Harbor Freight's Polarizing Icon Pliers Wrench: Imitation is the Sincerest Form of Flattery?

#HarborFreight #Icon #PliersWrench #Knipex
In this video we examine Harbor Freight's new Icon Pliers Wrench, compare it to a Knipex Pliers Wrench, and give our thoughts on the situation.
Time Stamps and Links
@0:00 Intro
@0:30 Time Stamps
@0:53 Polarizing Pliers Wrench
@1:27 Knipex Raptor
-Icon Equivalent is also in store
@2:00 Unbiased
-I like German Tools and Harbor Freight...strange combo, I know
@2:20 2 Reactions
-HF Pliers Wrench for the Win vs Ripped off Knipex!
@2:45 The Tool People
@3:13 The Non-Tool People
@3:50 Pliers Wrench Origins
-Knipex is the company behind the pliers wrench
@4:20 Capri, Lenox, and More
@4:30 Other German Tool Pliers Wrenches
@5:05 The Controversy
-Icons are a straight up copy of Knipex
--No new innovation
---Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery
@5:50 Gedore and Stahlwille Improvements
@6:05 Stahlwille = Unique Design
@6:13 Gedore Upgrade
-Free Adjustment Zone
@7:20 Harbor Freight Lacks an Innovation
@7:37 Knipex = Best Known and Bargain Price
@7:50 Icon is Taiwan's Best Attempt to Replicate Knipex's Success
@8:28 Not Mad, Just Disappointed
@8:55 Missed Opportunity
-Icon had a chance to create their own spin on the Pliers Wrench
@9:34 Icon Handles
@9:45 Misconceptions
-Due to the blatant copying, a lot of consumers can be misled
@10:40 Early Reviews
@11:00 Icon Packaging
@11:35 Taiwan vs Germany
@12:50 Do It Different
@13:03 Initial Impressions
@13:13 Price Point
-The Icon's are simply too close in price to a pair of Knipex
@13:50 Rare Icon Sales and Coupons
@14:17 HF Well Known for Dropping Price over Time
@14:47 $30 Seems Right
@16:05 No Sale and No Coupon
@16:30 Knipex Price Point's
-Sales and Tool of the Day result in prices not much more than Icon's price
@17:20 $10 Price Differential
@18:25 Gedore Price Points
@18:35 Stahlwille Price Points
@18:50 Price vs Value
-Icon is roughly 1/3rd the price of Stahlwille
-Icon is roughly 1/2 the price of Gedore
-Icon is about $10-15 less than Knipex
--Knipex is the better value in that regard
@20:45 Capri Price Points
@21:22 Brand X Pliers Wrenches
@21:56 Knipex Pliers Wrench Gen 1
@22:10 Knipex Pliers Wrench Gen 2
-I am pretty confident that the Icon was based off of a Gen 1
--The Gen 2 Knipex is an upgrade and improvied iteration
@23:19 Knipex vs Icon Side Profile
@23:30 Beefier?
-Visuals and Weight do NOT equate to stronger when inferior materials are used
@24:01 Knipex Easter Egg Logo
-Icon copied it
@24:20 Knipex Stampings and Markings
@24:32 Icon Stampings and Markings
@24:50 Position Counts
-Icon 21 vs Knipex 19
@25:33 Push Button Size
@25:50 Why So Blatant?
-How about an Icon Logo Easter Egg?
@26:25 Icon Slide
@26:40 Knipex Slide
-The Icon is much rougher than the Knipex
@27:07 Laser Etched Size Markings
-Knipex is darker and easier to see
@28:45 Weight is VERY Noticeable
@28:55 Handles are Different
-Icon's are not bad
@29:22 Gen 2 vs Icon
@29:40 Adjustment Action
-Icon binds on occasion
@30:42 Knipex Parts and Accessories
@31:15 Warranty and Exchange
@31:30 Icon Recap
-Cheaper, Heavier, Will Likely Function, not as polished overall
@33:15 Scale
Knipex 494 vs Icon 581
*Should be 492 vs 579-Scale was at "2"
-87 Gram Difference!
--Almost like a Gen 1 vs Gen 2 Pliers Wrench...hmm.
@35:00 My Thoughts
-Should be a decent tool...after all, they copied Knipex
--Icon's Price is too high in my opinion...too close to Knipex's price
@35:36 TIG Welder Example
@37:35 If Icon is $40, Just Get Knipex
@38:17 Why Buy an Icon at All?
-Spare Set, Field Set, Sacrificial Set, Legit Budget Constraints
--I'd still advise waiting for a price drop and/or sale
@40:33 Tandem Pliers Wrenches
-I've found that when I use a Pliers Wrench, I usually use them in tandem
--The Icons could be the "side chick"
@41:23 We Will Use and Test the Icon
-It really does seem decent, just sad it was such a blatant copy
@41:50 Jaw Play
@42:05 Potential Point of Failure
-Lever on the Arm is close to snapping out
@43:15 Sales
-Everything on the work bench was picked up on sale or with a promotion
--Patience is a virtue and benefits in the long run
@45:00 Video Projections
-You will likely see 100% Pro Knipex or 100% Pro Harbor Freight
--Important to see both sides
@46:12 Do What is Best for You
@46:30 Time Will Tell on Icon
@47:24 C'mon Man
@49:06 Knock Off Raptor Available Too
@50:20 Your Thoughts
@50:35 Be Leery of Biased Reviews
@51:56 Size Ranges Even Match 12-52 by 5s
-Not sure 12-50 with 2 more positions works out
@53:10 Confusing Consumers
*Alpha Gloves*
Get my gloves! Use Discount Code "LoneStar" for your own pair of Alpha Gloves:
alphagloves.us/
**Links**
Forum: www.lonestarmop...
Facebook: / lonestarmopars
Instagram: / lonestarmopars
Twitter: / lonestarmopars
Music:
"Gearhead" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
creativecommon...

