Klein's is actually a design feature from what I recall. The idea is the slight gap is so when you squeeze the handles, the gap closes, but doesn't press into the opposing blade.
You can't go wrong with any one of them. Those are top of the line of the living history pliers brands. Knipex have a combination pliers version (the European type), 9" - which is almost twice as cheap as the lineman's, but also with a high leverage pivot and powerful and comfortable.
I don't know what is up with your Klein's.. I have several Klein Lineman and diagonal cutters and every single one of them are perfect. No gap whatsoever and cut like butter
I use a Harbor Freight "Doyle 9-in" pliers that for $18 I don't care beating the crap out of them. I also have a Tekton 9 in that are also pretty good but those are for DIY auto repairs. In the car's tool bag I carry a Wal Mart Hart 8-in.
