I'm a tool truck, Made in the USA, kinda guy. Knipex from Germany is knocking Snap On out of the park. Now with MATCO and MAC doing rebranding with Knipex!! Lets just say thats a killer combo.Waiting for my MAC 8 piece cobra set to arrive. Nice review, however at this time Knipex is the top of the hill.

I doubt the icons are as well made as the knipex, but I did buy a pair last night and they done saved my ass today on a rusty electrical box.

If I was the kinda guy to reach for a pair of pliers, when a socket is the right tool for the job, then I’m sure the Icon pliers would be perfect for me. But seeing that’s not the case, if I was buying those type of pliers, the extra $15 is worth it for the quality of Knipex in my toolbox. WooOOoOoOooOooooOo!!!

As a diy guy I'll buy HF. Just completed a big job on diesel and all my icon, husky, pittsburg Pro, gearwrench and amazon tools held up. The only thing that broke was my husky shop tool from my fat butt!

I have yet to buy anything with the Icon brand. My Knipex that I already own have proved themselves time and time again. I will stick with what works for me.

They are both good pliers and each is worth what they are charging. Unless you are in a scrap yard and this is your primary tool all day seven days a week you most likely will never use the lifetime warranty. Even then if I had just worn the pair of pliers out due to normal use after a few years I wouldn’t use the warranty. I’d go buy a new pair and give the old ones to a kid to play with. And let’s be honest about the brands unless you really use the pliers a lot over time in different situations you won’t know which one is the better tool if there is one. Sometimes we make too much out of this brand or that brand.

I bought 12 different pairs of Knipex pliers for $350 from Woot, averaging out to under $30 a pair. You have to keep your eye on the website because they sell out quick!

@hgbugalou

6 ай бұрын

I stopped looking at that site a few years after amazon bought it. If they are actually posting deals again instead of the same 5 products I might have to start looking again.

@VorsprungDurchNik

6 ай бұрын

@hgbugalou I am a Wooter from 20-something years ago, and I really didn't like what happened when Amazon bought them. But they've changed even more and while it's still not nearly as cool as it was way back then, they do have some good deals. Sometimes it feels like you're wading through Amazon's clearance section, but you do find corn in the crap.

I still take that Icon "lifetime warranty" with a grain of salt. HF has been known to replace PN with essentially the same tool or even discontinue who "brands" before, and I just don't trust them to replace a tool a decade down the road with something of the same or better quality.

@markm0000

6 ай бұрын

A fool and their money will be soon parted. Not only is HF junk not going to last, the warranty won’t last either lmao.

@Dan-wt7jx

6 ай бұрын

@@markm0000 when I started buying tools, the older guys told me to buy USA Craftsman stuff to get me started, buy SnapOn or Mac for the important stuff and as I moved up. These days my old Craftsman Professional screwdrivers get babied and my SnaopOns get abused, because I can replace the SnaopOns but not the Craftsman.

@latindoggy8059

6 ай бұрын

BROOOOOOO NEVER HAVE I BEEN REJECTED A TOOL I HAD A 20 year old hammer and they still sell the same design 😭

@craigjorgensen4637

6 ай бұрын

@@markm0000 the best warranty is the one you never have to use. I MAY have broken one socket and maybe one wrench in my lifetime both as a result of abuse. I buy tools that I like and couldn’t care less about the warranty.

@craigjorgensen4637

6 ай бұрын

That is true of any tool company.

As a tech in a factory , I have a pair of Knipex twin grips for a while now and have beat the crap out of and abused mine. They get used several times in a weeks time . I can tell you warranty or not anything happens to them ill be replacing them with another pair from Knipex. There a must for me , the fact that I can remove a stripped hex button head bolt over and over again. Harbor frieght tools have there place , and I've had icon pliers in the past , the metal is to soft.

I picked up the Knipex twin grips for $28.66 on sale. Just have to follow and wait for deals. I also bought the Icon version to compare both. But while on sale, Knipex is the way to go.

