The Knipex 14 22 160 Diagonal Cutting Pliers with Stripper is a compact hand tool built for cutting wire and stripping select single conductors. This is a diagonal cutting pliers designed for wire cutting and wire preparation. Model 14 22 160 gives electricians, maintenance techs, and serious DIY users a 6-1/4 inch cutter that handles two common jobs in one tool.

What makes this one useful on the job is not just that it cuts. The high-leverage design helps increase cutting capacity while keeping hand effort in check, which matters when you are making repeated cuts through soft and medium hard wire. Knipex rates it for up to 1/8 inch soft wire and up to 1/16 inch medium hard wire, so it is aimed at control wiring, fixture work, and general electrical trimming rather than heavy cable work.

The built-in stripping holes are the other reason this tool earns its spot in the pouch. It has precision stripping holes for 1.5 and 2.5 mm² single conductors, which lets you prep common wire sizes cleanly without switching to a separate stripper for every small task. For service calls and punch-list work, that kind of time saver is the stuff you actually notice by the end of the day.

Knipex also gave these pliers an elongated cutting edge, which is a practical detail if you work in crowded boxes, tight control cabinets, or anywhere access is limited. A lot of compact cutters get stubby at the head. This design reaches a little better where a standard shape starts fighting you.

On build quality, this is what you would expect from Knipex. The pliers are made from vanadium electric steel, forged, and multi-stage oil-hardened. That combination is there for edge durability and long-term strength, not brochure filler. The polished head with black atramentized finish gives the tool a clean working surface while the riveted joint keeps the action straightforward and durable.

The KNIPEXTEND comfort handle setup adds some real-world flexibility too. The handle design makes tool identification easier and supports use with KNIPEX TetheredTool System lanyards and adapters when paired with KNIPEXTEND ColorCoded Clips and TetheredTool Clips, sold separately. If you work at height or just want faster visual ID in the bag, that compatibility is actually worth knowing.

This tool is not marketed as 1000-volt insulated, so it should be chosen as a cutting and stripping pliers based on its mechanical features, not as an insulated safety tool. That distinction matters for electrical work. If you need certified insulated pliers for live-environment protocols, this is not the one to substitute.

Who should buy it? Anyone who wants a compact Knipex cutter that can trim wire cleanly and strip two common conductor sizes without adding bulk to the pouch. It makes the most sense for electricians, low-voltage installers, maintenance crews, and field techs who value compact size, clean cutting, and faster wire prep more than all-out heavy cutting capacity.

Why the Knipex 14 22 160 Diagonal Cutting Pliers with Stripper Earns Pouch Space

This is the kind of compact electrical hand tool that saves time because it does two common jobs well instead of doing five jobs badly.

• Who it's for: Electricians, maintenance techs, and anyone doing frequent light wire cutting and conductor prep in tight spaces.
• Why it stands out: You get Knipex cutting performance, built-in stripping holes for 1.5 and 2.5 mm² conductors, and an elongated cutting edge that is easier to work with in cramped areas.
• Worth knowing: This is not a 1000-volt insulated tool, and the tethering and color-ID accessories are optional extras, not included.

• What wire sizes can the stripper handle? It has precision stripping holes for 1.5 mm² and 2.5 mm² single conductors.
• What is the cutting capacity? Knipex lists cutting capacity up to 1/8 inch for soft wire and up to 1/16 inch for medium hard wire.
• Is this tool 1000-volt insulated? No. It is not 1000-volt insulated.
• Can it be used with Knipex tethering accessories? Yes. The KNIPEXTEND handle system is designed to work with KNIPEX TetheredTool System accessories when the required clips are added.