Over the summer we heard that Lowes was changing over from offering Channellock, Knipex, Greenlee, and Ideal electrician tools, and replacing them with Southwire tools. After clearancing out most of these popular brands’ offerings, Lowes restocked their electrical tools with Southwire-branded tools. This changeover included hand tools, multimeters, and pretty much ever sub-category of electrical tools.
This all took place a couple of months ago, and I find myself wondering if anyone has purchased or used any of Southwire’s new tools.
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I was looking over a thread on the Electrician Talk forum, and the community there is NOT embracing the new Southwire tools. The same sentiment is present wherever there is online discussion of Southwire tools.
Personally, I see no reason to buy Southwire tools. I have looked over their broad product line, and nothing really appeals to me. All of their tools popped up overnight, almost all at once, and I find myself wondering why I should buy Southwire knockout punches instead of Greenlee’s. Southwire wire strippers vs. Klein? Southwire pliers, cable cutters, or multimeters?
If I need an electrical tool NOW, my first instinct would be to go to Home Depot.
What I’m hoping is that someone, somewhere, will chime in and say something like “yea, I bought a pair of pliers, and they’re actually pretty good. I’m glad I purchased them instead of Klein/Channellock/Knipex/Ideal/etc.” But to be honest, I think it’s a long shot.
These tools have been on the market for a couple of months now, and so I feel it’s a good time to ask:
Have you used them?
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Would you use them?
What do you think about them?
RKA
In my view the only appeal to the customer is to offer a similar quality tool at a lower price point or a lower quality tool at a substantially lower price point (a la Harbor Freight). The problem is, they are offering these chinese made tools of unknown quality at the same price point or higher as the name brand tools we know and love. This strategy was cooked up to fatten their margins on these tools, but do they really know how many sales they will loose through this strategy? I have a feeling they are assuming volume will remain a constant so they believe they only stand to win by fattening the margins.
So to answer your question directly, I haven’t used them and see no reason to consider buying them. Furthermore, I have no reason to walk through the tool section in the Electrical aisle in Lowes since this is what they have reduced themselves to.
Ryan
Exactly right. I wouldn’t even give them a chance. They’re just as expensive as the Knipex were. They may even be “pretty good,” but to me that term’s relative to the price. They’d have to be almost as good at half the price for me to see the value.
Having said that, I’m very thankful Lowes made the switch. Now I’ve got a lifetime supply of Knipex for about 80% off the retail.
Randy
Totally agree. I too stocked up on Knipex and Channellock while on clearance and see no reason to pay almost the same price as the good stuff to buy a lesser quality product made in China. Bad move on Lowe’s part. I go to Home Depot or order on line now.
Gregg
Okay I’m a commercial journeyman plumber in Washington State I usually bikeline many levels because I like the quality of them I recently went to Lowe’s and found this Southwire crap but when their new torpedo levels first time I dropped it it dented the crap out of it made it untrue and both magnets blew out, and they weren’t that strong to begin with very unimpressed.
Mike
Hi I am just now finding out that southwire tools are “knock offs” of the almighty Klein brand. I have been using both for quite some time now. I’m not gonna lie…. I love collecting tools of different brands and I must say I absolutely love the southwire tools that I own. When you pick up, quite frankly, anything made by southwire you immediately feel the quality of the tool. And with me not actually knowing anything about where or by whom these tools were made I would probably tend to lean towards southwire. And if I were blindfolded and asked to choose. Again southwire. Go buy a southwire tool and find out for yourself dont go by what people say or what u may think
Blake
I use southwire and there great for a budget but the problem I have had was with the side cutters they r too bulkey and thick but u can’t beat Klein’s cutters
Terry Tidwell
I see no difference in them vs Klein Personal the the same product from the 12in1 the the linemen and strippers
Robert
Stuart,
My first instinct would be to go to Home Depot too. Unfortunately it appears that they are beginning to walk down that same path. I believe they’re shooting themselves in the foot, but it’s also a reflection of their market.
The traditional brands used by most contractors are more and more limited to specialized suppliers. I don’t expect much grass to grow before Home Depot has turned into another Lowe’s.