I've used all but the Snap-ons. Icon has pleasantly surprised me with the good-enough quality of a lot of their Knipex & Snap-On imitations, and harbor freight has been incredibly receptive of warranty replacements even when I was just being a bit picky. Engineer has been decent, but I would go with the Vamplier equivalents if available. Knipex warranty & customer service has been acceptable but not as easy to work with as harbor freight - thankfully not often needed, given their products' exceptional quality. Looking forward to trying out some Snap-ons in the not too distant future :D

@DKWalser

6 ай бұрын

This is a good, fair comment. It provides useful information for those of us trying to decide how to spend our tool dollars. Thank you.

@skygreen5939

6 ай бұрын

@@DKWalser hey thanks for that, bud! That's what I was hoping

Is it KA- nipex or just NIPEX with a silent K? As a home tinker guy I would but the Harbor Freights. I have a pair that are Irvin’s branded Vise Grip that work well for what little I do.

@CPthetooladdict

6 ай бұрын

Kuh ni pex

@V.AJackson1611

6 ай бұрын

The K actually isn't silent.

@rogerpedrosa1854

6 ай бұрын

My guys always correct me at the shop😅 I call NIPEX!!! They want to be fancy KA-NIPEX🤣🤣🤣

@V.AJackson1611

6 ай бұрын

@@rogerpedrosa1854 go ask the Germans, that's how it's said with the K being said.

@markm0000

6 ай бұрын

@@V.AJackson1611 the actual German engineers have a few videos on here. They pronounce it “knee pecks”.

I have the Knipex, hobo fart has nothing on German qaulity.

@markm0000

6 ай бұрын

American brands are way behind on hand tool technology. They’re doing great with power tools and I love all my Dewalts. I’ll always have a toolbox full of Knipex.

I have the Knipex , here in the UK they sell for just over £20.00 , I think they are great value for money . Great content as always CP .

@CPthetooladdict

6 ай бұрын

Very nice!

@Kaffeetanne

6 ай бұрын

Those poor guys over there in the US getting ripped off, having to pay nearly twice the price compared to Europe.

@CPthetooladdict

6 ай бұрын

Small price to pay when it comes to our freedoms 🤷

I just got the 8pcs knipex from Mac yesterday. The 22” one has some jaws that can tear up some stuff

One of my favorite pliers was the Channellock 548 which has been recently discontinued. I will probably get these Knipex to replace mine which were "borrowed".

Guys wake up😂 $20 pliers ain't no budget pliers I have at least 5 pairs of knipex that cost $65 each and a few of the cobra pliers. I've got the icons too and they are good, but $20 is middle of the road

I just like to have a tool box full of tools. So icon works great. And when I do use tools like this it’s for the wrong reason like opening medicine caps that refuses to open or something dumb like that lol

I’m not gonna lie I do not go cheap on any Knipex clones because the teeth are so sharp nobody else can replicate funny enough. The one clone that I do except is the icon pliers wrench. It is a flat piece of metal. It’s hard enough and it’s never let me down but if it has teeth, I’m going Knipex

Always Knipex. I got mine from my MAC dealer, whom sees me every week The nearest Hazard Fraught is about 20 miles from me. With gas prices, and a truck that i might be getting 20mpg in, Knipex is my answer.

@mlara98796

6 ай бұрын

Ok I agree with you in this scenario that you are in!

@CrackHeadOnDummiss

6 ай бұрын

@@mlara98796 I did go to Harbor Freight today however. They had 100 pc zip ties for 1.99. Did get 10 packs lol.

