PhotonWrangler
Flashaholic
I saw a small set of Knipex pliers in a store and I was surprised that the price was around $55.00. I know they're made in Germany, but I don't understand why they're so costly. Enlighten me please.
{{ Stuff that just works }}
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You ask a deceptively simple question PW, but not one for which I have an appropriate, ready, simple answer in a reasonable number of words. I'll give it some thought. In the mean time, let me know if you decide to try a pair of their pliers, then I'll know I won't need to come up with an answer, because you most likely won't need one anymore after you use them. I didn't;-)
Surprisingly, I once broke a cheap claw-hammer.
Wasn't even yet a teenager back then. I was trying to pry out a nail outside in Winter. I literally snapped off the two "teeth" from the claw. Perfect break, even split on both ends. Shocked the Hell out of me. Dad keep that hammer for quite a few years after that.
PhotonWrangler
Flashaholic
Sometimes the reasons that one can't quite put into words are the best reasons.
Rarely are pliers the solution for me. Perhaps because I got bit; probably because the fasteners often got mangled.
American made Vise-Grips for me, but sometimes pliers are the best way to go.
American made Vise-Grips for me, but sometimes pliers are the best way to go.
Fuzzywuzzies
Enlightened
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- Aug 18, 2019
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- 231
I'll help. When damaging a costly part or wasting costly time are not options, use Knipex.
I have a large array of Knipex tools (many specialised, not "just pliers") and they would pay their way even if they were twice the price.
Buy cheap, cry later.
Quality is remembered long after cost is forgotten.
Just my experience.
If I'm just trying to hold a nut still or pull out a pin the non expensive pliers work fine. I'm not strong enough to break those. When it needs kung fu grip, American made vice grip brand tools are a marvelous invention.
I'm sure, that was back in the day when cheap tools were made with Japanese steel. Not a testament to how strong you were, but rather how low a grade the steel was.
Regarding Knipex pliers I don't have any, and had to look them up to see what makes them special.
I can see how the offset cam can give them a lot more gripping strength.
PhotonWrangler
Flashaholic
Thanks for the photo, Poppy. I went back to a photo of the one that I saw in a local store and I see that it also has that offset cam. I didn't notice that before.
I just realized that out of my massive collection of knives, a HUGE percentage of them are Kershaws. Literally zero failures all these years later. That's impressive. The brand is usually a good bargain for folks who want quality, working-knives, that won't cause their wallets to cry out in pain. (Though I'd seriously recommend staying away from any budget knives from any brand using D2 as the blade steel.)
Sunscreen:
After a visit to a dermatologist the verdict was no skin cancer anywhere after working outdoors for 40+ years.
Between long sleeve shirts and sunscreen it has paid off.
I like the spray on best. Many of my cohorts say they don't like the way it leaves a layer of plastic feel over their skin but that layer means it's working. Lotion needs to be reapplied often. Long sleeves are hot.
Whichever you choose, wear it. It works.
After a visit to a dermatologist the verdict was no skin cancer anywhere after working outdoors for 40+ years.
Between long sleeve shirts and sunscreen it has paid off.
I like the spray on best. Many of my cohorts say they don't like the way it leaves a layer of plastic feel over their skin but that layer means it's working. Lotion needs to be reapplied often. Long sleeves are hot.
Whichever you choose, wear it. It works.
This'll sound weird. But.... McDonald's fries.
Hear me out. There's a local Middle Eastern BBQ joint near me.
Eat there every week. But the young guys there screw around too much.
Wonderful seasoned fries. But last two visits, there was an issue.
Half the fries were perfect. Half were overcooked and extra crispy.
Mixed in together. Brought up this issue previously with them.
Got better for awhile. Now back to the same old nonsense.
So, bought my usual delicious BBQ.... skipped the fries.
Went across the street to McDonald's and bought their fries! Why?
Heck, Stuff that just works, each and every time. Consistency is key!
On Topic: When you're done hiking, back-packing, and Adventuring; what are you going to want most? Heck yeah, McDonald's fries!
Hear me out. There's a local Middle Eastern BBQ joint near me.
Eat there every week. But the young guys there screw around too much.
