Knipex 09 12 240 SBA 9.5-Inch Ultra-High Leverage Lineman's Pliers with Fish Tape Puller and Crimper

Been using these for about a year and a half now as a professional commercial/industrial electrician. They actually work really well. If you work outside, or work in freezers during the summer, they'll rust like anything else, but a bit of oil and some clean up and they're good to go again. Action is smooth right out of the box, and gets even better the more you use them. If they rust they'll tighten up, but as long as you oil them promptly they'll loosen right up again. Heavy enough to use as a hammer when you need to, durable enough to take the abuse.As with all tools though, they wear out over time. The cutting edges on these are very pointy, (they have a very gradual taper leading up to the cutting edge), meaning if you try to cut something really hard, they'll dent or roll over more easily than a comparable set of Kleins. The Klein edge is much more abrupt, with a lot more steel behind the actual cutting edge, so it takes more effort to dent them.I actually had another set of Knipex Linesman pliers, without the fish tape puller and crimper, and the cutting edges on those got dented within a couple months from cutting screws and spring steel wire. If you have to cut screws or hard wire, I'd recommend having a beater set of Kleins around to use instead. These do best on copper and aluminum. Is it worth having two sets of Linesman pliers to cut two different things? I think it probably is. The Knipex pliers will cut 12/2 MC like it's not even there when they're in good shape, and the'll make a clean cut on copper range feeds in one shot without issue. The Kleins, not so much. They take more effort to cut just about everything, but they'll cut a wider variety of materials and take less damage while doing it.The cutters in the picture, as pictured, still cut MC just fine, still cut #1 copper just fine, still work just as they should. They just take a bit more effort to cut with. For the record, the cutting edges on these got messed up from cutting BX (steel armored) cable. They still cut it, they just didn't come out of it unscathed.If you're looking for the best all-around Linesman pliers, I'd recommend the Klein 2000 series Journeyman pliers instead. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0026TFRQ0/ref=emc_b_5_t?th=1 They're about the same price, the cutting edges are more durable (in my usage anyway), they offer all the same features, and believe it or not, on the set I got, the action was just as smooth as the Knipex pliers. I believe Klein puts a bit more effort into their "Journeyman" series, as I also have a set of diagonal cutters from the same series that are extremely smooth right out of the box.All in all, for just cutting copper or aluminum, these are probably the best pliers you can buy. But, if you have a need to cut screws or hard wire, you'd probably be better off with the Kleins.

Well, I was using a pair of Husky lineman's pliers that cost me $11 buck way back when I started as an electrical apprentice and they served me well all these years, until I realized I left them in a basement full of junk on a rainy day and I refused to go back to that house for them (crazy home owner)...So I chose to purchase these Knipex lineman's pliers for a lot more money than the Husky's, and boy I have not regretted the decision so far.I've only had them a couple of days, but man they're light, very sharp (maybe 'cause they're still new) making the cutting very easy, they were very well lubricated out of the packaging, the handles are comfortable and grippy, the jaws open a lot wider than Husky's and even Klein's tools.They seem of very good quality and very functional, so here's to hoping they last me a good time. I would definitely recommend these pliers to anyone serious about upgrading their electrical tools.

No complaints on these bad boys, Everything works great right out of the package. This is what I have come to trust and expect from knipex. If you want a pair of linesman pliers that will be with you for a long time, these are it. Cutter and jaws are sharp. Absolutely no slipping when twisting wire together. Love the solid feel and zero slop in the rivet, but there not tight out of the package they move smooth and free. Crimpers work great as well. Simply put I love em' they far surpass my last pair "not knipex" that had blue and black handles.

Been using a pair of klein linesman for a year and it would annoy me when the wire id be twisting would slip but then after getting these I haven’t had that same issue and also had a situation where I literally gripped some wire with these and hung on the wire and seriously did not even slip one bit. Trust me when I say the grip these got on the ends are impressive

I am a 2nd year apprentice lineman in Florida, I use 9" Kleins everyday to splice, build a ripple, elbows and t bodies. My Kleins are a tank for the beating I have put it through in hot & humid south Florida.But WoW, the craftsmanship, fluid open and close, ease of cutting (even cuts 4/0 insulated) , the extra grip twisting the concentric tails on 25kv cable, nice handles too.You can really feel the quality difference holding Kleins & Knipex.On a deal through Amazon for $41.99 with free shipping.My new favorite go to pliers.

I'm an electrician and I've used several brands of side-cutters, or linemans pliers, and Knipex makes the best, by far! First of all, they're nice and loose right out of the package! No breaking-in period! They're also super tough, but so are Klein and Milwaukee pliers. They feel really comfortable in you hand, even after twisting joints for hours. And they're heavy enough to use as a hammer when you need to.

Nicely made, hard steel, sharp cutters, can take most abuse American electricians will give them.Not as heavy or perhaps sturdy as the Klein brand, but a sophisticated practical design that most will appreciate.The leverage is for the jaws and cutters, where it is mighty. But - of course the leverage is taken away from the crimper...You will have to put the squeeze of death on the handles if you are putting 10ga wire under yellow lugs.

Best pro pliers at any price