Knipex: the story of the brand

When you open an electrician’s tool bag in 2026, there is a strong chance of finding at least one pair of pliers stamped with the red and blue Knipex logo. For the concrete choice between pliers and screwdrivers, the Knipex, Wiha or Wera comparison gets to the field verdict faster.

The German brand, born in a blacksmith’s cellar in 1882, became the world’s leading manufacturer of professional pliers.

Its history is that of a family obsession passed down over four generations: making the best possible pliers, never offshoring, never diversifying beyond its core business.

This article retraces the entire trajectory, from the first power hammer bought in Cronenberg to recent innovations such as the TwinGrip and the move to green steel.

A journey that also sheds light on the philosophy of a tool that every electrical professional handles every day.

Manufacturing announced in Wuppertal100 %

Cronenberg: the centuries-old cradle of European toolmaking

To understand Knipex, you first have to understand where the company comes from. Cronenberg is a hilltop district of Wuppertal, in the Bergisches Land region of North Rhine-Westphalia.

This hilly territory, rich in steep waterways, was home for centuries to a dense metalworking industry, powered by the hydraulic force of the streams flowing down towards the Wupper.

As early as the 16th century, Cronenberg had dozens of forges and grinding mills (the famous Schleifkotten) driven by water wheels.

At the height of this industry, there were 16 hydraulic hammers and 31 grinding workshops along the streams around the Krähenberg, as well as nearly 300 factories and more than 700 blacksmiths in the area.

The forging tradition there is documented since at least 1050, the date of the first written mention of “Cronberga” in a charter of Werden Abbey.

To this day, Cronenberg remains home to world-renowned tool manufacturers: Knipex for pliers, Wera for screwdrivers, Stahlwille for torque wrenches, Picard for hammers.

This exceptional concentration of metalworking expertise is no accident: it is rooted in centuries of craft transmission, progressive specialization and stimulating competition between neighbors.

It was in this industrial soil that Carl Gustav Putsch decided, in 1882, to set up his own forge.

1882: a forge in a cellar

The story begins modestly. Carl Gustav Putsch set up in the cellar of his house in Cronenberg with one journeyman and two apprentices.

Their initial production focused on carpenter’s pincers and farrier’s pincers, essential tools in a Germany in the midst of industrialization where the horse remained the primary means of transport.

The work was entirely manual. The steel was heated in the forge, then hammered by hand to give it the desired shape. Finishing was done on the grinding wheel.

The days were long, production limited, but the quality of the work attracted a local clientele.

1900-1922: mechanization and the first power hammer

In 1900, Carl Gustav Putsch took a decisive step: he acquired his first power hammer (Fallhammer).

This machine, which forged parts by the fall of a heavy mass, multiplied productivity compared with manual work. But it also generated considerable vibrations.

Company legend has it that the whole house shook when the hammer was running, to the point that a separate workshop had to be built on the neighboring plot to save the dishes and the peace of the household.

In 1914, the workforce reached seven employees. The First World War slowed activity without interrupting it entirely.

In 1922, Carl Gustav Putsch died, and it was his son Carl Putsch who took over the management of the company. It was the beginning of the second generation.

1922-1942: Carl Putsch and the birth of the brand

Under the leadership of Carl Putsch (the son), the company moves from the artisanal stage to that of a small factory. In 1927, 27 employees produce around 7 000 pliers per week, a considerable volume for its time.

It is Carl Putsch who, in 1942, registers the “Knipex” trademark.

The choice of name is no accident: with the Putsch surname being ubiquitous in the region (like Dupont in France), a distinctive trade name was needed to stand out from the dozens of other tool manufacturers in the Bergisches Land.

“Knipex” combines a punchy Germanic sound with an “x” ending that evokes technical skill and precision.

1954: Karl Putsch, the engineer who changes the game

In 1954, Karl Putsch, the founder’s grandson, takes the reins of the company. He is a passionate engineer, and his arrival marks a major technological turning point.

