Pivoting Joint Side Cutter Showdown

[@Prof.Dr.Diagnose]

I would always go for the Knipex. Here in Germany Knipex is famous for it's durability. I use a plier that's about half a century old now and it's still sharp and sturdy as hell. There's a common phrase here: If you buy cheap, you buy twice...

[@eliaustin3745]

Knipex is the pinnacle of pliers, but they should've won the cutting force category, as well, because they are the gold standard.

[@victoryfirst2878]

I have to say that this is the best explained and demonstrated video I have seen on KZbin. My hat is off to you Sir. Peace

[@asrulamru7255]

Once the blade is damaged when tested within the manufacturer specifications, the tools is disqualified regardless the price. To me, both NWS and Wiha are not up to specs and must be considered "Fail". Only Knipex meet the specifications and has value thus the winner.

[@IsambardKingdom]

must agree with you - I use Knipex 71 31 200 for rural fencing cutting 2.5 mm high tensile wire and can see no cutting edge deformation after years of use

[@kevinconville9258]

Thanks for this review. I agree with comments citing once the cutting edge is damaged, it's pretty much over for the tool. I'd go Knipex. I don't want to have to think about the hardness, or not, of the material I'm cutting.

[@tylerlloydboone]

Listen to the enthusiasm in his voice as the video starts! Someone had a good night! Keep up the good work. Love the channel

[@Ferbeldeyberb]

The jaws on the NWS cutters tend to stop biting together and actually overlap each other once the mechanism has lossened up. I've had two pairs of them and both were returned with the same fault. They were only used for cutting mains cable and a few soft steel nails. Also, after cutting the nails, there were visible notches on the blades that let light through. I find the Knipex Cobalt mini bolt cutters much better for harder materials.

[@6900pilot]

Ok knipex is the dearest but for all the fancy handles and stamping on the nws the main critical wear point here is the jaws. Knipex didn't flinch and that's what makes them the best imo.. excellent review as always.

[@turboconqueringmegaeagle9006]

Completely agree, I have used the same knipex side cutters daily since I bought them at 16, I'm now 34, the hinge pin is a bit loose now but they will still go through a 10/32 screw! I also have a pair of knipex alligator pliers which have lasted similar time.

[@TheLexiconDevils]

NWS are a better design here with their pivot point location.

[@aeacidae312]

You spend more for your tools, you find anyway to justify it. Fair enough. NWS is cheaper, significantly in my country, to the Knipex. Each to their own, but my choice is NWS.

[@lazerusmfh]

Buy knipex and it will outlast the other two due to the way they harden and make their cut profile

[@plinth27]

Thanks you for great reviews. I really enjoy your concise nonsense approach. Please keep them coming. I believe you set a standard for great KZbin reviews.

[@TheAaron2442]

Love your objective testing statistical oriented reports! SOO much better than... "I just liked the feel of the XX brand better, and it seemed to cut better" 🤔

[@jpasby779]

I have a pair of Irwin side cutters that look almost exactly These NWS and stamped with the same MADE IN GERMANY stamp. I bought them to replace my second pair of 10" high leverage Knipex side cutters for use in convention/trade show work in electrical. I have cut a few nails and screws with them with no noticeable damage to the tool. My first of 3 pairs of Knipex 10" side cutters seen about a year of cutting Nails, Screws, dog chain, spiral cable wire, electrical wire and other material out of machines called Sorting Screens in a recycle center about 5 hours a night, 5 nights a week. The only reason i had to replace them is because I left them out somewhere and someone grabbed them or I lost them. Now having a 3rd pair. The Knipex cutters have a longer jaw than your average side cutter.

[@geoffrey5045]

exactly what i’m looking for, i’ve had the nws for years but i’m a kinipex fan

[@stevecox3520]

What do you think is better? I'm an auto electrician and I've only had kinypecks but I've been told nws are better.

[@georgecurtis6463]

Years ago I bought a rebranded nws model on sale for 7.00 usa dollars. It has never failed me. I tried them on something I should not have and the cutting edges had no damage. So I'm good.

[@Hawk74]

I love your showdown videos. I've bought so much based on your videos and recommendations and I've been happy with every one of them.

