TH-cam’s absolute best consumer reports. I never ever miss them. I am convinced that his tests and reviews are totally unbiased and that he is not ‘bought and paid for.’
Indeed, very high quality products, widely used in aviation maintenance. Most pliers and side-cutters in our mechanic toolboxes are Knipex. As for the rest, wrenches, sockets there's Snap-On.
@@dougerrohmer i actually love my Milwaukee 6-n-1 strippers. They're the model #48-22-3079 I've had them for a year now, and I have zero signs of dulling, and they haven't let me down yet. And the pliers at the end are great! Best $26 I spent!
When using the bolt cutters, the bolt needs to be threaded through from the threaded side of the pliers so when you remove the cut bolt from the pliers, the pliers act like a die over the bolt thread.
Yeah I was wondering about that also. The head part is supposed to stay in the cutter after use and has to be unscrewed, and the tip part usually goes ping off in a corner. Supporting the threads in a threaded hole prevents damage to them during the cut. Unscrewing it rolls any flashing back onto tip allowing easy not entry.
Exactly. Removing the screw through the threaded portion of the pliers allows the threads to be "chased" cleaning up any irregularities that may result from the cutting..
So I'm an engineer (mechanical) ... watched many of your videos and your test setups are very well thought out and nicely executed. Thanks for all you do, it's greatly appreciated.
@@bmssenjoyer id like to see you learn differential calculus, thermodynamics, or dynamic mechanics. Do you even know what a fourier transform is? If not go pound sand.
Great video Todd!! I have been a licensed electrical contractor for 45 years, and in the trade since I was 13 years old. Out of Klein, Greenlee, Ideal, Channellock, Stabilia(for levels), I can honestly say that I have never had a bad/deffective tool in the bunch no matter for what purpose the tool is designed for. I dont have one brand that i stick to, but what fits best for my trade. Sidenote, sometimes Klein and a few others need a break-in period to loosen up(the old 1000 honing compound trick with WD40 and a few minutes of open and close repetions loosens them right up.) I still have my first basic tools which I now just keep in my desk for inside the house work and quick access. I thoroughly enjoy Klein screwdrivers, and they can be re-squared up in seconds with a diamond stone. The biggest threat to my tools, is employees zapping them on hot circuits! Having great quality tools, with good quality brand names, gets the respect from fellow tradesmen, and other trades, besides showing that you spend on quality tools, which hopefully is a carry over to the quality of work standards you adhere to(while it may seem superficial, it is a matter of fact in the trades.) Ergonomics is usually my first priority, then tool platform preference and quality. Of course not everyone feel as I do, it's my two cents of experience which may possibly help others make their tool purchase decisions. Thank You, and Keep up the great, and useful weekly content!
Greenlee levels come not level. At least the Aluminum green ones. I stick with the Klein as they are made slightly better. I do like No Dog for levels.
Nice comment James. I have all Klein as well, been an electrician since 98, tho I must say Klein has a garbage return policy compared to some other brands. I finally have up about 10 years ago on Klein levels and went Stabila.
I believe I've said something similar before, but it doesn't hurt to reiterate the fact that your videos are fantastic. Not only is your content informative and useful, but your excellent presentator voice keeps your videos engaging, and your editing flow makes them a really smooth experience. Your videos have helped me make informed purchases in the past, and I always look forward to seeing what you'll cover next.
A few words for anyone considering the fully automatic ones: Apart from the Knipex, the fully automatic ones look very, very strange and I wouldn't want to use them. However, we use fully automatic ones at work (actually a different Knipex one, model 12 40 200). These are by far the best I've ever used. So much quicker, very reliable, no damaged wires, very easy to use. And the biggest benefit in my opinion: You can change the blade and plastic bits if they are used up / broken. Blades e.g. are priced at around 12€ for a set of both (cheapest online). For a hobbyist, the manual ones might be a good choice, but for everyone who needs a daily driver the Knipex automatic ones are unbeatable imo, especially since you can swap the wear parts (and to be honest, for that price everyone should just get the automatic ones). And, with the mentioned model (flat blade instead of the V-shaped shown in your video), you can actually strip multiple wires of the same thickness at once. Probably not intended, but possible without any downsides, since the blades dont cut throught the complete isolation. (Just read the info on their website, they are actually designed for flat cables up to 10mm width, so it even is intended). Oh and what I forgot: you can set the length that needs to be stripped by adjusting the plastic piece, so if you need ferrules and need the conductor to be stripped down 10mm or whatever, you'll get perfect results, every single time.
As a German, I have worked with many high-quality products. Knipex also has an excellent reputation here. However, almost every electrician here uses the Weidmüller Stripax. These are the best wire strippers I have ever held in my hands. But they also cost a little more
I used the cheapo auto strippers in an auto shop where I did a fair number of wiring repairs for about 3 years and they worked great and held up just fine. I would say they're pretty much just for stranded wire though.
My dad has been an electrician for almost 60 years and still going today, as long as I remember he has always used Klein tools for almost all his hand tools other than his wire strippers. He always used Ideals. And I've always liked the simplicity of them personally.
My dad was an electrician and ran his electric own company. They all used the Ideal wire strippers and they really liked them. I think everyone liked their small size, simplicity, and that they didn't cause much fatigue in the hand as other types did. I will say they are pretty darn durable as I still have my dad's old pair that is still going strong after I got them 10 years ago.
I was under the impression that you actually don't want the wire cutters to cut 100% through the insulator, instead it should be around 95% and then tear the rest so there is no damage to the conductor. On the pull test it looks like the Klein left score marks on the conductor which can cause a weak spot. The Knipex performed how I thought it should work where the last 5% of insulator is torn rather than cut and there aren't any marks on the conductor itself.
You are correct in a perfect world.. When doing military work many projects require a hot stripper that can't nick the wire... When working with large gauge wire (350 to 750) you are supposed to whittle the insulation NOT cut it radially.. HOWEVER,, very few of us actually do that. I try to cut the ins. just shy, then make a through cut longways and peel/tear it off.. It's a lot more critical with fine stranded wire than it is with solid wire..
While he doesn’t actively mention this in his videos, Project Farm has a Patreon where you can help support these videos since he doesn’t use sponsors (rightfully so). I didn’t think I’d ever be the type of person to give support on Patreon until I found Project Farm and realized that he’s the kind of creator that I want to support with my dollars! Thanks for everything you do Project Farm!
I only patronize two channels, this is one of them. And one big reason is that he doesn't do sponsorships, so it's a fair price for unbiased reviews, without ads and what not.
I've had the Knipex Multistrip 10, a slightly smaller automatic stripper, for a year or so. I'm a hobbyist, but I use them pretty much daily, usually on 16-28ga, both solid and stranded, and they always perform perfectly.
Klein Tools was what I worked towards when I worked as an electrician's apprentice and Klein Tools was what I had 20 years later when I started as a groundman for an electrical distribution and transmission construction company because I wanted to further my education and travel. Again, thanks for the excellent tests.
In the summary at the end, Klein doesn't get much of a mention, but it's in first place on both wire stripping tests. Given that this is a test of wire strippers, that ought to count for a little bit more than doing well at secondary tasks that I'd probably choose a different tool for anyway. Ideal, another brand that is focused on products for electricians also did great when you consider what the key functions are, and especially for its low price.
I'm an electrician, I use those yellow, straight handle Ideal strippers daily and they're by far the best ones I've found yet. I remove the spring but thats just personal choice.
mine are 40 years old, they were my dad's and now they are mine, they work the best, I had 2 pair, I left one at someone's home I was working in, you would think they would call and say ,"hey you left your strippers here" you know my service bag has around 700 bucks in tools in it. people are just pathetic now a days
I used the self-adjusting Knipex wire stripper while working in a company for a while and when I use the rather affordable wire strippers from the big box retailers at home I can still feel the world of difference in pretty much every aspect...
What I love the most about your videos is, you get straight to the point and dont try to fluff the length of the video, this is the quality content I appreciate.
I really like that Irwin always performs pretty well on these tests. They might not be #1 every time, but they are affordable and good. Thats what most of us want and need. Great video, as always.
well in germany knipex is often cheaper than irwin and klein (funfact wich acsually means small in german ) but other stuff is impossible to get or way more expensive
@@Basement_CNC don't have to pay for the plane/ship ride in germany. i've had/have all in one form of tool or another. love my klien linemans, knipex pliers, and irwin stuff.
I just love this channel. Such a simple concept and yet some of these testing rigs are borderline genius. It never fails to both inform with actual useful information as well entertaining.
As always I'm so impressed with your detailed testing and loved some of the up close shots you are getting. Thanks so much and continually impressed with Irwin and how they perform.
