Klein Tools has come out with a new Klein Kurve wire stripper and crimper multi-tool, designed for anyone working with voice-data-voice wiring systems.
It can be used to twist, strip, cut, shear, and crimp wires, 10-26 AWG solid and 12-28 AWG stranded.
Advertisement
Made in the USA, the Klein Kurve wire stripper and crimper multi-tool is aimed at saving users time and the risk of unnecessary frustration that comes with having to switch back and forth between tools to complete a task.
It can crimp 10-22 AWG insulated and non-insulated terminals, B connectors, and 3M Scotchlok IDC connectors.
The tips are shaped to grab, pull, and bend even the smallest of wires, and the head is reinforced to reduce flex and keep the wire stripping holes true to their size.
There are built-in wire cutters, loops for bending wires, and shear holes for cutting 6-32 and 8-32 screws down to size.
Lastly, the handle grips are curved and double-dipped, for extra comfort.
Price: $20
Buy Now(via Amazon)
Buy Now(via Home Depot)
First Thoughts
I love, love LOVE Klein Kurve wire strippers. The double-dipped cushion is far easier on the hands than other gripped plier and cutter handles I’ve tried.
Hands down, I’d buy a pair of these without hesitation. I like the wide wire gauge range, and can probably make use of the crimpers too.
I also like that it looks better shaped for fitting into a back pocket or tool pouch, unlike older styles of electrical multi-tools.
See Also: Wire Strippers and Combo Electrical Tools
Preview Video
satch
Stuart, pretty much agree about Klein Kurve models. I used the Ideal T models with oversized curved grips for a long time. The last pair was not up to par. Then I tried a coworker’s Kurve and was instantly converted. Size, shape, grip comfort, etc. Great prices as well.
This model interests me since the B connectors(if I am hinking of the coreect item) are what we used to join stranded, shielded cabling in card access systems. Our supplier always called them ‘beanie’ connectors. About an inch long and just over 1/8 inch thick. They come unfilled or filled with dielectric grease to keep out moisture in outdoor areas. Indespensible for quick field terminations.
Corey
I used beanies or “dolphins” (brand name I think) in Hirsch/general security and access systems for years. Counterintuitively, they’re prohibited in fire and life safety systems, wirenuts ans terminal blocks only, if I recall NFPA 72 from my nicet days, beanies are more susceptible to user error and can more easily result in a poor splice. And I did regularly find half crimped, or untwisted wires in beanies during troubleshoots lol so I came around. In any case, beanies are indeed indespensable in small guages stranded splicing, big fan and routinely used my “man hands” to double crimp them with the nose of my strippers whenever my crimps were missing or out of reach haha
satch
Corey, thank you for the information about life safety systems. I did some maintenance on them but mainly just changing out devises. I tried to stay as far away from the premises wiring as I could. I was never NICET certified and didn’t want to be. I had enough to do with electrical work.
We always used our linesman pliers to crimp the beanies but I readily discerned it was not the ideal instument. I had to learn to back off on the pressure. I crushed a few and had to start over. Quick to learn the right way but a smaller pliers(linesmans are overkill for any comms work) or crimper like these would have been very handy. Took to using my 8 inch long nose pliers but these crimper tools would have been nearly a one tool solution for terminations.
Jim Felt
We’ve got maybe 4 versions of these curved tools and even at least two sets of minis and the regular ones Klein made and branded as Craftsman. The minis, however, are more cute then useful. Just too mini.
This variant seems like a nice nearly all-in-one version but to this day we’ve never worn the earlier models out. “Lost” a few perhaps but never through actual use.
Glad Klein’s still improving their classics.
Jim Felt
Wait. What? There is no lock on these grey handled versions?
I don’t like that at all. Tough to grab in a Veto bag or even on a work bench without catching on something or pinching the user.
What’s that all about?
Szymon
There is no lock because there is no spring in the middle the help and spread them apart
I bought a set and like them. But I would love them if they did have a spring. I find it easier on the hands and quicker to use when the spiring helps you
satch
I go back and forth on this. I cannot abide a spring inlarger pliers like needlenose or similar. I can tolerate them on these stamped lightweight strippers…sometimes. Other times I remove the spring. Just depends upon the koodmI am in and howmridiculous the lock lever is. Some of them are fidgety.