Where his predecessors had built a good regional forge, Karl will transform Knipex into a European leader.

His strategy rests on two pillars: thoroughly modernizing the manufacturing processes (progressive automation, systematic quality control) and constantly expanding the range of pliers.

Until then focused on classic pincers and pliers, production opens up to new types of gripping, cutting and crimping tools.

His wife Ilse, who joined the company in 1951, plays a decisive role in management and commercial development. Together, they lead Knipex to the rank of European market leader in pliers.

• Progressive automation of production from the 1950s
• Expansion of the range well beyond basic pincers and pliers
• Systematic quality control at every manufacturing stage
• Position of European leader achieved under the leadership of the couple Karl and Ilse Putsch

The major innovations: Alligator, Cobra, Cobolt, pliers wrench

Knipex’s history is punctuated by innovations that redefined what pliers could do. Each of these inventions solved a concrete problem encountered by professionals in the field.

The Alligator (1973): the self-locking water pump pliers

In 1973, Knipex launches the Alligator, a water pump pliers of an entirely new kind.

Its self-locking jaw mechanism can grip both round parts (pipes) and angular parts (nuts) without the user needing to maintain constant pressure on the handles.

This is a considerable ergonomic advance for plumbers and installers who work for hours on end on fittings.

The Cobra (1984): push-button adjustment

The Cobra, launched in 1984, is probably Knipex’s most iconic product.

This water pump plier introduces a push-button adjustment system that allows fine and quick setting of the jaw opening.

You simply press the button and slide the jaw to find the desired position among 25 adjustment detents.

The jaws have teeth specially induction-hardened to about 61 HRC (Rockwell hardness), which gives them an exceptional grip on smooth surfaces such as chrome pipes.

The self-locking system prevents any accidental slipping.

Since 1984, the Cobra family has kept growing.

It is available today in many sizes, from the 100 mm Cobra XS (small enough to fit in a trouser pocket) up to the 560 mm models for heavy work.

The Cobra remains Knipex’s flagship product and a tool most electricians carry in their tool bag.

The XS is only one end of the family: Knipex offers the same jaw across an entire range of lengths.

The Cobolt (1988): the compact bolt cutter

In 1988, Knipex launches the Cobolt, a compact bolt cutter whose sophisticated force-transmission system multiplies the user’s manual force by up to 20 times.

All in a compact format, very far removed from bulky traditional bolt cutters.

The pliers wrench (1994): the tool that did not exist

In 1994, Knipex invents an entirely new tool: the pliers wrench (Zangenschlüssel).

Neither a wrench nor pliers in the classic sense, this tool combines smooth parallel jaws (which do not mark surfaces) with a ratchet mechanism.

It can replace a complete set of open-end wrenches in many situations, tightening or loosening nuts and fittings without damaging their surface.

The pliers wrench has established itself among electricians, plumbers and mechanics.

Its ability to grip firmly without marking chrome or painted surfaces makes it a particularly popular tool for work on electrical panels and plumbing fittings.

1996: Ralf Putsch and internationalization

In 1996, Ralf Putsch, great-grandson of the founder and fourth generation of the family, takes over as head of the company.

He had joined Knipex as early as 1987, which gave him time to learn the trade under the guidance of his predecessor.

His strategic direction is clear: to internationalise the company on a massive scale without ever offshoring production. Under his leadership, the share of revenue generated internationally rises from modest levels to more than 60% of the total.

• 1998: opening of a sales office in Moscow
• 2000s: creation of subsidiaries in the United States, China, Dubai, Japan, Mexico, Brazil and India
• 2003: ORBIS (Ahaus, Münsterland) joins the Knipex group
• 2006: WILL (Neustadt, Hesse) joins the group
• 1991: acquisition of Rennsteig-Werkzeuge in Thuringia, a specialist in cutting, stripping and crimping

The acquisition of Rennsteig-Werkzeuge in 1991 deserves a special mention. This Thuringian company, specialising in cutting, stripping and crimping tools, has considerably expanded the Knipex catalogue.