Stuart
Home Depot has an exclusivity arrangement with Klein. If that were to end any time soon, I’m sure Lowes would be knocking down Klein’s door.
fred
I can’t dispute what you say – but I’m also not sure what Lowe’s thinks their buyer demographic is for “electrician’s ” tools. I think RKA is probably right in that Lowes has calculated that they will make more money if the go with a higher margin product. The Southwire name brand is not without recognition – both in the electrician and public utility markets – so maybe Lowe’s figures it has more appeal than Knipex which (unlike Klein) is less well known (a pity) on this side of the pond.
As was pointed out , HD seems to be allocating more of their tool rack space to brands like “Commercial Electric” and HDX – probably with the same thought that volume times margin will result in greater profit
typhoon
I find the Southwire tools really offensive because they’re such blatant rip-offs of Klein tools, all across the line, all made in China/Taiwan/wherever, and don’t cost any less. I’ve bought American-made Ideal fish tapes and telecommunication tools from Lowe’s before. They’re shamelessly funneling more money to the top and cutting out the middle class that used to make things.
I can understand putting import junk in the main tool section, but the electrical aisle, where a single pair of pliers might cost $20-40, is the exclusive domain of professionals and discriminating amateurs, so what’s the angle here?
I wish Lowe’s had a better hand tool selection, because there’s one four miles from my house. But they don’t, so I drove twenty miles to Home Depot tonight to get a Ridgid pipe wrench because I knew I had no chance of finding a USA one at Lowe’s. I checked out the main tool section and was surprised at how many American-made items could still be found there—Johnson levels, Buck Bros. chisels, Estwing hammers and striking tools, some surprising things like the Husky torque wrenches. Lowe’s has almost nothing (offhand, all that comes to mind is the limited selection of Channellock pliers).
David
Home Depot also carries Klein, Marshalltown Premier line trowels, Mayhew chisels and their Channellock selection is far superior to Lowes. I really do love Estwing hammers, and HD carries a large selection. Try finding an American made hammer at Lowes – just a bunch of Plumb and Stanley Chinese crap.
Pete
My father purchased some southwire tools, it could have been the economy combo. multimeter, Edison socket tester, lineman pliers, and wire strippers.
They all seem cheap. I certainly wasn’t impressed with the multimeters or socket tester. The pliers were OK, I would say they were half the quality of my kliens. I know the price isn’t half.
Overall I would never buy anything from them. I would rather buy hazard freight tools and save some money because the quality seems near the same.
Matt
I have about an equal mix of Milwaukee, Klein, and Greenlee, but I’ve dealt with Southwire’s cables extensively. Their products and reps have always been great so I’ve picked up a few of their tools out of curiosity. I’ve not found any negatives to their tools. For me, if it came to needing a tool and it was greenlee, klein, or southwire, I’d grab whatever was in front of me. Probably the only reason I’d grab a Milwaukee is because of a mental bias I have towards red. Bottom line for me is the Southwire tools I’ve tried don’t turn, grip, twist, strip, or hold up any worse than the other tools in my bag.
I’ve picked up a few of the Southwire tools out of curiosity & have nothing negative to say about
Kevin
The Southwire brand tools make excellent paper weights.
Joe
Kevin,I could not have said it any better my self!!!
Gregg
Southworth paper weights are just too expensive they need to lower the price to about 5 bucks to make it worth the consumers while.
David
So do rocks. Why waste your money?
Mark
I bought the wire strippers that strip 12awg-6awg stranded. They are the only ones I’ve ever seen with that range so I had to try it. Fairly pleased so far, but not sure how long they will last with the amount of everyday use they get. As far as screwdrivers/pliers heck no I wouldn’t bother, too expensive.
http://www.lowes.com/pd_473066-295-S612STR_4294722457__?productId=50081504
Stuart
Those look like they were modeled after Klein’s 11053 strippers ($9-13 via Amazon).
Jason Offret
Yeah I bought the Klein version for $7 at Platt…
Logan J
I bought the 5-1 multi tool pliers because I wanted to give their tools a try and it was the only one that didn’t seem to be a clone of a klein tool. And for nearly the same price as kelin tools I wasnt about to take the chance and get a southwite tool for the same price.
