The new Klein Electrician's Knife looks pretty cool!

[el gigantor]

My YouTube algorithm knows I like sharp things, and earlier today pointed me towards a video about this new Klein knife. Sheepsfoot blade, crossbar lock, and fold-out bit driver seem like a good combo. I wonder if it'll give the Milwaukee Fastback a run for its money. I'm curious to know what you folks think, and I realize not everyone digs on this type of tool.

 

[knarfeng]

Klein makes good stuff. I still have a tool pouch full of Klein tools.. But I think that one gets a pass. It's not a combination that calls to me. Too much chance that the handle would interfere with access to the screw head.

 

[Patent Guy]

Looks useful. The Opinel electricians knife carries the two bits in the handle.

 

[Delgadonine]

It's like the Microtech engineers got bored and asked 'anyone have any ideas'?

What is that round hole towards the tips end? Wire shredder?

 

[el gigantor]

Looks useful. The Opinel electricians knife carries the two bits in the handle.

I didn't even know Opinel made a utility knife!

It's like the Microtech engineers got bored and asked 'anyone have any ideas'?

What is that round hole towards the tips end? Wire shredder?

They call it a wire bending hole. This video is the one I watched earlier; it's got a diagram of all the features included.

 

[Delgadonine]

I didn't even know Opinel made a utility knife!

They call it a wire bending hole. This video is the one I watched earlier; it's got a diagram of all the features included.

Thank you.

 

[conan11]

Do they tell us what kind of steel they used? Or do they just say stainless steel? It does look easy to sharpen though.

 

[DaveReb]

Bought a Klein Lockback, made in Japan Buck 110 copy, back around ‘91-‘92. It was the worse knife I ever owned. Unknown steel, blade play, wouldn’t take or hold an edge. I ended up throwing it away. I’ve carried and used Klein tools professionally since 1986, and IMO they make some of the best wire cutters/pliers and hard use screwdrivers in the business. Unfortunately Klein doesn’t make their knives, they are outsourced, so I personally wouldn’t buy another one of their folding knives.

 

[Sharp & Fiery]

I wonder who will come out with aftermarket scales and a reblade for this one.

 

[chevyrulez1]

Looks pretty cool. I love a good hardware store knife I might try one out.

 

[DMG]

When they are that unspecific about steel you know it's going to be bad stuff

 

[jmclfrsh]

Still looks useful as a beater knife for sure, one to just keep in the truck console.

I really like the blade shape.

 

[SharpBits]

It seems to be a reasonably thought out knife for its purpose.

 

[el gigantor]

I like the addition of a deep-carry pocket clip. However, I don't like how it's less than 8 inches long overall.

 

[David Mary]

I like everything Klein does, or that I've seen anyway. I've owned a couple pairs of their electrician scissors, and bought Mom a little pair of thread snips. All were very well made. This one looks interesting, but I will be buying them in the same numbers as Frank.

 

[el gigantor]

I like everything Klein does, or that I've seen anyway. I've owned a couple pairs of their electrician scissors, and bought Mom a little pair of thread snips. All were very well made. This one looks interesting, but I will be buying them in the same numbers as Frank.

I've always thought knarfeng should write a book called "To Be Frank".

 

[knarfeng]

When they are that unspecific about steel you know it's going to be bad stuff

That depends. For an industrial knife like that which is going to encounter abusisve use situations, aninexpensive really tough steel such as 420HC is going to outperform something with higher edge retention. 420HC would be pretty good for the intended use. Most electricians aren't worried about edge retention, They mostly just want something that won't break when they do something they shouldn't oughta be doing with a knife.

My Klein electrician's knife still lives in my tool pouch. I never did use the screwdriver blade for anything. I had a set of Klein screw drivers in the same pouch,

 

[Delgadonine]

I wonder who will come out with aftermarket scales and a reblade for this one.

Amazon

 

[MattWRog]

Be better if they left the gimmicky bit driver, stripping notch, bottle opener off. None of the trades I work with would be an arms length away from their lineman’s and 5 in 1 screwdriver. Just make it a durable utility folding knife with that blade shape and it would be just fine.

 

[mqqn]

I like the quality of Klein tools in the past. My SIL is a union electrician and he swears by them.
He gave me some Klein wire strippers years ago and they are very nice

Will a full time tradesman want the combo knife / tool above? Not for a minute.

Will someone like me, who has framed walls and installed the wiring in my home; who hangs new light fixtures and security cameras on occasion be interested in a Klein multi tool?

Yes, very likely. I bet those guys are the target market anyway.

I wonder if they offer those special philips/ combination bits for the tool though. I wound up buying the dedicated screw driver for myself a few years ago after getting frustrated with standard drivers.