Rennsteig has become the leading European supplier in its product range, which also includes striking tools.

ORBIS and WILL, the two other acquisitions, manufacture pliers under their customers’ brands (white label), which allows the group to also cover this market segment without diluting the Knipex brand.

2007-2022: from European leader to global leader

In 2007, Knipex celebrates its 125th anniversary. The results are spectacular: sales have doubled in ten years, 800 employees produce 45,000 pliers per day, distributed in more than 100 countries.

Knipex has officially become the world’s leading pliers manufacturer.

In 2010, the company received the Wuppertal business award for “Company of the Year”, honouring innovation, growth and local commitment.

In 2019, Knipex won the prestigious “German Sustainability Award” in the medium-sized companies category, an award that recognises companies combining economic success, social responsibility and environmental protection.

In 2022, for the 140th anniversary, the figures rose again: more than 1 600 employees in Wuppertal, including more than 75 apprentices, and a daily production of 59 000 pliers.

The Knipex catalogue in 2026: a hundred types, 900 variants

The current range comprises around 100 types of pliers, available in more than 900 versions differing in length, shape and finish. This catalogue depth is unique in the hand tool industry.

The product families

For electricians, the most relevant range is that of VDE insulated tools, cutting pliers, wire strippers and crimping tools, a family I cover in detail with the Klauke K32 TWIST-it and K507 WF manual crimping pliers.

1 Crimping jaw Crimping jaw

Crimping pliers 97 53 04

Every type of Knipex pliers can be recognised by the first two digits of its reference, stamped on the tool.

But Knipex also covers plumbing (Cobra, Alligator, pipe wrenches), automotive (circlip pliers, locking pliers), electronics (precision pliers) and specialised fields such as aerospace, photovoltaics and fibre optics.

The numbering system

Every Knipex plier carries a reference number whose first two digits indicate the type. For example: 87 designates the Cobra, 86 the pliers wrenches, 82 the TwinGrip. This system makes it easy to find your way around a very large catalog.

VDE tools: electrical safety as a priority

For any professional electrician, insulated tools are a fundamental piece of safety equipment.

Knipex produces a wide range of VDE-certified tools, tested for live working up to 1 000 V alternating current and 1 500 V direct current.

VDE wire stripping pliers 13 66 180: the yellow-red handles signal the 1000 V certification, the only reliable marker on a live site.

VDE cable cutter 95 16 200, jaw marked by use: the signs of wear are visible on the cutting part.

Two VDE 200 mm long nose pliers, one with a built-in cutting edge: the foundation of insulated tooling for panel work.

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What is VDE certification?

VDE (Verband der Elektrotechnik, Elektronik und Informationstechnik) is the German electrotechnical association, founded in 1893.

Its certification marks guarantee that a product complies with the safety and quality standards required for working on live electrical installations.

1 1000 V symbol 1000 V symbol

VDE combination pliers 02 06 225

The yellow and red handle is not enough: only the 1000 V symbol certifies the insulation for live working.

The reference standard for insulated tools is DIN EN IEC 60900.

The Knipex test process

Every insulated Knipex tool undergoes a 10 000 V dielectric breakdown test in alternating current before leaving the factory.

This individual test, rather than sampling, guarantees that every pair of pliers delivered actually withstands the rated voltage.

The insulation is also tested under extreme temperature conditions (70 °C and -25 °C), as well as under mechanical stress (tensile and impact).

In addition to internal checks, external institutes such as VDE verify that the tools comply with the certification criteria.

Two types of insulation

Knipex offers two insulation variants: dip-coating insulation (the plier is dipped several times in liquid plastic, creating a one-piece sheath) and the yellow-red multi-component sheath, ergonomic and suited to every hand shape.

Both offer the same level of protection.

