Knipex is upgrading their pliers with new comfort handle grips, and yes – Knipex says they’re bringing the new design to North America.
Knipex has been touting on social media that their new pliers handles will help users “experience a milestone in comfort.”
They’re also saying this will be “the grip that changes the game.”
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The new pliers handles have the tagline “Better Connection To Your Tools. Better Control Of Your Work.”
Let’s take a look at what all this means.
Here’s what the new Knipex pliers handle grips look like.
There will be 3 components to the handles – a firm and durable material (red), a soft material “for comfortable counter-pressure” (blue), and a textured section for precise thumb guidance (grey).
For comparison, here’s what the old Knipex comfort grip handles look like.
The major highlight of the new pliers handle grips is Knipex’s KnipeXtend interface at the end of each handle.
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If you’re familiar with NWS’s pliers handles, KnipeXtend is kind of like that, but more.
To start, they’ll allow users to easily color-code their tools. This way you can grab the right pliers out of a tool box or pouch on the first go, and without having to come up with improvised markings.
It looks like you’ll get 10 color options.
Or, add a tether attachment to your tools.
What’s interesting – and important to note – is that the color plugs are inserted from the end of the handle, while the tether attachment slides out from the inside, with a large stopper helping to anchor it.
Regarding the breaking strength of Knipex’s tethered lanyard and adapter system, Knipex has told us that the combination is compliant with ANSI 121-2018 standards.
Even most surprising and exciting, Knipex designed the KnipeXtend handle grip interface to be expandable.
Knipex is even encouraging adaptation and expansion – here’s a link to the form for getting your hands on the 3D print modeling data.
They say:
Maybe you can figure out how to make a pliers stand or a bottle opener… we can’t wait to see what you design.
What kinds of attachments do you think would work well at the end of comfort grip pliers?
It’ll be interesting to see if this becomes a new standard.
Knipex has told us that ALL TOOLS with the 2-component blue and red comfort grip handles will transition over to the new 3-component and KnipeXtend handle grip style over the next year. In other words, the new handle grips are replacing the older style.
Knipex has also said that tools with the new handle grips will cost the same as their predecessors with 2-component handle grips.
There’s a lot of hype, and the new handle grips are definitely interesting. Do you think it’ll be a game-changer?
fred
I guess that it boils down to a matter of personal preference. For my hands and most plier styles – I generally like the thinner plastic grips. For small precision pliers (like those used by jewelers) – I actually prefer just polished handles. It may also relate to what you get used to.
In our plumbing business we bought many Knipex plier wrenches and Cobras with their thin(ish) red plastic grips. Then, on one occasion we got a few Cobras with 1000V insulated grips. Most of the guys hated these but they ended up in the buckets of the guys who liked them.
The other new ideas for color coding look gimmicky to me – but may appeal to many others – and tethering options are always good. Good to see Knipex is not standing still.
MM
I absolutely love Knipex pliers but I think calling this a total game-changer is a bit of hyperbole. I’m sure the new grips are excellent but Knipex’s grips already are, so I’m not sure there’s much room for improvement.
Also, like Fred mentioned, many people have their own preferences. For things like pliers wrenches or cobras I prefer the dipped grips. For many other kinds of pliers I like cushion grips but I already have those in the 1000V VDE style. If you want cushioned grips on your Knipex pliers there are already multiple options: most styles are available with their standard blue-and-red comfort grips, the thicker yellow and red VDE grips, and the thicker still dipped red VDE style.
That said I really like the Xtend feature in the handle. being able to color-code tools or add lanyards is a neat feature.
Jared
I agree, this is novel but not “game-changing”. Maybe they can release some more accessories and change my mind.
eddiesky
Agree. While I do want a new set that is VDE, I can identify already. Lanyard if you work in the air, on ladder, to avoid a drop is ok. But I want a needle nose version of their stripper/cutter/pliers. The flat plier nose needs to be rounded to do loops for recepts/switches.
https://www.knipex.com/products/combination-and-multifunctional-pliers/pliers-for-electrical-installation-multi-tool-for-electricians/pliers-electrical-installation-multi-tool-electricians/1392200
BigTimeTommy
If it’s not hyperbolic it’s not marketing.
Wayne R.
This goes well with my comment about the Milwaukee tool bag full of Milwaukee tools – way too much red (and nothing else) in that set to be able to easily ID the tool being reached for.
For those of us who use handle-up bags (like Veto Pro) and tool pouches on belts, the colored tabs will likely become a no-brainer augment.
And I’m eager to see what the makers do with the 3D aspect, too.
Goodie
I like the 3d printing info as well. My little $120 Ender 3 has been awesome at building out accessories for my shop, and I’m excited to see companies embrace makers. Knipex gets it. I can’t print a set of Kniex pliers, but I can make something that help me organize, use, or enhance it in some way.
Richard
I’m wondering how I could augment existing pliers with something similar. I keep mine in a bag nose down and I’m constantly grabbing the wrong thing.
I like the idea. Not enough to re-buy any existing pliers though.
Joellikestools
Little dots of nail polish?
James
Coloured electrical tape. Has worked for me forever. Comes off once in a while, but stays well enough.
In fact now my collection is by design multi brand and multi handle type so I’m not sure this appeals to me. The tether is very cool though; I work on top of big softeners and I’ll have a lot of little tools kicking around. I don’t tether anything but this makes me think I should because when I drop something it’s a pain to go crawling around, and sometimes it’s almost impossible to fit between the wall and the tank so it wastes a bunch of time and energy.
I might dip my toe in. Well done Knipex on not sitting still.
