It seems to be intended, mine are exactly the same. Their site states "Shear cut with controlled micro cutting edge misalignment for the most precise cutting of even the thinnest of wires and for a long service life" and I suspect it is to reduce the pressure on the blade edges. I bought the 72 01 140 but they also have the shorted 72 02 125 which are intended for plastic. My 140mm ones are truly flush

If you want to nerd out on high-end side cutters (and tweezers, and pliers), the first and last word in such tool snobbery is Erem. Swiss made, perfectly built, glass smooth... just extraordinary tools. Problem is that they are really scaled around electronic work, so not like they make a lineman's or slip-joint plier. They are, however, absolutely amazing. Oh, and if you think Snap On pricing is a bit absurd, Erem makes them look like a bargain.

I have same pair of cutters and model 78 61 140 as well and they both have this misalignment, as stated on their website it is a feature: "Shear cut with controlled micro cutting edge misalignment for the most precise cutting of even the thinnest of wires and for a long service life"

They aren't even a flush cutter though, I am confused how everyone thinks they are, I know it's 2022 but these dont identify as flush cuts! they are electronic knips!

Hi doc just a FYI they are off set for when you solder electronics and you snip off the legs it leaves a smoother cut on the solder if they are perfectly aligned it tends to leave a sharper cut on the solder. I have not long started to watch your videos and I am enjoying every one up to now so keep up the good work.

As stated by a few others, this is an intentional design element incorporated into that particular model. Knipex will likely explain that in their reply to your email.

My ESD version of them has the same thing, reading the comments it's for electronics. Does Knipex have a flush cutter option? I want my home electronic repair kit to be mostly Knipex & Wiha.

Is there a smaller version of those 6-inch Snap on 786CF flush cutters?

I ordered the black 5.5" and i wonder if they'll be any better. Klien are around $12 , Dec 2023, and the Knipex $35+tax gets expensive for "sometimes" , About the 5.5" black version?, thanks.

They are offset on purpose. The FAQ on the Knipex website states: "The offset of the cutting edges of the KNIPEX Electronic SuperKnips has been deliberately chosen for the following reason: Since the cutting edges are very sharp, they would destroy each other if they hit each other directly. That is why we have chosen a small offset of a few hundredths of a millimeter (up to a maximum of 0.2 mm) (micro cutting edge offset). This not only protects the razor-sharp cutting edges, but also reliably cuts the thinnest wire." My guess is they're designed for cutting electric cables and not zip ties. My guess is the "flush cutting" is something that was lost in translation or relates specifically to cables.

I modify the ones I get to have this feature. No need to have two sharp edges slamming into each other. Just missing each other is good for me.

Can you do a comparison with the HARBORFREIGHT ICON FLUSH CUTTERS??

I have the 72 01 160 Knipex which is a spring loaded flush cutter. Best flush cutter I have used.

Where can I buy that snap on cutter you showed?

My little maroon handled Kleins were uneven from the store but they were easy to bend into alignment. Those Knipex look a little harder to manipulate.

I think the knipex is meant for electronics, ie. you solder a component leg to the board then cut off the excess. The misalignment gives you a bit of a softer edge to the cut as well as keep the remainder from being launched as tiny metal spears. At least that was my understanding of their purpose.

I have both Klein and Knipex cutters and the Klein is JUNK!!! I use them for hobby electronics and the Klein blades were chipped within a month, and I only used them for trimming the leads from electronics leads. Resistors, capacitors, etc. Very disappointed with Klein, but only had my new Knipex for a short time, so time will tell. I enjoy your videos!

Those are the electricians snips that’s why. But I have recently encountered an issue with 3 of their angled long reach pliers having the same issue with completely inconsistent jaws when closing. Two of the three pliers actually were utter garbage and did not live up to the hype as it is my second type of tool purchase thru them. And I know some of the tool aren’t being produced in Germany they are being made in Taiwan! So I thought possibly is this a Taiwan made tool but nope they all say made in Germany so it’s a shame idk it got me recently so frustrated that I’m considering making a video on it 😢

idk man I have the same pair and I use them daily at work and with the slightest bit of effort from my side to allign them when cutting off a zip tie I can get a perfectly flush cut with nothing standing out.

I have a pair of Engineer flush cutters (The Japanese company that makes Vampliers) they are super sharp and cut zip ties very flush. They are also the best finger nail clippers Ive ever used. NWS makes some nice looking ESD flush cutters too.

I'm interested to see how they treat you, as I've never had to use their customer service. Keep us updated!

