Have you ever heard of Schmitz hand tools before? They make mini-pliers and cutters for precision and electronics applications.
I’m not familiar with the brand, but sponsored posts on Amazon drew my attention to them. The tools are made in Germany and feature box joints, hard high-alloy carbon steel cutting edges, and ESD-safe dual-compound handle grips.
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The tools, at least the ones that look that this that I had been looking at, have a high gloss polished surface, to avoid chrome flaking that could cause damage to circuits and components.
The Schmitz pliers and cutters are pricey, but not any more so than the USA-made Tronex precision pliers we reviewed here. Other premium brands of pliers and cutters include Erem and Lindstrom, whose tools are also around the same price.
I have not tried any of Schmitz’ product offerings yet, but could be convinced to do so if there’s a lot of interest. But with prices starting at $40 and up, I anticipate that anyone looking to buy new premium precision pliers or cutters will likely want to buy a size or two to try for themselves. Still, I learn about a new brand, so you learn about a new brand.
If you’ve used these tools before, or other Schmitz tools, please let us know what you think!
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If you have the need for premium-priced miniature pliers or precision cutters, which brand would you go for?
Mike (the other one)
Not a big fan of that type of spring. I prefer coil springs.
Stuart
You don’t see a lot of coil springs on tools like these. Channellock has them – https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/channellock-little-champ-precision-pliers/%3C/a%3E , but their selection is limited.
Mike (the other one)
Xcelite has a few. I’m not sure if their quality is as good as they used to be. I Also have a few sets that came from PC repair tool kits of varying quality.
On a similar note, I wish Klein would offer more precision models.
Bobby
Schmitz is a new brand to me. They look really nice aesthetically.
If I needed precision pliers I’d look at Channellock, Knipex, and Wiha (if they have any).
Would be nice to have a pair of good quality non-marring jaw precision pliers, so I can adjust some of my glasses without damaging them. I haven’t seen anything that’s made by a company I’m familiar with.
Kenneth Stephens
Channellock and knipex are great. As well as NWS and Gedore. Most of Wihas pliers however are made in Vietnam and the 2 example I’ve had had bad finishing and loose pivots
fred
I never heard of them – but then again we were not big users of precision pliers.
They may also be better known as the OEM for other brands:
https://www.schmitz-pliers.com/pages/private-label
Stuart
YES! One point for every brand I introduce to Fred! =)
fred
I’m getting to an age where I probably know as many brands that are now extinct as ones that are still in business.
Bought any PS&W pliers lately ?
BTW – here’s a link to a Swiss Plier maker:
https://shop.afswitzerland.com/catalogs/cat.asp
Nathan
I was going to say they look identical to some of the Stahlwile ones I have in the kit – there were 4, the bigger ones might as well say Knipex on them but the precision cutters look like these. I suspect they are probably the same. Stahlwille doesn’t make everything they put their name on.
Sort of the snap on of german tools
I’m sure they are quality stuffs
fred
SnapOn – Bahco – has their Lindström brand of precision pliers
But your right that Stahlwille and perhaps to a lesser extent Gedore and Hazet look to compete with SnapOn and/or their Williams brand.
The trend toward consolidation in the tool business (I’m thinking like what Stanley-SBD has been doing) does not seem as prevalent in Germany (maybe Switzerland too) – with many smaller brands remaining independent . Bosch seems to have bought up a few brands – but you don’t hear that folks like Knipex, Wiha, NWS etc. have been gobbled up.
Nathan
Sorry what I meant by the comment was – you see the Stahlwille truck out at our hangar in Cologne on Tuesdays. They sell it all – including their own made speciality kit for running Hylock (aviation hardware, replaces rivets in some high strength repairs – fatigue etc)
They sell safety wire pliers – I know they don’t make them, but they are nice.
etc. I have a complete Aircraft MX tool kits from them, it uhm, fell off a plane. BUt that’s how I first heard of them. VW does their speciality tool sets from Stahlwille. BMW uses Geodore I think, and Porsche seems to have ties to Hazet. Between the 3 I suspect they all trade certain design pieces. But Stahlwille acts like Snap on here. Lifetime no question warranty – if sold direct by them, store or truck. Mostly lifetime warranty if sold second hard too , which is surprising to me.
And in their master kits they give you everything for the price of a new Bmw 5 series. (OK 1 series but you get my point). Cabinet and all.
In my trips to germany I’ve never seen a Gedore, Felo, or Hazet truck come up to the hangar. Maybe they don’t make aviation specialty bits – but still 80% of the tools you need are common hand tools. Not saying they don’t exist just that I’ve not seem them as prevalent but I have to imagine they exist.
fred
Thanks for the clarification.