[@lonestarmopars]

Long Video Cliff Notes: I'm not mad at Harbor Freight, just disappointed. They had an opportunity to put their spin on a popular tool and went with the Xerox method instead. This isn't a bad tool, and it shouldn't be considering it is a blatant copy of the Knipex. However, given the price point, just buy the Knipex. If this comes down $10-15 you have a choice, but the $40 MSRP is too close to Knipex territory. I really wish they would have made an effort to incorporate design changes, even if they were simple cosmetics..it could have avoided a lot of controversy. Again, not a bad tool and the grips (which are about the only unique element), are pretty nice upon initial inspection. I like Harbor Freight and I like German Tools. HF is certainly not the only outfit to make a pliers wrench, but this one is just way too similar. Again, for your own benefit...until the price drops, you can be patient and find Knipex for around the same price point...I advise you do that. I have no eggs in the battle...bought all the tools and don't make a dime either way you go. The Icon would be a nice backup, field pair, or secondary unit, but I would still advise waiting for a price drop and/or promotion. I will make a point to use the Icons and see how they fare over time (I typically use a pliers wrench in unison with another), but will try to give them stand alone seat time as well. If any of you pick up the Icons, feel free to leave your first hand feedback in the comments to help others decided which route to go...Happy Wrenching!

[@smitz001]

As an amateur small engine mechanic I really appreciate the quality of icon tools. Not a Pro but these icon tools are better than the craftsman and kobalt stuff that I can get locally. If copying the design of a tool is so bad why aren't people mad about every brand of linesman's pliers, slip joints, diagonal/flush cutter, crescent wrench etc. Knipex has designed a good tool and is becoming standard since they no longer have a patent monopoly.

[@ihavethedocuments2580]

Well said

[@brianthomas8742]

You speak of these great prices on Knipex but I have yet to find the low prices you all speak of... show me the links and how easy is it to warranty a German tool vs HF. Eric Schmidt is a genius, he is not worth $5.6 billion because he is stupid...

[@terrellscaife2411]

I do think you have an interesting point if they were around 25 bucks they will sell them off the shelf but also remember our freight will have a easier warranty policy I got burned when I try to warranty my knipex

[@1D10CRACY]

I am guessing when Harbor Freight puts theirs on sale, they be marked $34ish. I love my Knipex, but I got to say I picked up two of Harbor Freights and have been using them hard, no nicks in the jaws yet. Whatever metal they have chosen seems to be good. Only time will tell if they are just as good as my Knipex though! I am very surprised Harbor Freight didn't clone the newer style Knipex, as less metal would be a cheaper to produce. I wonder if there were patent issues. Nice Video BTW!