I am having a hard time with all the copying being self employed most of my life I love competition it the best thing for business i have never liked when someone steals your ideas or back doors your employees I was dealing with Harbor freight when it was just starting still have Taiwan tools from 46 + years later I still have snap on and Mac that I have just recently warrentied out 45 + years later no questions no BS a few of the tools were no longer made both snap on and Mac had no problem taking care of me at that point I had not spent a dime on either truck I can't imagine HF warranting like Snap on and Mac I still enjoy quality tools great video CP you did a nice job on the delivery on this one I started to go get some Icon pliers and I just can't do it 👍😎👍

I have both knipex and snap-on pliers, both are excellent. I have limited experience with icon tools. A huge part of quality tool manufacturing is the Metallurgy that goes into producing the steel used for said tool. I'd bet nickels to navy beans that harbor freight took some shortcuts there.

@DKWalser

6 ай бұрын

You'd lose your nickels. One of the tool review channels has been doing a series comparing Icon pliers against their Snap-On counterparts. In some cases, they've given Snap-On a slight edge. In other cases, the Icon has been the winner. In most cases, it's too close to call. In all cases, they judged the quality of the steel to be identical.

@CPthetooladdict

6 ай бұрын

@@DKWalser what's the channel you seem to be easy to fool based on previous comments you want to hear what yoh want to hear not the truth that's the real problem. You don't have a firm grasp on manufacturing and proper heat treatment or good tool steel.

They are available and I made a video on them already but I already know you won’t like them. I respect your opinion because you are a professional and you know tools better than me. I already have used them both and icon gets the job done but knipex last long. Knipex warranty is just terrible cp!

@CPthetooladdict

6 ай бұрын

Fair enough thanks for sharing Max appreciate the feedback!!

@mlara98796

6 ай бұрын

@@CPthetooladdict You got it CP! I respect your professionalism!

Hello CP & HENRY: CP, thank you for this head to head plier video. I own 2 pairs of the Knipex & I just love them. Everyone is on a budget these days hell I just got back from the grocery store & I spent close to $$ 500.00 on food & I know I live alone. My vote to Knipex every day. Chad, stay warm & my best to Henry. TMP from N.J.

@CPthetooladdict

6 ай бұрын

Thanks for sharing

Knipex all day! Then after work, knackwurst and bier!

@CPthetooladdict

6 ай бұрын

If I were German born in New York, it would be nahkwooshed, lol

At first I would say no but knipex have made me change my mind. Got into them a few years ago left my channel locks behind thought I never would. If I had not barrow a pair would not have believed the difference.

I own two pair of the knipex twin grips. I am actually surprised at how useful they are. I use them almost everyday. In fact, just today they saved me because I needed to adjust a client's door screen to reinstall it, and one of the screws was stripped. It did the job well. My concern with the screw extraction teeth is that I've feared they would eventually strip of lose their bite. However, knipex quality has kept that from happening. I don't own icon ones but I imagine that will be a problem. For a homeowner, I think the icon stuff is worth the buy, but for professional use, I'd say no.

I think cp needs to visit hf once a week to compare one of their tools to a name brand competitor...

@CPthetooladdict

6 ай бұрын

To many people get butthurt when I tell them the truth

Cp i am a wright and chennelock guy but i do have some knipex twin grips and the 7" and 10" pliers wrench .. the twin grips have saved my butt several times when eveb the vampliers would not work.

Hello again, CP Thank you for another Great Video 👍 I brought the Vampliers four piece set almost ten years ago, I think. And I have been very pleased in their performance. I think when I bought them I paid about $140-$150 range. Again thank you 👍

@CPthetooladdict

6 ай бұрын

Thanks for the info!

Im also a tool addict, for some reason i bought TWO of the snap on ones... They absolutely SUCK for bolts. But are some what safer to use on removing hoses....Seriously....thank goodness for the raptor teeth... Just dont buy the snap ons

Icon are priced too close or even higher than known great brands. Id probably have drawers full of icon if it was 15-20% higher than Pittsburgh and not pushing tool truck prices.

While I do have some Icon tools, I would go with Knipex all day on this one. Never been disappointed with any Knipex tools.

