File this tool accessory on the “why didn’t somebody think of this sooner?” pile. Knipex recently started advertising a new material catcher accessory for two of their electronics diagonal cutters.
The Knipex material catcher captures cut material and prevents it from either flying away or falling into someplace it shouldn’t. Knipex lists the aerospace industry as one of the target users of this catcher, specifically for avoiding FOD (Foreign Object Damage).
This catcher (00 11 V79) fits over the head of their 79 02 125 and 79 22 125 precision electronics diagonal cutters. Both of the compatible tools also have ESD versions available, but it’s not clear whether these versions are compatible.
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Unfortunately, the material catcher doesn’t seem to be available at any of the normal retail sites yet. I did find one German distributor through a Google search but that might only be useful for one or two readers.
On the material catcher webpage, Knipex says: “We kindly ask you to get in touch with your local Knipex distributor for detailed information on the availability of the new items.”
See Also(Knipex 79 02 125 cutters via Amazon)
See Also(Knipex 79 22 125 cutters via Amazon)
More About the Compatible Cutters
As for the compatible models of precision cutters, Knipex’s specs and descriptions indicate that the 79 02 125 cutting edges have a very small bevel, and the 79 22 125 cutting edges have no bevel. The cutters without a bevel can cut slightly smaller wires (0.1 mm vs. 0.2 mm) and have the same max soft wire cutting capacity (1.7 mm).
The 79 02 125 cutters can cut “class 2” materials, such as nails, wire pins, and other medium-hard wire materials up to 1.3 mm in diameter, and the 79 22 125 can cut such materials up to 1.0 mm in diameter. The 79 02 125 cutters can cut class 3 materials, such as wire rope strands, steel wire, and other hard wires up to 0.7 mm in diameter.
Class 1 materials are soft materials, such as copper wire and plastic, and class 4, which neither tool is recommended for, included spring steel and piano wire.
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Discussion
When I first saw these new material catchers advertised, I immediately thought back to my days as a student where we would be trimming the leads on PCB boards, trying to hit each other with the flying tag ends.
While that was a bit of stupid fun, it can actually be dangerous if you aren’t paying attention and/or wearing safety glasses. Getting small and fast moving pieces of metal directly in your eye, at best is irritating.
Even when you’re working carefully, cutting certain materials will turn the trimmed-off parts into projectiles and potentially harmful debris. If you’re working in an open area and non-critical environment, you might be okay just vacuuming the floor afterwards. But in tight spaces, foreign materials can potentially risk catastrophic failure.
Knipex and other brands already make small electronic cutters with built-in lead catchers, and you can buy a pair of those for under $30 at Amazon. If you watched Knipex’s promo video, their new material catcher is designed a little differently, catching the cut-off head of a nylon cable tie. That’s something you can’t do with cutters featuring lead-catchers.
At first glance the material catcher almost appears to be 3D printed. I’m not sure if this is just because they are using photos of a prototype, or if the design with the stepped faces and sides makes it appear like it is constructed in layers.
This accessory seems so simple that you’d think that somebody had already come up with a similar idea. Has anybody seen something like this before? What else might it be used to catch aside from short wire trimmings and cable tie heads?
Hilton
Geez I’d be nervous that I would accidentally nip one of the wires. You’re going in blind after all.
Chris
That truly does look 3D printed. For the record, I don’t think knipex would actually sell a 3D printed part, but they could have 3D printed a mold to cast this piece (maybe silicone) which would make it flexible and (with the right dimensions)able to hold itself on the tool while also being easy to remove.
Neat either way.
Brian Puccio
Agreed, definitely 3D printed in that photo.
Badbot
Agreed, 3D printed. Might be an R&D example?
Wojciech Lewenstam
It’s 3D printed. I bet my balls on that (and I’ do additive manufacturing for a living), that it’s SLS technology, then immersion dyed. So probably EOS machine with PA12 and Dye Mansion dye system.
Wayne R.
We “inherited” a Utica 40-7 pair of 7″ dikes where the hollow side of the cutters is filled with a red silicone/rubber that’ll grip cut wire. It works well – should be more of them out there…
Looked but haven’t found an image to link to.
Mike
I seem to recall a Handyman Magazine tip to fill the diagonal gap with silicone and then slice it down the middle when dry. This to catch all the wire bits during a cut.
Altan
Hi Benjamen, thanks for the post, I love Knipex tools, they are one of the best, I think you should add a “Made in Germany” category also in this blog similar to the “Made in USA” or to all tools in this blog, it would be nice to mention the origin of the tools in bold, could be different categories like “Made in UK”, “Made in France”, “Made in Italy”, “Made in Sweden”, “Made in Spain” and others. By time it would give us a understanding of tool production capabilities of different countries.
