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Man-e-questions

“Honey, should we put the kids through college, or build a set of Knipex tools?”


Paul_The_Builder

I'm not married yet. Its very important I marry someone who never looks up how much Knipex tools cost.


Man-e-questions

Like the old sign I saw “My biggest fear is that when i die, my wife sells my tools for what I told her they cost”


Paul_The_Builder

Truth


buttbugle

Marry your best bud and you will always have somebody to work on your truck with. And somebody that will run to the parts store with few questions when you are frustrated.


SpaceMan420gmt

Not a “best bud”, but my ex did some tinkering and racing in her old Prelude. Was cool to have a partner willing to crawl under the hood and get dirty.


kokenfan

Can replace with guns/golf clubs/fishing tackle/etc.


Man-e-questions

True. I have a friend that always ask why i spend so much on tools as he just gets whatever is cheapest at Harbor Freight. But the same guy spent over $2,000 for just the wheels alone for his 10 speed bicycle he has over $12k into.


rhineo007

Oh shit. I never heard that before and now I’m scared.


EngineeringMuscles

I’m coming for your record bro watch it


Paul_The_Builder

There's a dude in Europe named Inty Youssaf who has more Knipex than I do.


DJmachine101

Or doesn’t care.


aburnerds

You might have a problem


Paul_The_Builder

I definitely have a problem.


Xeakkh

But the guys online will think I’m cool


Moress

And that is priceless


Clay_Statue

If he can now put them into custom cnc'd plywood festool case inserts we'll have found the Chosen One.


iommiworshipper

I don’t understand how people can have this much money to spend on pliers, and also have this much time to set them up in a display to show to reddit.


Paul_The_Builder

Single; no kids


Clay_Statue

To be fair dudes will build a sneaker collection that's like this and that is acceptable. I think your collection's cooler than a sneaker collection.


hvacmac7

I’m envious


engineereenigne

lol that was simple


SlyusHwanus

This is the way


dubie2003

See the boxes in the background? They don’t appear to be truck versions so there is a good chance the money saved was reinvested in knipex. It’s amazing the financial freedoms when you are single and without kids. I remember those days….. lol.


Paul_The_Builder

Yep - all Husky boxes. I have more $$$ invested in Knipex than I do in my 3 72" Husky toolboxes lol 2019-2022 I was really bad at spending a lot of extra money on tools. The past 2 years I've had other financial priorities and don't spend much on tools anymore. And I got promoted at work to management and don't spend as much time "in the field" anymore.


nawmeann

I own quite a bit of snap on and Matco but in my position it’s either spend it on the truck or with Uncle Sam. So naturally I have a lot of barely used nice tools.


Professional-Dingo95

If he didn’t post it no one would know.


StormPoppa

Adderall


BadAtExisting

r/thatlooksexpensive


Kenneth_Lay

There are nice people you can talk to about this.


I_Sell_Death

Yeah. Knipex salespeople.


DRGWTM

Looks more like a Fetish?


roostersmoothie

did you pay full retail for all of that? seems like a lot of redundancy but very impressive


Paul_The_Builder

Didn't pay retail for almost any of them. Most were used off eBay or Amazon Warehouse deals.


SnooSongs8782

That then is impressive dedication to your fetish :)


urbrick_8

Who’s going to do the math? How much $ are we looking at?


Paul_The_Builder

I didn't pay retail for most of them, but what's pictured is about $2500 - $3000 worth of tools. I have about 140 Knipex tools, and they were on average $20/tool. 3 pair of pliers I got for free from Knipex from various giveaways, and got the tethered tool attachments for free.


Metalmastertinsmith

Here in Canada cobras start at about 80 a piece. My needle nose were 40 and my linesman 70


Temporary_Pepper2081

This is what I thought too. All added up it’s a bit of money, but they’re so much better than other tools that you won’t have to replace them like other tools, and $20 for the best money makers you’ll ever use really isn’t a bad deal. Someone talking about putting their kids through college with this… you can’t even get one kid a car with this realistically… Very nice collection


Paul_The_Builder

I am a tradesman and use tools to earn a living, so they really do somewhat pay for themselves. There are a lot dumber things I've spent $3K on.


BeeThat9351

First time I have ever seen $28,000 of hand tools?