Every time you do one of these tests that includes Irwin tools, I'm consistently impressed with how well they work. I have several of their items from over the years, but it's always impressive to me to see how well they do, especially for the money. Their bench chisels have been really good for me, over the years, as have all their other tools. Granted, they aren't the high end things, but for the amount I tend to use them, they are more than adequate. And I can usually have lunch with the money I've saved. Honestly, it's nice to see my suspicions confirmed, they do decent tools for a good price. I probably wouldn't use them in pro situation, but then, if I were in that situation, I could most likely afford the best. and would want them. Irwins do just fine for me.
A related request for you: compare some soldering irons. See how hot they get, how accurate the temp is, and what the biggest wire they can heat up is, maybe if they can solder plumbing or not. Definately compare butane vs battery powered ones too, not just plugged in. I really like the Pine64 Pinecil. You can buy a cheap soldering iron tester to do the temp accuracy comparison.
Great video. 2 small points: The metric of most interest to me was one not tested: damage to the conductor. Also would've been interested in crimp quality. (I guess also interested in handle insulation and fulcrum strength.)
Yeah, for me, wire strippers are just for stripping wire. It's nice that they can cut something sometimes, but I tend to switch to my diagonal cutters anyways to avoid messing up the alignment. I would love to see something focused on damage to the conductor and durability. (Will repeatedly pulling off insulation result in the pivot point losening and misaligned jaws)
@@alexandrezaniyeah, and pretty much the only ones that can do that continuously are knipex precistrip and weidmüller stripax automatic strippers… here in Europe, no electrician uses manual strippers. You have to strip without damaging the conductor by law… everyone should have one…
As an electrician for 42 years I have been using Ideal or Klein my whole career. They are small and lite for tucking into your tool pouch. Was really hoping to see the new Milwaukee stripper in the test.
i like the ideaal for residential....the milwaukee needlenose shaped shear cutting ones are great for industrial commercial work....wired houses for 15 years and went union 23 years ago....heres to our trade....
@@paulverstraete9157 retired after 42 yrs. Thumb joints are bone on bone,had my rotator cuff done and carpal tunnel surgery. Battery tools were a Godsend. Take care of yourself out there.
Nice test! I'm in HVAC Building Automation and have been using the Klein and the Irwin for years now. I have two sets of the Klein though as they offer wire cutters that also do very low gauge wire that I need for some applications. Both brands have held up extremely well and when the Klein start to wear I just go to the store and get a new one for free, which I have only needed to do once in 10 years. :)
I do HVAC also, the Knipex will cut through anything,and they do it fast.Romex,MC cable,they don't care.The end of the pliers knock out knockouts with ease ,they also grab a Romex nut in a way that makes them easy to get on and off.
@@dustinpomeroy8817 Knipex makes some great stuff. They're kinda underrated in my field too, which is crazy for how good their stuff is. Same with Wiha, I have a lot of their stuff as well and they're great tools.
@@Sainte305 I just bought Wera color coated nut drivers, everybody has Malcos it's hard saying if the Weras are any better cuz everybody's shit is wore out.They all are impressed with them tho as am I
@@Sainte305 I just bought Wera color coated nut drivers, everybody has Malcos it's hard saying if the Weras are any better cuz everybody's shit is wore out.They all are impressed with them tho as am I
I watched this video to see if I would have buyers remorse. Fortunately for me, I purchased the Irwin before watching this video. I haven’t received my strippers yet but I feel confident based on your thorough tests. Thank you.
When I started out as an electrician I had Klein tools in my Klein pouch and in my Klein tool bag. They were all great tools a little pricey but well worth the money you pay for. Don't be afraid to buy Klein's well worth it.
I love Klein as well and it's pretty much all I role with except the level. And I don't like how deep Klein tool pouches are. I went racketeer. The only thing it's missing is a proper pencil/ 6" bit storage poket
Klein is getting hit and miss. I still like their screwdrivers and blue handle dikes and linesman's, but ideal strippers last much longer for me. Ideal has some solid stuff, still USA made, and can be much cheaper. Oxidental is the go to for tool bags. I've worked with guys that are still using their bags after 20 years. The $500 price tag is enough to make a guy gag, but it's rare to need a second set. I have about 5 years on rack-a-tiers bags and they're about shot, oxidental is next.
Just stay away from their pull string. Even the 6500' buckets are wound as tight as their mini 250' containers. Shit bunches up and snags way easier than say, a graybar bucket.
Could you test popular Paracord (parachute cord) brands? Sometimes it's all you got and you got to be able to trust it's load bearing capacity and strength.
That's a good idea, a lot of people that day hike or even camping carry Paracord. Some brands are made for survival and some of the inside lines or threads are designed for specific tasks. As far as the wire stripers, if I can spin the striper around the wire they seem to cut the insulation better. Sometimes depending on where you are using them you just don't have the space. Years ago I seen an electrician using a home made one out of an old chisel. He cut a V in the blade and just spun it around the wire. Whatever works best for you is the right tool for you. Take care everyone. From Charlie
Didn't know the knipex autostrippers had the "V" shaped cutters. Makes great sense. I've not been as happy with the creepy sutostrippers I have. They work okay, not aren't nearly as nice as those. I think im.ready for an upgrade.
I used standard wire strippers like the ones in the video for years. After having them fail for various reasons, I switched to the heavy duty klein kurve - they're still working just as well as when I bought them. Far worth the extra money. They don't flex and the riveted pivot doesn't loosen. Also, while it's an extra tool to carry, using a dedicated wire cutter is far better. I've found many built in cutters on wire strippers to not hold up to regular use as well as a dedicated cutter.
@@opiegonebad58 I'm referring to the heavy duty ones klein came out with a number of years ago - they're not as small and compact, but they're ridiculously durable. The riveted joint holds up very well.
Honestly brother, I wanted to say thank you for the video. I was one that asked for this video and you delivered magnificently. Before this video I purchased a pair of automatic strippers from Irwin. I absolutely love the Irwin brand, however this video made me want to try the Knipex. Great video, please keep up the great work. Take care.
Great testing! Nothing beats a nice pair of strippers when doing repetitive connections. The pull effort test was perfect! Agree with your take on the automatic strippers, the knipex are the only ones I've use. The others are not what I've call a "professional" design. The others have too high of a possibility of damaging the conductor.
The Knipex and similar designs by PressMaster are best when stripping individual wires in my opinion. The other automatic strippers are best for taking off the protective layer of a multi-connector cable. The Knipex and similar designs aren't strong enough to take off the outer protective layer. The other automatic stripper do a worst job because they're not a precise. In my opinion of course. :)
Thanks P/F …. this is a tool that’s in my price range even the Knipex … still recovering from the battery polesaw…. I hope you continue the battery powered outdoor power equipment testing …. They seem like a dual use item as some have inverters that are good for portable power …
Another great video! Years of low voltage wiring got me hooked on Craftsman. As soon as they quit cutting or the jaws got loose, I went straight to Sears and got another pair. Lifetime guarantee! That said, I would really like to see snap ring pliers compared. Those things are my pet peeve!
Those knipex strippers are designed specifically so you make the initial incision at an angle and rock the strippers you start the strip in stead of just pulling straight out. That's why the fit is a little loose. Put it in at about a 30 degree angle and it's money in Super comfortable and let's me do thousands of them a day without fatigue.
i have the same just for Europe. they are incredible. as mentioned - cut at an angle. I have grinded all sharp edges with angle grinder to prevent damage to insulation when using the tip to push in cables into wago in tight spaces. best pliers for electrician. only these one are all you really need. :)
Knipex: cut at an angle yes, rocking no. They fit a little loose when wire is straight in, because it's a balance between cutting the insulation and damaging the conductor.
@@hanwagu9967 i my case, the hole is slightly oval so it looks like it was made to cut at angle to cut almost all the way through insulation. then straighten them up and increase the space around the copper for pulling insulation off with reduced risk of damaging the conductor. :) and this is not only for knipex. most of them work like this best :)
I was surprised by how bad the Knipex looked our of the box, they looked like they've been used and abused already! But I knew they'd do the job very well, and they did! Another excellent review video, thank you so much! 👍
i bought a lot of knipex tools in the past here in germany and i NEVER had a tool looking like that. Probably has to do with shipping (maybe not enough oil to prevent surface rust).
I think it's the first knipex tool made specifically for the American market, certainly the first to be released in America before Europe; with that in mind you'd expect it to be well prepped for transport. Can't say I've ever had a knipex tool arrive looking like that.