[@lonestarmopars]

Thanks...there could be patents around the updated Knipex as it is only a few years old. A lot of people will feel the "heft" and just assume it is better quality. I'm with you...these really aren't that bad and I was pleasantly surprised by the handles (never used any other Icon pliers so it was my first experience with them). The main knock outside of the price point is just that they had opportunities to make simple aesthetic tweaks and they could have avoided the extra hate...Capri did that and while people will say "took Knipex's idea" they at least put fort effort to make design changes. I wish HF would have taken a similar route to Capri and avoided the self-inflicted hit. The mechanism on mine isn't near as smooth, but functions...like you said, time will tell! I did notice the online listing has the laser etching much darker than what my pair looked like. Minor deal as I rarely use it, but a nice selling point if you can see it.

[@MarkWilliams-vp7xw]

I got them on sale for 31.99

[@johnnyolson258]

I think doing the exact copy was the best thing they could have done to really sell these. People don't really want a companies own spin on it, they want something as close to the real thing as possible for a cheaper price. I would have bought one before my knipex pair if it was ever in stock. I did realize that the icon is just too expensive to be worth it and got my knipex for like $10 more. Should treat it like the Doyle cobra pliers, which I bought before my real cobras. Those are really close to the knipex but actually a great price

[@tinshum7412]

Just bought one ICON 10" with 25% coupon off. Pair of Handle is beefy and get the job done as claimed. No bad feelings so far.

[@thebackwoodsmechanic5029]

Appreciate the opinions you have. They mirror some of my own opinions Just picked one up this past weekend as well . They truly should not say "designed" but they're like politicians , they mean the grips are designed by Icon but everyone assumes everything else. It's shadey but a good clone I hate when someone recieves something like the Capri and praises it but was bashing aicon as junk but they haven't had it in their hands. Those people claim to be real but they aren't Keep up the great work dude .

[@richshar7505]

I'm 60yrs old been working on cars since I was 13 I retired and sold most all my snapon mac so im board so I always had pettburg impacts thay worked never had a problem so I'm building my tools back up so far icon is doing great for me but I do buy high dollar specialized tool diagnostic tools must be the most accurate with that said I really like icon just look in my snapon boxes

[@ex8280]

I just got the clone, and man, I do love it. The grip is strong and it leaves no teeth mark.

[@jontnoneya3404]

Today (Dec 10, 2023) for one day only HF put every Icon tool on sale, with coupon, for 20% off. If you have the app, they notify you of their new coupons all the time. Klein has a reversible jaw pliers wrench - this thing functions like the old channel lock and a pliers wrench. For like $50 - seems like an interesting innovation and I've had a pair of Klein channel lock pliers for decades and they're awesome!

[@remfj40]

Warranty is another consideration. HF will trade the Icon on the spot without question, regardless of what you did to it. Knipex requires original receipt and may require sending in the product and will not warranty tools worn out from use. Icon is similar enough to Knipex, cheaper with a better warranty. Should be a consideration for those not a "tool snob" in many people's opinion.

[@ccbean1980]

I’m definitely in the middle ground. I have several different pairs of knipex pliers. I will be checking these out and possibly buying some. If I don’t like them, I’ll probably give them as a gift.

[@nitrorc4life1]

Icon DID put their spin on it, larger button, different handle. Knipex patent ran out a couple years ago. We live in a global market with Germany at the fore front . It is unfortunate , it is what it is, get over it as it is not changing.

[@brettwalkom948]

That label should say copied in USA made in taiwan

[@raindropsrising7662]

Awesome analysis. Appreciate your thoughts on these plier wrench. So fun!

[@lonestarmopars]

Thank you for the kind words...hopefully it was helpful.

[@jeffreywolf5235]

The cheap metal is what they use in the icon that'll destroy your fasteners so fast you're better off spending a few extra dollars for their real deal and never worrying about it again

[@themessygarage]

Good vid - much deeper than mine ;) FWIW, Pliers wrenches have been around since the early 1900's. Knipex has a (now-expired) patent on their implementation, which is what everyone is copying these days, but they didn't 'invent' the smooth, parallel jaw wrench.

[@jubblybits6155]

What about channel locks and vice grips? 100’s of company make 1:1 clones of them. No one complains about that, do they? I see nothing wrong with what ICON is doing here. I applaud them.

[@moeszyslack4676]

Do they charge nearly the same for the copies? If they do, or charge more, are they better? Those are the relevant questions.

[@lonestarmopars]

There is nothing wrong because the patents have expired...that is why so many other companies have their own pliers wrench. The main issue, outside the price point, is how blatant the copy is. Capri just released a Pliers Wrench this past week too, but took the time to make cosmetic changes. I have zero issue with HF making them either, just wish they took a few more minutes to "make them their own" and avoid the controversy all together.