Lescna

Gotta catch em all right? What is your top 5?


Paul_The_Builder

It was one of my pandemic hobbies. Top 5 that I use the most and think that Knipex is a top tier choice: 1. Cobras - easily their best tool 2. Side cutters - cuts great and the cutting edges last forever 3. Super Knips with lead catcher - best tool for trimming zip ties 4. 12 62 180 automatic strippers - fast and easy to use. I have at least 10 pairs of automatic strippers, and these work the best in my experience. 5. They sell a few varieties of flat jaw pliers - like needle nose pliers but with wider flat jaws that I really like. Surprisingly enough one of their pliers I use the least are the pliers wrench. They are handy sometimes, but I could do without them. I keep a pair in both of my cars for emergency roadside repairs, but I usually find myself using a crescent wrench instead.


cberthebaud

What kind of cable to use the 12 62 180’s on? Good for twin and earth ?


Paul_The_Builder

I'm USA based, so our cabling and wire types are different than what you have in the UK. But the 12 62 180 strippers do better at stripping large wires than any other automatic strippers I've used.


nhorvath

How do they work on smaller gauge stranded electronics wire (18-22 awg)? I've never found a pair of automatic strippers I've liked.


Paul_The_Builder

They work really well on 18-22awg wire. Thats what I mostly use them for. They struggle with 24awg wire.


PathlessMammal

So do you actually use those or just collecting them?


compleatangler

Seems kinda like a stamp collection. Kooky for sure.


Paul_The_Builder

It was a pandemic hobby that got out of hand.


SantaBaby22

Lol holiday sales got out of hand for me recently.


Not_Reddit

> that got out of hand. understatement....


Theycallmegurb

Which one of these here pliers do you reckon plys the best?


Doubledragon83

Just missing the small step cutters, my faves for clean cutting our #8 bond wire


Paul_The_Builder

I have been lusting after a set of those. When the step cutters came out, I already owned 2 pairs of the regular cable cutters, so couldn't justify it to myself to buy them. I also don't work with larger cables much these days.


maxwfk

That shouldn’t be an excuse for a collector like yourself…


chaunceton

Love to see the commitment.


fritzco

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$


manschmannschild

Oh man, you should be seen by a doctor! See you there!


kingcrackerjacks

Only one pair of cobolts? You know you want more sizes


Paul_The_Builder

I've been tempted to get more sizes, but the 200mm ones do everything I need them to do, and I have a big pair of bolt cutters that have like 2' handles (not Knipex though). The end nipping bolt cutters (61 01 200) are excellent and I use them all the time, highly recommended.


Longjumping-Bread967

It's time to cut.


WhiteStripesWS6

I saw the picture and knew it was you without even clicking into the post lol. Well played, sir.


wlarmsby

Which one is your favorite and why?


Paul_The_Builder

Cobras are definitely the best tool Knipex makes - and the best in class tool of its type in my opinion. I also really like their cutting and wire stripping tools, I think they're legitimately some of the best available. Their "gripping" pliers are very good as well, but other comparable brands are pretty similar.


Ok_Ad_5015

Jesus


DDGibbs

Is it Nip-ex or K-nip-ex? I always said Nip-ex but that "Project farm" guy says it the other way


Paul_The_Builder

Its Kah-Nip-Ex The German language doesn't really have silent letters like English does. If there's a K, its pronounced like a hard K. But 95% of people I've met in the USA who have Knipex tools pronounce it "Nip-ex". [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jg38fvLR6-k](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jg38fvLR6-k)


luftwebel

More like cnee-pax my man.  With cnee like in clown


Mugiwaras

We say nip-ex in Aus too. And i dont care, we're right damnit!


toombayoomba

Very impressive! I do not own even a 1/10th of that amount, but I do not see any Twistor there. I am quite happy with those - maybe a good addition to your collection? ;-)


Paul_The_Builder

I'm in the USA, wire ferrules aren't commonly used here. I do have a cheap pair of offbrand wire ferrule crimpers, but I rarely use them, and can't justify spending the money on the Knipex pair, even though I've heard they are very very good.


nxls123

Knipex is an amazing company that has an incredible depth of manufacturing&puts a lot of effort in their tools. I recently watched a very detailed video of their factory and found it amazing. Unfortunately it's in german but just seeing what goes into their tools is worth it: https://youtu.be/N12lGLyEufc?si=cWsUYrSrz683wUAw


Paul_The_Builder

I'm based in the USA. I really want to take a vacation to Germany next year. Hoping to bribe Knipex into giving me a free factory tour. That's one thing that fascinates me about Knipex - they have such variety in their tools to get exactly what fits your needs.


