The Knipex 09 11 240 SBA Lineman's Pliers is a heavy-duty hand tool built for gripping, pulling, twisting, cutting, and crimping on electrical and general jobsite work. This is a lineman's pliers designed for wire work, fastening-related pulling, and all-around trade use. Model Number 09 11 240 SBA. With its 240 mm overall length, high-leverage joint design, and added fish tape puller and crimping point, it does more than a standard pair of lineman's pliers.

The big story here is leverage. Knipex redesigned this series with the pivot positioned to improve transmission, so the tool cuts with less hand effort than conventional combination pliers. On the job, that means less fatigue when you are trimming solid wire, cutting tougher material, or making repeated cuts during rough-in and service work. The cutting edges are induction hardened to about 64 HRC, so the edge is built to hold up when you move between soft and hard wire.

This tool is not just about cutting. The jaws use a particularly aggressive cross-hatched gripping zone for strong bite when you need to grab and pull. There is also an additional gripping area below the joint for more leverage during pressing and pulling tasks. If you work with wire, fish tape, or cable often, those extra gripping surfaces make a real difference because the tool stays planted instead of skating off the material.

Knipex also built in two features electricians actually use. The joint gap functions as a fish tape puller, giving you a better way to grab and pull tape or cable during runs. Below the joint is a universal mandrel crimping point, which adds light crimping capability without reaching for another tool. According to the product description, the updated back recess shape also works better on thicker round or oval cable and can be used to deburr conduit by slightly opening the jaws and inserting the conduit.

Build quality is what you would expect from Knipex. The pliers are made from vanadium electric steel, forged, and multi-stage oil-hardened for strength under heavy strain. The plastic-coated ergonomic handles are shaped for a secure hold and lower fatigue during long sessions. This is not an insulated tool, so it is meant for appropriate non-live applications where insulation is not required.

At roughly 0.96 lb, the tool has enough mass to feel solid in hand without getting clumsy on a belt or in a pouch. The 9-1/4 inch class size gives you better leverage than smaller lineman's pliers while still being manageable in everyday electrical, construction, and maintenance work. If you spend your day twisting conductors, pulling fish tape, trimming wire, or working around conduit and cable, this size hits a very practical middle ground.

The Knipex 09 11 240 SBA Lineman's Pliers makes the most sense for electricians, maintenance techs, general contractors, and serious DIY users who want one pair of lineman's pliers that can grip hard, cut efficiently, and handle a few extra tasks. If you only need a basic cutter, this is more tool than necessary. If you want a tougher all-around lineman's pliers with smarter jaw geometry and jobsite-friendly features, this is the kind of upgrade you notice right away.

Why the Knipex 09 11 240 SBA Lineman's Pliers earns a spot in the pouch

This is the kind of lineman's pliers that feels like a real upgrade the first day you use it, especially if you cut and pull wire for a living.

• Who it's for: Electricians, maintenance crews, and contractors who want one heavy-duty pair for cutting, gripping, fish tape pulling, and light crimping.
• Why it stands out: The leverage is the headline, but the built-in puller, crimping point, and aggressive grip zones are what make it more useful than a standard pair.
• Worth knowing: These are plastic-coated handles, not insulated handles, so buy them for performance and durability, not for live-line insulation requirements.

• What type of tool is this? This is a 240 mm lineman's pliers designed for gripping, pulling, cutting wire, and light crimping tasks.
• Does it have insulated handles? No. The handles are plastic-coated ergonomic handles, not insulated handles.
• Can it cut hard wire? Yes. It has cutting edges for soft and hard wire, and the edges are induction hardened to about 64 HRC.
• Does it include any added functions beyond standard lineman's pliers? Yes. It includes a fish tape puller in the joint gap and a universal mandrel crimping point below the joint.