[@nt4hx]

I got that same NWS cutter along with WERA tools. These are the best tools I've used in Aircraft Avionics and general electrical\mechanical works.

[@randynovick7972]

I very much enjoyed this showdown. I don't have a need for such a tool, myself, but I've wondered what these various approaches to leverage were capable of. Many thanks for putting this together.

[@Golgafrinchamdent]

Great that you're using a force gauge... but your positioning upon the handle will GREATLY affect the measured force.

[@hapsyte]

I have the Nws but not the soft grip handles from 5 years and I love them.The only thing it’s the original plastic handle grip didn’t last more then a year.

[@ThisTall]

Out of these 3 brands I’ve only owned a pair of NWS angled tip needle nose. Other then the main jaw surface, they have 2 other toothed clamping sections, 1 fine and the other large. Using decent (but not extreme) 1 handed pressure to grip the small 3/8 metal adjustment knob on my cabinet handle drilling jig, the fine teeth have worn completely flat in 3 years.

[@jeffreywolf5235]

I like the solid review and your honest opinion. Thank you for that.

[@CrimFerret]

The only reason to get these is if you know you'll be cutting challenging materials. There's no excuse for cutters made with the right steel and properly hardened to deform like the NWS and Wiha ones did on that music wire. That's the whole point of buying better quality tools like these. I don't imagine NWS or Wiha have any better on their other pliers that include cutters either. I guess there's a reason almost all the electricians I know use Klein or Knipex tools when they can. I think you ought to include a music wire cut test for any pliers in the future that include cutters. If they aren't hard enough to cut that, they just aren't professional grade tools regarsless of brand or price.

[@davereed6612]

I love how the nws feel. I also prefer the no. Insulated to the insulated…the grips feel and look batter…and I’ve never cut into a live wire so I have no need to insulated cutters. Good video.

[@ianmoore525]

Would have been accurate in measuring force required if you used a jig to get the measuring device exactly the same distance from end of pliers each time. Measuring from closer to outside requires less force

[@AtafalWonder]

Had my NWS for over3 years and I've cut wire, staples, screws, nails chains, and I still have no gap inbetween the blades.

[@Jonathan-rb1iq]

The comparison is detailed and comprehensive. Thanks.

[@eskudosal]

Dang man that’s awesome I just ordered some knipex I have there installation pliers for over 2 years now still like new can’t wait to put the cutters to work also picked up felo automatic wire strippers wondering how they will turn out

[@3vil3lvis]

Fantastico for the win! Probably should have mentioned that they come in a VDE version.

[@shiro-r4m]

I just checked my knipex mini bolt cutters and they also have the slightly flattened cutting edge. For music wire, I wouldn't really use any other pair of cutters. The pivot point on those mini bolt cutters is so impossibly close to the root of the cutting edges that no other cutters I've ever seen have a higher degree of mechanical advantage

[@masonn142]

𝖘 𝖍 𝖎 𝖗 𝖔 my knipex 8" sidecutters have 2 sharp edges, but the irwin has a flattened side and a sharp side. Like a axe & block effect. Thats why i bought knipex. Mine still cut paper after use. Does your mini bolt cutter have 2 sharp sides or the 1 flattened side?

[@shiro-r4m]

On my bolt cutters both edges are flat, I measured the width of the flat to be approximately 0.4mm. For cutting more everyday materials I usually grab my knipex 08 22 145 needle nose combination pliers. Most people would consider the cutting edges to be sharp but they too are flattened ever so slightly (0.1mm approximately). I have specifc sharp cable cutters (knipex 95 11 165) that have both edges ground to almost a knife edge. Those I consider to be truly sharp cutters.

[@fsevilla1]

i own the irwing rebranded Nws cutters and cant complain i cut many bolts with them and after about 2 yeara of use they are holding strong

[@maxwang2537]

Very cool. Subscribed. Dreaming of one day I can get one of each of these tools on your review.

[@TheGuyWho3415]

I've been using the Wurth (rebranded Wiha) cutters for about a year now, daily use in a professional setting. Mostly used to cut spokes, some hardware, small cable. They are by far my favorite cutters, better than the knipex which are a shop favorite. As far as longevity, I haven't noticed any damage or appreciable drop in cutting ability despite abusing them, cutting small fasteners and such. Power button is a bit gimmicky, but overall I highly recommend the Wiha.