The tool stay on my belt most of the time. The wire stripper is decent on it. The grips and size is pretty nice. The cutting edge is durable, sharp and good for cutting larger wire jackets. The reamer aspect of the tool is quite useless unless you only want to run 1 inch conduit. The pliers head is fairly nice. The double as a set of needlenose and work decent for breaking loose nuts, however they dont hold their form as say, a klein needlenose.
Overall, its a handy tool and frequently take the place of my plain ol’ strippers.
Noah
That tool is a nearly exact copy of the Knipex installation pliers. I’ve been tempted by the Southwire, but I think I’m going to get the German version instead.
Joe
Off to Home Depot or the local electrical supply house.The only positive think about
the switch over was Knipex tools and other brand names were sold at a great deal.
Phil
These tools do nothing for me. While I’m pretty much set with electrical tools for the time beingm if I were in need of a replacement in a hurry, I would pass. I know nothing about these tools, they appear to me to be about the same quality as the “Task Force” tools sold at bargain prices in the store. I’ve come to expect a certain level of performance from particular brands of certain tools. Greenlee punches set the standard for me, for example, they are all I will consider. It was nice when they carried Knipex, and I got some pretty decent deals over the years from Lowes on them. I feel they made a big mistake in this, and the electrical tools were more likely being bought by professionals and others that wanted a high quality, known brand. These sorts of folk won’t be shelling out for house brand cheapies at professional brand prices.
This is why the brick n mortar stores are losing to online shopping. It’s off-putting to consumers, and there’s a halo effectfrom this profiteering. Take away an entire segment of quality in one department and the confidence o spend money in other departments goes away. Pros will g to the orange store and buy Klein, Greenlee, etc. While there, they will pick up their electrical supplies.
Robert
“Stuart (post author) says:
January 30, 2014 at 2:28 pm
Home Depot has an exclusivity arrangement with Klein. If that were to end any time soon, I’m sure Lowes would be knocking down Klein’s door.”
That is true, but I was referring to Home Depot in general. There is a trend these days with consumer oriented suppliers. They are gradually working their way out of traditional brands and towards cheaper lower quality products. I had more faith in Home Depot when Lowe’s started walking down that path. Now Home Depot seems to be following right along.
I’ve seen the exact same Klein tools sitting in Home Depot for months and months. I believe that the majority of contractors aren’t purchasing their tools there. They’re going more and more often to specialized suppliers.
Stuart
Don’t forget, a lot of retailers are still trying to move tools that were on display during the winter holiday shopping season. That’s possibly why there are more HDX and non-branded tools floating around now compared to the rest of the year.
The Klein tools at my local Home Depot don’t really fly off the shelves either, but it’s at least good to know they’re there if/when we need something quick.
Jerry
Top quality tools shouldn’t fly off the shelves. You only need one of something made to last a lifetime.
Example, I used to go through a pair of cheapo slip joint pliers every year or two. Maybe 8-9 years ago, I got a pair of USA made Craftsmans, and they are still going strong, although the wire cutter is getting worn. My next pair might be Wilde or Channellocks, if Craftsmans are no longer US made when I buy a replacement pair.
Budley Doright
>>>>the wire cutter is getting worn. My next pair might be Wilde or Channellocks, if Craftsmans are no longer US made when I buy a replacement pair.>>>>
If a Craftsman hand tool gets dull, simply take it to Sears for a replacement.
I know guys that have been getting tin-snips replaced for decades.
DanG
Lowes is pushing me towards Home Depot again and again. If I want to purchase junk like Southwire tools I would go to Harbor Freight and I definitely do not go there. Seems like most items I have purchased from Harbor Freight have broken or gotten damaged. I’m too lazy to take their useless tools back for replacement. Keep up the good work Lowes you are doing your best to keep me away.
David
It’s like we have the same brain…
Ryan
Speaking of Lowe’s getting rid of German products…
I noticed last night while there that ALL Bessey products had a clearance tag. They were only marked down about 10% so far, but that should change. Remember to check the prices online too, cause often they’re lower than the store prices, especially on clearance stuff. Just a heads up for anyone needing some clamps (and you can never have too many, right?).
Sorry Stuart, I know this isn’t a discussion about clamps. I just thought this might be of interest.
Kevin
I’ve seen these on the shelves,I’m set with electrical tools for awhile, old usa made crescent stuff, channel lock, a handful of cheapies and recently got the dewalt deal posted here.
