Draper Knipex?

Daley · Sep 25, 2014

I'm confused, i'm looking for some Knipex Cobra VDE and when i google them there are two types. One seems to be the standard chrome type Knipex and then there's another without the chrome look called Draper Knipex Cobra? The only difference i can see is the price (around £10)

Am i missing something?

Daley

snowhead · Sep 25, 2014

Daley said:
The only difference i can see is the price (around £10)

Am i missing something?

Daley

The difference is VDE approval, checkout the handgrips.

SPARTYKUS · Sep 25, 2014

Both great though

davesparks · Sep 25, 2014

Draper own knipex, have a look on the packaging you'll find the 'draper expert' label on there.

shanky887614 · Sep 25, 2014

snowhead said:
The difference is VDE approval.

the cobra are grips though so why do they need to be vde rated?

personally i prefer the alligator grips (they open wider)

Daley · Sep 25, 2014

They still say VDE? Can you see this link?...

10644 Draper Draper 10644 Knipex VDE Cobra Waterpump Pliers 250mm

then there's these one ...

87 26 250 KNIPEX - Pliers | TME - Electronic components

See what i mean by one being black and the other silver, just curious is all

Daley · Sep 25, 2014

Better safe than sorry Shanky, i feel safer knowing my tools are tested, might just be me haha

davesparks · Sep 25, 2014

Don't buy the chromed ones, they look lovely but chrome is very slippery and the handles will slide off easily

davesparks · Sep 25, 2014

Daley said:
Better safe than sorry Shanky, i feel safer knowing my tools are tested, might just be me haha

Safe from what? Do you use a VDE hacksaw, hammer, bolster etched aswell just in case?

You only need the insulation if you have to work on something live, and then you will know about it to make sure that you only use the right tools.
I can't imagine what situation requires an electrician to use grips on live parts??

Daley · Sep 25, 2014

To be honest i've never used my old grips on live equipment, but we do a lot of work on live panels in 24 hour buildings such as hospitals superstores and the like so i'd just like to make sure if i ever did need them that they're spot on, i might never use them working live but JUST INCASE

shanky887614 · Sep 25, 2014

davesparks said:
Safe from what? Do you use a VDE hacksaw, hammer, bolster etched aswell just in case?

You only need the insulation if you have to work on something live, and then you will know about it to make sure that you only use the right tools.
I can't imagine what situation requires an electrician to use grips on live parts??

99% of the time you get a shock by putting your hand on live cables?

you wont be expected to work live so no need.

buy a volt stick and voltage indicator etc.

uksparks · Sep 25, 2014

I've got two pairs of the proper knipex cobra pliers, fantastic, really very happy with them.

Daley · Sep 25, 2014

I've just ordered two pairs, never had Knipex before but i've been told you can't fault them! Looking at some snips and pliers too

uksparks · Sep 25, 2014

All my kit is knipex, I love it, can't get enough of it, all the shiny ones vde.

shanky887614 · Sep 25, 2014

uksparks said:
All my kit is knipex, I love it, can't get enough of it, all the shiny ones vde.

i dont think i own any knipex gear that is vde.

that includes my two pairs of normal grips, mini pair and a pair of shears.

my bang bang snips are a pair of wihi 180mm that have seen better days (no holes yet in them)

the only vde kit in my bag are normal screwdrivers, my long reach and torx arr all non vde

davesparks · Sep 25, 2014

I have always used knipex 8" cutters, the most recent set are the shiny chrome variety and they are really winding me up with the handles always slipping and i'd swear blind teh blades aren't as good as the non-chromed ones were.
Also knipex pliers (free) and long nose pliers (free) both VDE, 2 pairs of cobra grips non VDE but with the chunkier blue/red handles as arthritis means the normal handles hurt me to use them.

Daley · Sep 25, 2014

The only long reach VDE i've seen are CK and i'm not a fan, so i'm with you on that one haha

shanky887614 · Sep 25, 2014

Daley said:
The only long reach VDE i've seen are CK and i'm not a fan, so i'm with you on that one haha

ive had to cut some of the vde protection off some of mine.

wiha are super safe, they made the tips too fat to fit into the isolator cover XD

Daley · Sep 25, 2014

I don't have that problem anymore, just got some MORE wera slims and they're spot on!

shanky887614 · Sep 25, 2014

Daley said:
I don't have that problem anymore, just got some MORE wera slims and they're spot on!

wera driverd are really soft, wera drivers are like toffee

when its cold there hard but as soon as you handle them they get soft and bend.

im using facom and wiha slim as spare

Daley · Sep 25, 2014

I had Facom, lasted me a while too but chipped my last one last week so got the wera as they were on offer. I'll have to watch out see if they're alright after a couple months... Hope they last :/

PEG · Sep 25, 2014

shanky887614 said:
wera driverd are really soft, wera drivers are like toffee

when its cold there hard but as soon as you handle them they get soft and bend.

im using facom and wiha slim as spare

Shanky,that post is straight out of an Ann Summers catalogue....where can i buy it...:bow:

KnipexUK · Dec 18, 2014

davesparks said:
Draper own knipex, have a look on the packaging you'll find the 'draper expert' label on there.

Hi all,

Just for the record Draper do not own Knipex; they are long term distributors of Knipex in the UK, and as such we supply them with a finish of handle/body which is unique to them in the UK.

We do hear this from time to time but the two companies are not the same.

Marvo · Dec 19, 2014

KnipexUK said:
Hi all,

Just for the record Draper do not own Knipex; they are long term distributors of Knipex in the UK, and as such we supply them with a finish of handle/body which is unique to them in the UK.

We do hear this from time to time but the two companies are not the same.

Hi KnipexUK, welcome to the forum.

I've given you full member permissions so you can reply to any threads you like regarding product enquiries and queries but please avoid direct advertising and links to your website etc.

Thanks in advance

M

KnipexUK · Dec 19, 2014

Thanks Marvo,

Understood; I will only reply to posts which require clarification, this thread having the perfect case in point.

shanky887614 · Dec 19, 2014

KnipexUK said:
Thanks Marvo,

Understood; I will only reply to posts which require clarification, this thread having the perfect case in point.

so the actual tools themselfs are made from different tool stock steel?

in otherwords the cutting edge wont be the same

KnipexUK · Dec 19, 2014

shanky887614 said:
so the actual tools themselfs are made from different tool stock steel?

in otherwords the cutting edge wont be the same

If you mean are the Knipex Draper Expert labelled Cobras made from a different steel to "Standard" Knipex labelled Cobras, then the answer is no. Both types start off as the same material and go through the same process of manufacture.

The difference is purely in the finish of the tools; the base product is the same, we just chrome the Knipex 06 version and the "Draper 08 version" is atramentized (blackened) with some polished face work done afterwards.

Cutting/gripping edges will be the same on both too.

I hope this helps?

KnipexUK · Dec 19, 2014

davesparks said:
Don't buy the chromed ones, they look lovely but chrome is very slippery and the handles will slide off easily

This really is not true I'm afraid; handles are bonded to the tools using glue/heat methods and VDE tools are tested to extremes of heat, cold, and humidity to mention only a couple of the elements required for the certification.

If you have handles that are slipping off then I would like to hear from you and I will do something about it - we take customer satisfaction very seriously, as you would expect from a premium brand.