Pliers of the Year: Knipex Twin Grip Takes It, with Snap-on and Milwaukee Contenders

Introduction

Every year a handful of hand tools rise above the rest, and this time the vote went decisively to a small pair of pliers. The Knipex Twin Grip 150 mm took plier of the year with roughly 45 percent of more than a thousand reader votes, beating out strong contenders from Snap-on and Milwaukee. What follows is a rundown of all five finalists and a clear explanation of why the compact Twin Grip came out on top.

The Winner: Knipex Twin Grip 150 mm

The 150 mm Twin Grip is the smallest member of the Twin Grip family, but it operates well above its size. At its core it is a slip joint plier with jaws that open to about half an inch, which means it can handle nearly anything that fits between them. The jaws have a Cobra-like profile, so they grip hex-front fasteners especially well.

What makes it a genuine category-killer is the screw extraction capability. It functions as a tremendously effective screw extraction plier, which means it can displace a dedicated extraction tool entirely. The narrow jaw profile even lets it stretch into light needle nose territory, though it is not a true needle nose. As an everyday carry plier, it is genuinely pocket sized; at around six inches long, trimming the small end nub would bring it close to airline carry-on limits.

Why the Twin Grip Design Works So Well

The slip joint mechanism is the quiet genius here. Because you can control the grip size, you can dial in both the fastener you are grabbing and the fit of the tool in your hand for optimum leverage. Few pliers at this size offer that kind of adjustment, and it is the main reason the Twin Grip punches so far above its pay grade.

It is fair to say, as some readers did, that the 150 mm is a variation on a theme rather than something entirely new. But the same could be said of almost any modern plier, and the theme is executed exceptionally well.

The Full Range: 200 mm and 250 mm Twin Grip

The 150 mm is a smaller version of the classic 200 mm Twin Grip, and Knipex has since added a 250 mm version as well. Within the limitations of size, all three are essentially the same tool, so the choice comes down to the jaw capacity and reach your work demands.

The 200 mm remains the proven classic of the line, and the 250 mm extends the same design into jobs that need more leverage and larger jaw openings.

The Runner-Up: Snap-on LN44BCF

The Snap-on LN44BCF was a serious contender in the vote and was a personal favorite going into it. It is essentially a smaller version of Snap-on’s larger pliers in the same line, so it too is a variation on a theme. What stands out is that Snap-on is reaching down to the smaller size class, where they offer all kinds of compact pliers.

Snap-on gives this one a couple of handle options: a color-dipped handle or a bare handle. Both look good, so the choice is mostly a matter of preference.

The Reach Specialist: Milwaukee Extra Long Needle Nose

The Milwaukee extra long needle nose, available in bent and straight versions, was the third finalist. Some argued it was the only genuinely new plier in the running, since the others were variations on existing designs, though it is still a variation on the needle nose theme itself.

Before the Knipex and Snap-on entries arrived, this one could plausibly have taken plier of the year on its own. It is simply super handy, and for jobs that demand extra reach in tight spaces it fills a role the Twin Grip cannot.

Buying Advice

If you want one plier that covers the most ground in a compact format, the Knipex Twin Grip 150 mm is the clear pick, and the 200 mm or 250 mm versions extend the same design for bigger jobs. If you prefer polished chrome aesthetics and smaller-size options from a premium tool truck brand, the Snap-on LN44BCF is a worthy alternative. And if your work regularly demands reaching into tight spaces, the Milwaukee extra long needle nose earns its place in the drawer alongside any of them.

Conclusion

The vote has been cast and the result is hard to argue with. The Knipex Twin Grip 150 mm is plier of the year because it replaces several specialized tools with one pocketable pair of pliers. Pair it with the larger Twin Grip sizes, the Snap-on LN44BCF, or the Milwaukee extra long needle nose depending on the work you do, and you will have the finalists covered.