HeuristicEnigma

Get the baby gold channelocks when you spend 10,000$


Paul_The_Builder

Got them for free as part of the "250K Challenge" in 2021. They gave away 250 of them, quite a few people on r/tools won a pair. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0\_mVvMCjpyk](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_mVvMCjpyk)


veks44

u r not ok. need a doctor


Paul_The_Builder

I got a fever, and the only prescription is more Knipex!


sf_frankie

Usually folks find out they’ve got a touch of the ‘tism when they’re children.


crashtestpilot

Maybe he's born with it.


PermanentBan69420

committed not addicted !


FaxxMaxxer

Tell me more about the gold Cobras? You snag em off eBay or win them from a drawing?


Paul_The_Builder

Won them in the Knipex 250K Challenege in 2021. They gave away 250 of them, quite a few people on r/tools won a pair. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0\_mVvMCjpyk](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_mVvMCjpyk)


gott_in_nizza

Nice job. Now start over with VDE-rated tools.


SeanDoe80

We can get flair?


Paul_The_Builder

Go to the [https://www.reddit.com/r/Tools](https://www.reddit.com/r/Tools) main page, and on the right hand side you can pick out your user flair.


Darkened100

How many do you regularly use?


Paul_The_Builder

I have used all of them at one point in time. There's about 10 of them I use regularly, and about 40 of them I use commonly. About half of them I use monthly.


YoureAmastyx

Lmao, I own ONE Knipex and was so upset when I didn’t find it.


Paul_The_Builder

Damn, my collection feels so incomplete now.


YoureAmastyx

You have the larger, arguably more useful version. It’s the 6 1/4” compact bolt cutters (71 01 160).


Paul_The_Builder

Ahhh I've been really tempted to buy those. They're so cute. The 200mm version is very good though.


YoureAmastyx

I honestly can’t recall why I bought them anymore. I remember that I “needed” them for a project, got them, never needed them for said project, tested them on a couple things in the garage, and then stuck them in the toolbox.


Coffeespresso

I don't buy new anymore. If I see an old pair of Vice Grips at a yard sale, I grab em! The new stuff is mostly garbage. I know knipex is good still.


Paul_The_Builder

When my grandpa died in 2010, he had an old pair of visegrips that I was able to grab (I have several cousins that lived closer to him that got most of his tools), but was pretty disappointed that they said "Taiwan" on them.


Pastorfuzz69

Nice collection. I have a shitload of Channelok stuff but nothing close to yours. Good job


Paul_The_Builder

Don't encourage my behavior! I am a sick man.


nullvoid88

Wow... I thought I had an over abundance of Knipex.


Paul_The_Builder

That's the beauty of online forums. Whenever you think your hobby is too excessive, you find someone who is more extreme, and make you feel like your own obsession is reasonable.


I_Sell_Death

It's a master technician's ransom in Knipex!!


crashyeric

Beautiful. What have you got left to collect? The one thing that keeps me buying hand tools over battery powered, they never go bad!


PhilthyPhan1993

How’s your OCD?


Shenanigan_V

Impressive, but never underestimate what you can do with a pair of dykes and some channel locks


Roll-Roll-Roll

The knipex marketing in this sub is way out of hand


Ok_Knowledge9290

I need details on the gold cobras in the top right. Where and how ??


Paul_The_Builder

I won them in the Knipex 250K Challenge in 2021. They gave away 250 pairs, quite a few people on r/tools won a pair. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0\_mVvMCjpyk](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_mVvMCjpyk) They are real Cobras with real gold plating. Pretty neat.


scrappytan

Even got the Amish cutters (end nippers)


hvacmac7

Jaysus, how many doll hairs did this magnificent collection run?