Knipex factory tour on video

To appreciate the scale of production and the level of industrial expertise, this official Knipex video retraces the company’s journey and shows behind the scenes of manufacturing in Wuppertal.

YouTube 69 likes

(traduit de l'anglais)

Knipex — Our History

Manufacturing: 100 % Wuppertal, almost 100 % integrated

One point radically sets Knipex apart from most of its competitors: all of the production remains in Wuppertal, at the historic Cronenberg site.

The company claims a vertical integration rate close to 100%, which means that every manufacturing step, from design to delivery of the finished tool, is handled in-house.

The manufacturing steps

• Hot forging: each leg is forged separately
• Deburring, drilling, milling
• Heat treatment: hardening and tempering to achieve the desired hardness
• Grinding, joint assembly, fitting of the jaws
• Surface finishing: burnishing, chrome plating or powder coating depending on the model
• Fitting of the handles and final quality control

The jaws of the gripping pliers undergo an additional induction hardening treatment that brings their hardness to around 61 HRC, which explains their ability to bite into stainless steel or chrome-plated surfaces.

Steel: critical know-how

Knipex uses special steels, mainly chrome-vanadium steel, whose composition is optimized for each type of tool. Steel represents the leading raw material item and is subject to rigorous incoming inspection.

For cutting tools (cutting pliers, cable cutters), the company uses highly alloyed tool steel, treated to achieve high hardness levels while retaining enough toughness to prevent chipping of the cutting edges.

These tools directly support the actions described in installing an electrical socket: cut cleanly, strip without nicking, tighten without damaging.

Recent innovations: TwinGrip, ErgoStrip, KNIPEXtend

ErgoStrip (2016): three tools in one

In 2016, Knipex launched the ErgoStrip, a universal stripping tool that combines three cable-handling functions in a single tool.

It is the brand’s first significant foray into the specific world of electrical installation, beyond conventional pliers.

The ErgoStrip enables fast and efficient work on round cables, flat cables and data cables.

TwinGrip (2021): reinventing the gripping pliers

Launched in 2021, the TwinGrip proves that the history of the pliers is far from over. This tool combines a front grip and a side grip thanks to a five-position sliding joint adjustable with a push button.

Its front jaws allow gripping and loosening damaged or rusted screws, a daily problem on electrical renovation job sites.

Since its initial launch in 200 mm, the range expanded in 2024 with 150 mm and 250 mm versions, offering greater flexibility depending on the situation.

KNIPEXtend (2024): modular handles

In 2024, Knipex introduced new Comfort handles with three components, gradually replacing the classic two-tone red and blue handles.

The major new feature is the KNIPEXtend interface built into the end of the handles, which allows accessories to be attached: ColorCode clips to visually identify your pliers, or TetheredTool clips to secure the tool with an anti-drop lanyard (essential for working at height).

Knipex even published the 3D data for the interface so that users can create their own accessories through 3D printing. An unusually open approach for a manufacturer of this size.

The Knipex museum: 800 m² of industrial history

At its Wuppertal site, Knipex houses a two-story museum covering 800 m², dedicated to the history of tools in the Bergisches Land.

There you can find nearly 80 historic machines of large size (power hammers, grinders, period workbenches), as well as old tools, everyday objects and reconstructed workshops that illustrate the working and living conditions in this industrial region.

This museum, free for visitors, reflects the company’s attachment to its roots and to passing on the regional industrial heritage.

Sustainability: green steel and commitment

Over the past few years, Knipex has taken a significant environmental turn.

The company has reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 40 % compared with 2020 and aims for a 50 % reduction by 2030, with a target of climate neutrality by 2045.

The switch to green steel

The most striking measure is the switch to green steel (Green Steel), a low-emission recycled steel. Knipex began this transition and completed it in 2025.

Recycled green steel reduces emissions by more than 80 % compared with primary steel produced from iron ore, while retaining the mechanical properties that professionals depend on.

The company now publishes the product carbon footprint (PCF) of every forged plier directly on the product pages of its website.