[@lonestarmopars]

Spot on, Moe!

[@ellobo8593]

HF is genius!!! There's a huge market for diy consumers who want professional tools without paying professional money. I'm not spending 70$ on the real McCoy unless I use it everyday.

[@lonestarmopars]

The problem is that you can get the actual pair of Knipex for $5-10 more pretty easy. Imo, these should be $24.99-29.99 and they would perfectly fill that niche...I'm pretty confident the $39.99 price will drop in the not too distant future.

[@ellobo8593]

Agree 100.... On the price

[@sparkzbarca]

@@lonestarmopars only issue with that is well harbor freight also has discounts often. Getting it for "29.99" is likely not that difficult

[@Zeeangelofdeath]

The biggest difference is the harbor freight warranty. Go in store, trade them out in less than 10 minutes. There is a video on it. Good luck doing that with the knipex. Also, personally I buy tools cheaper at the beginning, if they break, I’ll buy the more expensive tools. So there really is no problem. People like options.

[@thecollector6629]

If you are "to good to step in harbor fright " I'll be glad to never have known you.. ya half their stuff is junk but not everyone needs a snap on... and capri also makes a almost copy 9f the knipix just has comfort grip handles

[@fuloplehel]

I have the old version of the knipex pliers wrench, and yes this icon ones are the exact copy of that. Maybe they just bought the forging dies from knipex and all the machines to make this tool..Anyway I already have a almost all the sizes from knipex, even the xs one. I don't have the xl version. Same with the cobra ones. But for home use I think this icons are just fine.

[@timkiser5971]

I dig the icon tools so far copies or not. and I have a lot of truck brand tools

[@lonestarmopars]

I'm actually pretty fond of HF, my main complaint here is that they simply missed the chance to put their spin on the tool. At the very least I would have hoped for cosmetic changes. I don't fault them for making a pliers wrench, they are actually late to the game...it is just that is so blatantly Knipex's aesthetics too. Capri did the same thing this past week, but at least put forth a few cosmetic changes. That said, I will use them and see how they hold up. This is my only Icon tool, but I've been really happy with Hercules.

[@MillisConstruction]

Definitely enjoyed the comparison and as always your videos but I cannot buy that though 😅 they needed to change something, I mean seriously….

[@lonestarmopars]

I sacrificed the $40 so you don't have to, lol. It is honestly not a terrible tool and shouldn't be given it is a blatant copy, but yeah...the price AND the fact there were zero cosmetic changes just hits wrong. A few tailored aesthetic tweaks and the controversy mellows significantly. I will say the handles were surprisingly not bad...mechanism and lever kind of worry me.

[@bigredracingdog466]

If I didn't already have a Knipex, I'd get the Icon. HF offers 20% off coupons all the time so you're looking at $32 + tax. Knipex prices are all over the map from $50 to $80 for the same freaking tool. The best deals on Knipex are the 2- and 3-wrench sets. HF really needs to make more sizes. I use my 5-inch one the most assembling items with small fasteners.

[@scod3908]

Amazon Germany, mid range sizes recently on sale for

[@jasonpulliam310]

Irwin has 8" for $22 and 10" for $28

[@johnwood346]

Got a pair of pliers wrench pliers for a diy box store in the UK 3 or 4 years ago Sold as trojan brand remarkable similarly to knipex but really cheap Just seen mac tools version of them to but at mac's price point I'd buy knipex

[@lonestarmopars]

Never heard of Trojan...I'll have to try and check them out.

[@bobfarley4102]

When the patents expire it's fair game. The basic wire strippers everyone starts out with were once patented but those patents ended and now everyone makes the same basic starter wire strippers. Get over it.

[@IliyaOsnovikov]

The only meaningful comparison would be to the Knipex pliers-wrench of Gen. 1. And also it should be not just a visual comparison but some practical test with fasteners etc.

[@ianloyd6384]

I tried to watch this video... But it sounds too much like the local Night shift DJ on whatever love-song radio station @ night is talking. I just can’t do it. No disrespect here. It Was probably a good review.. 🤷🏻‍♂️ just couldn’t get past the fake-sounding radio voice. 👋🏻

[@fristlsat4663]

If you want to see a Knipex re-brand, look at Mac tools. They have multiple pliers that are made by Knipex, they still say Knipex on them, just have Mac part numbers and cost a bit more than from Knipex.