Chris
I don’t think it’s there to be a “nice to mention the origin of the tools” kind of thing (maybe it is, I didn’t create it). I feel like the “Made in the USA” is stamped on stuff for most simpletons who cry foul when anything is NOT made in the USA. In the electrical industry (and in my personal experience…YMMV) and especially in the south (I’m here as well), it is a bird call for morons that don’t acknowledge or appreciate quality tools as much as they just care about their cult-like nationality. These are also the same people that buy dewalt tools with american flags printed on the box (regardless of the fact the it is clearly marked *assembled in the US) and see that 20V is obviously a bigger number than 18V and that just means it’s better…smh.
The people that want to see the *Made in the USA tag on stuff also don’t realize/care that other countries make excellent tools too.
I have Knipex, WIHA, and NWS in my VETO tool bag along with milwaukee, Klein, and Lenox. I didn’t buy any of the tools based on origin, I bought them because of their quality. Over the last several years, my tools have been through a lot, but the only ones that disappoint are the 2 Klein tools (they are covered in surface rust and they sit in the same bag, it’s especially annoying that they are newer than most of the other stuff as well).
Klien makes decent *Made in the USA tools, but i’ve had 2 failed tools that they wouldn’t replace (despite their warranty) and I’ve not been impressed since.
Sorry for the rant, I guess I just feel the opposite about your comment. I would rather do away with the country of origin and come up with something that shows the level of quality from a manufacturer or craftsman. I don’t care that knipex tools came from germany, I only care that they are better than just about everything else on the planet. A giant *Made in Germany sticker would only detract from how I feel about their tools and would just feel like more marketing wank.
Wayne R.
I’ve been picking up old tools at pawn shops & flea markets (for restoration), and I don’t really care much about origin countries either – other than to get some idea of the age & quality of the tool, its heritage.
There’s kinda two flavors out there: Used hard for a long time because they could take it, and bent up quickly because they suck. Maybe two kinds of users involved there, too.
Usually, for me then, knowing the maker & COO is a subset of the use a tool endured, and to keep an eye out for more to grab or avoid, depending.
Altan
Hi Chris,
“Made in USA” might be there for something else, I just want to learn more about everything and origin of the products is part of this everything, what is wrong with learning more?! If we know the origin of the products we can come to some sort of conclusions about the labour quality of the country of origin, the economic level of that country, even the level of the relations between countries and by time I monitor a brand I can analyse it for myself that I will give up from this brand or not, if that brand is in wrong path or not, it helps me a lot to make my decisions about my future purchases, I had a lot of DeWALT tools and only the ones which were made in China went to warranty! That makes me think twice before I purchase a Chinese made power tool now, and that has made me think of moving partially to other brands like Festool and Fein also, I am not American but I do like to see more American made tools, Do not forget US produces technology not the actual products and that makes more money. I can give you a lot of examples.
You may complain about a discrimination between North and South or West and East within the US, I am not with you in that matter, I was much worse than you about these things and there was a point in 2009 that I almost switched the button off and stopped putting time on these things and I have felt homeless since then, I had to train myself to feel like that, that was the point that I burnt all the books I wrote!
This blog is the only place I partially break that attitude. That is why I don’t get it when I see people getting emotional for their countries.
Genetics believe every human is a different race, in that aspect nationalism can be reduced to an individual, I can explain it more if you want.
I agree with you about the people who think just their country makes good products and are blind that other countries also make good products. I don’t purchase tools just based on the origin, but origin partially affects my purchases.
In general the quality of the tools in Western countries has also become less but still there is a gap with Chinese made products.
You don’t need to be sorry, it is your opinion and I have my opinion which I have tried to explain a bit but I don’t aim to change your opinion, we are free to think how we want. We already discuss the quality of the tools here, I just thought that would be an interesting addition. As most of the brands try to not mention the origin of their products nowadays. If I feel something is tried to be hidden I love to unmask it because I know why they try to hide it. We all know why lots of the products are stamped Made in PRC and not Made in China!
Not all Knipex tools are made in Germany, some of their crimpers are made in Taiwan and some adjustable wrenches in Spain.
fred
In this age of Globalization it might be hard to know week to week about what’s made or assembled where. If the packaging or item itself indicates a COO that may be true at the time of purchase. But, as what Grainger does with its listing of COO – there is a disclaimer that says “subject to change”.