Knipex Twin Grip announcement shows they were released the summer of 2021. Vampire Tools Screw Extraction shows to be released in 2016, so Knipex was not the first in this category. I like the "Vampliers". Guess it comes down to preference of Japan, Germany, or Taiwan. 😁

For the money I think I would still go with the Knipex. I think the Knipex twin grip pliers have been out long enough that they have proven to be a great plier. So I would spend the little extra money on the proven company like Knipex over ICON. Thanks for the great content CP love your channel brother.

@CPthetooladdict

6 ай бұрын

Great point

I got my knipex for $28. I like harbor freight but would rather pay $8 more an get knipex

I own the Twin Grips. I will NOT be buying the icons…

CP is Icon any different than Capri both made in Twain.

I think to answer that question we must fist answer: Did Knipex actually rip off Vampliers? I own the Knipex. The Icon right-angle version is intriguing, though.

@CPthetooladdict

6 ай бұрын

Vaughn and Bushnell

Knipex or Snap-on not only quality, better support from my dealer.

I already have the nipex. But for $20. I'll go try them out and see how junky they are. They've got to be made out of different iron contents. Vampires are really good though too

Yes CP it is worth the xtra money for the Knipex because the German steel can not be matched. They will outlast pretty much any thing else on the market.

I'm going to try a set in my service truck since I'm just starting out on my own. Want to leave my better stuff at the shop locked for use when not working on the road.

I have the knipex and and I love them I believe they are the better investment for the money and long term but I do understand if a diy person / hobbyist chooses the icon

The Twin Grip is an amazing tool. If you can, spend a little extra. You won’t be disappointed and you’ll be supporting the company that innovated instead of plagiarized. I love HF but the carbon copies of the pliers feel wrong.

No comparison necessary. Chinese tools suck. The fit and finish is so much better on American, German and Japanese tools. The twin grips have become my go to for removing valve stem seals

For an extra $15 I'll just go with German steel. Not too big of a difference.

When you put 2 tools down on the bench and have to take a good look at to witch one, it is witch. It's a rip off

Apparently there’s nothing HF won’t attempt to steal!! I wouldn’t hate HF so much if wasn’t for their lame customers, who out of pure envy, are continually comparing that chit to quality tools.

@CPthetooladdict

6 ай бұрын

100% agree 👍

I think they copied knipex because they look so similar too the twin grips with the push button adjust design. Icon could have made there's look different and do there own look

What’s the part number on the snap on ones?

@CPthetooladdict

6 ай бұрын

612aep

Good job cp. Will look at the icon next time I go to hf and will look at the kinpex next time in Menards or northern tool and decide.

@mlara98796

6 ай бұрын

They are not on the shelf yet so you have to call and ask. They are only $19.99 for now but they only have the 8 inch

I love my knipex, twin grit pliers

HF dont care who they rip off. I guess thats the tool biz though.

Awesome video brother. Thanks for sharing. Keep the content coming. Nice comparison. Hope you have an incredible night. Much love and RESPECT

@CPthetooladdict

6 ай бұрын

Thanks! You too!

I love my Knipex twin grips!

@CPthetooladdict

6 ай бұрын

Me too!

Great video. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Knipex is the easy choice for me personally. Tbh, I wish HF would move to another planet and sell tools there. Unrealistic thought for sure, but a man can dream right? lol

@CPthetooladdict

6 ай бұрын

Totally agree

This type of of pliers has actually been manufactured since the 1930's...they're "stove pliers"..and Knipex didn't invent them 😂

@CPthetooladdict

6 ай бұрын

Did you watch the video? I showed the original ones I own them Vaughn and Bushnell lol

@boosted2.4_sky

6 ай бұрын

@CPthetooladdict I actually did not watch the video I am just responding to the thumbnail. Keeping it real...🤣

Harbor Freight. The duplicator not innovator. There has been a lot of monkey see monkey do when it comes to Knipex knock off pliers. The Icon pliers would work fine for me and there is a Harbor Freight in the next town.

