KNIPEX 70 02 160 Plier
- Plier
- 7.5 ounces
- Polyvinyl Chloride
- Better rated than 66%
- More reviewed than 90%
A compact Knipex diagonal cutter suited to wire work, worth buying if you need a dedicated cutter rather than a general gripping plier.
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How it ranks among the 311 pliers we track
4.8★ across 3,300 Amazon ratings, Bayesian-smoothed toward the category average.
3,300 Amazon ratings, weighted on a log scale so huge counts don't drown everything.
100+ bought on Amazon last month.
Brand identity, imagery, description and spec coverage.
The ProductDome score is separate from the Amazon rating shown above: it combines the Bayesian-smoothed Amazon rating with evidence volume, tracked demand, and data quality across the 311 pliers we track - how the scorecard works · full pliers data report. Confidence: medium - useful but incomplete evidence.Last refreshed Aug 4, 2026. Data-computed, not a hands-on test. Compiled by the ProductDome Research Team.
Overview
Knipex numbers its tools by length in millimeters, so the 70 02 160 in this model name points to a 160mm, roughly 6.3 inch, tool. Despite the generic Plier title, the 70 02 series in the Knipex catalog is diagonal cutting pliers, built for snipping wire rather than gripping and turning.
PVC handle covering, not the softer multi-component grip Knipex uses on some premium lines, keeps the price point down while still cushioning the hand from the tool's edges. At 0.47 pounds it is light enough for all-day use in an electrician's pouch or a home toolbox.
- Knipex 70 02 160 diagonal cutter
- PVC handle covering
- 0.47 lbs item weight
- 160mm / 6.3 inch model size
Who it's for
Fits anyone who needs a dedicated wire cutter, electricians, hobbyists, cable installers, rather than someone shopping for a general gripping plier. Not the right pick if you specifically need a slip-joint or needle-nose plier for gripping tasks.
Strengths and trade-offs
Drawn from this product's published specifications.
- Compact 160mm size for tight spaces
- PVC-dipped handles for grip
- Light at 0.47 lbs for extended use
- Title labeled generically as Plier, not Cutter
- No stated insulation voltage rating
- Handle is PVC, not premium multi-component grip
Performance notes
Diagonal cutters like this rely on hardened jaw edges meeting at an angle to shear wire cleanly rather than crush it. PVC-dipped handles add grip and some cushioning but are not rated for live electrical work unless the listing specifically states an insulation voltage rating, which this one does not.
Specifications
| Brand | Knipex |
|---|---|
| Model | 70 02 160 |
| Item Weight | 7.5 ounces |
| Handle | Polyvinyl Chloride |
Other Knipex pliers
How it compares
This product against the closest alternatives we track in pliers.
| Product | Amazon rating | Ratings | ProductDome score |
|---|---|---|---|
| KNIPEX 70 02 160 PlierThis product | 4.8 / 5 | 3,300 | 4.3 / 5 |
| CRAFTSMAN CMHT82547 PlierCraftsman | 4.7 / 5 | 12,000 | 4.6 / 5 |
| IRWIN 2078216 PlierIrwin | 4.8 / 5 | 9,296 | 4.6 / 5 |
| Klein D248-9ST PlierKlein | 4.8 / 5 | 6,158 | 4.6 / 5 |
| Channellock TG-1 PlierCHANNELLOCK | 4.8 / 5 | 5,900 | 4.5 / 5 |
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Questions about the Knipex 70 02 160
Common buyer questions answered straight from the product spec data - no fluff, no "it depends".
Is the Knipex 70 02 160 a cutting tool or a gripping plier?
It is a diagonal cutting plier despite the generic title, part of Knipex's 70 02 wire-cutter series.
What does the 160 in the model number mean?
Knipex uses millimeter length in its model numbers, so 160 points to a 160mm, about 6.3 inch, tool.