Will Kraftwerk knock Knipex off the pincer throne?
24.9.2019
Translation: machine translated
Knipex and pliers are two almost inseparable concepts. The tool manufacturer Kraftwerk now wants to get in between them - with promising products.
Tongs are not usually a topic that gets people's tempers flaring. Not even mine. Until now, I've always grabbed the first pair of pliers that seemed useful for the job. A pair of pliers to loosen nails. Combination pliers to hold screws in place. Side cutters to cut through wires. I didn't pay attention to ergonomics, but I did pay attention to the name. In many cases, I held pliers from Knipex in my hands. No wonder, as the German company is one of the market leaders in this field.
Now, however, the old hand has competition. From the Swiss company Kraftwerk. At least that's what the tool manufacturer claims. The diagonal cutters in particular are said to outstrip Knipex. Of course, I can't just leave such a statement out in the open, I have to verify it. A small comparison test is needed.
Pliers, wire, paper
In the first impression - the look - none of the side cutters may convince me. But these things don't have to win a design award, they have to cut wire, the cores of a cable and paper. Yes, apparently the cutters are so precise and sharp that paper can be cut effortlessly and without crush marks. I can confirm that. Both literally glide along the sleeve paper. Wire cutting is also no problem. Hopefully not, as this is one of the most important tasks of a side cutter.
Kraftwerk has more grip
The only difference for me is the handling. The Kraftwerk side cutter is easier to hold. On the one hand, it is smaller, which suits my small hands. On the other hand, it slips less thanks to its partial rubber coating. Although the Knipex cutter also has this, it offers much less grip. I also gave the pliers to my colleagues with larger hands for a haptic comparison. Kraftwerk wins again.
Both side cutters excel in their core competence of cutting material. In general, however, the Kraftwerk product makes a higher quality impression than the market leader. On the other hand, you can buy the Knipex diagonal cutters individually and the Kraftwerk ones only as a set. This also explains the big price difference. Whatever you decide in the end, you won't make a bad purchase with either model.
You won't make a mistake either, if you take a quick look at my author profile.
My life in a nutshell? On a quest to broaden my horizon. I love discovering and learning new skills and I see a chance to experience something new in everything – be it travelling, reading, cooking, movies or DIY.
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