As far as the southwire stuff goes, companies are only shooting themselves in the foot charging premium prices for a label that is slapped on imported garbage. If I’m buying low quality stuff, I’m buying cheap no name stuff from the same factory, I’m not going to pay for a name. This whole thing seems like a shelf grab deal by southwire.
Gregg
You just hit the nail on the head.
Noah
Personally, I wish Klein wasn’t in Home Depot OR Lowe’s. Many people have had issues with Klein Kwality since they become widely available in the Depot, myself included. The steel is just softer than it was a decade ago.
I have on pair of Southwire strippers, http://www.lowes.com/pd_473050-295-S1018STR_0__?Ntt=s1018str&UserSearch=s1018str&productId=50081500&rpp=32 They are just OK, nothing special, I bought them because I was curious. The problem with the Southwire stuff is it has Klein prices on Chinese tools, from a brand know for wire, not tools. Why gamble that kind of money on unproven tools?
Michael Veach
Knipex, Greenlee, Klein and Ideal electrician tools are my go to brands.
David
Didn’t Greenlee and Ideal go to Asia? Channellock gets my vote.
Justin
Meh even Klein isn’t what they used to be. Try some of the German made stuff, you’ll never look back and are a tad cheaper than Klien, Greenlee.
Robert
Justin, I don’t think there’s any question that Klein is not the caliber of company it once was. They are largely riding the wave of an old reputation. They are fortunate in that they have become the paradigm electrical tool company. They were the excepted electrical tool company for so many years, that a lot of users literally can’t see the difference between their tools and someone else’s. They are so caught up in the mindset that it all has to be Klein, that they quite literally cannot see the difference.
You are wasting your time by the way, trying to point that out to people who are caught up in that mindset.
Justin
Toolguyd should really do an electrical make over article, switch all your pliers, side cutters, and channel locks do Knepix, and screw drivers to Wiha or Wera. Although you’d kill your readerbase over the years because these tools will last and any American labeled with material made elsewhere will throw out 1000 skus of tools before they make a decent one, hence constant articles on junk….
Don’t even look at Southwire…
Toolfreak
The Southwire tools are just there as filler to make money off people who don’t know any better. There are plenty of contractors and workers who just go in and buy a tool for a job, and it’s not being paid for by them anyway, so they don’t care. The clueless DIY homeowner doesn’t know any better either and just buys it because that’s what they need for the job while they’re there, and they aren’t the type of person to drive to another store to get a better tool to keep forever, even if it would cost them less.
Between Knipex, Wilde, Craftsman, Klein and Greenlee, there’s still plenty of better tools out there at much better prices. Heck, when it comes to electrical pliers, even a few of the ones you can get at discount stores are good. I’ve got a pair of electrical pliers/strippers that cost $1, and it’s about 80-90% as good as the Craftsman/Klein/Greenlee version. I keep it in the vehicle toolbox so I have one handy but don’t have to care much about it. So you don’t have to pay a lot for a good tool, but a good tool still needs to be quality regardless of what you bought it for.
As for the rest of the Southwire tools, I don’t think I’d buy them even if they were on clearance for 50-75% off. They might be ok as cheap tools to throw in a toolbox, but at the prices they are at now, they’re just a ripoff for idiots.
Matthew Fant
You hit every note perfectly maestro!
David
As a considerably tool-informed DIY homeowner that actually happens to give a crap and goes out of the way to always buy American made, I am slightly offended by that comment. However, for the most part, you are correct. Lowes doesn’t care. The drones will still come in and buy Southwire and Kobalt garbage if that’s all Lowes has on the shelves. Personally, I wouldn’t even pick up a Southwire tool if it were in a “free tools” bin.
Colin
I won’t be buying any Southwire tools. The quality could be identical, but the world didn’t need another Chinese made tool company. I’ll stick with Channellocks, Kleins, Knipex and Craftsman. I’ve found HF pliers/cutters to be just about useless.
Don
I too have looked at the southwire tools and they are a blantent rip off of the Klien Journymen series which is fine but I was shocked at how expensive they were!!
Where is the value here.
Matthew Fant
Garbage
David
Second that.