Traditional German manufacturers may make some items in Germany and some in the Czech Republic. Some Festool consumabables may also come from the Czech Republic as do many Narex chisels. Wiha seems to be sourcing some items from Taiwan and Vietnam. Fiskars used to make many items in Finland – but seem to be sourcing items from Taiwan as well. Kinex squares come from Slovakia – while Unior bicycle tools come from Slovenia, I went by the FLIR factory in Estonia – but know that there seem to be more tools made in Sweden (companies like Morakniv, GRÄNSFORS BRUK, Bahco and Hultafors), Swiss-Made also still seems to have some appeal – especially for jeweler’s tools and precision items. I know that many folks sing the praises of some PB-Swiss tools – but Bosch, Makita and others seem to source many saw blades from Swiss factories. I’m quite partial to Pegas (Swiss-Made) scroll saw blades. Made in Italy – brings to mind Freud and CMTcutting tools – but Beta and some Facom tools too. Spain seems to be associated with clamps and pliers (Grip-On, Piher, Urko) – with some folks like Channellock sourcing some items from Spain. As for France – Malco seems to be rebranding some Edma tools made in France and Mayhew makes some punches there.Some Facom tools are still made there, and my favorite Auriou rasps seem to have been revitalized via Forge de Saint-Juery.
What I had found most distressing was the decline of the tool industry in the UK. It seems to have somewhat presaged the decline in the US. Many of my 1960’s and earlier woodworking hand tools were made in England. There are still some toolmakers in the UK – but they are a bit like Lie-Nielsen in the US – more specialist and high-end makers.
Altan
Hi Fred,
I agree with you, I always try to get a PDF file or an Excel file of the country of origin of the products of a brand (which is not available with all brands, but some brands I have contacted have provided me a file like that) and I have noticed that when I did purchase some tool accessories according to that I have got the same product made in another country! So they keep changing the origin of the same product. But at least for the date we talk about we can mention it.
Festool drill bits are made by Fisch Made in Austria I believe, as the design of the grooves on them are exactly the same and also Fisch has started to make their tool accessories with double grooves on their 1/4″ hex shank, one groove for normal 1/4″ hex shank collets and another one for Festool ones. Their 1″ long screwdriver bits are made in Italy and longer Screwdriver bits are made in Czech Rep. probably by Wera.
Ssome of their basic powertools are also made in Czech Rep. Almost all brands are sourcing 2″ long magnetic nut setters from Taiwan, it is not just Wiha. Most of Wiha’s Screwdriver bits which are laser engraved are made in Vietnam, their old stock bits are made in Germany it seems which are stamped. Fiskars cheapest tools are made in China even, but their expensive tools are made in Finland. I am not a fan of Fiskars tools, they are not for a life tools. I have not heard of Kinex, thanks for that. I have to check their catalogue tonight. Some of DeWALT tool accessories are made in Slovenia and Slovakia. In UK we mostly see Bahco and not other Swedish brands you mentioned, their files are mostly made in Portugal. Swiss made blades are the best quality blades I have ever seen even better than US made blades. Most of DeWALT’s Mitre saws are made in Italy also. Almost all good brands make their adjustable wrenches in Spain even Knipex does.
About tool industry in UK you are absolutely right, Most of old Stanley planers were made in England, they do make some wood Chisels now here, Makita does have a factory here but the Makita tools made in the UK are almost the same quality as Chinese made Makita tools, I have their cordless Sander and Biscuit Joiner made in the UK but I am not very pleased with their quality. Japanese made Makita tools are amazing but, I had their Japanese made Caulking gun and was better than the DeWALT one, I replaced it with the DeWALT one as I want my tools to be in one battery platform. The labour cost is too high in England that is why tool production is less.
What I do to find new vintage tools is to check eBay auctions always, if you check the “Buy it now” you will see the items from sellers that always sell and get new items in stock, but in eBay auction you will see someone has bought something 10-20 years ago and has not used it at all and now has put that item on eBay to sell.
Tonight I have to dig some of those brands you mentioned, thanks.
Stuart
There are challenges with that.
When COO is easy to determine or readily provided, we mention it. It’s usually good to know. When that information is not easy to determine or obtain, the time and effort requirement skyrockets and can cause big delays. Even then, manufacturing origins can change. If brands and retailers are not upfront about COO, and if I am not naturally interested in finding out, or I don’t think readers will be especially interested, I generally don’t investigate. Often, brands that aren’t upfront about COO make it really hard to find out.
USA-made tools is a large enough category to exist – https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/category/made-in-usa/%3C/a%3E – and have a top menu placement. I’m open to more categories, but until there’s a big enough “collection” it’s not going to be very helpful to anyone. A “Made in UK” category, for example, might have a listing for screwdrivers that are now made in China, or a hammer that you can’t buy in the USA anymore.
I considered creating a “where it’s made” category, but I can’t or won’t do that until I figure out a good way to make our “tool brands” category listing a little prettier. Here’s what I mean: https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/brands/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
Long story short, it’s a good idea but the logistics, presentation, and limited number of potentially includable posts are problematic.