Joren
One thing that’s always bothered me about these combo tools – stripping wire, that’s fine, it’s easy to visually see you’ve got a good strip – but crimping, it scares me to think how many crimps are done with a ‘multi-tool’ where there’s line voltage flowing through them. The crimp manufacturers won’t support it, and it’s not like after crimping with a multi-tool, pull testing is done to a standard. You loose both the ability to verify using the correct force to apply them (proper tools have ratchets that you can field calibrate with a small scale) or to verify that the terminal and wire combination is appropriately crimped combination using the tool (verifiable both in field or in a shop with basic tools, but can be automated as well).
Heck – I find crimps for stranded wire on solid wire all the time, and sometimes solid wire crimps on stranded wire. I’m all for ‘getting the job done’ but at least use an appropriate tool (and connector) for the job!
Benjamen
Ooh, I like the wide range of wire sizes. I have both the Kurve sizes and it would be handy to have one tool that strips everything.
Not sure if I like not having a spring…
Kenneth Stephens
I have a similar pair of Imperial brand stripper/crimpers. I like them, however I wish the crimping function was above the pivot. Does anyone have a recommended pair of strippers where the 2 sections are flipped and the strippers are below the pivot?
TonyT
These do look interesting, the price is competitive and I like the wide range (10-26/12-28), but I often need AWG30, which these don’t have. And based on my experience, I will not use non-ratcheting crimpers, so I wouldn’t use the crimper, either.
My current main wire strippers are a set of Paladins (now Greenlee PA1123) with soft grip handle, with 20-30AWG on one and 10-24 on the other). Mine were made in Tawain, and I think cost about $20, but current pricing is about $20 for one, or $30 for the set
However, when I need a new wire stripper, I’ll definitely consider the Klein Kurve 11057, since it’s range is 20-30 / 22-32, and the price is the same as the Greenlee.
JoeM
Meh. I’m sold. I damaged my glasses a while back, so I’m kinda squinting at the site right now. But I’ve never seen the gripper teeth on the end of the stripper/crimper tool before, and I feel impulsively good about that combo. I like this tool, and would happily put this in my “Upgrade To” list of tools.
I reserve the right to change my mind when I can see properly again though. Just in case I see something then that I’m not seeing now… which is quite a bit.
By the way, life lesson: When someone says “You’ve got a screw loose” it doesn’t always mean you’re crazy. I am that kind, but losing a screw in one’s glasses, when one needs said glasses to see such a tiny screw… it’s a bad thing.
JoeM
Good News: I have my glasses back, and can see more clearly.
Bad News: I want these even more than I ever did before. I barely use my basic electrical crimper, but these are a DEFINITE upgrade for my tastes. What was once “When I get around to upgrading” has become “HIGH PRIORITY UPGRADE!”
So… These are going to cost money I didn’t plan on spending right away. They seem right to me.
JoeM
UPDATE: Just ordered these from Amazon Canada. Close to $68, due to all sorts of factors crossing the border here, but I WILL have these, as soon as the postal strike, and the “Civil Disobedience” protests by the postal workers settles down a bit.
Seriously. Ordered something from AliExpress, it hit Richmond, BC, then went to Winnipeg, MB instead of to the sorting center in MY Province, Scarborough or Mississauga, ON. Why did it go to Winnipeg, when the postal flights usually lead direct to all provinces? I don’t know. I can only suspect that one of these “Civil Disobedience” acts meant someone deliberately put it on a different flight, just to piss the government off.
But, whenever it arrives (Probably in January at this point, with how backwards everything is.) I WILL enjoy this upgraded set of crimpers!
mikeakafazzman
Look nearly identical to a couple pair of GreenLee strippers I have that I got years ago when I was studying Electronics Technology in college.
Frank D
10-26 … would love to upgrade my one stripper to this, non crimping but spring loaded. Time to check the Klein shop.