Once in a while we had one of the truck guys stop by our Pipe/Metal fabrication business – but they usually did not sell much to us or our workers. I’m sure they did better at some other businesses.
BTW – for some clients we did use Hy-Lok or CherryLock fasteners – so had the tools to work with them.
I recently saw a new (to me anyway) drive style called Aster Recess – and of course tools to drive them:
https://www.bondhus.com/pages/ASTERTHandles
Matt
I have a set of their tungsten carbide cutters, they are significantly less than other carbide cutters out there and have worked just fine for me for the past four (?) years now. I don’t use them often, but no complaints when I do. Definitely not at the finish level of Tronex, but about the same as the side cutters I have been using (lindstrom/swanstrom/wiha). I like them, and their carbide stuff is half the price of a swanstrom level tool, too.
Wayne R.
I’d love to know how box joints that precise are made without goobering up so many that the economics of the operation is killed…
Actually, any non-adjustable plier joint manufacturing story would be interesting.
RKA
I have to say, I love the tronex pliers. You bought me one and I added two more. Just the other week I needed to fish out an extremely small brass screw (head broke off). Nothing else would grab the sliver of the screw that was still above the surface. I had to excavate some plastic around the screw but the tronex had no trouble with it! The tips are machined so well.
Stuart
Glad to hear it! I still haven’t added to my collection, but eventually might. Right now I still use a hodge-podge of brands, but I like the Tronex best. I might add one of these Schmitz to the mix, but it’s hard to justify for either personal use or review.
NewtonsApple
They have very good prices on carbide cutters. In the industry I work in we cut a lot of miniature hard wire.
I generally prefer screw joint types over box joints. The forging of box joints inevitably leaves an unfinished areas right by the joint that doesn’t get polished.
I use mostly Erem, Lindstrom (watch for counterfeits), and Swanstrom. Swanstrom being a good made in the US.
Anyone know who is making these really well priced German made Aven carbide cutters: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=aven+cutter+hard&ref=is_s
Elora sells what looks like the same for a lot more, https://www.elora-tools.co.uk/side-cutters-4332-elora-4630-f-e-2k-electronic-tungsten-carbide-side-cutter-esd-with-fine-bevel-4022989128663-html.html
I am not sure they are actually the one though.
Mike Boney
I bought a pair of Schmitz duckbill or flat nose style not too long ago. They were the INOX style wich I guess means that they have no handle grips. Wich honestly I prefer, you get such a better feel for the part your holding. They were like 55$ and not as impressive as my TRONIX chain nose pliers as far as fit and finish but they are still very nice and have a “hand crafted” sort of aesthetic to them witch I like. All in all I give them a solid 8/10. I wish they made some larger sizes though, same with TRONIX. One can only hope.
Brian M
These are very close to Tronex (Thanks again for buying me a pair!), they(Schmitz) make some of the higher end precision Knipex…basically any precision Knipex with a box joint, those MSRP for around $50ish so Tronix is generally a better deal. BUT sometimes Schmitz can be found cheaper because no one here(USA) knows the name.
Also sometimes the Knipex branded versions can be bought for cheap based on Amazon’s algorithm, I haven’t paid more than $30 for any of my box-joint Knipex, most under $20 but it takes a lot of monitoring prices.
TonyT
A somewhat related question:
Does anyone sharpen their cutters? If yes, what’s the best way?
Brian M
A file.
Emilio Gonzalez
Best I’ve seen and use are Vigor Sweden pliers. The joints do not shift one bit. Sadly no longer available except on EBay. Vintage BJ Vigor Sweden. The best.
David Garnel
Here’s a film from the company.
Very interesting!
https://youtu.be/bhdEGGUnuOs
Sam G
One tip I’ll throw out is that if you go directly to Schmitz’s website, you can buy the tool direct from them and it’s generally cheaper than buying them on Amazon, and Schmitz ships internationally for free.
Matter of fact one of my Schmitz cutters went AWOL, so I just placed an order yesterday to get another. It was 25% cheaper than Amazon buying them direct.
Schmitz cutters are nicely made, only negative I can say about them is their tungsten carbide line imho is a bit overpriced. I retired from aircraft engineering and often I would buy once and cry once when it came to buying tools. Getting them a bit cheaper is means less crying. 😉
fargozombie
just ordered directly from Schmitz-Pliers.com (1) Snipe Nose Pliers 5.1/4′ straight, short, smooth jaws 4211HS22 $36 (1) Side cutting pliers 5” oval head with bevel 3201HS22 $39, free shipping, no tax, a few $ less than amazon.com…I will let you know how they perform.