When I strip wires with a traditional stripper, I include a quarter turn to help cut the insulation. I wish you would have included the Harbor Freight strippers, they have several versions. Their high-end do a great job of stripping. So, when appropriate, I would like to see more HF tools in the testing. On some of the testing you do, longevity should be included. Since I'm leaving an epistle how about oil filters, first lawn equipment then automobiles, trucks, and farm equipment? What I do is to see if the tool from a company will do the job and worth the price point. I like that you do lab testing. Good job.
Dang! Milwaukee was a No-show for this showdown. I was hoping to see how they stacked up. Milwaukee makes a couple different styles of strippers. Great video as always Todd!
Just bought some Milwaukee strippers a few weeks ago, I would expect them to give Knipex a run for the top spot. Definitely built stronger than most of the brands tested.
Im a HVAC tech and i use the klein and like them. I’ve had the same strippers for about 3 years now and use them daily. They probably stripped and cut over 50,000 wires. Id like to use the knipex but the dealers we work with only sell klein tools or milwaukee.
Klien has a couple of models of "multi-tool" strippers that attempt to replace lineman pliers and cable cutters as well, just like the Knipex. I haven't tried them, but I would expect Klien to approximately match Knipex quality. So far I haven't found these to have any deficiency compared to carrying all three tools. My lineman pliers and cable cutters are getting rusty now, I'll have to go and rub some 3-in-1 oil on them before they get ruined.
Great testing! Love the new style tests for testing wire stripper insulation tear weight! I was wondering how you would quantify that. The close up on solid strand fit tightness was a great subjective test for it too. I appreciate that you don’t weigh any tests more than others but I think it makes sense for wires strippers. To me their plier strength isn’t as important since I would just use pliers for grabbing. I would have said the Ideal strippers are the best value. Especially considering being made in the USA
I got a self adjusting wire stripper from harbor freight a couple years ago. I had never used that type before. I was amazed at how well it worked and how easy they were to use. Great video as always!
13:30 - Looks to me like several made nicks in the wire. I'd prefer they cut a bit less through the insulation (more force to remove it) and leave the wire with no nicks, especially on solid wire.
Yeah, no one cares what condition the insulation is... but it's a huge deal if you knick the wire, it makes it far, far, far more likely to rip of fold and become brittle there. Stranded wire will have pieces break off, solid wire will shatter, makes a fire hazard.
In the Home Gym fitness community, people use snap ring pliers to disassemble their olympic bars to maintain them. But some of them are not heavy duty enough and some claim they are heavy duty but still bend and stuff at the tip. Could you think up a few tests for those please? 😊
@@ProjectFarm maybe a good reason to re-test and include the Klein Kurve strippers, maybe even re-cut the bolts threading them in the correct way? there's gotta be a few more models of strippers you can add
And far and away the most expensive. At least you get what you pay for in terms of them being the best. Best value is subjective. For a professional the extra money is probably worth it over the life of the tool.
I would never use the Knipex, too heavy and expensive. I do have a few Klien and Ideal strippers. Including the Klien he was using here. My go to are the Klein strippers but not the one shown. Still have the first strippers I got over 20 years ago, Klien.
Really appreciate the metric conversions. Know it may not always feel natural if you use another system day to day but it feels the same both ways. Also when you talk about kg, is that kilograms of force. Like approx 10N for grip strength and pulling off wire insulation or am I missing something?
Great video as always, Todd. A couple recommendations: I'd love to see you compare the forged Klein wire strippers using the same testing format. The only reason that I personally chose the stamped version was because they were offered with 1000V insulated handles. You should also test the lateral strength of the pliers portion. You could clamp portions of wire with differing hardness in the jaws with a set gripping strength and see if they can be bent to a 90 degree angle. One of my only complaints about the stamped Kleins is that they deflect and bow if you try to use them on a wire coat hanger. Please put the metric and imperial measurements on screen in written format. It was difficult to look at one value while you said another one. I felt giving overall ratings partially based on insulation cutter sharpness was unfair given that (as far as I know) they're only used for stripping wire; as can be seen in the case of the Kleins, with only average cutter sharpness, they performed the best in regards to the force required to remove the insulation. The same goes for wire fitment; all that matters to the user is the ease of use and final result, although, the fitment plays a more direct role in stripping functionality. A better choice in ranking category would have been on the damage to the conductor and the cleanliness/integrity of the insulation.
Wire coat hanger? R U Kidding me? This test was for electrical wire strippers, not universal cutting tools. They are designed to cut copper and aluminum. Mr PF, I apologize to you on behalf of this knuckle-head. Please continue to provide this wonderful service you provide us all. Thanks!
One of the tips I learned from an electrical is when stripping wire you turn the strippers on a angle and make your cut. When you twist the strippers it helps pull the insulation off a bit and also aids in cutting that insulation better.
Yeah there's a bit of technique involved in stripping. What you're really supposed to do is nick the insulation with the blades then pull it off with the pliers. That's what the pliers are there for. But I know no one does that. Those pliers really aren't good for anything else. So that's why they're there.
Craftsman was never the best. Craftsman was just easy to get, relatively inexpensive and had an easy to use and abuse warranty. Craftsman was just a Sears house brand. They didn't actually make any tools. They had multiple manufacturers make tools for them. So the quality was all over the map. Usually it was decent though.
It would be interesting to do multiple tests on the same brands of tools to see the quality control like 5 craftsman and five different Irwin etc.. I'll bet that the more expensive brands would be much more consistent.
I think you get a pretty good idea of the quality control from the close up shots he provides, showing the grind quality of the cutting edges and such. While that would make test results a bit more accurate, it would cost so much more and decrease the amount of videos he could produce if he needed to repeat the tests 5 times. Overall probably not worth it
@@SparxI0 I understand that it would be too expensive and time consuming for every video but for a special video of a common tool say pliers it would be interesting too me. Also with the close ups you only see one example of the tool and not multiple. Grinds on cheaper tools especially varies from tool to tool sometimes you get one that's almost perfect and others almost unusable.
@@Savagetechie I'm using some Iwiss tools for crimping, they're indeed really nice too. When i searched for a wire stripper for thin wires (AWG 28-34) there wasn't so much competition so maybe that would be a good topic for another video / comparison. The German brand Jokari seems to have one as well, but the Design made me a bit sceptical. Never tried it though.
I have XCELITE SAS3210 (made in Sweden) with the PTFE cutter cartridge that goes down to AWG 28. Expensive, but has stripped thousands of small gauge PTFE insulated wires really well.
For $5.99, my HFT Pittsburgh strippers have all the features and work well. The worst feature of all these strippers is the use of single holes to strip both solid and stranded wires. Not one of them works very well. / You forgot one test: The two holes just above the pivot bolt are for making J hooks in electrical wire for outlets and switches. Most of the brands have them, but nobody uses them. I find the needlenose ends of the stipper to work well for that. Good and innovative testing once again, Todd. Thanks.
When stripping insulation ideally you wouldn't want to nick the conductor. You didn't comment on if that occurred with any of the brands unless I missed it.
I really enjoy the tool testing videos, but would like to see some breakup with other styles of videos, like your bike engine builds, comparing different gas brands, batteries ect. I feel like it's been nothing but tools lately
I think Thwain, Japan, central Europe, and the USA are the only tool manufactures I trust at point. Almost everything coming out of China seems to be just quality enough to sell, but not last.
@@stewartxp2400 I don't understand how the last part of your comment is in any way relevant. I said I don't buy things made in China and mentioned I will buy things from Thiwan. Are you just repeating what I said to try and get more exposer?
Back in the day, the Ideal strippers were the de-facto standard for the electronics wiring industry so I would always trust them but any stripper that nicks the copper would be an automatic fail. I was wondering how the Milwaukee 6 & 1 tool would have performed as they seem to be of pretty good quality?
This is the only channel on youtube that I'm subscribed to with alerts on. So much incredible and informative content. As a tradesman, I appreciate every tool video you do!
I was about to buy a ratcheting wire crimper, and was leaning towards a Klein system, then realized I needed to come HERE first to see what you found to be best. This seems to be the closest video to a crimper, but not really. I'd love if you did a comparison of the amazon cheapo ratcheting crimpers, vs American and other german versions, so we have a definitive answer on who makes the best. Keep making these awesome vids, we literally come to YOU when researching product purchases!
Great video as always, I use self adjusting strippers daily and would struggle to go back to pliers again. It always makes me smile to hear your pronunciation of Knipex, I'm not saying it is wrong, it just makes me smile!
