The Knipex 28 71 280 is a substantial 8.56 oz needle-nose plier at $41.60 with a 4.8-star rating from 555 reviews and 100 monthly buyers, making it a premium full-size pick for trade and heavy workshop use where extended reach and robust build quality are the priorities.
Tradespeople and heavy shop users who need a larger, heavier KNIPEX needle-nose with proven owner demand and a full-size reach.
Skip if
You want a compact, lightweight needle-nose for detailed electronics or fine bench work, where a lighter sub-4 oz model would serve better.
Handle Plastic
Weight 8.56 ounces
Priced 176% above the category median ($15.05 across 58 tracked models)
Our scorecard
4.7/5overall
Owner rating4.8/5
4.8 average across 555 owner ratings
Popularity2.5/5
555 owner reviews, fewer than most models here
The overall score is owner satisfaction weighted by how many reviews back it, so a high rating from few reviews counts for less. The bars below show where this model stands against the other hand tools and workshop hand tools we track in this category on price, popularity and size. Context, not marks against it, and our read of the data, not a lab test.
Overview
The Knipex 28 71 280 sits at the heavier end of the KNIPEX needle-nose lineup at 8.56 ounces. The model designation follows KNIPEX's numbering convention where 280 indicates the overall tool length in millimeters, approximately 11 inches, making this a full-size long-reach plier suited to panel work, deep enclosures, and mechanical assembly requiring extended jaw access.
At $41.60 with 555 reviews averaging 4.8 stars and 100 units sold per month, the Knipex 28 71 280 shows the sustained active demand typical of the KNIPEX line. The plastic handle keeps the grip firm and trim without adding extra weight to an already 8.56 oz tool. No blade material or jaw spec is published beyond the weight and handle details.
Compared to the KNIPEX 31 11 160 compact model at 3.6 oz and $39.99, the Knipex 28 71 280 adds more than five ounces and approximately $2 to the price in exchange for a significantly longer reach. Buyers who have already identified that a compact plier falls short in their application will find this the logical KNIPEX step-up.
Pros
4.8-star rating from 555 reviews with 100 monthly sales confirms consistent professional demand
280mm (approximately 11 inch) length provides full-size reach for deep enclosures and long-run tasks
Plastic handle maintains KNIPEX's firm, low-bulk grip standard
$41.60 is fair pricing for a full-size, high-rated KNIPEX needle-nose
Cons
8.56 oz is the second heaviest needle-nose in this batch, which may cause fatigue in extended all-day carry
No blade material or cutting-capacity spec is published in the listing data
Higher weight makes this a poor fit for fine electronics work where lighter compact models excel
Specifications
Handle
Plastic
Weight
8.56 ounces
Performance notes
Based on specs and verified owner reviews, the Knipex 28 71 280's 8.56 oz weight and approximately 11-inch length make it best suited to panel wiring, deep-cavity mechanical assembly, and trade applications where a compact plier cannot reach the work zone. The plastic handle provides firm, controlled jaw pressure at full extension.
What buyers say
Owners rate the Knipex 28 71 280 at 4.8 stars across 555 reviews and consistently favor it for work requiring longer reach than compact needle-nose models provide. The 100 monthly buyers indicate this is a specialty purchase made by buyers who have a specific reach requirement in mind.
How does the Knipex 28 71 280 compare to the KNIPEX 31 11 160?
The KNIPEX 31 11 160 is approximately 6.3 inches (160mm) and weighs 3.6 oz at $39.99. The Knipex 28 71 280 is approximately 11 inches (280mm) and weighs 8.56 oz at $41.60. Both rate 4.8 stars. Choose based on the reach you need.
Is the Knipex 28 71 280 good for electrical panel work?
Based on specs and owner reviews, the extended 280mm reach makes this plier well-suited to panel and enclosure work. No insulation rating is listed, so for live-voltage tasks, verify that spec or select a VDE-rated model.
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