I ordered the new Knipex TwinGrip slip joint pliers the next day after posting about them – one of each style – and knew there was going to be a short wait before KC Tool received them in stock. They were delayed a bit, and KC Tool has been great in communicating about this.
It now looks like the Knipex TwinGrip pliers will be delayed for much longer than expected.
The following email came in today:
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Dear Customer,
Thank you for your purchase of the new Twin Grip Pliers from Knipex.
Due to the unfortunate combination of catastrophic flooding in Germany as well as the rise of the delta variant of Covid-19, production at Knipex has been temporarily disrupted. As a result the shipment of the Twin Grip Pliers has been significantly delayed.
The Multigrip style is now expected at our warehouse by December 15th.
You do have other items on your order that we will ship separately before your Twin Grips at no extra charge. Then, once the Twin Grips arrive, we will ship them as soon as possible. If you decide that this wait is too long, just let us know, and we’ll give you a full refund.
As an apology for the delays you have endured, we have applied a $10 store credit to your account regardless of whether you cancel this item.
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If you have any questions, concerns or would like to make a change to your order, please reply to this message or give us a call at (913) 440-9766.
We appreciate your business!
At this time, the MultiGrip (comfort handle) style is listed with a December 2021 ETA, and the plastic-dipped handle style is listed with an October 2021 ETA.
While not the best news, what can they do? This also strengthens my feelings about KC Tool – few retailers share updated ETAs in this manner. Plus, a $10 store credit for a situation that’s not even their fault? Sweet.
Buy Now: MultiGrip via KC Tool
Buy Now: Dipped via KC Tool
Shipping is free on $75+ orders.
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Jaycob P.
I already have a pair of the dipped handle ones I ordered off Amazon. I got them a week or two back for like $30.
Stuart
I’ve been checking, but Amazon wants like 50% more than what I paid via KC Tool. It’s a moot point, it seems no one is getting a shipment any time soon.
Jaycob P.
Yeah I jumped on them when I saw the deal shared over at the Garage Journal. I’m not sure how they managed to get some in at the price they were.
Jared
That is amazing customer service! Kudos to KC tool.
Bad news though. I wanted to try a pair of these too. Seems like there will be a bit of wait.
fred
Having been in that part of Germany many times – I have seen floods on the Rhine and Moselle – but nothing like this year’s catastrophe. I would estimate that Knipex may be 10 to 15 miles east of the river – probably well within the flood plain. While the worst flooding seems like it was further west and south, their suppliers and workforce may have been more impacted than their factory.
David J. Brock
been waiting for them but Amazon sellers have been gouging on the prices and now Amazon said there will be a 4 week wait. I have been waiting for this pliers for a long time, something built a bit stronger than the Vampliers.
Gary T.
Harry J. Epstein still has some dipped handle ones in stock.
MM
Thanks Gary. I had been watching KC tool but they never seemed to get any stock beyond that needed to fill pre-orders and the prices on Amazon were nuts. It didn’t occur to me to check HJE.
Jerry
Thanks, ordered a pair and wound up doing what I always do at HJE and ordered a bunch of extra stuff to go with it.
Will
I bought a pair in-store yesterday. They said they’ve sold 20 pairs since Monday. I think they had about 10 or 12 left when I bought mine at the end of the workday.
I love buying from those guys; they’ll always take time to chat about tool brands and industry news. They said many brands are experiencing the types of delays Knipex is. For example, the Wilde plant in Hiawatha, KS, can’t get steel right now so a lot of products simply can’t come off the line.
TMedina
Ah well – this doesn’t bode well for the Knipex pliers-wrench XS release, slated for September.
Harry
Probably not but, the wait will just make me appreciate them that much more.
mattd
I ordered a dipped set from kctool the day you posted and received them a few weeks ago. they must have only received a small quantity. I do like them. 🙂
John Blair
Yeah, I understand the wait. I appreciate the communication and especially not holding the other items in my order hostage for another 4 months. “You do have other items on your order that we will ship separately before your Twin Grips at no extra charge. ” Class act.
Stuart
I emailed them just to be sure, and was told the rest of my order would be shipping this week. (woo!)
Jim Felt
Exactly how they answered my emailed question earlier today too. AKA very decent customer service!
