Review on 🔧 Klein Tools D2000-8 Pliers: 8-Inch High-Leverage Heavy Duty Side Cutters by Antonio Cummings

I'm a big fan of Klein tools having been around for over 25 years. Once upon a time at the IBEW store I worked at in high school and college, it was little or nothing. If you found a journeyman using anything other than pliers and small screwdrivers, that was pretty weird. Fast forward to 2020 and it's not that Klein is bad right now because it's not, but I think compared to the competition they just haven't innovated. And it seems the quality has dropped, maybe a notch or two. Those linesman tongs are fine. Mine leveled out pretty well and the pivot point was stiff but not overwhelming. I've done the whole dance where you hold it horizontally with the shaft up and put penetrating oil on it and work it a million times and it comes off. never mind I also cut the plastic handles and installed the red textured $10 well spent. But for $35 plus another $10 for replacement grips, you get Lineman pliers that are fine. On the other hand, for the same money you can spend a pair of Wihas with better workmanship, properly factory adjusted and much better grips. Or you can spend a little more and check out the Knipex, which are more convenient, cut easier, and are a better tool in almost every way. When I look at the Klein line of hand tools, it makes me sad. It's like standing in a store in 1997 and looking at the same things, except now the quality seems to have gone down and there are other/better options. I will say that Klein brand gauges and testers are impressive and I love the ones I have. But in the hand tool department, I have to think long and hard before I buy anything else.