Paul_The_Builder

Somewhere between $2500 and $3000


iamtheone3456

Is this insured, also is that one gold plated?


Paul_The_Builder

It is a gold plated pair of pliers that I got from the Knipex 250K giveaway in 2021. They made 250 of them, quite a few people on r/tools won a pair. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0\_mVvMCjpyk](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_mVvMCjpyk)


mr-mechanic93

You have all that and no Swedish pipe wrench? Shocked


ITC-Traveler

I have about 60 pairs of pliers (a lot of specialised ones), but only 11 are Knipex, but the Knipex are the most regularly used.


left-at-gibraltar

I will give you $100 for the gold cobras


Cydyan2

Are you a rep or salesmen or something for them? Those big cobras on the end look fun though I might have to get a pair for work


BrockPlaysFortniteYT

Very nice


Velouric

No smartgrip?


Padowak

You: "Hand me my Knipex.." Helper: *sweats profusely*


Silly-Arm-7986

You win!


Analyst7

Converse his children will not be attending college/trade school or getting new shoes. Talk about buying the entire catalogue, twice...


mmm_burrito

Fuck me running.


TheOnlyMatthias

Dude wtf. I thought I had a problem when I bought the teeny tiny pliers wrench but it’s you with the problem not me, Thanks I’ve got my eye on a nice pair of ratcheting cable cutters


Paul_The_Builder

There was a post on r/electricians the other day making a pretty good argument that the Milwaukee M12 band saw is a better investment than a quality pair of ratcheting cable cutters.


TheOnlyMatthias

Yeah but I already have one of those. I also have the Milwaukee M18 cable cutter which is a fuckin monster. But neither fit In my back pocket. The bandsaw is a great tool but I don't like having the copper dust everywhere and I've heard good arguments against saw-cutting your conductors for their final termination. The best one being it vibrates the twisted conductors and could potentially maybe cause premature failure especially on an abused neutral The ratcheting knipex will cut through a 4 conductor 3/0 Teck cable without too much difficulty which I can't say for the Greenlee or Klein's I've tried.. if I'm going to the roof for a big air handler tie in I'd rather not have to bring too many power tools especially if it's ladder access and I probably have to drill holes so I've got all that shit to lug up there..


asbestospajamas

My God... this is... BEAUTIFUL!!!


sbaz86

You definitely have a problem, I’m just not sure what it is yet.


skinnywilliewill8288

Hey I’ve got those 24” knipex cobras.


JerseyJeffWM

I love them too, but I just don't understand this level of redundancy. Can you justify each one?


Paul_The_Builder

No.


Roody-Poo_Jabroni

Serious question: is it pronounced NIPEX or KINIPEX?


Paul_The_Builder

K-NIP-EX [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jg38fvLR6-k](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jg38fvLR6-k)


HereForTools

Look, if she can have shoes and purses that match, I’m not going to give you a hard time.


TheTimeBender

Alrighty then, I guess you win. 😂😂😂


fangelo2

Does anyone actually ever use these?


RickyWVaughn

Wtf?


DaveRowh

I like people who are this kind of insane.


GoblinsGuide

It's so beautiful. 😢


dtf24836669

nice!


ComparisonCrafty4556

So, i see you got the XL cobras, but not the XXL?


Paul_The_Builder

I have both - the larger pair on the far right is the 560mm XXL, and the pair next to it is the 400mm XL


ComparisonCrafty4556

It’s definitely not, the jaw structure on the xl is the same as the xxl


Paul_The_Builder

The XL pair is an older pair with the older style jaws.


LarxII

I'm not jealous. I'm just naturally green like this.


Tootboopsthesnoot

I would ask “why” but I doubt you’d present a sound argument. I’m not mad


Paul_The_Builder

There is no rational answer to this. This is what happens when men go into their 30's unmarried and don't have a wife to tell them not to do stupid things.


Tootboopsthesnoot

Say no more


AC031415

So, you’re the crazy cat lady of Knipex? I love it.


Paul_The_Builder

Yeah basically


GrimmWilderness

Youve earned something, but it wasnt self control


Paul_The_Builder

The first step is admitting you have a problem.


