Every electrician knows how amazing Knipex and Wiha tools are. Both brands have similar tool lineups but some qualities make them different. Build quality, performance, and ease of use are some of the major differences that make them stand apart.
Wiha and Knipex are like Coca-Cola and Pepsi for mechanical tools. They both have amazing tool lineups and good reps to go with them. So which one should you pick? Here’s a comparison to help you choose.
A Quick Comparison Summary
Just the gist, no fluff. Feel free to go through it for a quick summary.
| Feature | Knipex | Wiha |
| Build | Germany-made, better | Vietnam-made, good |
| Performance | Even cut and leverage | Even cut, uneven leverage |
| Ease of use | Ready to go, smoother | Needs prep, stiffer |
Have time to dig in? Good, let’s get to the details then.
Key Differences Between Knipex And Wiha
It is hard to make comparisons when the products are so similar. Quality, reputation, and everything else they have going on are very close competition.
Still, as any electrician will tell you- both brands bring their own attributes to the table. That’s what makes them different.
The major differences between these two brands are their build, performance, and ease of use. Let’s see how these make them different.
- Build
Let’s be honest here, both Knipex and Wiha have earned a good reputation with their build and overall quality.
But recently Knipex has been doing better than Wiha in this department.
Knipex has a whole hype wave going on for them and it is very much deserved.
Their tools are made in Germany which means the quality standard is high. That means you’re getting top-notch tools and your money’s worth with Knipex.
Another good thing about Knipex is that they genuinely research to make their tools better. The older tools used to come with plain handles so they slid down a lot.
Now Knipex lets you choose between plain and textured handles. Safe to say it solved the grip issue.
Wiha on the other hand has plenty to catch up to here. They used to be manufactured in Germany too, but they’ve shifted to Vietnam now.
As awesome as Vietnam-made tools are, they’re still slightly below the American or European-made ones.
Then you have the design to consider. Their winning point is the insulation their grips come with. But that doesn’t exactly make up for the versatility or lack of innovation.
- Performance
This is where it gets serious. Both brands have amazing tools that perform smoothly. If you ask electricians, there is a very big chance that you’ll get mixed answers. Both are good and the difference is pretty minor here.
Knipex tools have a very clean finish no matter which one you’re using. The wire cutters, for example, have a solid straight cut. Unlike other pliers, they don’t break the inside or bend the outside. Your wire will still look round after you cut it.
Let’s compare this to Wiha now. Wiha pliers are good and they also have a pretty clean finish.
But the problem is, they seem to put uneven leverage on the wires. The insides usually break a little and you have a good chance of ending up with a more oval wire.
This is just one case but the scenario is pretty much the same for others. Most Wiha tools work perfectly but Knipex has that slight edge over them.
- Ease of Use
This is an interesting part of the comparison.
Both brands put out tools that pretty much neutralize others’ advantages.
Let’s see how that works.
Most Knipex tools are ready to go right off the bat. You can just unpack it and get to work, no biggie.
Wiha tools on the other hand need more time. You have to prepare them first. Oil the joints, maybe soak them for the night and then they’ll be ready.
Knipex tools (especially the pliers) have much smoother grip work efficiency. You don’t have to struggle to close your tools, it does that smoothly. Wiha on the other hand is stiffer and takes more time to loosen up.
But the twist here is the handle on them both. Wiha’s handles are nicer to grip whereas Knipex’s handles are a little hard. but the Wiha grippers can sometimes come off the actual handle so you have to be careful.
Which One Should You Pick?
There’s no easy or straight answer to this question when both brands are this close. So in the end, everything will come down to your personal preference.
But if you’re determined to make a calculated decision, you’ll have to consider some other factors too.
If you’re willing to spend a little extra dough and want something that’ll last you pretty long, go for Knipex. There’s honestly no one word to describe how amazing their tools are. But just so you know, the hype is very much real.
If you’re looking for something cheaper and are okay with non-western stuff, you can go for Wiha. There are some differences but they get even if you pick the right ones. Here is a walkthrough of it.
Overall, Knipex is the better choice here. Unless you’re specifically looking for something cheaper, that should be your pick.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
It is hard to cover everything in a single article. So if you have some more questions, that’s understandable. Here are a bunch of questions people usually ask about Knipex and Wiha tools.
That comes down to personal preferences. But if you believe the consumer review, Knipex is pretty far ahead.
In simple words- Knipex makes good tools. Their products are high quality, efficient and convenient. Plus you can find them pretty much everywhere.
Yes, Wiha pliers are pretty good. The brand-new ones might feel a little stiff but it goes away with time.
Knipex has been a privately-owned business for four generations. Currently, Karl Putsch is running the management of Knipex.
Final Verdict
Wiha vs. Knipex is almost a never-ending debate. What you choose will completely depend on your choice. But if you had to pick one, the wiser choice would be Knipex.