Oldasdirt
Real electricians use Klein.
firefly
Pretty much echo most of everyone here, I don’t even bother to look at the tool section in the electrical aisle in Lowes anymore for this exact reason. Too expensive for too little return, if I want something cheap there is Harbor Freight for that. For everything else there is Knipex .
Even though I am not a pro by any mean, I have found that for tools the high quality one will always cost less in the along run while saving me from all the frustration that would otherwise incur from the use of crappy tools.
mrjaw14
I’m in the market for new linemans pliers. My instinct is Klein, but like others have said, they arn’t what they used to be. That being said I’ve looked at other brands and southwire is NOT one of them. I have a pair of greenlee linemans that are ok, but I want a nicer pair. Probably going with Knipex, so by Lowes not carrying them anymore they lost another sale to Amazon. Wish I’d bought them while they were in clearance. They should have kept Knipex as top shelf brand and used southwire as their low-mid tier brand. The southwire prices are rediculous! reminds me of craftsman. import tools at old usa prices. It doesn’t work. Wonder how long it’ll take the bean counters at lowes to figure this out
Stan
If you are looking for linesman pliers, I strongly recommend the 100% American made Wilde brand linesman pliers. Especially model number 4298 as well. Let me preface, I don’t work for Wilde nor will I be making any money what so ever by this post though.
Although I do appreciate Klein, some of the quality from their latest tools just isn’t what this used to be. Similar to Channellock as well. I’ve been buying Wilde products for several years now and trust me, these products truly are built to last and aren’t made out low grade materials such as South Wire tools.
Best of all, all Wilde branded products are 100% American made and have a lifetime warranty as well. Not that I’ve warranted any of my tools, but that is because they are truly that well built.
Lowes made a major mistake in my opinion and in long run, I think this will not work in Lowe’s favor. Oh well, if Lowes doesn’t want my money there is always Home Depot and Ace for some items. But for certain items, thankfully there is Harry J Epstein, Grainger and eBay.
David
Channellock is tough to beat.
David
I have some Wilde tools as well and I have been impressed with them.
David
Is Anyone Using Southwire’s new Tools? No, and if I were, I wouldn’t admit it to anyone. Southwire is what made me quit Lowes.
matt
Electrician working in mostly industrial setting, left my Knipex Linesman pliers at the house one day so i stopped by a hardware store to get a pair. All they head were Wilde brand so I bought them. Super smooth from the time i bought them, very impressed with them so far- if they had a fish tape puller they might kick my Knipex into the spare drawer
Robert
China made tools yea! Let help them Bull. Sh$t..All these Company want more profix so big COs can make Millions in there pocket and we help them buying china made Sh$t
Thomas
I’ve bought the multimeter and 9and1 the quality is equally just as good as Klein or greenlee but if you’re want my honest opinion milwaukee tool selection is the best right now
Tommy Applegate
Wal-Mart owns Lowe’s enough said.
Stuart
That is incorrect. Lowes is its own publicly held company.
Tommy Applegate
Thanks for the correction I was led to believe Wal-Mart had their hand in it.
JB
I’ve been using southwire for a few months now, Absolutley no issues at all, I have pump pliers linemans and a few nut drivers and I have no complaints, theyre half the cost of klein and have a lifetime warranty as well… plus they have the journeyman style grips which are the same as kleins!! and klein charges an extra 20 to 25 just for grips!!
Terrence squier
I am going to use sk hand tool.
Jesse Melgar
Well I have tried the S5N1 multi purpose pliers from southwire and for 20 bucks it has more than helped; Multi-functional pliers: grips, strips, crimps, reams, and cuts,
Reams and smoothes thin-wall conduit ends. I am only starting my career in the electrical field , and have only Residential and some commercial electrical courses as informational experience.
David w
I’ve had my yellow handle southwire for 2 months and they broke at the jaw.
Junk!
I paid $30 at lowes.
Trash!
bentleyden
something turns my stomach when I do look at the southwire brand lineman pliers and wire strippers. if they were on markdown for $9.99 I’d give them a go.
bentleyden
found southwire pump pliers for $5.98 picked up 6.5” and 10″ pair. i seen the southwire brand before at lowes and could never get past their price vs quality and country of origin. but for this price i wont find myself too prejudice. i was in the market for stubby and 6” shank nut drivers in 1/4” and 5/16” a bit over my price range when i tool hunt but i am giving them a shot because they feel like a decent tool. southwire tools aren’t too flashy and marked with fancy packaging just a simple hand tool that will get the job done.