MT_Noob
I got the same email on my order as well. They are definitely an example of great customer service. I’ll continue to support them and keep them at the top of my tool purchasing list. It is not always just finding the lowest possible price, sometimes it is worth a little extra to support a company that provides great support.
Spearhead91
Got mine from Chad’s tool box WEEKS ago.
Farmerguy
Same. Got a pair of twin grips there shipped july 30th and shortly thereafter got them. Have used them and like them (disclaimer: not an everyday wrencher so ymmv) and got a $5 off coupon because I pre ordered in early July.
Randy
Try Jen Putzier Tools. They have all the latest Knipex releases including the the Twingrip Pliers, CutiX knife. BiX pipe cutter and XS plier wrench.
Dave P
Until I’ proven wrong, I am done w Knipex if I have to buy those plastic “comfort grip” (or whatever they call them) handles. I have countless Husky and Stanley (poorer tools overall I know) pliars, side cutters, etc, missing similar handles/grips that fell off. And the metal handles left are thin/skinny, too short, and terribly uncomfortable and just don’t feel right.
I don’t understand the fascination with those fake handles. I have old Channellocks and Diamond tools–used daily– w dipped handles that are 30+ years old and are fine. I have lots of Knipex that are probably approaching 15-20 years old and they’re fine as well.
Bye Bye Knipex (unless they keep making dipped handles).
Brandon B.
“At this time, the MultiGrip (comfort handle) style is listed with a December 2021 ETA, and the plastic-dipped handle style is listed with an October 2021 ETA.” – what gave you the idea that dipped handles were going away?? Forum posts and chit-chatter indicate practically a 50/50 preference, with my local Menard’s *only* stocking dipped handles. I don’t think we have to worry about this.
mattd
all of their pliers have both types of handles. I don’t know what made you assume otherwise, but whatever it was it is wrong.
MM
This right here. Every one of their pliers is available with dipped handles. Many models are dipped handles only. Some of them are optionally available with thicker handles.
I can’t commend on the blue-and-red handles like the one in Stuart’s pic but I have many Knipex pliers with the yellow-and-red VDE approved electrically insulating handles and those are very tough. Most of those pliers I’ve had for over a decade and I’ve never had one come loose on me though I have had that happen with many inferior brands.
Stuart
https://toolguyd.com/knipex-twingrip-pliers/
As mentioned in both posts, there are two handle styles.
Most Knipex pliers and cutter styles are available in both handle styles.
Even if handles loosen up on cheaper pliers, this is not known to be a common complaint about Knipex.
Dave P
The fat handles also don’t fit in (existing) leather holsters or slots on tool belts–too fat and bulky. Knipex is just doing what the (mostly casual user) market is calling for and I don’t blame them for not wanting to lose sales over some plastic handles perceived (certainly not known) to be better….
Eddie the Hook
Too bad Channellock discontinued their excellent 10″ long slip joint pliers. (#5410) They would give these pliers a run for their money.
MM
I received mine last week. I went ahead and took a gamble and ordered a two pairs since I figured this was something useful enough to warrant having two around.
First impressions are that they are more slender than I expected. They will fit into tight spots better than other slip joints I have used. The teeth/jaws are also very interesting. Near the tips the teeth interlock like Vampire or Engineer pliers. The serrations are extremely sharp–both the longitudinal and the crossways ones. They are very hard as well, I could not scratch the jaws with a machinist’s scraper though I could with a good file.
I’ve done a few things with them so far: holding bolts while grinding & wire-brushing freshly cut ends, pulling dowel pins out of a transmission housing, and taking apart some old plumbing fixtures. I’m impressed. They are easily the best slip-joints I have used so far. The various notches in the jaws combined with the angled teeth means these are extremely aggressive pliers. The fulcrum is quite far forward so they have a lot of leverage too. There is no doubt these pliers grip very hard and they also mar everything you grab with them short of hardened steel parts, and even then you might make marks if you really bear down. The 5-position adjustment works great. They are also directional when it comes to using them to unscrew plumbing fittings or fasteners. While they don’t grip as hard as Cobras on a hex or a pipe they are not too far behind if you get the jaws adjusted correctly. Time will tell how they last, but initial impressions are these are awesome.
I’m darn glad I ordered two pair.
And now I hope Knipex will make these in other sizes.
JML
Mine came yesterday, from Chad’s Toolbox.