[@WorkingViews]

it would be interesting to see closeup geometry of each of the blades.

[@hapsyte]

I have the NWS 7 inch from 4 years and it’s really great tool and cuts easier then knipex.

[@fsevilla1]

i have the irwing rebranded NWS and are my goto cutters. i totally agree with you're review

[@robertrada4783]

I’ve been trying to move away from my 8 year old NWS pliers to Snap On but the fantastico cutters won’t give up the ghost and even though the teeth are worn down on my NWS combination pliers, the cutters are the same as they were brand new. That said, the same can be said for Knipex and Klein stuff I’ve owned.

[@colebaber6744]

I’ve tried the wiha classic handles and the wiha industrial handles and It does make a difference with cutting performance. I haven’t done any testing to see how it compares to the nws or knipex although I don’t think any of them are a poor purchase

[@01elier]

I had 2 nws fantastico cutters withing a few abusive cuts blades chipped. Then i got me the knipex twinforce went thru the same abusive and then some and blades are still sharp and cutting well. Sorry but the nws looks nice but cant withstand any abuse. Knipex should be on first place

[@whatzittooya1696]

Great vid GTR! I love these showdowns!

[@3bepp]

An exhaustive video for my choice, thank you much!

[@geraldswain3259]

I've never gone wrong with NWS or Nipex, and I find Wiha screwdrivers the best of all.

[@geronimo6323]

Look at this, you can see Wiha is good but Wera is better. And Knipex cant build screwdrivers. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pX3deJ9sYr98f8k

[@cardo1111]

Excellent and comprehensive review. Thanks for posting it. I am in the market for a pair of powerful cutting pliers for various tasks including cutting a ring that is around a pipe not too much clearance between the ring and the pipe and occasional screws, nails etc.

[@libertarian1536]

Knipex makes co-bolt bolt cutters which I think are best for what you want.

[@WizzRacing]

I have the NWS from KC Tools... Them things cut harden bolts...With no notching...

[@kgashy]

Two NWS cutters will likely last a little longer than one Knipex and still cost less than one Knipex. For that reason and because I can finish the job quicker with an NWS (because it cuts better), I choose the NWS. I know some people are going to disagree, but this strategy holds up if you simply refrain from using the cutters on harder metals. I use Knipex bolt cutters for hard metals and save the NWS for wires and softer metals, problem solved and costs lowered.

[@lexel90]

wow why is the knipex so expensiv compared to the rest for you here in germany the knipex will bei aroun 40€, the whia around 30€ and the nws around 25€ o.0 btw i love the knipex twin force at work, cause wee use them to cut the springsteel inside vacuum and material hoses and to make openings into robot cages to tought for normal side cutters, but not enought space to use the mini bolt cutters, so pretty much the perfect too for the job ;)

[@urjnlegend]

@@Toyotas_n__Tools dude wtf!!

[@ferdblu1946]

It depends where on the handle you measure the force required to cut. You can get way less or more leverage.....

[@danieljohnson6684]

I've own all three and my nws were the worst by far with cutting. Idk if I got a bad pair. Just my two cents. I love all three brands

[@damonbtc9701]

I swear by bahco diagonal cutters... Have no trouble cutting 3 mm piano and regularly chomp through 16mm copper without the fancy pivot...

[@chilIychilI]

Rooting for nws on this one... i like the look n hope they do well... here we go....😎

[@chilIychilI]

Winna winna chicken dinner!! Im still concerned about how wide the nws open though. We use alot of m.c and other 12 wire...

[@Samykill]

I have been weiting for this video for a long time

[@CSLFiero]

I cut a lot of 14ga wire with the knipex, no deformation yet. I think the price is reflective of the overall desirablility of the brand, which is earned.

[@CSLFiero]

gal steel fence, not copper fixture wire. it eats up HF cutters in no time.

[@CookieManCookies]

2:49 I got my Wiha Pivot Cutter at $25 with free shipping, on a sale directly through Wiha Tools USA. I haven't used it once, but it's a bit concerning to know that the cutting edge dulls easily.

[@FCES_Electrical_Sol]

Will you be frequently cutting piano wire ?? Or materials close to the same hardening.