One big benefit of the Knipex is the 6-32 and 8-32 cutters which do t require you to unscrew the machine screw after cutting yet still preserve the threads. I’m been an electrician for over 2 decades now and have used about every stripper out there and I always fall back on a few, depending on use, but the Knipex will always have a spot in my bag. One big difference can also be made by simply giving the strippers a 1/4 or 1/2 turn around the wire and then loosening your grip slightly to pull the cut insulation section off. Love the content and I especially like that he BUYS everything he reviews.
I'm a panel builder for an industrial plant and I've used the vice-grip wire strippers for around 3 years now and never had any problems and always performed any task i needed to do. definitely recommend. i mostly cut and strip anything from 22awg up to 10awg.
Great work, but you've made my life more difficult... now I have two sites I have to visit before I buy anything, Consumer Reports and you! I love the detail, and the effort you put into controlling for the variables on all your tests. I also appreciate the different kinds of tests you perform for each tool. I actually have a use for maybe 10% of the products you test, but this is one of my favorite channels!
Great testing as usual! I have been using the same Ideal strippers for 40 years. You can move up a size to strip stranded wire with solid strippers. Strip 14Ga stranded with a 12Ga solid stripper. If you put a nut on the screw before cutting, the nut will chase the threads when removed.
Hahahaha! At 39 years old I just learned that wire strippers have bolt cutters built in. I use wire cutters almost daily and not once did I ever think that those holes were for cutting bolts. I love this channel, always learning, even if it's something I should have learned decades ago lol. Thanks as always for the videos.
Saw another site that looked at these from a longevity standpoint, and took damage to the blades into account. His research showed damage at almost every cut, and a failure to cut stranded wire. That was pretty interesting, and I think its worth looking at.
Testing of the force required to remove the insulation was brilliant. This channel is my go to whenever I need to buy new tools. Last night I needed new paddle bits and my first thought was I wonder if project farm has tested these. I can guarantee that these companies haven’t done such a detailed assessment of their competitors.
Another great one! Thank you sir. Really appreciate your efforts in sharing such a thoroughly researched comparison on an essential tool category. Keep up the great work!
I own the Irwin,Craftsman and Klien in the flat style and that's just how I rate their quality and working well.. The Kliens I never use anymore due to a defective locking tab that always flips around at worst possible times,a bolt that refuses to stay tight even when blue loc tited and a spring that refuses to stay on its mounts... They do cut electrical screws better than the other 2.... I also have the Irwin auto strippers as well as a snap on pair and the Irwin outperforms the stupidly expensive snap ons hands down every time.. Another good; unbiased,unsponsered and fair video as per your usual..
my crew uses wire strippers all day every day. this is SO valuable to see what works. While I love Knipex, it seems the Irwin is really solid. Thank you
I bought the Doyle automatic wire stripper from Harbor Freight. I just wired a new pole barn with several thousand feet of wire, 30 hardwired lights and probably 35 outlets. Those wire strippers worked great and saved me a ton of time.
As an electrician for over 20 years, Ideal are the only one's I'll use. I'd wish you had used the Ideal Reflex Super T-Stripper that also have a bolt cutters. That may have changed your opionion.
Here’s the list of products reviewed. More details in the video description. Thank you!
Knipex: amzn.to/3L0l9W0
Knipex (Self-Adjusting): amzn.to/3K3mqdW
Irwin: amzn.to/3K18oZX
Irwin (Self-Adjusting): amzn.to/3uUWzQT
Dromild (Self-Adjusting): amzn.to/3rBj6jN
Neiko (Self-Adjusting): amzn.to/3xCbSQc
Horusdy (Self-Adjusting): amzn.to/3McbJqM
Klein: amzn.to/3OklMvL
Ideal: amzn.to/3Es0p74
Capri: amzn.to/3JXZxIu
Dowell: amzn.to/3xE660v
Mr. Pen: amzn.to/380NrkI
Craftsman: (available at Lowes)
Kobalt: (available at Lowes)
Ok, im going with you. There's one i don't like, but I'd like to hear your thoughts, as I already have it. Best wishes and thank you
TH-cam’s absolute best consumer reports. I never ever miss them. I am convinced that his tests and reviews are totally unbiased and that he is not ‘bought and paid for.’
Thanks!
I agree but by saying all that you've jinxed it now. Let's hope no company can ever afford to sway him
If you can't tell that Project Farm is pushing the homemade testing apparatus industry in nearly every video, you aren't paying attention.
Same.
"Consumer Report", now there's a name I haven't heard in 20 years.
I have never been let down by a knipex product and i am glad to see them succeed in your tests as well, great job
Great point!
Indeed, very high quality products, widely used in aviation maintenance. Most pliers and side-cutters in our mechanic toolboxes are Knipex. As for the rest, wrenches, sockets there's Snap-On.
I used to be a Knipex fan, but I'm now sold on Irwin. They seem to always be up there with the bestest, but at a third of the price.
@@dougerrohmer i actually love my Milwaukee 6-n-1 strippers. They're the model #48-22-3079 I've had them for a year now, and I have zero signs of dulling, and they haven't let me down yet. And the pliers at the end are great! Best $26 I spent!
@@dougerrohmer yup
When using the bolt cutters, the bolt needs to be threaded through from the threaded side of the pliers so when you remove the cut bolt from the pliers, the pliers act like a die over the bolt thread.
Thank you!
Yeah I was wondering about that also. The head part is supposed to stay in the cutter after use and has to be unscrewed, and the tip part usually goes ping off in a corner.
Supporting the threads in a threaded hole prevents damage to them during the cut. Unscrewing it rolls any flashing back onto tip allowing easy not entry.
Exactly. Removing the screw through the threaded portion of the pliers allows the threads to be "chased" cleaning up any irregularities that may result from the cutting..
Knipex got rid of that stupid concept😌
Good observation.
So I'm an engineer (mechanical) ... watched many of your videos and your test setups are very well thought out and nicely executed. Thanks for all you do, it's greatly appreciated.
Thanks and you are welcome!
just because U.S. politicians made it easy to slum your way through an affirmative action degree, that doesnt make you an engineer by any stretch
@@bmssenjoyer id like to see you learn differential calculus, thermodynamics, or dynamic mechanics. Do you even know what a fourier transform is? If not go pound sand.
Great video Todd!!
I have been a licensed electrical contractor for 45 years, and in the trade since I was 13 years old. Out of Klein, Greenlee, Ideal, Channellock, Stabilia(for levels), I can honestly say that I have never had a bad/deffective tool in the bunch no matter for what purpose the tool is designed for. I dont have one brand that i stick to, but what fits best for my trade. Sidenote, sometimes Klein and a few others need a break-in period to loosen up(the old 1000 honing compound trick with WD40 and a few minutes of open and close repetions loosens them right up.) I still have my first basic tools which I now just keep in my desk for inside the house work and quick access. I thoroughly enjoy Klein screwdrivers, and they can be re-squared up in seconds with a diamond stone. The biggest threat to my tools, is employees zapping them on hot circuits! Having great quality tools, with good quality brand names, gets the respect from fellow tradesmen, and other trades, besides showing that you spend on quality tools, which hopefully is a carry over to the quality of work standards you adhere to(while it may seem superficial, it is a matter of fact in the trades.) Ergonomics is usually my first priority, then tool platform preference and quality. Of course not everyone feel as I do, it's my two cents of experience which may possibly help others make their tool purchase decisions. Thank You, and Keep up the great, and useful weekly content!
Thanks, will do! Thanks for sharing.
Get a can of Fluid Film and spray the joint,you'll never use the other method you mentioned again.
Greenlee levels come not level. At least the Aluminum green ones. I stick with the Klein as they are made slightly better. I do like No Dog for levels.
I agree with you 100%.
Nice comment James. I have all Klein as well, been an electrician since 98, tho I must say Klein has a garbage return policy compared to some other brands. I finally have up about 10 years ago on Klein levels and went Stabila.
Anybody else find themselves picking a “team” when watching these and hoping they win in the end?
Fantastic work as always, project farm!
Thanks!
Team Makita, Klein & Kobalt over here
I'm usually team hoping whichever cheap brand comes in a close 2nd
I always hope the made in USA stuff wins.
I'm almost always on team Dewalt.
I believe I've said something similar before, but it doesn't hurt to reiterate the fact that your videos are fantastic.
Not only is your content informative and useful, but your excellent presentator voice keeps your videos engaging, and your editing flow makes them a really smooth experience.
Your videos have helped me make informed purchases in the past, and I always look forward to seeing what you'll cover next.
Wow, thank you!
Good things must be repeated often: just like good deeds. You can never show the appreciation for goodness enough. Project farm is simply good.
A few words for anyone considering the fully automatic ones:
Apart from the Knipex, the fully automatic ones look very, very strange and I wouldn't want to use them.