Jared
Tethering seems like a significant change. Usually tether-ready tools are premium priced – I presume because they require a special mold or at least a extra step to drill a hole and the are much less popular. Basically making every plier tether-ready without tether-ready prices… nice.
James
Agreed this is the value-add.
ITCD
My take on the pricing is probably because they’re aimed more at companies with the moolah to throw at having it. It doesn’t take several more dollars to drill a small hole on a wrench or at the end of a pliers handle. Milwaukee USA pliers, at least their long noses, already come tether ready and don’t charge out the nose for it. Several Japanese brands also just sorta toss it in there as a feature.
Robert
The hype is a little strong. But give them credit for trying to innovate with features that will improve the experience of many customers. And providing the 3D print modeling data is another example of caring about the customer.
One question, are the tether attachment plugs color coded also?
blocky
It looks like each handle has two attachment points, so even if the tethers aren’t color coded, one could use one arm for the tether and the other for coding.
B Richards
The TetheredClips are only in red
ITCD
Yes. So click a tether on one and a color code on the other, that’s what they’re saying.
Adam
Would normally be rather cynical about this as gimmickry, but… Knipex.
They’ve never once steered me wrong.
I admire the open source approach to 3D printing etc. too.
Good on them.
Upholding the rep as a rare civilised company.
Mark M.
I don’t care too much about the handles…I’ve been known to cut the dipped handles off Channellocks and the bare metal works just fine (and reams the ID of conduit like a champ). The XTend thing is surprisingly cool and innovative. Love the tether option and the 3D print concept. Good for them. I love Knipex stuff across the board. 7″ Cobra pliers are far and away my go-to hand tool.
MtnRanch
I wonder if the soft and pliable material will get soft and gummy with age. Too many “rubberized” devices of mine have become unusable over the years solely because the material decays into a sticky mess
blocky
I’m optimistic they will use a higher grade of material than that. None of my German tools have had that problem, but I do have a Husky snap-off knife with over-molding that rotted away after about 10 years. Peeled it all off and still use the knife.
Eddie
They should have a Philips screw tip on the end. My old ones had a slotted and Philips.
ITCD
I don’t know that it would be strong enough to handle that but maybe it is, or the attachment point can just be the part that physically holds it on and then it encompasses the bottom of the handle itself for rigidity and support.
Could push this further in other ways too. Added to the bottom of snips, now make a roller add-on and you have a good tool for doing window screens.
Saulac
I like the uniformity. Speaking of which, which Knipex diagonal cutter is closet in style to the Cobra and Plier Wrench? I seem to get the wrong ones.
Stuart
What do you mean? They have a bunch of styles for different needs and purposes. What are you looking for?
Saulac
To me the Cobra and the Pliers Wrench has the same DNA. They are deviations of each other. They have the same design clues. My dream cutter would be something like the Pliers Wrench with the jaws sharpened. But I will happy to get a cuter that looks like it belongs to my set of Cobra and Pliers Wrench that I EDC. I want matching tools! I am superficial or OCD. I don’t know.
Stuart
They don’t make cutters like that.
MM
Like Stuart said they don’t make cutters that are styled like the Cobras or the pliers wrench. The closest that I can think of are the various “CoBolt” cutters. The mechanism is not the same of course but they have some similarities in that they are long and slender and have impressive capacity for their size. The leverage they generate is extremely high. They’re closer to “bolt cutters” than they are to generic dikes you might use for small wire but they are a very useful tool. If you haven’t tried a pair yet I can highly recommend them.
James
Ditto. Only used mine once, but I was in a pickle and they paid for themselves right there.
That kind of event makes me continue to buy tools I don’t really need but look like they may be useful one day.
Saulac
I looked up and settled on the 6” Cobolt. There are a few others, but they are cable cutters. Thanks.
Joe E.
This is all about personal preference, but I fail to see what is a game changer about these grips? Every brick and mortar retailer these days sell pliers with chunky comfort grips.
Personally, I prefer the vinyl “dipped” handle pliers. They are not only grippy, but I can reach further with them than I can chunky grip pliers.
Tim D.
I didn’t like the old comfort grips. Too big and clunky.
The new ones look a little skinnier, so maybe they’re better?
Doresoom
I like my comfort grip Pliers Wrench. These look like a nice design tweak.
I am glad that Knipex is supplying CAD models for custom inserts, but unfortunately small parts like that aren’t as easily adapted for 3D printing. Looking at the model shown in the article, I can pretty confidently say that’s going to break along the layer lines when subjected to load if printed in the orientation shown.
That’s not an issue if it’s just a color-coded identifier, but to use it for any other mechanical purpose it’s going to be iffy. To give it the best chance of lasting, it will need to be printed on its side using a lot of supports.
Jp
Will these be sold to retrofit my knives pliers ???
JR Ramos
I’m trying to think of a pair of pliers or a situation where I have needed (or not had) “precise thumb guidance”…..and I just can’t, not even with micro pliers and nipper types. Dumb marketing, but the feature doesn’t hurt anything.
Does that sort of tethering approach meet the design criteria for where that’s regulated? I guess if the plastic is tough enough (seems like it should be based on the grips I have). I thought cast loops were preferred or required. I don’t think I’d trust any 3D printed plastic types for that purpose unless it’s just low-height convenience.
Kyle
Using different colored grips for different types of pliers is one thing Klein has always done well. Identifying which pair of my pliers they are at a glance is more useful to me than advertising the brand. Color coding is a simple but welcome thing when working out of a pouch or bag. I have always preferred vinyl dipped handles over the molded comfort grips, but the design of these new grips from Knipex does look pretty slick. Being tether-ready is genuinely useful.
DRT42
This works for me. I like comfort grips, and already have some of my wrenches color coded.