Which Knipex Super-Knips?

Ginsly

Ginsly

Well-known member
I have the Hakko CHP-170 which is fantastic, but sometimes I'm cutting more than wire/leads - plastic socket rows, etc. I feel like it'd be nice to have a slightly more robust cutting tool, and Knipex has about a million 5/5.5" Super-Knips. They all seem about the same. more or less: https://www.homedepot.com/s/knipex super-knips?NCNI-5

Anybody use any of these? I like the idea of the lead-catcher on one of them, but I feel like it'd get in the way when cutting other things...
 
@Bricksnbeatles yep, but then there’s further differences- for each model there’s a slightly bigger 5.5” model, but I’m not sure if they’re stronger or just.. a little bigger?

I’ll probably go for one with the ESD handles (grey). They all look pretty excellent, though.
 
I don’t think 5.5” would be any stronger in terms of how durable they are, but I’d assume that they’d be more comfortable if you have slightly bigger hands, and they’d also offer the advantage of additional leverage if you squeeze them from further back— though I doubt you’ll ever be using them on anything where you need considerable leverage to cut thru
 
The other difference between models not mentioned yet is the maximum cutting diameter. Some max out at 0.6mm, others 1.2mm and 1.6mm.

They’re nice products but the lead catching ones can be difficult to maneuver if you’re cutting a whole row of resistors. Harbor Freight also started selling some that catch leads and while the knipex are much better made, they’re serviceable.

Tsunoda makes a pair with a silicone pad between the cutting blades that I find myself reaching for more than anything else. Had my current pair for a year now I think. ~$15 on amazon: https://a.co/d/56W9CcP

It can do 5 leads at once without issue. If I’m just doing a few and not an entire PCB of resistors I’ll reach for my knipex.
 
I have the 78-71-125 model. There is a stainless model that is for heavier leads etc (actually a ton of models).
It does have the lead catcher, however most of the time since I use the tips, the lead catcher isn’t in play.
If you are unsure if you want the lead catcher or not, I’d say spring for it, and if you don’t like it, it’s easily removable.
I got mine on Amazon. Weren’t cheap but so far I’d have likely gone through 5 or more pairs of the cheap ones, so yes I’d recommend them!
 
finebyfine said:
Tsunoda makes a pair with a silicone pad between the cutting blades that I find myself reaching for more than anything else. Had my current pair for a year now I think. ~$15 on amazon: https://a.co/d/56W9CcP

It can do 5 leads at once without issue. If I’m just doing a few and not an entire PCB of resistors I’ll reach for my knipex.
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I can also suggest the tsunoda pliers. I have this set https://www.amazon.com/Tsunoda-PM-1...da&qid=1705501526&sprefix=tsun,aps,167&sr=8-1 and they work pretty perfectly. With the money saved you could also buy some of their equally great needle nose pliers.
 
Those Tsunodas both actually look pretty decent, and one even has silicone catchers!

@Giorfida it's good to know the metal catchers on the Super-Knips can be removed. They're pricey, but they seem really, really nice.

@iamjackslackof you're talking about one of the lead-catching Knipex models, right? Not the Tsunoda?

If I got the Tsunodas I have the feeling I'd still be thinking about the Knipex ones, though... hmm
 
Ginsly said:
If I got the Tsunodas I have the feeling I'd still be thinking about the Knipex ones, though... hmm
Click to expand...

IMO go with the lead catching Knipex and if you find that using them is slowing you down grab the Tsunodas. I broke my first pair of Knipex trying to do a few leads at once when I was frustrated, which was dumb on my part, but it seems like other people have an easier time finessing them on a tight board than I do - so I wouldn't take too much stock in my own experience. Long story short I don't think you'll regret buying either.
 
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