[@oppanheimer]

Excellent comparison.

[@BramBiesiekierski]

Build quality and cutter life are only worth 30% of the total score???? As a tradesman who relies on his tools day in day out, this is alot more important me. Having used both NWS and Knipex cutters (non double pivotting models), i can say the Knipex is hands down without a doubt the higher quality and better built unit. They just last longer and and dont wear out in 3 months like the crappy NWS will.

[@ITALIA-333]

Knipex capolavoro di ingegneria. Grazie

[@MUHAMMADYAWARIFRAHEEM]

Nice and informative 👍

[@kp4092]

Sir, Knipex also has a side cutter called heavy duty. What is the difference between this side cutter and the normal one? Doesn't it have the same mission as the regular pickpocket, which is heavy duty?

[@eliaustin3745]

Fantastic video. I still carry the same NWS that cut a pair of quarter inch all-thread, years ago! I want the Wiha, next, because of Wiha customer service sending a salesman to demonstrate their tools to little, old me - previously, an apprentice Union electrician. He cut a chain. Then, he showed me why the power button is more than just a (cool) gimmick. I think, I'll stay my course. Knipex is the pinnacle of pliers, but I'd rather have cutting than durability. I'm actually kind of disappointed that Knipex didn't take both categories. Any who, fantastic video, as per usual: content comparison, scientific approach, and fast and to the point! 👈 😀 👉

[@electriciansmate1987]

Great review, bro.

[@oso1165]

Wiha one cracked on me after like a week lol. Tip snapped right off

[@curtflirt2]

Very good and well broken down video.

[@LoneRiderz]

Great video as usual. Is there a "proper" tool for music wire? I'm the type to buy a tool only when I need them and ill be needing one in a few weeks to make some springs. Would a Knipex mini bolt cutter be adequate? I have a Knipex side cutter and I'd rather not get these high leverage cutters as it seems too much of an overlap in capability.

[@Wolf_Larsen]

LoneRiderz a Knipex side cutter will be plenty. If you get down to thick piano wire, though, you might need some pivoting joint or bolt-cutters.

[@GermanToolReviews]

If it says "Piano" on the side of the pliers then it should cut music wire up to the listed capacity.

[@LoneRiderz]

Thank you gents... Useful information.

[@LukeYount]

The Knipex mini bolt cutters will easily cut through piano wire (even with just one hand and one try). Just don't get the notched jaw ones. The notch helps with thick stuff but makes it a lot harder to cut thin materials since .

[@sasquatchrosefarts]

​@@GermanToolReviewsthe pivot is supposed to be raised on the wiha. It makes it stronger.

[@kaizeneletrica]

Excellent video, congratulations

[@kaferjake3615]

Great vid. Love these shootouts!

[@Tellyfive]

Great scientific review. Thanks!

[@neil03051957]

use electricians shears for cable cutting. diagonals are only ok for small dia individual cables.

[@james10739]

Those cutting forces seemed obvious after you calculated the cutting ratio

[@adamaj74]

More and more Wiha is disappointing to me, like they're selling out for money and cheap labor. Made in Vietnam, flashy misleading claims, poor quality control, not to mention that power button on the cutters that has the universal symbol for turning electrical/electronic equipment on. It has nothing to do with anything purely mechanical and it's not only misleading and dumb, but cheesy/gimmicky too. Also, you probably should measure from the pivot point (or that screw/rivet right behind the jaws) out to a predetermined length to measure how wide the jaws open. The only reason the the NWS had two mm more is because the jaws are longer while the Knipex are blunt. The reason the Knipex took a little more force is by design, as was evidenced by the other two cutters having damaged jaws after cutting piano wire. What's the point in having cutters if they get damaged so easily by doing their designed job? The Wiha and NWS blunted themselves down on the first cut, but now they have a gap. Knipex knows sharp jaws aren't optimal. The tiny amount of extra force required is a small price to pay for cutters that don't break the very first time you cut with them. And if you're looking for a high quality German tool, price probably isn't that big a deal. I know it isn't to me for this type of tool.

