ICON makes a copy of the Knipex Pliers Wrench, and I haven't really seen anyone care about it because it sells for $40 when the Knipex is $55-65. That price difference isn't very big. I would assume most people would spend the extra coin for the Knipex. But these Snap-On vs ICON price differences are making more people think and ultimately choose ICON. I certainly have.
Excellent point. And that is exactly why I have not explored the Craftsman version of the Plier Wrench. The price was just too close to the OG version.
100% This. I get that Snap On has to pay for engineering and made is US costs while HF gets to "cheat" on both of these aspects, but generally speaking SO's tools are still just outrageously priced IMO and I own plenty. I have no idea what their margins are, but based on their profits each year they don't seem to be doing poorly. I just don't see how Snap On's model is sustainable long-term price wise as Icon gets closer and closer quality wise. As a DIY user, finding Snap On trucks tends to be way more of a PITA than going to HF on my own time/schedule as well.
@@GeorgeAdams I live in Galveston, Tx. I call three dealers and they all refused to sell to me because I wasn’t in a shop. I did find one in Houston which I’ve been using for over a year.
@@GeorgeAdams Still. You could walk into a brick and mortar HF and buy product. Or. You could call multiple shops, find someone who has the info on the Snap-On guy, possibly wait for the specific day and time he comes to that shop if they don’t have his info, or arrange a time you could meet him locally to buy that product. Of all of the shops I’ve worked and snapon trucks I’ve used, I never had the truck guys number because I always knew he’d be back in a week.
@@quintonhowell4244You hit the nail on the head. I’m not against SnapOn tools (I have a couple tools that I love) but many of the tools aren’t even worth the price difference or the effort to try and access. I’ve had to purchase my tools online so pretty much full price no dealer sales or special deals
I work at an auto shop, and we’re lucky to see our SnapOn guy once a week, and even luckier if he has what we need on hand. Whereas I drive by a HF to and from work every day. The price and availability of Icon makes it a pretty easy choice for folks that don’t use these everyday.
I'll most definitely be picking up a set of the icons, thanks for the detailed review!👍 ( and I absolutely agree, it's not that snap on aren't the best, but that's a huge difference in price!)
If Snap-on was 40$ and available (say on amazon or at the big box stores), they would sell a lot more to people like me and likely a lot of your other viewers. I'm happy paying brands a premium for innovation and quality (Wera, Knipix, etc). But Snap-on prices and availability are both problems that create a huge opportunity for HF.
You are not Snap-on's target market. They sell professional tools to professionals. I do have HF tools at work, but they are mainly tools that I have cut up to make specialty tools. I do have a few of HF's ratchets that I use very rarely, but could not justify buying a Snap-on ratchet that I would use a couple times a year for a certain motor mount I see in the shop three times a year.
@@donho3617 I'm definitely not their target market. I was just pointing out they are leaving a ton of money/profit on the table and allowing future competitors to grow in their blind spot. As long as someone who wants to sell tools to me makes good tools I'll buy them. I might try the HF version of this, but I'd rather get it from a company that uses better steel which really shows in tools like this.
I appreciate the thorough testing, and I may just be coping a bit because I like the icons, but I feel hardness isn’t as important with the needle nose as it is with the screw extractors. If these pliers had bolt grabbing, then maybe it would matter more, but I feel the intent of these is mostly to grab small hose clamps, electrical plugs, and clips. None of those require much hardness IMO, but I’m not a professional mechanic, could be wrong. But $15/$20 for 60-80% of the plier is pretty damn good
So easy to return at HF, a fresh pair isn't very far away. Buying a second pair isn't out of the question. Money and convenience are a powerful argument.
The Snap-On pistol grips 912aep are still hot forged, same with their 15 inch extra longs 915CP, and the high-leverage HL138. Most of their other stuff is cold forged now.
