The Knipex snap ring pliers are much the same as Facom, TopTul (Taiwan), Gedore and a number of European style snap ring pliers. The pin end is not machined into the plier forged body, they are ball bearing steel, pressed into body and not really removable. These bearing steel pins are really tough and durable. Note the precise alignment of the pins as they come together on the Knipex and the amount of mis-alignment on the Snap-On. The Knipex has a screw joint that is adjustable which can be used to adjust alignment, take-apart to clean and lube. While the Snap-On has a take-apart internal-external design, these lack the stability and alignment designs like the Knipex has when properly designed and made. The Spring in the Knipex works to great advantage when working with snap rings as they add better control of the plier that none of the internal-external convertible snap ring pliers have. Currently own the Knipex, Facom, Gedore nd TopTul snap ring pliers as mixed set and have used the Snap-On and virtually all the screw together convertible USA made snap ring pliers. All of these screw together convertible snap ring pliers come loose when used often and the screw must be set just right or the bind or get floppy. Stay away from these as they sot of work at best. While the Snap-On ring pliers are better, they just don't work as well as the European internal or external and ring size specific pliers. If you work with snap rings lots, get the European design snap ring pliers, they simply work better. If working with BIG snap rings, get a set (internal-external) of the old USA made Waldes True-Arc snap ring pliers with the ratcheting handle. These are a MUST when working with snap rings in the larger than 4" or 100mm diameter rings. These big rings require a lot of force to deal with them, If they get away while working with them, they can cause injury or cause a lot of service problems.
Snap on has the new version where you push a button and can change them around which is a much better design and I ain't got to have 24 pairs as with the snap ones I just need 12 to put them on and take them off.
I like the snap on ones. I love the handle grips on the snap on pliers. I just think they’re some of the most comfortable grips I’ve ever used, even more so than the ‘comfort grip, multi material’ handles of other manufacturers.
Bought Snap on set but after checking very closely their tip not equal after paying so much. Then returned and bought Knipex. Very happy with them. Have many other pliers from knipex too. Definitely recommend.
I own them both. My tool box consist of only USA made snap on or German made knipex tools only. Hands down the knipex pliers and knipex snap ring pliers are the top dog. The knipex business end of the snap ring pliers, as you said is machined flat, this allows for a better grip of the snap ring when you have to put pressure against it compared to the snap on tapered end. Also the knipex has a longer, narrow reach allowing you to get into deeper, inside areas.
Professional union millwright on a refinery rebuild in the Virgin Islands. Have been in the shop rebuilding pumps compressors turbines and gearboxes. Have been debating between snap on or knipex. I’m going with knipex 8 piece after this vid. Hard to beat snap on warranty where they just UPS a replacement but I think Knipex has the pliers market covered. I have a set of Cobras I got off the Matco truck in 2005 and I have severely used them and they are still my go to get er dun tool. Thanx for vid.
I absolutely agree on Knipex having the pliers market covered. I have the 300, 180, and 125 size cobras at work (and home) and from what I’ve put them through, I don’t see myself ever switching to a different brand.
Just to give your audience analysis paralysis, Knipex offers two snap ring pliers ranges (actually more, but I’m speaking of conventional sizes). The example in this video is from the “precision” range with lap joint and inserted tips. Alongside that range they offer an un-named range with a box joint and machined tips (and they offer them in a chrome finish option). I have a mix of both and don’t deal with snap rings enough to notice a difference. Gedore and Facom make similar circlip pliers if that’s a cheaper option wherever in the world.
The Knipex pliers in this video is indeed of the precision series. The other series from Knipex is called the "46" series. Still trying to figure out the different uses bergen the two series.
My experience is that all the combination (inside/outside) suffer from rigity and misalignment problems especially when dealing with larger clips. Ultimately its better having the pliers dedicated only to one task. Like thr snspon handle though.
Would be happy with either, but given the option would choose the Knipex. I'm actually in the market for snap ring pliers. Thinking of Icon, as I only use them a few times per year.
I have the 8 piece Icon set. They are a copy of the other style snap ring pliers that Knipex makes. I like them. The tips are the right shape, and they align up really well. The tips have a heavy coat of paint that needs cleaned off before they fit well. After I tried then, I threw away a bunch of those stamped steel snap ring pliers. I didn't even pass them on to someone. After using forged pliers, the others feel like junk! Even if they are just Harbor Freight.
I’m taking a hard snap ring out of my dirt bike’s clutch master cylinder. The space is tight and I already tried the cheap harbor freight, so I’m considering the snap on.
Both Awesome Brands...great steel...but having the tips offset can be a problem sometimes...so because of that I'd choose the Knipex...but I love the reversible option on the Snap-On...in the end it just come down to personal preference.
Been waiting for something like this forever. Thanks again Tim. I know that wiha makes some with divots in them that hold the rings. There's a guy on youtube that has a video where he takes his knipex ones, and files one in to hold the snap ring in place. Would you be able to do a video of these doing a physical test to see which ones hold snap rings better?
Take this with a grain of salt, and I could be wrong. K-Nipex, K-Nife, I do believe that it would just be Nipex. Good video, would definitely agree with your opinion in regards to the Snap-On quick release button.
knipex will 10times outlast strapon because the tips are made of spring steel wire. Also checking the precision knipex is much better, strapon does not align well
The Knipex set you have is different because that is the precision set and the tip is actually spring steel rods inserted into the Plier the tip is a different steel to the pliers itself where as other circlip pliers tend to be drop forged beefy heavy duty the end pegs on the ones that you are reviewing is the precision version and they have the internal spring and the tip is spring steel it’s different stuff they are far superior to snap on
I'm a professional mechanic I have had my snap on screw ons since they have been out young man been doing this probably longer then you have been alive still have the same one's when I first bought them and used them almost everyday never broke one you must of not been using them for their intended purposes!