Two indicators are displayed: the proportion of recycled steel used and the CO₂ emissions associated with production.

Other initiatives

Knipex has installed photovoltaic panels on the roofs of its production halls since 2011 and recovers waste heat from its annealing workshops to supply the heating system.

The company has followed an energy management system compliant with the ISO 50001 standard since 2014.

On the social front, Knipex takes part in the SEKEM project to regreen the Libyan desert (more than 49 000 trees planted) and supports the start-up Plastic Fischer, which intercepts plastics in the tributaries of the Ganges (more than 70 tonnes collected on behalf of Knipex).

Group structure and family governance

Knipex-Werk C. Gustav Putsch KG is structured as a Kommanditgesellschaft (limited partnership), a legal form common among German family businesses.

The company remains entirely owned by the Putsch family, with no outside shareholders.

This capital independence is presented as a strategic advantage: it allows decisions geared toward long-term quality and innovation rather than quarterly results.

This philosophy explains, among other things, keeping all production in Wuppertal even though offshoring could have generated short-term savings.

The Knipex group employs a total of more than 2 000 people across four German production companies (Knipex in Wuppertal, Rennsteig in Thuringia, ORBIS in the Münsterland, WILL in Hesse) and several international sales subsidiaries.

More recently, SIB-Tooling joined the group to strengthen machining expertise.

Knipex in the daily life of an electrician in the Paris region

As an electrician in the Paris region, I use several Knipex pliers every day.

The Cobra 250 mm is probably the tool I reach for most often: tightening cable glands, holding fittings, unscrewing stubborn parts.

The 180 mm pliers wrench comes with me on every electrical panel job for tightening terminal blocks and connectors without marking the surfaces.

For repairs, the Knipex 160 mm VDE diagonal cutter is my main cutting tool on copper cables up to 4 mm².

1 Yellow and red VDE handle Yellow and red VDE handle

VDE diagonal cutter 160 mm

This is the main cutting tool for repair jobs: it cuts through copper up to 4 mm².

And for work on old installations with corroded screws and nuts, the TwinGrip has become an almost indispensable tool.

Here are these pliers stored in a tool bag.

Knipex vs the competition: positioning and debates

The question often comes up: why pay more for Knipex pliers when alternatives exist? The debate deserves to be laid out honestly.

Versus Channellock (USA)

Channellock, founded in 1886, is the historic American competitor.

Its slip-joint (“tongue and groove”) pliers are sturdy and cheaper, but their adjustment system is markedly less precise than that of the Cobra.

The finish and the hardness of the jaws also lag behind. For occasional domestic use, Channellock does the job.

For a professional who uses their pliers 8 hours a day, the difference in comfort and durability justifies the price difference.

Versus NWS (Germany)

NWS, another German manufacturer based in Solingen, offers pliers of comparable quality at slightly lower prices. The choice between the two brands often comes down to personal preference.

NWS is particularly appreciated for its cutting pliers.

Versus Wiha (Germany)

The Knipex vs Wiha comparison is a topic I covered in detail. Wiha excels in screwdrivers and insulated tools, but does not make multigrip pliers. The two brands are complementary rather than competing for an electrician.

The real argument for Knipex

What fundamentally sets Knipex apart is specialization. The company has made nothing but pliers for 140 years.

This total concentration on a single type of tool, combined with a level of vertical integration close to 100 % and continuous investment in research and development, produces a level of quality and innovation hard for generalist manufacturers to match.

Key figures in 2026

• More than 140 years of existence, still under family control
• Around 1 800 employees worldwide, including 1 300+ in Wuppertal
• 59 000 pliers produced per day in Wuppertal
• More than 100 types of pliers, 900+ variants
• Distribution in more than 100 countries, more than 60 % of revenue from exports
• 4 production companies in Germany, no factories relocated abroad
• 40 % reduction in greenhouse gas emissions since 2020
• Transition to recycled green steel completed in 2025

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