[@electropentatonic]

I have some old Wiha products that are made in usa and I like them. That's really disappointing to hear they're made in Vietnam. The overwhelming opinion in any industry is that chinese tools are not acceptable. Especially when charging a premium price. Hopefully they learn a lesson

[@supremekizzle]

@@electropentatonic I'm not entirely sure.... I may have to consult a globe or atlas of sorts...maybe even Google maps...but I don't think Vietnam and China are the same country... If you're going to spew ignorant remarks, at least try to appear that you are willing to do a little of your own research...

[@electropentatonic]

@Hahodi d Japanese tools are top notch. In the electrical industry most of our high end large conductor cutters and crimpers are Japanese. Some large tugging equipment as well. I wouldn't lump these tools into the "made in china" category.

[@savedfaves]

Look at the Xiaomi Wiha precision screwdriver set, they are manufactured in Korea or some shit, and outsourced to a third party, as with many of Wiha tools. But from reviews on Amazon people typically just blindly believe they are German tools and that's that. If I can help it I'll be avoiding Wiha, for quality and principle reasons.

[@greentjmtl]

@@savedfaves I have the set, it's crap, fooled by the name. QC is non-existent, warranty is basically "deal with it". It has absolutely nothing to do with Wiha in reality, designed by Xiaomi made by it's subsidiary.

[@bobbydiaz938]

Now that you have the nws pliers are you going to do a comparison to the similar Irwin branded nws pliers?

[@green_building]

Very comprehensive review.. good job 👍👍

[@koffibanan3099]

thanks for the video, great job as usual!!

[@maxvigna4781]

Great comparison man!

[@LawAbidingCitizen117]

Why don't manufacturers come up with tungsten cutting edges on these type of cutters?

[@oso1165]

No wera ?

[@Basement_CNC]

so lucky , in austria (europe) the knipex is 45€ and the nws 22😍on the other hand a leatherman wave is 150

[@سيفالعلاوي-ج9ف]

Well posted and thank you for this great information

[@nolanring2067]

Love the review!

[@johnieblaze4079]

U did measure the distnce of force aplied point and cutting point, to be the same, when you measured the force needed to cut, right?

[@toshmiller5571]

Thanks

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

Good review

[@diemman70]

I bought the Wiha as it is a nicely designed unit for the price and I’m not going to be cutting piano wire all day long.

[@MrChris-bx7ss]

What are all the Knipex rebrand names?

[@muxmurki1497]

There are none. They are the world market leader for pliers and don't rebrand. Greets from Germany.

[@Ein_Westfale_im_Rheinland]

Es gibt Anbieter der Knipex Produkte unter Eigennamen verkauft, RECA und Würth die gehört zur Würth Gruppe und verkauft nur an Firmen allerdings lassen sich einige Werkzeuge "inoffiziell" im Internet kaufen (eBay). Dieser Wiha Seitenschneider ist auch bei Würth erhältlich also ein buntes Portfolio an Herstellern.

[@MintStiles]

The stiffness of the knipex may account for the greater force required for the cut.

[@savedfaves]

For most pliers I'd choose Knipex, but the stiffness of the jaws for this according to several reviews I have read put me off wanting this set. I mean, it's not as if they are stiff, but the bonus if you get much better leverage than others-the leverage is worse in these tests. Nah, I'll pass.

[@tru6803]

I have a pair of the Twin Force Knipex and I use them everyday...and still no gap in the cutting jaws after 4 years...they're one of the best purchases I've ever made...the rest of the brands are all fighting for second place 😎

[@danstheman33]

Excellent comparison. I recently watched a Project Farm video which compared a bunch of different cutters which had completely different designs and intended functions, and therefore the comparison was pretty meaningless. They should learn from your channel!

[@atreyu7626]

excelente contenido muy completo LIKE

[@TylerSnyder305]

It may be a German brand, but if it's not made in Germany it's not really a German tool.

[@joseepifaniogomes1843]

Meu sonho de consumo pena que não posso compra-lo.

[@FoodOnCrack]

did you measure cutting force on the same distance with every tool?

[@GermanToolReviews]

Yeah I tried to get the same distance from the pivot point. As someone else noted, the force measurements match the handle to jaw opening ratios so that would be another way to verify.

[@FoodOnCrack]

@@GermanToolReviews science!

