KC Tool has a fantastic deal right now on the Knipex forged wire stripper, model 13-72-8.
The Knipex forged wire stripper can strip solid (10-18 AWG) and stranded wire (12-20 AWG).
It also has a shear cutting blade that offers 50% higher cutting capacity, and 25% reduced cutting effort, compared to standard wire strippers.
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Knipex says their strippers can cut copper and aluminum cables up to 15mm (1/2″) diameter.
It can cut 6-32 and 8-32 threaded rod and machine screws, up to class 4.6.
And, it also has multifunctional gripping surfaces for holding and twisting wires, or bending flat and round materials.
Lastly, the strippers have what Knipex describes as location ridges, for precise positioning and faster wire stripping.
The pliers are forged from high-grade special tool steel with multi-stage hardening.
Sale Price: $39.99
Made in Germany
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Also check out KC Tool’s tool deal of the day.
Should You Buy These Pliers?
Forged wire strippers are a relatively new product category, and there can be a bit of sticker shock for those not familiar with them.
These are $40 on sale. Amazon has them for $54, and other retailers have them for $58 and up.
Note: This isn’t a publicly-advertised promotion, with the sale price only known once you add the pliers to your KC Tool online shopping cart. As such, I don’t know when the promo is set to end.
The way I see it, these are pliers with wire stripping capabilities. That’s where the forged construction provides benefits – you get much even more multi-functional use compared to traditional wire strippers.
And, these are much better than typical “multi-functional” or “all-in-one” electrical tools.
This particular Knipex forged stripper is very good at cutting wires as well, more so than other wire strippers I own, at least when it comes to larger multi-conductor cables.
I bought the same Knipex wire stripper from KC Tool last Black Friday/Cyber Monday at a similar price ($39), and I would absolutely buy them again.
If you want to give these electrical pliers/wire strippers a try, they’re at a great price right now. If you’re unsure, I would bet they’ll be on sale again in a few months for Black Friday or Cyber Monday 2022, but there are risks. If they will be on sale again in a few months, what will the price be, and will there be immediate availability?
MI Dad
I wish it were easier to find quality, affordable strippers that do smaller gauges… us LV folks occasionally need 22, 24, etc and I’m always leaving mine in closets.
Stuart
I have had pretty good experiences with Klein. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000XEUPMQ/?tag=toolguyd-20
They changed the design slightly a while back – I believe the switched from Stride/Imperial-made strippers to their in-house factory, but without any noticeable difference in quality.
I have a presumed Stride/Imperial-made Craftsman Pro, and I cherish it due to difficult replaceability.
The wire gauge on the Klein 11057 and similar Stride/Imperial strippers are a bit too fine, and so I always have to have two or more strippers at the ready, but it’s not a big deal.
That fine-gauge Klein goes from 20 to 30 AWG solid, and 22 to 32 stranded.
I have tried automatic wire strippers, and they work great on larger wires, but not so much on smaller sizes. It also doesn’t help that I tend to like atypical hook-up wire, such as with thinner non-PVC insulation.
The Klein 11046 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000302WS/?tag=toolguyd-20 covers intermediate sizes, 16-26 AWG stranded, and I have one, but I prefer the Klein Kurve.
I bought Knipex’s mini wire stripper, https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005EXNXJI/?tag=toolguyd-20 , but I haven’t made my mind up about it yet. It’s very pricey, and so I opted to buy it from Amazon Germany for less.
I later learned that the Knipex seems to simply be a rebranded Jokari. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BMUEIY6/?tag=toolguyd-20
Basically, I share in your frustration.
I really need to update it, but there are some photos to go along with some of the models I mention here – https://toolguyd.com/wire-strippers-electrical-tools/
With all that said, I don’t think there will be a smaller-gauge version of these Knipex forged wire strippers. These are really sized for larger wires, and might be way too overbuilt for working with smaller LV, data, or signal wires.