Wonderful seasoned fries. But last two visits, there was an issue.
Half the fries were perfect. Half were overcooked and extra crispy.
Mixed in together. Brought up this issue previously with them.
Got better for awhile. Now back to the same old nonsense.
So, bought my usual delicious BBQ.... skipped the fries.
Went across the street to McDonald's and bought their fries! Why?
Heck, Stuff that just works, each and every time. Consistency is key!
On Topic: When you're done hiking, back-packing, and Adventuring; what are you going to want most? Heck yeah, McDonald's fries!
scalpel_ninja
Flashlight Enthusiast
- Joined
- Sep 16, 2020
- Messages
- 1,167
I agree. McDonald's fries are the same everywhere. Can't beat that texture since they freeze the fries before cooking them.
I've also had good experiences with In-N-Out fries cooked "light well."
After hiking, I always want cheese pizza with hot sauce and a pint of beer.
What kills me about fast food fries, is the price. They cost as much or more than the burger.
Jean-Luc Descarte
Enlightened
I don't remember if I said this on this thread before, probably did, but it's worth reiterating: keeping a thermos of water by your side as you sit in place. If you have water at hand, you'll reach for it and drink. If you have to walk to fetch more every time, you'll drink a lot less.
Around here, the weather has been horrendously dry, real arid humidity, and it's expected to stay that way until at least October. If you work off a computer desk, study for long hours, or stay still for a long time, it's easy to get dehydrated and not even notice.
Around here, the weather has been horrendously dry, real arid humidity, and it's expected to stay that way until at least October. If you work off a computer desk, study for long hours, or stay still for a long time, it's easy to get dehydrated and not even notice.
You've just exposed why I enjoy Pizza Hut's deep dish pizza so much. Variety is fine when you're up for experimenting, but knowing what to expect is also nice.
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Interesting, but it's not just about those newer models with 'offset cam'. I might have to try one of those some time, but it's their other 'standard' models (along with their various side cutters and long nose, etc) that caused me to now buy nothing but Knipex. It's the 'little things' I've noticed when using them. Most cannot be seen in a photo. You can hold 'em next to a pair of Channellocks or Crescents, or ...., and never see much difference - other than perhaps the boxed joint design of the Knipex vs many others, which is also a significant feature.
Start small and find out. A small pair (maybe the shortest) of their trademark Cobra 'water pump pliers' is one tool I'm never without at work. They're always in my back pocket, and are almost constantly being grabbed and used for grabbing / holding all sorts of things, 12 hours a nite. They won't be the last pair of Knipex pliers you buy.
At a previous job (near 20 years ago), a new tech was asking an old tech about the Knipex pliers they were (all?) using. The old tech grabbed a pair of (standard) Cobra water pump pliers, chucked a piece of steel pipe in the bench vice, and 'set' the pliers on it. He told the tech to put as much weight on the top of the pliers as they could, without gripping the pliers at all. I looked down and there was daylight under the tech's shoes, and the pliers never slipped in the slightest. The ratio of the high gripping force of the extremely hardened jaws and the hand gripping force required is extremely high, even w/ the 'standard' model pliers. As you would expect, that greatly reduces hand fatigue, while also allowing increased turning force to be applied to the pliers / work.
As I implied, ya gotta try them and feel them to understand - or your could just accept the web site hype, which as far as I can tell is definitely not just 'hype'.
EDIT: Just to clarify that those techs I referred to from 20 years ago all bought their own tools, and they were definitely not making much money, and they were all using those pliers. They were not company issued / provided or discounted or the like.
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Old-Fashioned glass cutters....
Thing is, never the way Hollywood portrays it.
These things are not a burglar's favorite tool for silently entering your home. Need a flat surface, need a bit of lube on the tiny wheel, and making sure to go over the glass once and only one. Bought one awhile back. Inexpensive at around $7.oo, and happy surprise.... Made in the USA.
Thing is, never the way Hollywood portrays it.
These things are not a burglar's favorite tool for silently entering your home. Need a flat surface, need a bit of lube on the tiny wheel, and making sure to go over the glass once and only one. Bought one awhile back. Inexpensive at around $7.oo, and happy surprise.... Made in the USA.
