Klein has come out with new glow in the dark pliers that are designed to be easier to find in dark or dimly lit areas. The glow in the dark handles charge up in artificial or natural lighting and glow for up to 30 minutes.
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Currently only 3 tools are available with the new handle coating: 9″ side-cutting pliers, 8″ high leverage diagonal pliers, and standard Klein Kurve wire strippers (8-16 AWG solid, 10-18 AWG stranded).
Buy Now: Side-Cutting Pliers, Diagonal Cutters, Wire Strippers (via Amazon)
The glow-handle pliers, cutters, and stripper are only a few dollars more expensive than the non-glow versions.
Model Numbers (Tool/Non-Glow/Glow)
- Side-cutting pliers, D2000-9NE, D2000-9NEGLW
- Diagonal cutters, D2000-28, D2000-28GLW
- Wire strippers, 11054, 11054GLW
First Impression
While the idea is reasonable, and I really don’t want to jump on Klein for trying something new, a few hesitations keep me from glowing with optimism.
The phosphorescent handles will glow brighter and longer when charged in brighter light. But if you are using the tools for a few minutes in a dimly lit area and then drop them, the glow intensity will probably be quite dim.
The tools will require occasional cleaning, as the phosphorescent glow in the dark handles won’t charge up or glow if covered in a layer of grime.
If you have a habit of losing your basic electrical tools in the dark but don’t want to replace them with Klein’s glow-handled pliers just yet, here are some things you can do in the meantime:
Carry a flashlight or headlamp. (You really should be doing this anyways.)
Buy some glow in the dark duct tape ($6/roll via Amazon)?
You could potentially also drill a hole through the handle and add a small knot or key fob made from glow in the dark paracord (via Amazon). This won’t be very effective, but might be better than nothing.
Nicolas Filiatrault
What an ugly pair of pliers. They really should improve their machining to get to as the Knipex level instead of this..
Pencil Neck
A wonderful answer for a question that wasn’t asked.
Dennis
I don’t know if I’ll buy glow in the dark tools. I can see it being handy from time to time. But I don’t see it as being handy enough to go out and buy glow in the dark ones to replace the ones I currently have.
As a happy accident, from reading this article I found out that they make glow in the dark para-cord, and that is far more useful information. Thanks Stuart.
W-Bee
I received the linesman and the diagonal cutting pliers as a replacement for ones lost on the job site. I can tell you they do give off a decent glow and the handles seem to be very durable. They can be a little distracting while working in a panel in the dark, but they are definitely noticeable. I have already gotten several comments and they will not be mistaken for anther’s tools. Klein makes very reliable tools and I am happy to have these at my side.
Tim
As an fm who often works in dark dingy places I see tons of value in these pliers, would also like to see screwdrivers and other hand tools. And am not thinking about wrapping my wrenches and ratchets in that para cord.
Jerry
I can see where they would be useful in some instances, but am torn between thinking of it as a useful option, and gimmick.
Steve
How are the handles supposed to get “charged up”? I keep my tools either in a tool box, or in my apron locked in the truck box, in other words, they’re in the dark all the time.
jesse
You could buy those Craftsman pliers with LEDs – if they were any good. At least you would get good light as long as the batteries lasted. I can’t see the glo-Kleins worth any more than the standard ones.
mnoswad1
This idea seems to be only useful for the all too often occurrence of dropping your tools behind or under a piece of equipment, inside a engine bay etc. the glow handle would be assentive in helping you finding your tools but if you are in a dark place working, you’d need a flashlight, so the handle should not be considered to be beneficial to doing the actual work.
Agree that id like to see an american brand as a worthy comparison to knipex.
Hang Fire
Engine bay? These tools are clearly targeted at electricians, not auto mechanics.
mnoswad1
Last I looked…….there was wiring in an engine bay, at least when I changed an MSD ignition box in my vintage toyota pickup, and you know what I used for a work lamp?……..a DeWalt 18 volt flex flash light.
You mean I’m supposed to buy completely different tools for each task? A screw driver for residential electric, and another screwdriver for carpentry, and another one for putting kitchen cabinet handles on………OR…….do I just grab my tool bag and get the job done?
I wish I had such a conventional mindset as you, but alas, I guess i’ll have to continue with being a resourceful problem solver instead.
fred
I’m with you about multi-use for tools. I have a Klein 7/16 nutdrivers hanging on the side of my table saw, drill press and band saw – for tightening hex bolts used to secure some auxiliary fences to T-Track. But Hang Fire is correct in saying that Klein targets their tools to the electrical and telecom trades.
typhoon
I don’t know how everyone else does it, but I never used my work tools for around the house stuff; they stayed in my toolbag locked up in the truck at night and I pulled something out of the toolbox instead. So yes, this means I bought dedicated pairs of pliers for my job. Never accidentally left anything at home, though.
Matt B.
This feature would be nice when you lose your pliers in an attic full of blown in insulation or in a dark crawl space.
skfarmer
i think it is a good idea. i think those of you who think it is a worthless gimmick better not be buying any new tools at sears, lowes or home depot.
hats off to klein for coming up with a new idea that blends in to an already good tool making it better. if the handles quit glowing or come off you still have a full function tool. unlike the true gimmick tools with built in lights, goofy handles or other less desireable traits..
Josh
If you do grab a tool like this, pick up a small UV flashlight as well. UV charges “glow in the dark” better than almost anything else, and it’ll fluoresce brightly even if the glow is dead, making it much easier to find.
I’m surprised by the 30 minute glow time; I have some silicone glow in the dark balls that will glow for over 24 hours.
Noah
As a stagehand I can certainly see these being useful for helping to find tools backstage when I set them down between tasks. I need this on a wrench handle!
Allen
See, that’s what I like. I thought of these a silly gimmick. But here is an example of someone who needs them.
I resolve to reserve judgement from now on.
Maybe you could develope glow in the dark plastic grip. You’re welcome.
Andrew
I think they are limiting themselves on handle material by making the entire handle glow in the dark. They could accomplish the same level of utility by making the tool partially glow in the dark, and possibly not even completely directly on the handles.
I think it’s a nice idea, but I’m sure the whole handle glowing in the dark is mostly for initial marketing. There’s probably even some glow in the dark tape you could use on other tools that didn’t initially have it, and even then you could limit it to tools you feel are highly likely to need the tape.
Dave
Its been a while since the original post, but I was at home depot yesterday and these are clearance for $11 bucks, best deal on Kleins! I was able to buy the last two pairs. Check your local HD to see if they have any left.