MI Dad
Wow thank you for that! I have had various klein’s of course but the handles in the one linked here seem to have been updated and I don’t know if I care for it. But for the price… it beats whatever lowest price junk my boss will buy us on occasion. I actually prefer the non-heavy duty Klein ones – something about the bulk of the coated handles. Anyway, thank you again 🙂
Stuart
The non-heavy-duty Kleins are good too. I still have mine somewhere, but I just like the Klein Kurve style better. They lock and fit my pocket when I need to be mobile – which isn’t often, and more importantly I like the curved wire cutter better.
Wire strippers are one of those tools where you have to try a few to know what you like.
Some styles, whether manual or automatic, tend to work better than others, and sometimes only for certain types of wires.
Franco
I bought these in 2015; haven’t used them a ton but have worked quite well when needed. Not sure how good a quality you are looking for, but these are decent and have some of their snippers and mini pliers (which I do use often) and have worked quite well.
For those who do not care for made in China, all my Hakko’s, bought back in 2015 all say made in Italy….not sure if they still are today though.
Franco
Forgot the link..
https://www.amazon.com/Hakko-CSP-30-7-Stripper-Maximum-Capacity/dp/B00FZPHY7M/
JR Ramos
Hakko is a mix of Italy and China now, depends on the model…they also seem to have some real issues with keeping most models in stock and/or available for distributors. Seems like more QC issues with their popular nippers and pliers in recent years.
Mopar4wd
We deal with a lot of small control wires are work, and we switch thru wire strippers like crazy. The current favorite seems to be these Phoenix wirefox quick fox.
https://www.phoenixcontact.com/en-us/products/stripping-tool-quick-wirefox-6-neutral-1204588
But we have also Used Xcelite SAS3210
Ideal Stripmasters
And ideal grip and strips.
Also if you start looking at these tools you will find alot that look identical with wildly different price points. It becomes very hard to figure out actual OEMS and which ones are knockoffs and which ones are over priced units with new stickers on the.
Stuart
Thanks, I’ll check those out too!
Peter Fox
To my knowledge there are only 3 manufacturers of stamped wire stripping tools in the USA, Ideal industries, Stride Tool, and Klein. If it US made in the last several decades it is almost guaranteed to have come from one of these three. Of the threes Stride tools is the least recognizable brand as they are more often re branded and sold by other US based companies. As Klein has made been manufacturing their own stripping tools for a long time I would be surprised if contracted anything from either Stride or Ideal.
Greenlee, Gardner Bender, Southwire ect are all imported. Not that they are good or bad just not made in the USA
Personally I have a strong preference for Ideals wire stripping tools. They have had the largest range of dedicated wire stripping and prep tools of the three US based manufactures. That combined with the durability and the ability to get repair parts for the strip-master series made the best option for us in the production of control panels. None of the other have the full range of specialty strippers to handle difficult insulation types or more demanding applications.
SamR
Today I received the Klein and as you saidit is pretty good! thank you for the recommendation!
AC
First time poster at this site but I have been reading it for years.
I just wanted to recommend the Greenlee 1917-SS.
I have been an electronics technician for over 20 years, using dozens of different wire strippers and they are my current favorite for my main tool box and at home. I think they are very good quality and not terribly expensive.
Stuart
Thank you! I’ll also add that Greenlee to my list to look into.
I don’t think I’ve used stainless steel wire strippers before. Are there any significant benefits or compromises?
Patrick C
I have a ton of Klein and some of them are starting to get a little rusty. I started buying a few of the Southwire stainless strippers when they started showing up at Lowes, and they’re now my go-to. Not Made in USA unfortunately but great price and slightly better designs on the NM strippers.
ca
I have a pair of these in addition to the Knipex forger wire strippers:
https://www.kctool.com/nws-145-69-160-6-25-wire-stripping-pliers-titanfinish-softgripp/
Ct451
For small gauges you can’t go wrong with Hakko CHP CSP-30-1
or from their manufacturer Piergiacomi the CSP 30/1 (or SFF 30). These are the best.