Ken
Have a pair of klein lineman pliers and aouthwire and although i do alternate there is no signifigant difference in performance and honestly i dont see why people bash southwire so hard
jl
All,
ITS KLEIN TOOLS ALL DAY LONG. I’ve in the business over 25 years. Still using Klein and will always use Klein.
When you have the best forget the rest.
vince
hi what is the quality of milwaukee 2206-20 forkmeters do they work ok as i was looking at buying one soon thanks vince
Daniel de andrade
I stand by the knipex Cobras and knipex in them selfs but not allot of places carry them. So one day at lowes I gave the south wire pliers a try to be exact the 6-1 mp61 they are the best pair of pliers I have gotten so far, never liked the look and feel of the Klein at Home Depot. I’m going on to a year with them now and just passed down my first one to a coworker who loved them and just bought me another set along with their lines man pliers to replace my Cheap cobalt ones. We’ll see how those do, I also have their crimpers so out of all 3 I like them all.
kevin
I own Southwire linemans, wiggle drivers(slotted and phillips) conduit level and clamp meter; my linemans are heavier than any Klein’s I’ve held and so twists wire better, plus the added conduit reamer has been handy.the only problem I have had with any Southwire tools was the magnets on the conduit level coming loose, but some super glue fixed it. I have been just as hard on my Southwire as well as my Klein and Milwaukee tools and they hold up just as good. Southwire tools in my opinion are worth their price and I’m more than happy with their products.
Kevin
I bought the southwire”kleins” and twisted one electrical connector at a bit of an angle and now the teeth dont even line up of the cutters but thier stubby screw driver works… Maby they made them like that…
Jamie berkley
First of all if you haven’t used any southwire tools then how can you bitch or complain about the companies products? Everyone has been using there wire for years but I see no one is bitching about that. I actually have used their tools and have replaced some of my Kline tools with southwire tools. The price for a pair of southwire 9″ side cutting pliers is the excact same as the price for a pair of kline’s. So basically most ppl on here are idiots. I own the side cutters, the 5-n-1 needle nose pliers, long standard flat head screwdriver, long #2 Phillips head screwdriver, long big flat head square shank screwdriver, and a 4″ shank #2 Phillips head screwdriver. The grip on all the tools is the excact same as the Kline tools. Everything is the excact same. The only thing that is different is the fact Southwire actually took the time to think about the electricians who would be using there tools. I mean the 5-n-1 needle nose pliers was a genius idea and if and when you ever use them. You will be like where and the Hell has this tool been all my life. I am dead serious. The needle nose pliers are perfect. What I like the most is the fact you can strip #14,#12, and #10 wire with them. I swear once you try them you will fall in love and then all the other stuff they do is just an added bonus. So you haters who haven’t tried the tool. Y’all are all idiot’s. I have also looked on there site and I am blown away by all the other stuff they offer and how they have taken other tools and combined more than one tool in that tool. So it’s pretty said a company like Kline that has been around forever never actually thought about the working man. Probably because they want you to spend more money to get the separate tool you need. I personally swore I would never use or buy another brand other than Kline tools. So keep up the Good Work SOUTHWIRE. I WILL BE REPLACING MY KLINE TOOLS WITH SOUTHWIRE AS NEEDED. WHICH IS GONNA BE HARD TO DO BECAUSE I AM PRETTY GOOD WITH KEEPING UP WITH AND TAKING CARE OF MY TOOLS.
OSCAR
KLEIN
NOT
KLINE
Bruce
I just bought a Southwire AC/DC clamp-on multimeter from Lowes. It seems to work well though I haven’t verified it’s accuracy. No complaints from me at this time.
CJ
I have to admit I’m with Jamie on this one. I replaced all of my tools this year with a combination of southwire and kolbalt and love both of them I mean I’m like everyone else I have had kleins, greenlee, ideal, and etc. Don’t bash them if you haven’t tried them. To be honest my nc detector is southwire and seems to be just as accurate as my fluke is. That’s just my two cents though.
Cookiemonster!