For true flush cutters, the only pair I have and would recommend are Lindström. Swedish made, a little pricey but the quality is there.

I remember watching a Knipex video and their rep even said "No spike in the middle of it" after cutting a zip tie. Send them back and please let us know about their customer service.

Please update on the email and customer service. Klien customer service is a meh at best in my experience

& if your chip/tear a finger/toenail, they make great stand-in nail trimmers 😁Actually, I don't own any nail trimmers, I just use these!

lindström?

23 July 2022 Before I watched this video, I ordered and received the KNIPEX Super Knips (7861125). I observed the same thing that you did. The two opposing cutting edges are offset. In my opinion, if the cutting edges are not exactly opposed to each other, then what is the purpose of having two cut edges to start with? When I cut a wire one edge is doing all of the cutting and the other doesn't have an opposing "stop" for it to cut as it should. So, I requested a replacement. The 2nd cutter arrived today. It is made exactly the same as the 1st one. So, if one cutting edge is doing all of the work, I reason that the one edge that is doing all of the work will dull twice as fast. I'll return it and go back to the drawing board to find another brand. I see that other reviewers have stated that KNIPEX reports that the offset is normal. I'm sorry I don't buy that. If they are offset on purpose or not, then they are not the flush cutter that I need and want. Update 24 July 2022 - I have ordered an IGAN-330 Flush Cutter. We'll see.

Hello again Doc Thank you for another Great Video. You my friend are correct, you should bring that to Knipex attention. Your speaking a safety issue. I 've been cut many times by zip tie ends. So they should be receptive. Again thank you

Mine are the exact same Doc, I thought that was as flush as a flush cut gets but it isn't now that I see.

It should be as good as Snap on...send them back. Even Snap on has warranty items

I have the same set and they are perfect! Truth be told even the finest manufacturing facilities have the same Mondays and Fridays! Those were probably made on a Monday, poor chap a tad hung over…. It happens, but I would indeed get a new pair. Something isn’t right with them. Keep up the great work Doc!

Maybe get another set and see if maybe it was just a manufacturing fail? I have 5-for-10 dollars chinesium flush cutters that are better than that

I don't think you're being too picky at all, although it's probably easily remedied with a wet stone. But yeah those red handled Klein's are my stand by too. Disappointing that's a tool 3x the price preformed worse. As always thanks for sharing

Flush means flush, thats why I get you

Flush cut 2022

You aren't too picky. Knipex sells flush cutters that cut flush and these are not the right tool for that job

watching for the zip tie police can stretch our ocd!

those edges look damaged

Warranty =/

I'm glad you did this video. Gave me a good review of just cutting zip ties. I want them flush. I could care less about electronic shit. I'm usually tieing cables anyways.

Kanip X 😂

Man, doc, I never would have recommended those if they where all like that. The pair I got where perfect. There so well aligned, that I cut through soft string with them all the time. And by all the time, I'm talking like daily. I can't even believe that yours are that far out. That's crazy to me. I really think you should send them back. Or talk to someone. Personally I haven't ever had a Knipex show up like that. So idk how you would go about send back or talking to someone. Sorry that you ended up with a pair like that.

should of done some research

Not too picky,they charge premium prices and you should expect your tools to be perfect for the price you pay. They have dropped in quality,I noticed on one pair of side cutters I bought recently that gap between pivot point and jaw is bigger than on one pair I bought 2-3 years ago. I'd suggest to buy them in store,you can carefully inspect the tool you want to buy,and make sure you don't get ones made on Friday...

If a flush cutter is not cutting flush it is not a flush cutter, intentional or not.

Knipex always used to be a touch soft.

I did notice that while knipex does have tools advertised as flush cutters, these are called electronics super knips. The word flush is nowhere in the name nor the description. While they resemble similar tools that are usually flush cutters, for whatever reason knipex is avoiding that trend. I don't think you're being too picky though. Flush cutters or not, at knipex's premium prices you don't expect an offset like that in a brand new tool.

They say its intended but never trust German garbage, it never würks

yes you are too picky. that's tool addiction

Good job Doc. I always enjoy your reviews. I love Kleins. I love my channellocks. too. I have Knipex pliers wrench, 2 sizes of cobras, 8 inch high leverage diagonals, needle nose with cutters, high leverage combination pliers & locking pliers. The locking pliers are not near as good as my Malco made in USA. (They are without a doubt the best ini the world) The other Knipex have served me well. I will stay away from those Knipex flush cutters - thank you for the heads up.