I buy tools from across the world and really value quality...well quality within my price range (dreams of Maffel). But, I am also a fan of Harbor Freight for some things. I am primarily a woodworker so I don't really put the same kinds of stresses on things that metal workers, welders, and mechanics might. Like, for most of what I do a C-Clamp is a C-Clamp, so why should I pay more for a name brand. If I was doing something critical, sure, but holding down a piece of of wood while I drill into it or holding something in place during glue-up isn't super demanding. Similarly, I bought an 8in Bauer drill press on sale for ~$80 and it works great for my needs...especially given the price. Would it stand up to production level use? Probably not, but I am essentially a hobbyist that maybe dreams big. It's not going to be used 8hr's a day everyday for years on end. I might use it once or twice a week so it's power and accuracy is enough for me. And I think that's the thing about HF...maybe it's not ideal for constant use (time will tell with ICON...though I have generally heard good things from longer terms users so far), but I've realized that not every tool needs to be the best. I'd rather have the Bauer and be able to do X,Y, and Z now than still be saving up for a tool that is beyond my current needs. Similarly, I think Icon really shines with things like these pistol grip Needle Nose and Pistol Grip Screw Extraction Pliers. If you are using them everyday you probably want something like the Snap On (though both have a lifetime warranty and HF may be easier to get to for some than the Snap On truck) but for a lot of us these will be every now and then tools.
I bought both the other day after watching your video, It was $43.87 with tax. I've used it the following day at work and I must say, not bad at all. Keep in mind, 90% of my tools are mainly snap on tools. It works very well for reaching into the back side of cable bracket holders on wire loom to squeeze them inward so they'll pop off the bracket.
The only ones im waiting to see a comparison on is the icon knock off of the knipex 85 51 250 AF locking hose clamp pliers. Knipex goes for $100+, Snap On rebranded them for $200+, and the icons are supposedly gonna sell for $30-$40. But they have the thick grips instead of the knipex textured dipped grips.
This is said more in question than expertise… would scratching the surface be a good reflection of the hardness of the material versus taking a slightly deeper gouge out of it? Thinking such a light scratch is very likely not penetrating beyond an oxide layer and may better reflect what oxide preventative they’ve used
We do make quality products in this country and most companies don't gouge the consumer like Snap-on and their warranty seems to be up to the truck guy. Harbor Freight will replace the tool no questions ask. I work in a lot of different facilities and the majority of the tool boxes and carts are from HF as well as the ones purchased by the company and they are holding up just fine so you should look around the store a little more
The Harbor Freights in Los Angeles are now requiring a receipt if the tool is not listed in their computer with your phone number. I have tools that were originally bought at their North Hollywood store (one of the original stores) and they will not warranty them. I buy tools that will make me money and I do have a lot of Snap-on, Mac, and Matco along with some Harbor Freight tools at work. I actually prefer Channel Lock pliers and have used that brand for almost 30 years. I am concerned about Icon tools as I am already seeing some of the tools already on clearance. Not sure how Harbor Freight will handle those items when warranted.
Sorry Brother But Even If The I Con Breaks In Front Of My Eyes Don't Worry I Am Done With Snap On Too Hard To Resisst Tbe Deal Of $15 With For The Same Pliers Snap On I Still Make My Move Long Time Ago I Will With China 🎎🎎 BYE BYE Snap On Adios 🙋♂️🙋♂️🙋♂️
Let's turn that around - if Snap-On were cheaper, would anyone care about Snap-On? Sure, they have some great tools, but they are very much Veblen goods - without the relative exclusivity, because of high price and limited distribution, there wouldn't be nearly as many fanboys drooling over them.
I would have a hard time buying either of these. I don't mind paying for quality, but that price for Snap-On is bordering on offensive. On the other hand, I usually won't buy anything made in China if there is an alternative available from a nation with basic human rights, regardless of the price difference. The Harbor Freight practice of blatantly ripping off designs, right down to the color of the handles, is also something I can't support with a good conscience.