However, we use fully automatic ones at work (actually a different Knipex one, model 12 40 200). These are by far the best I've ever used. So much quicker, very reliable, no damaged wires, very easy to use. And the biggest benefit in my opinion: You can change the blade and plastic bits if they are used up / broken. Blades e.g. are priced at around 12€ for a set of both (cheapest online).
For a hobbyist, the manual ones might be a good choice, but for everyone who needs a daily driver the Knipex automatic ones are unbeatable imo, especially since you can swap the wear parts (and to be honest, for that price everyone should just get the automatic ones). And, with the mentioned model (flat blade instead of the V-shaped shown in your video), you can actually strip multiple wires of the same thickness at once. Probably not intended, but possible without any downsides, since the blades dont cut throught the complete isolation. (Just read the info on their website, they are actually designed for flat cables up to 10mm width, so it even is intended).
Oh and what I forgot: you can set the length that needs to be stripped by adjusting the plastic piece, so if you need ferrules and need the conductor to be stripped down 10mm or whatever, you'll get perfect results, every single time.
Thanks for sharing.
KNIPEX PreciStrip 16 (12 52 195) are the improved version of 12 40 200, they strip even better!
As a German, I have worked with many high-quality products. Knipex also has an excellent reputation here. However, almost every electrician here uses the Weidmüller Stripax. These are the best wire strippers I have ever held in my hands. But they also cost a little more
How good are they at stripping the insulation off solid conductors?
I used the cheapo auto strippers in an auto shop where I did a fair number of wiring repairs for about 3 years and they worked great and held up just fine. I would say they're pretty much just for stranded wire though.
My dad has been an electrician for almost 60 years and still going today, as long as I remember he has always used Klein tools for almost all his hand tools other than his wire strippers. He always used Ideals. And I've always liked the simplicity of them personally.
I have both Klein and ideal strippers and the ideal just feel better to me.
My dad was an electrician and ran his electric own company. They all used the Ideal wire strippers and they really liked them. I think everyone liked their small size, simplicity, and that they didn't cause much fatigue in the hand as other types did. I will say they are pretty darn durable as I still have my dad's old pair that is still going strong after I got them 10 years ago.
Thanks for sharing.
Yeah for whatever reason in the USA Ideal strippers are the industry standard. Klein for everything else.
I was under the impression that you actually don't want the wire cutters to cut 100% through the insulator, instead it should be around 95% and then tear the rest so there is no damage to the conductor. On the pull test it looks like the Klein left score marks on the conductor which can cause a weak spot. The Knipex performed how I thought it should work where the last 5% of insulator is torn rather than cut and there aren't any marks on the conductor itself.
You are correct in a perfect world.. When doing military work many projects require a hot stripper that can't nick the wire... When working with large gauge wire (350 to 750) you are supposed to whittle the insulation NOT cut it radially.. HOWEVER,, very few of us actually do that. I try to cut the ins. just shy, then make a through cut longways and peel/tear it off.. It's a lot more critical with fine stranded wire than it is with solid wire..
Thanks for the feedback.
That test was inaccurate cause the stripper was clamped onto wire wrong, your supposed to lay wire in channel then squeeze.
@@beinghuman3225 Are there printed instructions saying how "YOU'RE" supposed to do it??? Please provide link...
Yeah nicking the conductor is a big no no.
While he doesn’t actively mention this in his videos, Project Farm has a Patreon where you can help support these videos since he doesn’t use sponsors (rightfully so). I didn’t think I’d ever be the type of person to give support on Patreon until I found Project Farm and realized that he’s the kind of creator that I want to support with my dollars! Thanks for everything you do Project Farm!
Thanks and you are welcome!
I only patronize two channels, this is one of them. And one big reason is that he doesn't do sponsorships, so it's a fair price for unbiased reviews, without ads and what not.
@@bansheedearg you have to tell us the other!
@@aayotechnology Great Scott, but he's struggling to come up with interesting content, unfortunately. Not easy.
@@bansheedearg that’s one geeky channel but interesting stuff. Thanks for the heads up
I've had the Knipex Multistrip 10, a slightly smaller automatic stripper, for a year or so. I'm a hobbyist, but I use them pretty much daily, usually on 16-28ga, both solid and stranded, and they always perform perfectly.
Thanks for sharing.
Klein Tools was what I worked towards when I worked as an electrician's apprentice and Klein Tools was what I had 20 years later when I started as a groundman for an electrical distribution and transmission construction company because I wanted to further my education and travel.
Again, thanks for the excellent tests.
Great feedback! Thank you
In the summary at the end, Klein doesn't get much of a mention, but it's in first place on both wire stripping tests. Given that this is a test of wire strippers, that ought to count for a little bit more than doing well at secondary tasks that I'd probably choose a different tool for anyway. Ideal, another brand that is focused on products for electricians also did great when you consider what the key functions are, and especially for its low price.
You got a like based on your emanresu
@@RealMrNails .sknahT
I've had a few Klein Tools for 50 years and they still work as good today as they did back in the 70s when I bought them working construction.
I'm an electrician, I use those yellow, straight handle Ideal strippers daily and they're by far the best ones I've found yet. I remove the spring but thats just personal choice.
Thank you for the feedback!
I second the Ideal brand. Industrial electrician. As a bonus they take up less real estate in the tool belt on calls.
@@chadd587 you might say they're ideal
mine are 40 years old, they were my dad's and now they are mine, they work the best, I had 2 pair, I left one at someone's home I was working in, you would think they would call and say ,"hey you left your strippers here" you know my service bag has around 700 bucks in tools in it. people are just pathetic now a days
I'm just a handyman but I use the ideals too and I love them
I used the self-adjusting Knipex wire stripper while working in a company for a while and when I use the rather affordable wire strippers from the big box retailers at home I can still feel the world of difference in pretty much every aspect...
Thanks for the feedback.
Ok pres of knip
What I love the most about your videos is, you get straight to the point and dont try to fluff the length of the video, this is the quality content I appreciate.
Thank you!
I really like that Irwin always performs pretty well on these tests. They might not be #1 every time, but they are affordable and good. Thats what most of us want and need. Great video, as always.
Really good quality for the money
well in germany knipex is often cheaper than irwin and klein (funfact wich acsually means small in german ) but other stuff is impossible to get or way more expensive
Irwin buys out good companies, then moves 90% of their production to china. I don't buy Irwin tools for this reason alone. They are a parasite.
Thanks!
@@Basement_CNC don't have to pay for the plane/ship ride in germany. i've had/have all in one form of tool or another. love my klien linemans, knipex pliers, and irwin stuff.
I just love this channel. Such a simple concept and yet some of these testing rigs are borderline genius. It never fails to both inform with actual useful information as well entertaining.
Thanks and you are welcome.
As always I'm so impressed with your detailed testing and loved some of the up close shots you are getting. Thanks so much and continually impressed with Irwin and how they perform.
Thanks and you are welcome!
Every time you do one of these tests that includes Irwin tools, I'm consistently impressed with how well they work. I have several of their items from over the years, but it's always impressive to me to see how well they do, especially for the money. Their bench chisels have been really good for me, over the years, as have all their other tools. Granted, they aren't the high end things, but for the amount I tend to use them, they are more than adequate. And I can usually have lunch with the money I've saved. Honestly, it's nice to see my suspicions confirmed, they do decent tools for a good price. I probably wouldn't use them in pro situation, but then, if I were in that situation, I could most likely afford the best. and would want them. Irwins do just fine for me.
Thanks for sharing.
A related request for you: compare some soldering irons. See how hot they get, how accurate the temp is, and what the biggest wire they can heat up is, maybe if they can solder plumbing or not. Definately compare butane vs battery powered ones too, not just plugged in. I really like the Pine64 Pinecil. You can buy a cheap soldering iron tester to do the temp accuracy comparison.
Also to add to the list. How long does the tip last ?
Thank you for the video idea!
THIS !
Meh, there is a channel called sdg electronics, it makes a ton of videos about soldering irons
I'd like that test as well as I really want to build my own portable power bank.
Right up my alley. :-). Superb testing as always! Thank you
Thanks and you are welcome!
Great video. 2 small points: The metric of most interest to me was one not tested: damage to the conductor. Also would've been interested in crimp quality. (I guess also interested in handle insulation and fulcrum strength.)
Thanks! Thanks for the feedback.
