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KNIPEX’s latest cutting tools are compact, powerful and built for tight spots and tough jobs.
Most installers have a few tools they rely on day in, day out. The ones that end up permanently in a pocket, van door or tool bag because they just make life easier on site. KNIPEX’s latest additions to its cutting range are set to fall into that category. The new Slim Knips and updated High Leverage Diagonal Cutters are aimed at tradespeople who regularly work in confined spaces, around controls and plant equipment or on jobs where cutting tougher materials is part of the day-to-day workload.
The Slim Knips (78 03/61 150) are the smaller of the two tools but probably the ones many heating engineers will find themselves reaching for most often. For installers working around heat pump controls, wiring centres, under boilers or in packed utility spaces, access can often be half the battle. The Slim Knips have a slender, offset profile so it’s much easier to get into awkward spots where larger cutters struggle.
They are suitable for solid and fine-stranded copper conductors but are also useful for trimming cable ties cleanly without leaving sharp edges behind. A built-in transport lock keeps the jaws closed safely in storage and doubles up as a stop when tightening cable ties, helping prevent accidental snips before the tie is secured properly.
KNIPEX has also released an optional holster (78 09 LE) to store the tool close to hand on site, particularly useful when moving between jobs or working in tighter plant rooms where constantly digging through a tool bag soon becomes frustrating.
For heavier-duty work, the updated 200mm High Leverage Diagonal Cutters (74 xx 200) are designed to reduce the amount of effort needed when cutting through harder materials.
KNIPEX has redesigned the power joint, moving the cutting edges closer to the pivot point to improve leverage so around 20% less force is now needed compared to the previous version. Over a full day of cutting wire, clips, fixings and tough materials, that’s a lot less strain on your hands.
The cutters are available in several versions, including chrome-plated and burnished finishes, along with plastic-coated or comfort-grip handles. For installers who also carry out electrical work alongside heating and plumbing, VDE-insulated versions are available too. The comfort handle versions have a three-component design for improved grip and less fatigue during repetitive work. The comfort handles also incorporate KNIPXTEND which allows users to add colour clips for identification, tethering attachments for working at height or personalised markings. It is a small detail, but on busy sites where tools regularly disappear into someone else’s bag, it could save some frustration.
As more heating systems include controls, wiring and renewable technologies, many installers are carrying a wider mix of tools than ever before. Compact cutters that can handle both precision work and tougher site tasks are becoming increasingly useful, especially when they help speed things up without adding extra bulk to the kit bag.