[@daniellewis6355]

Were they really hard to open? Seems like you had trouble trying to get them open with one hand.

[@dr.carmencaltagirone5868]

Thanks for doing these reviews. I would like a recommendation for a kind of unique situation in that I need to be able to cut 14 gauge and 12 gauge copper wire for jewelry making. Ideally, it has to have a flush cut at least on one of the two ends after they are cut. Therein is my problem. High quality cutters used in jewelry making are just not heavy duty enough for 14 gauge, much less 12 gauge. Can you make any recommendations? Please.

[@PuddinPie]

knipex high leverage flush cutters

[@TheRolemodel1337]

6:09 you shouldve measured all at the end of their handle to make it more compareable

[@markverde8666]

or at the widest point but yea something more consistent for sure

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

Nice tools

[@michaelboyes4948]

Please for the love of god review some CK tool products like side cutters there german and have been making tools for over 100 years I'm an electrician in the uk and there all I will use for side cutters and other tools

[@Ogroat]

Michael Boyes I looked at the CK Tools website and can say that I’m relatively confident that their pliers are rebranded Knipex tools.

[@michaelboyes4948]

Fantomfreq there not like knipex and I've used knipex and ck and ck's build quality and ergonomics are much better i think but thats probably bc they cost a few more quid

[@GermanToolReviews]

I'll see if I can get some sometime.

[@michaelboyes4948]

German Tool Reviews yes that would be brilliant

[@neguinoseguera9695]

Hey GTR, I was going to through my old mans box and I found a Gedore 3/4 wrench that was made in India believe it or not. Do you want me to send it to you, maybe do a quick video?

[@GermanToolReviews]

No I'm good, thanks for the offer. The Gedore India wrenches were mail order ones that were made in the 1970s and early 1980s if you want to know how old it would be.

[@ShinigamiGamingIncUncut]

Don't take the knippex if you are not cutting hard materials all the time?? how about you need to cut 1 out of 10 cuts some hard material? how many side cutters you want to buy in a month when you working with these?

[@bushelfoot]

Those are compound leverage ..

[@MihaSun]

excelent rewiev,knipex are the best ever pliers i own

[@GTRliffe]

the Knipex Duel pin is WAY superior. That’s where the extra cost occurs The blades are best,the duel pins wil square and balance the cut way more Duel pins will also aid in deformation with tuff clients Knipex blade will do 20 years+

[@Moonshineshit]

My dad is an electrician (mostly bench tech), He always swore by Wiha smaller precision drivers. They look "almost cheaply" made, yet they just work great. I became kind of a fan boy of Wiha, unless it's made in Vietnam. My Vietnam made Wiha needle nose pliers are damn near garbage. Their only plus is that the handle is nice and comfy. The steel has to be softer (or not properly hardened) than their German made tools. My needle nose (Vietnam) tip is cast off center to the side, the teeth have been smoothed over close to half of the knurling. Fit and finish is pretty sad for $25-$30 for small needle nose pliers. I'll still probably buy some German made Wiha, I'll never buy any of their Vietnam shit again (Pliers and cutters). If they switch over to more Vietnam (Harbor Freight) production, i'll just ditch Wiha tools. I almost always use Xcelite, Klein, Ideal for smaller pliers. Vessel has been my new favorite PH2 screwdriver (I deal with plenty of JIS) and the Vessel just grips/fits so good).

[@troccui9231]

Where are you from?

[@jandusek882]

7:55 => and this it why they cost so much more :))

[@phi376]

Perfect! I was wondering about these. Very to happy to see you did a review on them. This may be my first pair of NWS. I have a pile of Knipex and a few Wiha. But I’m not a fan of the Asian made “German” tools. I will buy USA (Klein) before I buy the Asian stuff due to experience with quality issues in the past.

[@mdexterc2894]

phi376 for me I'd prefer Taiwan or Japan if it's Asian made. 1. German/Swiss 2. American 3. Taiwan/Japan 4. Southeast Asian 5. Maybe South Africa 6. China

[@robertrada4783]

The Vietnam plant was started up by, is owned by and is managed by Wiha. They’re not rebrands. Honestly, this is also why the pliers aren’t great, imho. They’re starting fresh against plier manufacturers that have been in the business for hundred..s... of years.