Yeah, for me, wire strippers are just for stripping wire. It's nice that they can cut something sometimes, but I tend to switch to my diagonal cutters anyways to avoid messing up the alignment. I would love to see something focused on damage to the conductor and durability. (Will repeatedly pulling off insulation result in the pivot point losening and misaligned jaws)
@@alexandrezaniyeah, and pretty much the only ones that can do that continuously are knipex precistrip and weidmüller stripax automatic strippers… here in Europe, no electrician uses manual strippers. You have to strip without damaging the conductor by law… everyone should have one…
As an electrician for 42 years I have been using Ideal or Klein my whole career. They are small and lite for tucking into your tool pouch. Was really hoping to see the new Milwaukee stripper in the test.
Thanks for the suggestion.
I was looking for the Milwaukee too
@@ProjectFarm SEEING THE "KLEIN KURVE" heavy duty wire strippers would have been a nice comparison to the Knipex option here (for maybe round 2, haha)
i like the ideaal for residential....the milwaukee needlenose shaped shear cutting ones are great for industrial commercial work....wired houses for 15 years and went union 23 years ago....heres to our trade....
@@paulverstraete9157 retired after 42 yrs. Thumb joints are bone on bone,had my rotator cuff done and carpal tunnel surgery. Battery tools were a Godsend. Take care of yourself out there.
Nice test! I'm in HVAC Building Automation and have been using the Klein and the Irwin for years now. I have two sets of the Klein though as they offer wire cutters that also do very low gauge wire that I need for some applications. Both brands have held up extremely well and when the Klein start to wear I just go to the store and get a new one for free, which I have only needed to do once in 10 years. :)
Thanks for sharing.
I do HVAC also, the Knipex will cut through anything,and they do it fast.Romex,MC cable,they don't care.The end of the pliers knock out knockouts with ease ,they also grab a Romex nut in a way that makes them easy to get on and off.
@@dustinpomeroy8817 Knipex makes some great stuff. They're kinda underrated in my field too, which is crazy for how good their stuff is. Same with Wiha, I have a lot of their stuff as well and they're great tools.
@@Sainte305 I just bought Wera color coated nut drivers, everybody has Malcos it's hard saying if the Weras are any better cuz everybody's shit is wore out.They all are impressed with them tho as am I
@@Sainte305 I just bought Wera color coated nut drivers, everybody has Malcos it's hard saying if the Weras are any better cuz everybody's shit is wore out.They all are impressed with them tho as am I
Can't we all agree this guy never disappoints us with his content 👍
Had to beat the bots 😋
I agree. He's really excellent.
Thank you!
disgusting comment
Especially when he is driving the motorhome in the cow pasture
As an electrician who has used many many wire strippers I can tell you the ideal are by far my favorite
Thank you!
I watched this video to see if I would have buyers remorse. Fortunately for me, I purchased the Irwin before watching this video. I haven’t received my strippers yet but I feel confident based on your thorough tests. Thank you.
You are welcome!
We love your work, man! You explain everything completely, but without any time wasted. Much respect!
I appreciate that!
I think he uploads his videos at 1.25X speed.
When I started out as an electrician I had Klein tools in my Klein pouch and in my Klein tool bag. They were all great tools a little pricey but well worth the money you pay for. Don't be afraid to buy Klein's well worth it.
Thank you!
I love Klein as well and it's pretty much all I role with except the level. And I don't like how deep Klein tool pouches are. I went racketeer. The only thing it's missing is a proper pencil/ 6" bit storage poket
Klein is getting hit and miss. I still like their screwdrivers and blue handle dikes and linesman's, but ideal strippers last much longer for me.
Ideal has some solid stuff, still USA made, and can be much cheaper.
Oxidental is the go to for tool bags. I've worked with guys that are still using their bags after 20 years. The $500 price tag is enough to make a guy gag, but it's rare to need a second set. I have about 5 years on rack-a-tiers bags and they're about shot, oxidental is next.
Just stay away from their pull string. Even the 6500' buckets are wound as tight as their mini 250' containers. Shit bunches up and snags way easier than say, a graybar bucket.
Ever since I started buying Klein tools, I haven't needed any replacements lol.
Could you test popular Paracord (parachute cord) brands? Sometimes it's all you got and you got to be able to trust it's load bearing capacity and strength.
Thank you for the video idea! What specific brands should I test? Any suggestions on tests or how to compare performance? Thanks again!!
I second this idea!
@@ProjectFarm I like this idea. I just notice a product called Rapid Rope. Maybe you could add that to the test too.
@@ProjectFarm hello
That's a good idea, a lot of people that day hike or even camping carry Paracord. Some brands are made for survival and some of the inside lines or threads are designed for specific tasks.
As far as the wire stripers, if I can spin the striper around the wire they seem to cut the insulation better. Sometimes depending on where you are using them you just don't have the space. Years ago I seen an electrician using a home made one out of an old chisel. He cut a V in the blade and just spun it around the wire. Whatever works best for you is the right tool for you.
Take care everyone.
From Charlie
This man always finds an amazing way to test products with incredible consistency and accuracy. Keep up the good work!!
Thanks, will do!
Didn't know the knipex autostrippers had the "V" shaped cutters. Makes great sense. I've not been as happy with the creepy sutostrippers I have. They work okay, not aren't nearly as nice as those. I think im.ready for an upgrade.
Thanks for sharing.
I used standard wire strippers like the ones in the video for years. After having them fail for various reasons, I switched to the heavy duty klein kurve - they're still working just as well as when I bought them. Far worth the extra money. They don't flex and the riveted pivot doesn't loosen.
Also, while it's an extra tool to carry, using a dedicated wire cutter is far better. I've found many built in cutters on wire strippers to not hold up to regular use as well as a dedicated cutter.
Thanks for the feedback.
@@opiegonebad58 I'm referring to the heavy duty ones klein came out with a number of years ago - they're not as small and compact, but they're ridiculously durable. The riveted joint holds up very well.
Thanks for sharing.
Honestly brother, I wanted to say thank you for the video. I was one that asked for this video and you delivered magnificently. Before this video I purchased a pair of automatic strippers from Irwin. I absolutely love the Irwin brand, however this video made me want to try the Knipex. Great video, please keep up the great work. Take care.
Thanks, will do! Thanks for recommending this video test!
Great testing! Nothing beats a nice pair of strippers when doing repetitive connections. The pull effort test was perfect!
Agree with your take on the automatic strippers, the knipex are the only ones I've use. The others are not what I've call a "professional" design. The others have too high of a possibility of damaging the conductor.
Thanks and you are welcome!
The Knipex and similar designs by PressMaster are best when stripping individual wires in my opinion.
The other automatic strippers are best for taking off the protective layer of a multi-connector cable.
The Knipex and similar designs aren't strong enough to take off the outer protective layer. The other automatic stripper do a worst job because they're not a precise. In my opinion of course. :)
Thanks P/F …. this is a tool that’s in my price range even the Knipex … still recovering from the battery polesaw…. I hope you continue the battery powered outdoor power equipment testing …. They seem like a dual use item as some have inverters that are good for portable power …
Great point! Yes, I'm still recovering from the pole saw cost too. lol
@@ProjectFarm that’s right you buy a bunch at once ….I got the SKIL 40 volt on sale at Lowe’s .. but only after intense research and consideration
Another great video! Years of low voltage wiring got me hooked on Craftsman. As soon as they quit cutting or the jaws got loose, I went straight to Sears and got another pair. Lifetime guarantee! That said, I would really like to see snap ring pliers compared. Those things are my pet peeve!
Thanks! Thanks for the video idea.
These tests were some of the best you came up with. Thanks for doing this!
Thanks and you are welcome!
Those knipex strippers are designed specifically so you make the initial incision at an angle and rock the strippers you start the strip in stead of just pulling straight out. That's why the fit is a little loose. Put it in at about a 30 degree angle and it's money in
Super comfortable and let's me do thousands of them a day without fatigue.
That is great! Thanks for sharing.
i have the same just for Europe. they are incredible. as mentioned - cut at an angle. I have grinded all sharp edges with angle grinder to prevent damage to insulation when using the tip to push in cables into wago in tight spaces. best pliers for electrician. only these one are all you really need. :)
Knipex: cut at an angle yes, rocking no. They fit a little loose when wire is straight in, because it's a balance between cutting the insulation and damaging the conductor.
It takes some getting used to ,but I agree once you do it's effortless.
@@hanwagu9967 i my case, the hole is slightly oval so it looks like it was made to cut at angle to cut almost all the way through insulation. then straighten them up and increase the space around the copper for pulling insulation off with reduced risk of damaging the conductor. :) and this is not only for knipex. most of them work like this best :)
I was surprised by how bad the Knipex looked our of the box, they looked like they've been used and abused already! But I knew they'd do the job very well, and they did! Another excellent review video, thank you so much! 👍
That is what I have also thought.