I procured Southwire strippers and a handful of other tools at Lowe’s when I showed up unaware they had droped their other product lines. One nutdriver I just pressed into service after over a year sitting idle, but the pluers and strippers I obtained to replace lost units I was MARKEDLY unimpressed with. I have not been into a Lowes since last year just because of this. They screwed up, in my opinion.
Oawizeguy
Bought the MP61. used it 10 times, the last time I was crimping a 10 gauge crimp and the front broke off. WOW, what a cheap piece of crap. It looked solid when I bought it. Oh well, I am going to see if I can get a credit or something.
perry
I purchased kit c1 cable tv tool kit with connectors , for f6 rg6 &f.rg59 connectors which i had both Size lines,the crimper would not crimp properly so i returned it.I personally will not keep any tool that doesn’t. Work properly!
Chris
I bought a nice southwire electricians level that I use fir HVAC work and I’m very happy with it. I also have a southwire meter for my backup/at home meter and I’m happy with it
Greg
I purchased multiple tools of the southwire brand from Lowes. My reviews and opinions are based on daily use of these tools. I will offer my reviews and opinions of the 14-2 12-2 NM wire strippers, 6″ cabinet tip screwdriver, keystone tip screwdriver, and the 9 in 1
The 14-2 12-2 NM wire strippers are not
bad, not quite a solid as Kleins but they do work well. I find that the design of the wire cutting portion of these strippers work great. I would like to see them modify the spring design and sturdy them up a little bit more. I cannot comment on the screw cutters built in to them. I have learned to carry a old pair around for screw cutting because it usually trashes them. I would definitely buy these again.
6″ cabinet tip screwdriver worked well for a short time. The grip looks and feels like a Klein which I liked over top of the Ideal tools. I only used it for 2 months and the tip broke. The only reason I still have one is because Lowes has not hassled me on exchange.
Keystone screwdriver (Big Flathead) I liked for the same reason as the 6″ (look and feel of a Klein). With the first use of this screwdriver, the plastic just below the grip completely broke. I don’t know if it was just a bad mould or what. Once again, Lowes exchanged it with no hassle and the second one I have now is pretty good so far almost 3 months in. I do chisel with it occasionally and it is holding up.
9 in 1 has been decent so far. Once again, looks and feels like the Klein 11 in 1 I used to have. I frequently use the #2 Phillips tip on it and it seems to be wearing out quickly. Going to take to Lowes today and see if they can exchange it.
After all is said and done, I have no reason to recommend purchasing Southwire Tools to anybody who uses these tools on a daily basis. I personally will be going back to Klein, or Greenlee for any future tool purchases solely on reliability. Hope this review is helpful!
Jules Bartow
Southwire tools are brown and so is sh… um, feces, a horrible color for a brand, unless you fly 747 jets and drive trucks with the gold logo UPS.
If Southwire changed their “corporate color” for hand tools to road cone orange akin to Fein Tools or even burgundy, I might not be embarrassed to arrive at a job site with a tool easily confused with a turd.
Eddie
I recently bought a pair of Southwire Linesman Pliers. I have been a 30 year customer of Klein and never really ever considered using anything else. I purchased the SCP9TPC 9″ Pliers after seeing them in my local supply house. As tradesmen, we all know when a tool feels right in your hand, this felt right and responded well. Side by side they are comparable to the Klein J-213 Pliers. The Kleins were $48 and the Southwire were $28. I have been using them for about 2 months now and I have no issues. They have been holding up and responding very well. Full Disclosure I do have a pair of Klein D2000 Pliers in my bag ( hardened jaw for cutting steel and ASCR) but for every day use the Southwire has been doing right by me.
ken w
southwire screw drivers ARE PURE SHIT….they would make great tools to give a child…. I got 2 screwdrivers in October 2017 by January BOTH screw drivers tips have broken or just plain GARBAGE …just like lowes !!!
Chris
I know this article is about 3 years old, but I got a Southwire wire stripper for Christmas. The edge used to crimp butt connectors broke while crimping a connector. Less than a month of having it, probably only used it a handful of times. Now to see how “limited” their “limited lifetime warranty” is.
Devildog
Kline tools are good along with other brands. Im a commercial electrician foreman of 35 years. I have used southwire tools and have had no problems with exception of there voltage detectors which are lacking. I do have a problem with them not being made in the USA . Besides that there cutting tools work fine.