I don’t often write reviews. I always want to, but I figure someone else probably said what I was going to say or I get busy and forget. These earned a mention, though.
I have linesman pliers. Klein and knipex. You’ll get great linesman from either. The thing is, I still don’t know what they’re for. They twist wire great, but don’t strip it. They cut some cables, but often struggle with Larger multi conductor cables. After 10-3 it’s a lot of effort to cut/fit cable in there.
They’re good for light hammering (be honest), and cutting smaller cables. That’s really it. There’s a reason hybrid pliers have exploded in the last 5 years. South Wire offers a plier that cuts better than any linesman, strip’s Romex sheath and strips 14 and 12.
Klein has fantastic hybrids, especially that grey and black linesman hybrid. Not to mention a few 18-10 hybrids.
Milwaukee and ideal have new offerings as well.
It’s not the 1940s and original linesman just doesn’t solve all the problems these new offerings do.
9-10” heavy duty dykes for all your staple pulling, heavy cable/conductor cutting (even if it’s a few nips to get through, zip tie, knockout hammer, etc.
Hybrid pliers
Screw drivers
Razor
That will solve everything thrown at you.
Why I like these hybrids?
Good enough stripper selection. 18-10 and super sharp. Cuts romex and feeder conductors easier than any linesman.
Slim and light. The nose is wide for twisting. but slim to get in tough areas.
There’s a groove midway in the knurled twisting face that makes the perfect loop for devices. After you strip, keep them slightly closed, push the conductor in that groove and it’s the perfect width for 14 and 12 loops.
The protruded guide between the 14 and 12 gauge stripper holes make the muscle memory lightning fast.
The slim designs makes setting and getting your stripped length fast and effortless.
The spring assist is not in the way, visible, or foul-able. The thumb lock breaks in perfect.
The real hidden surprise though, is the 6-32 and 8-32 screw cutter. You don’t thread the screws in or out. No more getting your flat or Philips or impact out to thread it all the way in and back out. Just stick it through, cut, you’re done. This Makes devicing so much faster and easier. I don’t know how it gets it done without the need to clean/rethread by the old process of manually unscrewing, but it works flawlessly.
Imagine blank plating in seconds not minutes.
drawbacks:
not appropriate as a light hammer for notching wood with a flat head, or for enclosure knockouts. too light and fit-dependent to use in that fashion.
The shear/cutting area is a few inches away from the start of the tool. You have to open them wider and guide the tool or cable to the cutting surface; more than on dykes or linesman.
If I was roughing, I’d use the Klein hybrid linesman. If you’re finishing, these can’t be beat.
Ordered chair approx 1 month ago they did not send half the components including wheels, bolts and multiple parts of chair. Sent chair back immediately after, been 2 weeks still no refund and no updates, absolutely horrible company will never purchase from best office again