Wayne R.
Search for “Harris wire stripper” or “Fluke Networks 44210013”. These hook-style strippers have been relied on for decades in telecom for 22 & 24 gauge wire. They’re simple and, as a result, reliable & durable.
Mikedt
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005JVJDIA/
I bought one for work and one for home. I’m not using them in a production environment but they’ve been working well so far.
JR Ramos
Check out the Engineer brand tools from Japan. Their PA- stripper series has several options. I think the one I have goes from 20-30 but they have them on either end of that range as well. They are truly a fine tool and as long as the conductors are to spec the tool will not nick or cut them (particularly wonderful for stranded wire). I like these better than the Knipex I’ve used. The handles are all green, look a little funky but are quite comfortable and seem pretty durable so far. The return spring is perfection. There are also the little palm jobbies like Jonard and the other copy (and the Knipex-branded copy). Those are adjustable for depth of stripping and also stripping length – nice tools but maybe overpriced.
The Engineer website looks archaic but if you look there and find a model you like, punch that into Amazon and it’ll be easy to find that way. Bridge Precision Tools seems to be the main US retailer and they often have good pricing on Engineer…various Japan sellers for some items.
MFC
These look nicer than the milwaukee/klein with their wider front jaw and angle cutter, but my Milwaukee were significantly cheaper and I still use pliers anyways, so I don’t think these are good enough to justify the additional cost. If they had a built in crimper then maybe, but otherwise they are probably just for the “name brand” folks.
JML
These are fabulous tools. I have several other high-quality plier-type wire stripping tools like this, but the Knipex are in another league. And the screw cutter is simply fabulous. The Stripmaster tools are for a different purpose, and work great on stranded wire, but for home solid-core wiring these are superb. The Ideal Stripmaster site is https://www.idealind.com/us/en/shop/product-type/aerospace/stripmaster.html.
If you have VERY fine wires, you don’t ever want use a plier-type wire stripper. Instead, look for one of the small Euro-style stripping tools, like the tools from Jonard found at https://www.amazon.com/Jonard-ST-500-Adjustable-Precision-Thickness/dp/B0032QZMWA/
fred
Off Topic – but Acme is doing a tiered ($25, $50 or $75 off) deal on Makita. At the sweet spot of $75 off on $399 – that represents just shy of 19% off.
Kevin M Smith
Meh. With shipping from KC Tools, it’s only $5/off from the Amazon price. Doesn’t really move the needle for me.
fred
I got the KC Tool email about this last Monday (8/1) – and bought 3 for $120. Delivered with their sticker pack and a Felo Phillips #2 insert bit as an added promotion. They don’t assess me with sales tax – so it was a much better deal than Amazon. I’m hoping that my gift recipients will like them.
MM
These look really nice, I’m a big fan of both these and the similar “Pliers for Electrical Installation” like 13-86-200. It’s nice to have an all-in-one tool that has the convenience of the stamped pliers that have been around for years, but with the quality and durability much improved.
Speaking new new Knipex electrical tools, has anyone gotten a chance to play with one of these yet?
https://www.knipex.com/products/cable-and-wire-rope-shears/electricians%27-shears/electricians-shears/950520SB
J. Newell
No, and wow. I want to say that those look like you could bet a serious boost in cutting force, but maybe it’s just that the wrist/forearm alignment would be more natural? I’m not such which, but those are really appealing (and I already own one of the 95-05-1155 shears).
Julian
I bought these and find them not very handy at all. Should have thought it through a bit more I guess.
I thought maybe they’d be my goto for car stereo/auto wiring type tasks, but It’s a pain in the butt to cut anything with them having to get the wire all the way to the back cutters and overall just a horrible user experience. Maybe as a catch-all tool drawer or glovebox tool, but like many multi-use type handtools, this design does no task particularly well and though I paid $40-50 for them, I find myself barely picking them up to use.