Thanks for the feedback.
i bought a lot of knipex tools in the past here in germany and i NEVER had a tool looking like that. Probably has to do with shipping (maybe not enough oil to prevent surface rust).
Mine also looked like that out the box
I think it's the first knipex tool made specifically for the American market, certainly the first to be released in America before Europe; with that in mind you'd expect it to be well prepped for transport. Can't say I've ever had a knipex tool arrive looking like that.
When I strip wires with a traditional stripper, I include a quarter turn to help cut the insulation. I wish you would have included the Harbor Freight strippers, they have several versions. Their high-end do a great job of stripping. So, when appropriate, I would like to see more HF tools in the testing. On some of the testing you do, longevity should be included. Since I'm leaving an epistle how about oil filters, first lawn equipment then automobiles, trucks, and farm equipment? What I do is to see if the tool from a company will do the job and worth the price point. I like that you do lab testing. Good job.
Thanks! Thanks for the suggestions.
the equivalent filters of briggs 491056s would be a great place to start.
Thank you!! Awesome to have a video produced of one I requested!!
You are welcome! Thanks for requesting this video idea.
Dang! Milwaukee was a No-show for this showdown. I was hoping to see how they stacked up. Milwaukee makes a couple different styles of strippers. Great video as always Todd!
Thanks!
Same here, neither Milwaukee or Quinn in the test mix.
Channellock too. They offer two very different styles.
Only their power tools are good.
Just bought some Milwaukee strippers a few weeks ago, I would expect them to give Knipex a run for the top spot. Definitely built stronger than most of the brands tested.
Im a HVAC tech and i use the klein and like them. I’ve had the same strippers for about 3 years now and use them daily. They probably stripped and cut over 50,000 wires. Id like to use the knipex but the dealers we work with only sell klein tools or milwaukee.
Thanks for sharing.
Klien has a couple of models of "multi-tool" strippers that attempt to replace lineman pliers and cable cutters as well, just like the Knipex. I haven't tried them, but I would expect Klien to approximately match Knipex quality. So far I haven't found these to have any deficiency compared to carrying all three tools. My lineman pliers and cable cutters are getting rusty now, I'll have to go and rub some 3-in-1 oil on them before they get ruined.
I do hvac-r aswell, and just ordered the Irwin's, they're similar to the ones in this vid, but have a spring on it. Mine need to have crimpers
Great testing! Love the new style tests for testing wire stripper insulation tear weight! I was wondering how you would quantify that. The close up on solid strand fit tightness was a great subjective test for it too. I appreciate that you don’t weigh any tests more than others but I think it makes sense for wires strippers. To me their plier strength isn’t as important since I would just use pliers for grabbing. I would have said the Ideal strippers are the best value. Especially considering being made in the USA
Thanks! Thanks for the feedback.
I got a self adjusting wire stripper from harbor freight a couple years ago. I had never used that type before. I was amazed at how well it worked and how easy they were to use. Great video as always!
Thanks! Thanks for sharing.
13:30 - Looks to me like several made nicks in the wire. I'd prefer they cut a bit less through the insulation (more force to remove it) and leave the wire with no nicks, especially on solid wire.
Thanks for the feedback.
Yeah, no one cares what condition the insulation is... but it's a huge deal if you knick the wire, it makes it far, far, far more likely to rip of fold and become brittle there. Stranded wire will have pieces break off, solid wire will shatter, makes a fire hazard.
It's great to finally hear the words "Made in USA."
Yes, thank you!
In the Home Gym fitness community, people use snap ring pliers to disassemble their olympic bars to maintain them.
But some of them are not heavy duty enough and some claim they are heavy duty but still bend and stuff at the tip.
Could you think up a few tests for those please? 😊
Thanks for the suggestion.
The same high-quality, objective testing I have come to expect from you sir.
Thanks!
A little sad the Milwaukee Combo Strippers aren’t here, would’ve been great to see how they compare to the more expensive strippers
Sorry about that
I would love to see them against Kline
@@ProjectFarm maybe a good reason to re-test and include the Klein Kurve strippers, maybe even re-cut the bolts threading them in the correct way? there's gotta be a few more models of strippers you can add
I'd use both the wiha and channellock wire strippers and was hoping they would make the test.
Milwaukee makes great power tools, hand tools average
It's amazing how knipex consistently just makes far and away the best tools
Great point! They seem to hold themselves to a very high standard of quality and performance!
And far and away the most expensive. At least you get what you pay for in terms of them being the best. Best value is subjective. For a professional the extra money is probably worth it over the life of the tool.
I would never use the Knipex, too heavy and expensive. I do have a few Klien and Ideal strippers. Including the Klien he was using here. My go to are the Klein strippers but not the one shown. Still have the first strippers I got over 20 years ago, Klien.
Knipex consistently just makes the most expensive tools.
Really appreciate the metric conversions. Know it may not always feel natural if you use another system day to day but it feels the same both ways.
Also when you talk about kg, is that kilograms of force. Like approx 10N for grip strength and pulling off wire insulation or am I missing something?
More great work. You are doing us all such a great service with this work! I would love to see a video on CRIMPERS!
Thanks for sharing the knowledge!
Thanks and you are welcome! Thanks for the suggestion.
Great video as always, Todd.
A couple recommendations:
I'd love to see you compare the forged Klein wire strippers using the same testing format. The only reason that I personally chose the stamped version was because they were offered with 1000V insulated handles.
You should also test the lateral strength of the pliers portion. You could clamp portions of wire with differing hardness in the jaws with a set gripping strength and see if they can be bent to a 90 degree angle. One of my only complaints about the stamped Kleins is that they deflect and bow if you try to use them on a wire coat hanger.
Please put the metric and imperial measurements on screen in written format. It was difficult to look at one value while you said another one.
I felt giving overall ratings partially based on insulation cutter sharpness was unfair given that (as far as I know) they're only used for stripping wire; as can be seen in the case of the Kleins, with only average cutter sharpness, they performed the best in regards to the force required to remove the insulation. The same goes for wire fitment; all that matters to the user is the ease of use and final result, although, the fitment plays a more direct role in stripping functionality. A better choice in ranking category would have been on the damage to the conductor and the cleanliness/integrity of the insulation.
Wire coat hanger? R U Kidding me? This test was for electrical wire strippers, not universal cutting tools. They are designed to cut copper and aluminum. Mr PF, I apologize to you on behalf of this knuckle-head. Please continue to provide this wonderful service you provide us all. Thanks!
Thanks! Thanks for the suggestions.
@@goldfishn3545 I can see reading is not among your skill set.
One of the tips I learned from an electrical is when stripping wire you turn the strippers on a angle and make your cut. When you twist the strippers it helps pull the insulation off a bit and also aids in cutting that insulation better.
Thanks for sharing.
Yeah there's a bit of technique involved in stripping. What you're really supposed to do is nick the insulation with the blades then pull it off with the pliers. That's what the pliers are there for. But I know no one does that. Those pliers really aren't good for anything else. So that's why they're there.
Learned that as an apprentice as well. I'll go with Klein
When I was younger, Craftsman was the "best" brand for tools. I'm really glad you put them to the test.
Hi David, Thank you! I've owned a lot of made in USA Craftsman tools in the past and they are indeed a great product for the price. Thanks again!
Craftsman was never the best. Craftsman was just easy to get, relatively inexpensive and had an easy to use and abuse warranty. Craftsman was just a Sears house brand. They didn't actually make any tools. They had multiple manufacturers make tools for them. So the quality was all over the map. Usually it was decent though.
I love the side by side views, and the close ups. Great job on the best reviews anywbere.
Thanks and you are welcome!
It would be interesting to do multiple tests on the same brands of tools to see the quality control like 5 craftsman and five different Irwin etc.. I'll bet that the more expensive brands would be much more consistent.
Thanks for the suggestion.
I think you get a pretty good idea of the quality control from the close up shots he provides, showing the grind quality of the cutting edges and such.
While that would make test results a bit more accurate, it would cost so much more and decrease the amount of videos he could produce if he needed to repeat the tests 5 times. Overall probably not worth it
@@SparxI0 I understand that it would be too expensive and time consuming for every video but for a special video of a common tool say pliers it would be interesting too me. Also with the close ups you only see one example of the tool and not multiple. Grinds on cheaper tools especially varies from tool to tool sometimes you get one that's almost perfect and others almost unusable.
notification squad, Have a nice weekend!🔥🔥🔥
Always great seeing your comment! Hope you have a great weekend too!
I'm a big fan of the Japanese Engineer ones. Especially for very thin wires (up to AWG 34) there isn't much competition to the Engineer PA-14 model.
Thanks for sharing.