They are my favorite pliers I use them all the time along with my knipex cobra and knipex dikes for all of your dike needs

In response to your video title, Harbour Freight rip off everyone else, so why not Knipex.

Aknother tool I don't have to waste money on. Even $15 is a bit much for a pair of pliers but at least I know how to pronounce Icon.

@CPthetooladdict

6 ай бұрын

You just can't spell other words? Smh idiot

ICON are stealing other company's design and innovation ! Don't support them with reviews !!!

Yo CP, there's another channel copying your channel. ThingsMen is the guy copying you. Thanks

@CPthetooladdict

6 ай бұрын

Never heard of her does she seem intelligent or just another butt hole baby?

@larryharry7221

6 ай бұрын

@CPthetooladdict It was the same review you posted the day before. HF vs Knipex

@CPthetooladdict

6 ай бұрын

Ya im sure there will be hundreds of them not surprised

If they aren't blue and black and say Knipex on them, then they aren't ripoffs. Everyone knows what they are getting when they buy them.

@CPthetooladdict

6 ай бұрын

You should probably pull your head out of your ass

just as good as knipex.

@CPthetooladdict

5 ай бұрын

Lol 🤡 there's a disclaimer to comment on their channel you can't suk hf dik you failed

@gregoryoganisyan

5 ай бұрын

hf is best keep getting angry@@CPthetooladdict

yes

Yes it another cheap knock off from HF they rip off every decent tool company guess knipix is the latest one to get ripped off in there designs I go with the knipix I like them better and Japan offering are best in pliers like that got both

Can’t be double the comfort. The icon have the same handles as snap on

The Harbor Freight bashing is getting out of hand. We all should know by now that they aren't a tool manufacturer, nor have they had any original tool idea's. All the tools are copies of another brand. To be completely honest, anyone getting into the trades should be building their tool set on a budget, I stand by my advice to the upcoming trades people to buy a decent budget tool set to start. When tools from your budget set break, replace them with a quality tool. You will wear out and break the tools you use the most, therefore they need to be of the highest quality. Nobody's warranty is perfect, so buying tools based on warranty is a bit flawed, buy tools based on quality and usability, it doesn't matter how much a person spends on a plier, if the don't like they feel they won't use it.

@CPthetooladdict

6 ай бұрын

What in the Harry Potter are you babbling about?

@happygarage6310

6 ай бұрын

@@CPthetooladdict I babble from time to time, Somewhere in there is a point, words aren't my forte at times.

@CPthetooladdict

6 ай бұрын

Well, It's a good thing I stopped reading after "harbor freight bashing." There's a difference between telling the truth and saying things to keep the whiners at bay. I'm not a coddler, so unfortunately, I don't care about your feelings. I'm not doing this to gain views from people who just want me to glaze over factual information. There are hundreds and hundreds of those guys to watch if you don't like what I have to say.

@happygarage6310

6 ай бұрын

@CPthetooladdict yeah I could have chosen a better intro to the comment, I'll give you that. The point was that, like it or not, HF has a place. People coming into an industry needing tools will have to get them, so a few budget pieces aren't such a bad idea until you're making money. Not that HF is the end all be all of tool suppliers. I meant no disrespect in your comment section, so I apologize if I put out that vibe.

Thanks for video my brother

@CPthetooladdict

6 ай бұрын

So nice of you

Vamplier had them out first.

@CPthetooladdict

6 ай бұрын

No they didn't Vaughn and Bushnell did in the 1930s

Great video CP 👍

@CPthetooladdict

6 ай бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it

I get way less bent out of shape over similar design/function than I do copying a specific look, doesn't matter who the brand is.

👍

German all rhe way

Buy once cry once knipex pliers will last generations

I already have the kinpex so i don't think I will be getting the knock off's

I definitely prefer the Knipex over an Icon. You can feel the difference in your hand the extra machining put into the tool when its made.