Altan
Thanks, I know you mention the origin if it is readily provided, I have to mention that some brands are not upfront about COO, with my experiences I can include FAMAG (German), BOA (English) and Alpen (Austrian) in this category. Some brands like Trend Snappy (Not American Snappy) don’t provide any info about COO but I have my own ways to understand it in most of the cases… comparing with other brands’ products is a good way to understand, I can easily say if a brand is confident with the origin then they mention it otherwise they don’t. This can tell us about the quality also. I know how hard they make it to find out…
“Made in Germany” can be the second one I think, you write a lot about German tools, and “Made in Japan” can be the third one, but the most important one is the “Made in China” now :))) as most of the things we discuss are made in China :))
“Made in UK” you will find some Stanley and DeWALT utility knife blades and wood chisels, some Makita tools as well. Recently I saw a movie that they make some of the DeWALT’s cordless drills in the UK labelled Made in UK, DeWALT has made a lot of corded and cordless tools in the UK, until recent years they were still available in the market.
I have checked that “brands” category a few times, it is good I think, but if you want to make it more prettier I will check it one more time with a different eye, I can suggest something if you would like me to do.
Jared
I thought it looked 3D printed too. Made me immediately wonder if there’s a file somewhere I could print to have one for my channellock side cutters. I would use it even though I’m rarely doing “sensitive” work. It would just be handy not to have to go looking for the pieces for cleanup.
Wayne R.
But most dikes have a sleek joint – I don’t recall any dikes I’ve ever used having a raised joint like these Knipex tools. And it’s that bump that gives the catcher something to clip to.
So I see this particular doodad as interesting, but I always cut ties across their strap – that way it stays all one piece. I don’t see an advantage to cutting & capturing the head only, then having to unpeel the strap. too. Plus, then removing the catcher in order to use the tool on the majority of stuff that won’t fit in that little cavity – and, not losing the catcher too.
Cool idea but ultimately useless, I think.
Philip Proctor
FOD = Foreign Objects or Debris
A W
I’ve never heard it with the “or” in there. In my experience, military guys tend to say “Foreign Object Damage” and civilians tend more to “Foreign Object Debris.”
The Wikipedia note seems accurate to me: “The “Damage” term was prevalent in military circles, but has since been pre-empted by a definition of FOD that looks at the “debris”. This shift was made “official” in the latest FAA Advisory Circulars FAA A/C 150/5220-24 ‘Airport Foreign Object Debris (FOD) Detection Equipment’ (2009) and FAA A/C 150/5210-24 ‘Airport Foreign Object Debris (FOD) Management’. Eurocontrol, ECAC, and the ICAO have all rallied behind this new definition. As Iain McCreary of Insight SRI put it in a presentation to NAFPI (August 2010), “You can have debris present without damage, but never damage without debris.”‘
Flotsam
I would really like to try this before I was interested in getting something like this. Would it really work? I suppose if you were below the piece, but if you’re on top of the piece or to the side it would be necessary for the cutting action to be thrust into the back of the catcher accessory.
Wouldn’t it be better to make this out of some clear material so maybe you could see what you are cutting and not be totally obscured by the catcher?
The What?
Proudly Made In Antarctica. Every single brand of tools in the world should print and advertise that as the coo. In fact that should be the only coo anyone is allowed to use. That way nobody would ever know where their tools came from or who made what. It would completely eliminate any concern for the coo. Everybody should do it. From the worst of the worst to the best of the best. It would be awesome.
glenn
This gave me a chuckle but it would open up a whole new can of worms as there 7 countries with territorial claims in Antarctica under the original treaty
People would only complain about which part of Antarctica was it manufactured, lol.
Altan
There is another brand called W. L. Fuller which is American brand which you don’t have any post about their products also.
https://www.wlfuller.com/html/regular_length_brad.html
https://www.famag.com/EN/Home/Products?pro=c32f6a35-709e-458c-8f21-e94002b16e21
Altan
Also I don’t see any post about Fisch drill bits and tool accessories.
https://www.fisch-tools.com/en/produkte/0086e-auger-bit-hex-shank
http://www.insty-bit.com/
Jay
This is a tool mainly for cutting pigtails from safety wire. So I think it will be great for the aviation industry.
Frank D
I could have sworn Benjamen designed and printed this!
Benjamen
Nope not me, curvy stuff is hard.
Voodoo
I’ve seen cutters with lead catcher before many times. It’s a brand from Japan, just couldn’t remember the brand name.
Here’s an image for it:
http://www.bielec.es/js/timthumb.php?src=/img/product/max_095021-1696450.jpg&w=585&h=440&zc=1
Voodoo
Just remembered. It is Victor 113BSD.
Amazon.jp link
Maps Bam
I also think this looks 3D printed. I seriously hope a company like Knipex doesn’t try to put 3D printed garbage in their product line.