Harbor Freight Icon Pliers Wrench VS Knipex Pliers, which is better? A Tool Showdown!

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[MrDdaland]

I've used Knipex professionally for years, and have had 0 complaints about them since my first pair back in the 90's. However, recently picked up a pair of the HF Doyle clones, and have to admit that they are a perfectly usable substitute. I keep them in my go bag, along with other lower priced, but perfectly usable tools.

[AlexBalance]

I bought a pair and can 100% vouch for the Harbor Freight pair being amazing. If you’ve never used a pair before it is a total game changer!!

[ralphtorrez]

You can't rip harbor freight for this. How many of you got a genuine colt 1911 or armorlite 16? Exactly! All you guys are rocking the clones 1911s and ar15s!

[dackhornbold]

Harbor Freight if you're listening make the 5", 6", 7", 12", and 16" pliers wrenches.

[Jtx_Tools]

I agree 100% on the Warranty and exchanging them is a Huge advantage. You can beat the crap out of them then when they break you get a brand new one same day

[HeyItsEmilyLove]

I’m unreasonably excited to go to Harbor Freight and buy those lol

[bigredracingdog]

I like the Knipex a little better—I have three sizes of them—but not $30 better. If you're patient you can get the Icon for even less with a coupon.

[jwanilpatel]

You can regularly find knipex for 50$ .... And for $10 difference the metal quality and the original design on knipex is the way to go

[tinoc]

Crazy how well companies can make just about the same product for much cheaper, I was stuck on brands for a while thinking they are so much better, but I’m starting to realize there are some great alternatives for some tools, not all but more than I originally thought. For new comers it’s great, they can have quality tools and not break the bank when they start their career.

[deeeyewhy]

Just when I think I’ve heard every pronunciation of Knipex there could ever be, this guy hits me with the Kuh-kneeee-pex lmao.

[dieseldemon]

I had the knipex 10 in version. Still do, but they broke and knipex semt me replacement parts but the wrong size. Im definitely going woth harbor freight now. Its literally on my way home from the shop.
The knipex replaced my snap on adjustable wrench.
Just wait until i tell my snappy dealer hf replaced them

[BigBear--]

Im curious as to the actual material quality and hardness of the Icons. Generally if a clone is heavier than the original its because the original is a better quality forging with tighter/stronger grain and better toughness/hardness.

I'm not saying this is necessarily the case here. Just that I'd like to see them tested.

[ScoutCrafter]

Awesome review, they look really nice... Are they made in Taiwan?

[NWGR]

Thanks for this. I have two of the 7" knipex pliers wrenches but will be grabbing a set of the 10" icons to round out the collection.

[joshuakemblebluegrass]

I’d be interested to see the comparison of metal quality and hardness of these two tools

[socal_expat]

The old HF warranty is amazing. I own the Knipex pliers wrench, and I’ve never even considered their warranty. Guess I know I won’t likely ever need it. Remember TommyBoy? “I can crap in a box and slap a warranty on it, but you do have”?

[Vigo]

This is an exciting development to me. Im a big fan of Knipex and while I'll willingly spend 30-some-odd dollars on a 4" mini-Cobra pliers, for some reason i have a mental block about scaling up my Knipex spending to all the (many, many) $40+ items which includes anything bigger than 8". So this larger tool for $40 is useful because it helps me avoid confronting my own hypocrisy. Pound-foolish, tool wise? Eh, who am i kidding.

[moparfanboy]

Why would you even need to warranty these? I’ve had the knipex version forever and jaw as well as the handles are in exceptional shape. I’m sure ICON will do the job just as well since they shared the same design, but only time will tell how they hold up over time.

[foxwood]

The Icons look nice minus the thick grips. I have several of the knipex 7” and 10” I love them. I bought them when they were cheaper than the icons. $32 and $37 respectively. I personally do not like the thicker grips on any of my pliers. Knipex makes slim design tools for a purpose and thick ass grips just make a tool harder to get into tighter areas .

[Spanky]

Well these definitely look like a winner to me. Thank you so much. 😀