Knipex 09 11 240 SBA 9.5-Inch Ultra-High Leverage Lineman's Pliers with Fish Tape Puller and Crimper

[These pliers put Klein tool lineman pliers to shame. The cutter is very sharp and there is no air gap when I they are closed so they cut the wire flawlessly. They grip wire very well and make twisting wire very easy. I did notice that there is already a nick in the cutters which I do not know how that happened since I just cut copper and aluminum wire. It has made cutting large wire a little more hard but other than that they still work great. I would buy these again.]

So I'll leave my original review below in brackets, which was 5 stars. For context I'm an apprentice lineman, I work outside, my tools mostly stay outside, I do not and will not be careful with my tools. I will not baby them I will use every single one as a hammer on a regular basis. They will get rained on, they will get put away wet, they will freeze. That's the reality. I bought these because I was led to believe that Knipex was a premium brand of pliers, and I have another pair, the cobras I think, that are pretty okay. So maybe they have a niche. I bought these to replace a Klein Tools' set of pliers that are so damn famous everyone just calls them Klein's. The short version of this story is that I now have two sets of Klein's.The first thing I noticed is that these have to be the worst grips in the history of something being named after the purpose it was built. There is no grip unless it's 77 degrees and sunny, when they get cold or wet or greasy or you look at em wrong they secrete Teflon and become a two hand tool. Second infraction is the hot rivet started to go. I was skeptical about how easy they were to open when I got em. And whatever clearance was there to begin with just got worse over time. There's now visible play in the rivet and it's just disappointing. And really the most egregious offence is the cutter. I was cutting what's called a wedge clamp, it's small and holds slack wire. I was cutting wire a little bit bigger than a coat hanger but definitely harder. It's a little steel hoop that holds the clamp to the pole or house. Now there is a hole that size in the cutter. It just shattered, I was squeezing with my left and couldn't figure out why the wire wasn't cutting. I looked and well, she's hooped.I would recommend the Klein's to anyone. I have a pair that's rusty, three years old, still cut what I need, rivet is good as new, I even got them between some secondary. Definitely scarred but not beaten.Now, what I will say about these Knipex, when the cutters worked, they do have good leverage and do cut well. The pliers have a very hard and aggressive tooth cut and really bite. The integrated crimper is very convenient. I think these would be outstanding for lighter duty indoor work. If you're one of those guys that cares for his hand tools and really appreciates a certain brand they'll probably do great. If you want something you can leave in the bottom of your bucket and will use them as a hammer, not only sometimes but frequently and intentionally like myself, stear clear.Now to Knipex, on the off chance you read this review: if you would put the same grip that you put on your cobra pliers these would have a crazy edge over some other brands. I use those all the time in wet slick leather gloves protectors and have great purchase on the tool. Or, honestly, and you won't do this, but you could always not out a grip on them. I ripped the grips off my old Klein's and like it 10x better.Anyway, just my experience.[I recently bought a pair of your Lineman's Pliers, and I have to say, I think they're the best in the business. I have the 09 11 240, and I chose those for the crimper addition and the "dipped" or plastic coated handles as I feel the thinner coating is easier to handle in my class 2 rubber gloves w/ leather gauntlets. I've used about four different brands: Craftsman, Klein, Milwaukee and yours. The Klein models are probably second best and, as I'm sure you know, share a lot of similar design elements which is what led me to your brand. I've been using my Knipex models for about 6 months and the blades cut like day one, there is almost no play in the rivet, the gripping surface pattern is still sharp, the increase in leverage really does make a difference, and there isn't too much flex in your handles. Other models I feel have too much flex and that diminishes cutting ability. I regularly cut 1/0 ACSR with these, especially if I'm climbing, and there isn't even the slightest bit of wear, that I can tell anyway, in the cutters. I use these as pliers, cutters, crimpers, a hammer, a pry bar and whatever else I try. I'm not easy on tools. They regularly get left in the snow and rain, ridden hard and put away wet and they perform every time I grab them. Guys always borrow them and make comments on the quality, your fit and finish is bar none, they really are top of the line. The only thing that I would change, and I mean this minute and picky really, is the grips on this model are just slick as ice when my gloves are wet. That's what I get for not getting the rubberized grips so it is what it is, and really it's 100% worth the trade. The next time I am in the market for a tool I'll be checking your line first and when I weld these pliers together or burn them up completely I'll have these on order within the hour. It's great that a company is still making serious quality tools, you have at least one more lifetime customer and I advertise for you on a regular basis. Please don't cheapen for the sake of larger margins as so many have done, if it's a premium tool, we'll pay a premium price. Thanks again.-NTK]

So far I like them. Not sure if they'll hold up as well as my Kleins or not, but time will tell. But, out of the package they are sharp, lighter then the Kleins and have a good feel to them. We'll see.

Best pliers cuts fine silk and butter like butter!Nails watch out

I have been using this tool everyday!!! Best quality you can use, it’s light weight, I glad I don’t have to use both of my hands to cut also the cut is sharp! The grip is perfect, I have no issues with this tool for the past 3 months it’s still a great condition definitely purchasing another one soon

Knipex makes the finest tools. They are more costly but will last a lifetime and they make a plier for every different job.

Mi papá quedó feliz con el alicate.

i needed a set on lineman’s with a crimper. made a big mistake buying klein’s grey and black handled one; it’s tiny and has no weight to it.knipex (nigh-pex.. not nip-pex) however, their pliers with crimper has just enough length and balance, while being slightly slimmer than traditional lineman pliers, to drive even the most awkward staples, pry nails, pinch or cut steel and is now my favorite pair i’ve had in my eight years as a residential and commercial electrician. i also recommend their long and angled diagonal cutters, their long and thin needle nose pliers too. everyone i’ve worked with who tried mine loves them for their weight, feel, leverage, advanced function and look.