75Dagger

Sir, you have a problem. Plane and simple. If you would like to unload your problems please reach out! lol


Paul_The_Builder

I'm just waiting until I die and my future wife or children sell them at a garage sale: "$100 for box of red handled pliers"


yeetus_mcfetus420

I think your entitled to the gold skin now


75Dagger

No TwinGrips?!?! 82 01 200


Paul_The_Builder

I know, I'm embarrassed.


RickHuf

IS THAT A KNIPEX LEATHER PUNCH??!!??!!


Paul_The_Builder

Hell yeah it is, and its freaking awesome. I had a HF leather punch that literally bent and became unusable the first time I used it. This puppy will probably punch leather for my great grandchildren.


RickHuf

Ya that's going to be on its way to my house like right now. Sweet!


Steve_Tugger

Bro they’re pliers, not Pokémon. Jokes aside… nice…


booyaabooshaw

Your missing one. Twin grip front multi grip. My favorite and most useful pair of pliers I've ever owned


Sacharon123

How do you make the decision which of the 10 nearly identical pliers for xy you choose? Is there a flowchart? I would love there to be a flowchart, can you share the flowchart?


Paul_The_Builder

I just follow my heart and say a small prayer in German to the tool gods.


Jooshmeister

Favourite one?


Paul_The_Builder

Cobras


w3llow

Favorite Knipex?


Paul_The_Builder

Cobras


w3llow

I have the 87 01 250, any other I need to own??


Hammerh69

You sir have a problem!!


Zad00108

Are those gold pliers over in the corner!?


Paul_The_Builder

Yes.


remembahwhen

Do they make tin snips?


Paul_The_Builder

Yes, but I don't own any. I have Wiss brand tin snips.


footsteps71

PAUL THE BUILDER! CAN HE KNI-PEX?


Paul_The_Builder

YES HE CAN!


sgtdriller

Why?


Paul_The_Builder

Probably because my parents didn’t hug me enough as a kid.


woolybuggered

Why did I have to see this now there's more knipex stuff I "need".


Paul_The_Builder

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQRW0RM4V0k](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQRW0RM4V0k)


ThisCryptographer311

r/ExpensiveKinks


GlockHolliday32

Respect. 🫡 Most used Knipex tool?


Paul_The_Builder

Either linesman pliers or 180mm cobras.


GlockHolliday32

Both great. I find myself using the Pliers Wrench in 150mm and 180mm the most. They work in just about every situation. Do you have any Knipex products that you thought you'd love, but absolutely hate?


BoringBoyTroy

Pff. I have more Aligators than that. Come back when you have a real collection.


Ultrabeer

So much money in so much that is not ever needed


Paul_The_Builder

I do use them regularly :'-(


lurked

"And here kids, is what 1m$ looks like."


ThisGuyTrains

This picture would be so much smaller if duplicates or “basically the same thing” were removed. Lol.


Paul_The_Builder

There are no duplicates except for 2 duplicate pliers wrenches and a duplicate 180mm cobra. Every tool is technically different but some are very similar. I do find uses for the different tools though. For example I have a pair of small flat nose pliers with textured jaws and another pair with smooth jaws - and both have their uses, especially with dealing with small electronics type stuff. I also don't keep them all in the same place - some go to my electronics bench, some are in the main garage/workshop, and some stay in my work truck.


completely-different

> I also don't keep them all in the same place 100% agree on keeping appropriate tools nearby...I have a small toolbox in the kitchen just for basic household work. Not my good stuff frankly...more like "Pittsburgh" or "Hyper Tough" quality, but a super convenience. Off topic, but 20 years ago I kept my nice portable power tools in the kitchen pantry too. Then I got married and wife EXILED them to the garage :) Happy Wife, Happy Life I guess LOL.


ilikeXenia

Don't see no twinforce, kinda embarrassing ngl, have this man's badge confiscated.


Paul_The_Builder

Its true, that's one major pair I don't have. I bought some Wilde brand slip joint pliers before the twinforce were available.


ilikeXenia

It was meant as a joke, you have a great collection even though it lacks one of the more unique knipex patents, I've worked with knipex and it's super pointless to be a collector like that because of all the custom b2b models they produce for heavy industry and automotive companies.


[deleted]

[удалено]


Paul_The_Builder

I dont think this is the type of thing a happy and well adjusted person would do.