Jeremiah Ducate
I dont like that these lack a crimper(rarely use but hate having to grab a seperate tool when i do). Im currently using the milwaukee 6 in 1, I like the 8in 1(with crimper). I do a bit of everything(not just electrician) so maybe 10-15 percent of my time doing electrical currently. Ive tried the Klein curves and found the grips too small/skinny for my taste.
Any suggestions of a tool similar to this with crimpers thats higher quality/more durable than the newer milwaukee(8 in 1)? Insulated handles would be a bonus.
MM
I don’t know if these would suit your needs, but the Knipex 13-86-200 is similar, it adds a crimper but has less of a stripper, and it has insulated handles. There’s also a “T” version of the same part number which has a lock to keep them closed.
Peter Fox
Be aware that the various models of Knipex forged combination pliers for wiring that have crimping sections are for wire ferrules not solder-less terminals. they are not large enough do not have the correct geometry nor do they have the necessary leverage to properly crimp terminals.
I have used both the 13-01-160/13-02-160 style and the 13-86-200 and they are great but only for crimping ferrule not terminals.
fred
There is the Klein Kurve
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Klein-Tools-Klein-Kurve-Heavy-Duty-Wire-Stripper-Crimper-K12065CRSEN/313833682?source=shoppingads&locale=en-US
and the Southwire 7-in-1:
https://www.amazon.com/Southwire-Tools-Equipment-S7N1HD-Multi-Tool/dp/B07MQ6PS71?source=ps-sl-shoppingads-lpcontext&ref_=fplfs&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER
I don’t have experience with either one.
Peter Fox
I have had a set of these for a bit over a year and really like them. They replaced their older 13-02-160 style of combination wiring pliers in my daily use tool pouch.
The screw cutter is particularly well though out and implemented. Unlike most wiring pliers where you have to thread the screw in to cut it. These are have and internal angular relief on the non cutting side of both halves that allows you to insert the screw on an angle and once it is where you want it tip it back straight cut it with the threads fully supported on both side for a clean cut. Additionally because there are only about 2 threads of support on either side it is less picky about the thread pitch of the screw. I have successfully cut M4 screw in the 8-32 hole and had good threads on the end of the screw.
The only modification I made to the thin the pliers end such that the tips are in between the original almost linesman pliers width and those of smaller needle nose style that they replaced. As manufactured they are probably perfect for an electrician twisting multiple solid wire together for a wire nut. However they are a bit big to get into tighter spaces such as packed control panels and appliances.
Skyy
I’ve looked at these, but I can’t justify them over both pairs of amazing Klein K12055.
Ball_bearing
Today they have the Knipex 87-02-250-T 10″ Cobra Pliers – MultiGrip Tethered Attachment for 36.99 vs Amazon at 41.44
JML
Just a follow-up. The CK fine wire stripper looks to be the same as the Jonard I noted earlier. The reviews are mixed, but I think some of the negative reviews are based on misunderstanding of the gauge equivalents. The Jokari strippers from Germany are also good tools.
AC
I’ve tried all forged Kleins and even some of the other previous Knipex versions (which seemed terrible) and the Klein Curves were always my favorite, that is until I got these new forged Knipex’s. They are far and away the best and versatile enough that I’m not using lineman’s much at all.
Jim
The guy who first taught me about wiring got me started on Klein Kurve strippers, and I’ve been partial to them ever since any time I have to do a lot of wire stripping all at once like in a control panel.
But for around the house for installing outlets and such these days I really like these Klein HD needle nose combo strippers (part# J207-8CR). I have a great set of lineman’s but unless I’m twisting wire I like these better where a one-tool approach makes sense.
Klein Tools J207-8CR Needle Nose… https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016XE2CHA
Matt
Something to keep in mind is the colour coding on Knipex tools.
Red and Blue tools are not rated for Voltage
Red and Yellow tools are rated for voltage
https://www.knipex.com/wissen/zangen-faq/what-difference-between-blue-red-and-yellow-red-handles