The new Klein Electrician's Knife looks pretty cool!

[DMG]

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,

420hc or 440hc would be fine. No way it is something that decent.

Klein makes good tools in general but every time milwaukee or any general tool maker does this, it sucks. I would rather have the one that takes utility blades.

 

[SharpBits]

Klein makes something like five that use utility blades.

 

[johnnytoxin]

I have worked as an Electrician for the last 15 years. I’ve done everything from residential to commercial, to industrial and ended up in the power utility sector where I’ll stay until I retire. I have never had to do anything abusive with a knife. I have a truck full of tools. Most electrical professionals do. This knife is nonsense. I’ll stick with my Spydercos and CRK’s.

 

[J Lensmire]

My problem with any multi-tool is, sure they can perform different tasks-of. But, they don’t perform the task as well nor as efficiently as a specific tool. It’s like the 4- in -1 printer/scanner/copier/fax machine. It will do all 4 things, but not as well as job specific.
I’d rather have a pocket full of tools then mess with one trying to do things half assed.

 

[DocJD]

I guess you could do some small jobs , like replace a light switch or outlet . Maybe ? Inspections ,etc .

I'm just an amateur , but I still have much better individual tools for anything this one does .

I have some great quality multitools , that don't see very much use , just because I much prefer my full sized , devoted ones I'm used to .

If that's all you got , however , a good multi can be a lifesaver .

 

[RPZIP]

Is it just me, or does that "bottle opener" look like it would dig the sharp heel of the blade into bottle caps?

 

[SharpBits]

Is it just me, or does that "bottle opener" look like it would dig the sharp heel of the blade into bottle caps?

View attachment 3213154

I thought the same at first, but it’s actually part of the handle and meant to be used while the blade is closed.

 

[knarfeng]

420hc or 440hc would be fine. No way it is something that decent.

Klein makes good tools in general but every time milwaukee or any general tool maker does this, it sucks. I would rather have the one that takes utility blades.

Klein has always outsourced their knives. So they are not new to that game. I would bet that the design is well manufactured with reasonable material choices.but I'm still not taken with the design itself.

 

[el gigantor]

This tool is more divisive than I anticipated. I definitely adhere to the concept of the "right tool for the job", and I wasn't expecting long-term tradesmen to come flocking. I guess I was just taken in by a reputable company like Klein trying to appeal to a broader audience.

 

[David Mary]

Klein deserves a lot of respect for what they have made. And if this particular model appeals to someone and fills a role for them, I respect that too.

 

[Doluded]

This tool is more divisive than I anticipated. I definitely adhere to the concept of the "right tool for the job", and I wasn't expecting long-term tradesmen to come flocking. I guess I was just taken in by a reputable company like Klein trying to appeal to a broader audience.

I don’t really see this as Klein trying to appeal to a broader audience. The knife is called an electricians knife, and Klein makes a lot of tools specifically for electricians and other trades. Seems like they’re still in their niche, but it’s nothing that hasn’t been done before or something Klein needs to do. If I saw this knife while buying another tool from Klein maybe I’d hit add to cart, and it seems like that’s what these are meant to be.

I don’t find anything wrong with the knife itself, and I do like Klein. When I’m doing rebar I don’t use anything but Klein pliers, diagonal cutters and bolt bags. But I really don’t need all those bells and whistles on a knife, it seems gimmicky. Then again, I’m not an electrician.

Also Klein makes great tool bags and canvas pouches. Kinda spendy tho (nothing you don’t already know if you buy Klein).