Iwiss provide the competition although tbh between the iwiss and the engineer its basically a case of picking which handle you prefer.
@@Savagetechie I'm using some Iwiss tools for crimping, they're indeed really nice too. When i searched for a wire stripper for thin wires (AWG 28-34) there wasn't so much competition so maybe that would be a good topic for another video / comparison. The German brand Jokari seems to have one as well, but the Design made me a bit sceptical. Never tried it though.
I have XCELITE SAS3210 (made in Sweden) with the PTFE cutter cartridge that goes down to AWG 28. Expensive, but has stripped thousands of small gauge PTFE insulated wires really well.
For $5.99, my HFT Pittsburgh strippers have all the features and work well. The worst feature of all these strippers is the use of single holes to strip both solid and stranded wires. Not one of them works very well. / You forgot one test: The two holes just above the pivot bolt are for making J hooks in electrical wire for outlets and switches. Most of the brands have them, but nobody uses them. I find the needlenose ends of the stipper to work well for that. Good and innovative testing once again, Todd. Thanks.
You are welcome! Thanks for the feedback.
When stripping insulation ideally you wouldn't want to nick the conductor. You didn't comment on if that occurred with any of the brands unless I missed it.
You missed it
When stripping insulation ideally you use Ideal strippers.
@@1pcfred You funny.
I really enjoy the tool testing videos, but would like to see some breakup with other styles of videos, like your bike engine builds, comparing different gas brands, batteries ect. I feel like it's been nothing but tools lately
Great suggestion! Thank you!
I think Thwain, Japan, central Europe, and the USA are the only tool manufactures I trust at point. Almost everything coming out of China seems to be just quality enough to sell, but not last.
Plus your money doesn't go to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
@@cjay2 that's what I was saying in a bunch of words. I don't want my money going to China.
You forgot Germany, but I know what you mean. Taiwan is usually great and in no way to be confused with Chinese quality.
@StewartXP I think u mean Thwain isn’t to be confused with China...
@@stewartxp2400 I don't understand how the last part of your comment is in any way relevant. I said I don't buy things made in China and mentioned I will buy things from Thiwan. Are you just repeating what I said to try and get more exposer?
The best review so far I saw on TH-cam ! Congrats for this heavy work
Thanks!
Back in the day, the Ideal strippers were the de-facto standard for the electronics wiring industry so I would always trust them but any stripper that nicks the copper would be an automatic fail. I was wondering how the Milwaukee 6 & 1 tool would have performed as they seem to be of pretty good quality?
I have their 7 in 1 and am satisfied
Thanks for the feedback. Thanks for the video idea.
I use the same ideal pair daily at work and has taken plenty of abuse. Wouldn’t hesitate to buy again
This is the only channel on youtube that I'm subscribed to with alerts on. So much incredible and informative content. As a tradesman, I appreciate every tool video you do!
Thanks so much!
When cutting bolts, I was taught to thread the nut on first and back it off afterwards to clean up the threads.
Thanks for the feedback.
I was about to buy a ratcheting wire crimper, and was leaning towards a Klein system, then realized I needed to come HERE first to see what you found to be best. This seems to be the closest video to a crimper, but not really. I'd love if you did a comparison of the amazon cheapo ratcheting crimpers, vs American and other german versions, so we have a definitive answer on who makes the best. Keep making these awesome vids, we literally come to YOU when researching product purchases!
Thanks, will do!
This was awesome to watch as I am graduating a tech school for electrical and have a few of these wire strippers
Thanks! Congratulations on you educational achievement!
By far my favourite TH-cam channel. Keep up the great work!
Thanks, will do!
Great video as always, I use self adjusting strippers daily and would struggle to go back to pliers again. It always makes me smile to hear your pronunciation of Knipex, I'm not saying it is wrong, it just makes me smile!
Thanks!
didnt notice the word "wire" in the title and got really excited about the content change LOL. Thx for the great vids.
One big benefit of the Knipex is the 6-32 and 8-32 cutters which do t require you to unscrew the machine screw after cutting yet still preserve the threads.
I’m been an electrician for over 2 decades now and have used about every stripper out there and I always fall back on a few, depending on use, but the Knipex will always have a spot in my bag. One big difference can also be made by simply giving the strippers a 1/4 or 1/2 turn around the wire and then loosening your grip slightly to pull the cut insulation section off.
Love the content and I especially like that he BUYS everything he reviews.
Thanks! Thanks for sharing.
I'm a panel builder for an industrial plant and I've used the vice-grip wire strippers for around 3 years now and never had any problems and always performed any task i needed to do. definitely recommend. i mostly cut and strip anything from 22awg up to 10awg.
Thanks for sharing.
Give Weidmuller stripax and Knipex precistrip a try, they are far superior than vice-grip stripper.
Great work, but you've made my life more difficult... now I have two sites I have to visit before I buy anything, Consumer Reports and you! I love the detail, and the effort you put into controlling for the variables on all your tests. I also appreciate the different kinds of tests you perform for each tool. I actually have a use for maybe 10% of the products you test, but this is one of my favorite channels!
Thanks so much!
Awhile back I asked if you could add ounces when weighing tools . . . Thank you for adding that!
You are welcome!
Great testing as usual! I have been using the same Ideal strippers for 40 years. You can move up a size to strip stranded wire with solid strippers. Strip 14Ga stranded with a 12Ga solid stripper. If you put a nut on the screw before cutting, the nut will chase the threads when removed.
Thanks! Thanks for the feedback.
You are the go to guy for all my pre purchase research.
Thanks for sharing.
I'm happy I found your channel but I'm sad that I didn't fine you sooner. I love all your content!
Hands down, you have THE BEST TH-cam channel!! I always enjoy your videos and your approach.
Thanks so much!
Hahahaha! At 39 years old I just learned that wire strippers have bolt cutters built in. I use wire cutters almost daily and not once did I ever think that those holes were for cutting bolts. I love this channel, always learning, even if it's something I should have learned decades ago lol. Thanks as always for the videos.
You are welcome!
Saw another site that looked at these from a longevity standpoint, and took damage to the blades into account. His research showed damage at almost every cut, and a failure to cut stranded wire. That was pretty interesting, and I think its worth looking at.
What channel was it?
Testing of the force required to remove the insulation was brilliant. This channel is my go to whenever I need to buy new tools. Last night I needed new paddle bits and my first thought was I wonder if project farm has tested these. I can guarantee that these companies haven’t done such a detailed assessment of their competitors.
Thanks for the feedback.
You are the man. This needs a refresh, though. The Klein Katapult 11063W is the perfect mix of fast, easy, accurate, and affordable.
Thanks! Thanks for the suggestion.
Another great one! Thank you sir. Really appreciate your efforts in sharing such a thoroughly researched comparison on an essential tool category. Keep up the great work!
Thanks, will do!
I own the Irwin,Craftsman and Klien in the flat style and that's just how I rate their quality and working well.. The Kliens I never use anymore due to a defective locking tab that always flips around at worst possible times,a bolt that refuses to stay tight even when blue loc tited and a spring that refuses to stay on its mounts... They do cut electrical screws better than the other 2.... I also have the Irwin auto strippers as well as a snap on pair and the Irwin outperforms the stupidly expensive snap ons hands down every time.. Another good; unbiased,unsponsered and fair video as per your usual..
Thanks! Thanks for sharing.
my crew uses wire strippers all day every day. this is SO valuable to see what works. While I love Knipex, it seems the Irwin is really solid. Thank you
You are welcome!
Even if I don't need every item tested on this channel, I enjoy your style and tests.
Thanks!
Would love a video comparing soldering irons and fume extractors for soldering
Thanks for the suggestion.
THANK YOU!! Wish this video existed 20 years ago. I know what I'm asking for my birthday now
You're very welcome!
Yet again, another great test of tools. Thank you for helping us choose the proper tool, for the right price.
Thanks and you are welcome!
I bought the Doyle automatic wire stripper from Harbor Freight. I just wired a new pole barn with several thousand feet of wire, 30 hardwired lights and probably 35 outlets. Those wire strippers worked great and saved me a ton of time.
Great to hear!
Great as always Todd! Thanks for your dedication to completely fair testing.
Thanks and you are welcome!
You're content is always on point Sir 🔥🔥, congrats on you're following you have made on TH-cam.
Thanks!
Thank you! You have changed my opinion on many tools, and you have saved me a ton of money too!
Thanks! Glad to hear!
As an electrician for over 20 years, Ideal are the only one's I'll use. I'd wish you had used the Ideal Reflex Super T-Stripper that also have a bolt cutters. That may have changed your opionion.
Thanks for the feedback.