Klein has come out with new side-cutting pliers, model J2139NECRN, and it’s so chock-full of features that Klein press materials in some places describe it as a multi-tool in some places.
So what can it do? To start, it can cut and strip regular wiring, 10-12 AWG of solid wire, and 12-14 AWG of stranded wire. Plus, it can also crimp non-insulated connectors, lugs, and terminals.
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It also features a high-leverage design, for easier cutting and greater gripping power. Here are some more features:
- High-leverage pivot
- Jaws are knurled with a cross-hatched profile for gripping
- Induction-hardened cutting knives
- Crimping die is positioned behind hinge for superior leverage
- Hot-riveted joint provides smooth action and no handle wobble
- Dual-material Journeyman handles for a more comfortable grip
- (9-inch size)
Klein says that the added functionality of the wire stripper function, saves time on the jobsite and means fewer tools needed in the tool bag.
Price: $52 (as of the time of this posting)
Buy Now(via Amazon)
First Thoughts
These new multi-functional Klein side-cutters remind me of the all-purpose long-nose pliers that Klein came out with nearly 2 years ago.
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There are some differences, aside from obvious long nose vs. lineman’s styles jaw style distinctions. For one, this one only has a couple of wire stripping holes, for fitting most common wire sizes.
It also has crimper jaws, which seems like a potentially handy feature, although I typically prefer separate standalone crimpers.
Initial pricing is quite steep – a little over $50 (currently $52.05) on Amazon, but might soften a little with time.
With electrical tools, I haven’t used a combination tool for so long, but I still keep one around. But this one does look to have all the common features than an electrician might want, without drastically changing its look or primary side-cutting priority.
MJ
As someone who does electrical for a living, most electricians can strip wire with a pair of basic linemans or dikes. This added feature seems like a money waster and shortens the surface of the cutting edge.
Noah
At least the wire strippers are at the end of the cutting zone, and not in the very middle like they are on the D203-8N long nose pliers Home Depot sells.
Paul
A lot of guys cut MC with their linesman. The surface of that blade looks like it could only handle up to 16-2. If you want a set of linesman that’ll strip 12 then you could always blow up your pliers. They’ll strip just fine after that :’D
MJ
And like you said, I’ve never used the crimper on my Klein linemans. My dedicated crimper is all I use for crimp sleeves.
MJ
Sorry for the third reply, these thoughts just come to me after I hit post and I dont see an edit button.
Why would they add a stripper for 10 wire instead of 14? Maybe it’s just my field (residential), but the ratio for 14 to 10 wire is like 1000:1. I think a 14 size stripper would have made more sense.
fred
If I had to guess – its because the 10ga notch also lets you strip 12ga stranded. And adding a 3rd notch for 14ga solid – 16ga. stranded would have further diminished the already short cutting jaws.
Hang Fire
An edit button is badly needed.
Stuart
Not going to happen unless I change the entire commenting system and require user accounts. It’s just not securely possible otherwise.
I can’t even give Benjamen editing permissions; editing of comments is only available at the admin level.
fred
Stuart:
Stay with what you’ve got – its too complicated otherwise.
From time to time we all have “fat fingers” that get in the way of proper typing (if you even learned how) – suffer from “brain freeze” when it comes to selecting “le mot juste” – and allow spell checkers to take over even if they add an incorrect word or don’t catch a malapropism or homonym.
So why not just chuckle – and try to figure out what I’m (or the next guy is) trying to say – and then cut them and ourselves some slack.
Jerry
If Klien would shorten the nose a bit on their multipurpose pliers, or add another stripping notch to these, for 14 ga, I’d likely get a pair. For my tastes, I prefer jaws like these, but use 14 ga a lot. I know the Kliens are pro tools, but for general maintenance and repairs like I do, I can get a pair of Channel Lock strippers/cutters, and a separate pair of crimpers, for less. If I were an electrician, and didn’t want to carry around any more than I had to all day, I could see the value in spending a bit more for a good pair of multipurpose p!iers, though.
Mike
Given Klein’s complete inability to produce pliers with parallel cutting jaws, I don’t see this being successful even medium term. Most of their pliers of recent manufacture won’t close. I am not talking about the gap between the gripping jaws, that is expected and normal. I mean that most of their side cutting pliers look more like the second picture above when fully closed than the first photo. The stripping holes won’t align or close enough to actually work.
mike aka Fazzman
I have a pair of Klein journeyman combo pliers J207-8CR They are awesome,and probably one of the best klein tools ive ever owned/used.
Everything on them works as expected.
http://www.amazon.com/Klein-Tools-J2078CR-All-Purpose-Crimper/dp/B016XE2CHA
Jim Felt
I’ve both owned and used Klein tools for decades and so far have never noticed misalignment. So far. (Maybe I’m not looking as hard as I would on more precision tools I own?)
But I just now ordered the previously reviewed needle nose with wire strippers that go from 10 to 18(?) and we shall see…
@fingerscrossed
Blythe M
Looking forward to the new Milwaukee 6 in 1 electrical pliers. I’ve seen a picture but can’t find anything in writing. Look like a stubby fat needle nose tip, 12&14 romex stripper, 12&14 solid stripper and
Blythe M
pipe reamer, plus bolt shear and wire bending holes
Jim Felt
48-22-3069 is at Home Depot today. $24.97 here in Portlandia.
Actually “Made in Taiwan”… Not the mainland. Odd. That.
Mike
I think he’s referring to this, which is similair but made for residential Romex use.
https://www.milwaukeetool.com/hand-tools/pliers/48-22-3070
Jim Felt
You’re correct. I had confused these threads/tools. My bad. ;-)~
Blythe M
Those are the ones mike, I didn’t realize they had been released. They basically cover anything I need to do as a non-electrician
CMH
I’m a 20 year electrician, and I don’t like these. You can strip wire with anything, but that being said, you don’t use linesman. As for high leverage, I’m 40, been doing this since 20, and have small hands. The High Leverage angle is a myth. If I’m cutting anything of substance, I’d rather make two snips with my dykes than try to bull through one dull cut with my linesman. And cutting MC or BX with linesman is like trying to push a car uphill with a piece of rope.
Linesman pliers are for twisting more than two solid conductors at a time, twisting hot conductors, or as a makeshift hammer in a pinch. I like the idea of the Sta-Con crimp, but have used that crimp on plies and have never liked the results… It just mashes them. Also, for what it’s worth, for the way that I use my linsemans, I prefer them to be floppy, and that’s pretty hard to find. I use an old pair of Bell Systems Ithica stamped that I found at a flea market, and put the clear red handle Klein shrink handles on.