[@lonestarmopars]

Yep...lots of companies went to Knipex for the rebranding/private labelling. Sears even had a few! If you know who makes what for who, you can save a lot with tool truck equivalents etc.

[@jeffreywolf5235]

Knipex for the Win

[@oolieboolieyeah]

I'm with you all the way on this one, but I can't help but wonder if they carbon-copied it on purpose. "Let's make it a true clone, blowback be damned. That way, Knipex is doing the marketing for us!" It strikes me as the kind of stunt HF would dare to do.

[@Sffker]

I have the knipex cobras, only after initialing trying the Doyle (HF) water pump pliers (though I have had cobras before at a different job) they just can’t compete. The knipex grab like a mf. unless the competitors copy hardness, and teeth geometry, they just can’t compete, as well. I haven’t tried the flat edge, but i could imagine the differences. I have a ton of HF equipment, so I’m not German tool biased. If they want to copy one thing, they should copy the Snap on flank drive adjustable wrench.

[@lonestarmopars]

Yeah, that is where "looks just like it" ends. The material. You can have great tooling and finish work, but if the base material was junk...you will always have junk. I'm the same way...I've got old school American, German, an increasing amount of Japanese, and plenty of HF. Everything has its' place. Icon will actually be releasing a knock off of the Talon Grip...I want to say early next year. If patents have expired, they'll take a shot, lol.

[@jameskoralewski1006]

Chinese rip-offs of German tools. No thanks, I'll stick with the German tools!

[@samuelgranados776]

They probably have a mutual agreement and won’t tell us. Who’s knows .

[@jeffreywolf5235]

Knipex, Often Copied Never Duplicated! I'll take that to the grave.

[@jeremys8360]

I would honestly like it more if HF would just sell knipex at icon warranties as a sort of partnership

[@berndrosgen1713]

Great Vid.

[@lonestarmopars]

Thanks!

[@davidl4826]

These are definitely quality tool. A little too high on price. Should be about $10 to $15 less

[@lonestarmopars]

Agreed...while I prefer the real deal, these are pretty solid. If the price cam down it would be a much better entry point. As is, you can often find Knipex in the same ballpark and that defeats the purpose. To date, the thing I like best about these is the handle...they did a pretty nice job on it.

[@bcwrangler]

There's definitely cost cutting with these Icons I wonder if Channelock will make a style of the pliers wrench?

[@lonestarmopars]

The base material and labor rate likely makes up the bulk of the cut. I'd love to see Channellock bring something to market. If you pull up their Speed Grip (I tracked an early pair down from HJE a few years ago), my guess is that their Pliers Wrench would be similarly sculpted, just with the smooth jaws. The updated version of the Speed Grip shouldn't be too hard to find now...the cross hatch is really nice on the teeth.

[@nuwa1737]

This point of view is somewhat hypocritical. The patent ran out so it is perfectly legal. Consider the case of pharmaceuticals - a new drug comes out and consumers are charged a high price. After a few years or so, generic versions of the same drug are allowed to be produced and sold to the consumer at much lower costs. Are you going to complain that the generic manufacturer copied this drug rather than invest money into improving it? Are you going to complain that the generic manufacturer didn't make a better version of the same antibiotic?

[@mandolinman2006]

I feel the same way. I was bothered by HF and went Knipex. If they'd just changed a few things I would've gone HF.

[@SachsVDE]

The Fright is that "Made in Taiwan" !!Knowing by experiece the Taiwanese tools can go up to 70 to 80% of German quality...Anyway the Price doesn't justify this Copy..! I'd go to Knipex for just 27$ more..🌟

[@lonestarmopars]

Yep, and you can easily catch Knipex on sale for much less than the "compare to" price. I have bought several in the $40s and low-to-mid $50s is pretty common if you know where to shop.

[@scod3908]

"Designed in the USA" - Bull$#!# More like "Plagiarised in the USA, made in Taiwan"

[@xrtgx22]

Harbor freight doesn’t innovate, they just copy for the most part

[@socal_expat1856]

Great contrast and compare video. As usual HF is late to the party. Typical HF fitment, that takes the human touch and HF chooses to skip detail work. Ikon is a pass.

[@lonestarmopars]

Thanks...didn't know if anyone would watch the whole video, or leave it running. I figured I could knock it out in 20ish mins...I was wrong, lol. I am surprised they waited this long to get into the game.

[@blainejohnson1632]

Harbor freight R&D= ripoff & duplicate