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Levels
Jun 20, 2018 11:49:08 GMT -5
Post by kraftt on Jun 20, 2018 11:49:08 GMT -5
Had to clean it up for pic so they could even be recognized, but that’s the thing they last. Whereas I’ve replaced all my Klein’s countless times from wear. The Knipex Cobras are one of those hand tools I can’t understand why everyone doesn’t own a pair, they are that indispensable no matter what your trade when compared to similar brands. They simply fit where other don’t and hold where others can’t. Very nimble with exceptional steel.
I was just about to place an order for the Knipex TwinForce cutters when I saw a comparison between the NWS FantasticoPlus cutters. After some searching it does seem the NWS are not quite the deep quality or finish detail of the Knipex line but these FantasticoPlus cutters look like they might be a better mouse trap. I also see that Irwin is rebranding the NWS line for a bit less but you don’t get the McDonalds livery.
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Post by yetihunter on Jun 20, 2018 14:42:56 GMT -5
Irwin dropped the rebranded NWS, real quick. Not exactly the kind of margins that Lowe's is interested in. They only have the sidecutters (not sure if fantastico). Felo rebrands them. I don't remember what country you're in. In the USA, KCTOOL finally picked up NWS, and also offers Felo. In Canada, Lee Vally sells NWS. The Fantastico are pretty...erm..fantastico. But while I may have the experience of wiring and soldering recording equipment; electronics ain't an electrician done makes and stuff. So, take my opinion on side cutters/diagonal cutters/dikes with a pinch of salt. NWS usually come rough around the edges with pivots that may be too tight up to their pivots' final state of being very loose. So, I like their pliers (a lot), but I don't want to talk them up too much.
I really don't like Klein stuff, but I have tiny girlie hands and I'm not attacking junction box punchouts.
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Levels
Jun 20, 2018 22:35:26 GMT -5
Post by kraftt on Jun 20, 2018 22:35:26 GMT -5
Thanks, another great site. Yeah, I wondered about the Irwins being made in Germany since they sell for $29 while I now see Felco has to bump up their rebrand over NWS by ten bucks.
I won’t expect too much from the Fantasticos then but even with the way I use tools I think they should still make for good workhorses. Will just be nice to not play the grip strength game for once.
Kleins used to be to me for when the work gets rough, kind of like acceptable quality that was also disposable after a fair amount of service. The lineman’s pliers used as a hammer just as much as for pliers, the dykes/side-cutters used to cut what two hands and all your strength can barely get through but often can’t, screwdrivers used to chisel concrete and stucco, voltage eventually blows holes in everything if you don’t mind working hot, they’re dropped every five minutes, you bought the dipped handles because they’re thin, nimble, and more tools could fit into pockets and carry bag (but those grips get cut easier too), … and of course you left them somewhere or lost them. And then the import / good stuff was more for finish phase, troubleshooting, repair, retrofit, …clean work. But Klein’s prices have steadily risen and now are almost in line with the German offerings so I no longer see the point.
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edit: Looks like the Irwin's at $29 have 'made in Germany' stamped into forging. Decent amount of finish complaints while in the same breath loving the performance. Hate the grip colors but so cheap, camelcamelcamel shows them as low a $22 at the end of 2017.
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Post by yetihunter on Jun 21, 2018 12:59:09 GMT -5
If the IRWIN's say Made in Germany, they should be the same pliers. Not sure if the handles are different. I know that they made a line of similar looking chinese pliers. Those are horrible.
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Levels
Jun 22, 2018 0:05:12 GMT -5
Post by kraftt on Jun 22, 2018 0:05:12 GMT -5
I’ve ordered the Irwin to see what it’s about. The ugly grips & Irwin branding will encourage abuse and that’s a good thing. The Knipex Twin Force’s should have been a no brainer until I saw their video explaining that you re-apply force a second or third time to complete difficult cuts, heck that’s what I already do with the blue handled Kleins and want to avoid.
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The 3meter BMI tape came a couple of days ago. I’d only recommend the 2meter, perfect little trinket to throw in MT55 systainer to replace a folding ruler. I am using the 3meter, but rule printing came faded, doesn’t roll up without occasional issues. 2meter is the sweet spot for this design.
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Levels
Jun 23, 2018 0:14:45 GMT -5
Post by kraftt on Jun 23, 2018 0:14:45 GMT -5
Perfect day for these to arrive gave them a real workout. They're better than a regular pair of side cutters, they came broken in, made in Germany, were pretty good a cutting things - some very well, some so-so. If these really are the same as NWS I'm glad I paid less and got the Irwins. To me these are a $19.99 tool max with a compound leverage feature. But they are strong. Not amazingly so in any way, just pleasant enough. But again, they've replaced my Klein's and are welcome. Feels like I've been using them for years, nothing to get used to. Jaws / cutting edges don't align but that doesn't seem to hamper performance even when only cutting with the tips, just checked again and cut all the tines off a stainless steel fork using tips (lol). Not sure if gap near base of cutters was created today from cutting or if it was there to begin with(?)
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Levels
Jun 25, 2018 15:11:58 GMT -5
Post by yetihunter on Jun 25, 2018 15:11:58 GMT -5
I just checked my fantastico's and the nose meets the same way and there is also a gap near the pivot. Hooray! :0
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Levels
Jun 25, 2018 20:09:28 GMT -5
Post by kraftt on Jun 25, 2018 20:09:28 GMT -5
Good to know, thank you.
I think it gives them character.
(been using the snot out of it today because the Paslode framer is a p.o.s. - definitely selling it now)
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Levels
Jun 26, 2018 14:28:56 GMT -5
Post by yetihunter on Jun 26, 2018 14:28:56 GMT -5
You will find that all of their plier designs are "weird".
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Post by kraftt on Jun 26, 2018 15:27:05 GMT -5
emailed IRWIN the photo above because I was curious if the jaw design was like that on purpose, to cut 'and' separate by being offset. They wrote back that they're sending me another pair. Probably just to shut me up. I'm sure the replacements jaws will be misaligned too. But hey, nice that they stand behind their tools.
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Levels
Jun 26, 2018 15:58:36 GMT -5
Post by yetihunter on Jun 26, 2018 15:58:36 GMT -5
Two for the price of one priced for two. :0 I have to imagine that that is a design thing.
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Levels
Jun 26, 2018 15:58:51 GMT -5
Post by yetihunter on Jun 26, 2018 15:58:51 GMT -5
Two for the price of one priced for two. :0 I have to imagine that that is a design thing.
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Levels
Jul 1, 2018 13:26:13 GMT -5
Post by kraftt on Jul 1, 2018 13:26:13 GMT -5
fwiw - I find Amazon.de to have the best pricing on Knipex. Picked up a pair of 12" 87 21 300 Cobra quick-set for only 36.11 shipped. (or 33.42 if you want the standard adjust).
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Post by jm on Jul 1, 2018 17:42:13 GMT -5
Back to levels for a second, I have a Sola that I like. Made in Austria instead of Germany, but seems to be of high quality as well. If I recall, it was a bit cheaper than the equivalent Stabila. Just another option to throw out there.
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Levels
Jul 2, 2018 10:34:39 GMT -5
Post by yetihunter on Jul 2, 2018 10:34:39 GMT -5
I like the big bubble on the Sola, I shan't lie.
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