"OHM ELECTRONIC" Fairly cheap brand from germany

[ZeTeX]

Have anybody heard about them? Are they good? Are they wroth it?

http://www.slideshare.net/sharongb/ohm-catalog-2002?ref=http://www.gbtools.co.il/%D7%90%D7%95%D7%93%D7%95%D7%AA-OHM-ELECTRONIC

I could not find their site but they seem to be good quality, one of their side cutter:
http://www.gbtools.co.il/content/images/thumbs/0032326_-115-esd.jpeg

They cost about 38$ including shipping.

[ZeTeX]

Nobody knows them hah.
Well, better pay 2$ more and get lindstrom. 

[Zermalmer]

Hi ZeTeX,
I didn't know this company and just made a short trip to their website and the web...

They wrote that the company is founded in germany/Thüringen and changed their location at the end of the century to Solingen... and Solingen is well known...

http://www.ohm-elektronikzangen.de

If I have a look to the design of the handles...some look familiar...maybe the company mainly produce under or for another trademark in a lot of shops... but that's only a guess...

[nanofrog]

They're rebranded Schmitz, which are excellent (all they make is precision pliers & cutters, and they're damned good at it). In fact, they're rebranded by a number of well known quality tool brands, such as Bernstein and CK Tools. As per pliers, the teeth both grip extremely well and hold up rather than flatten out like so many of the others do.

And I'd take these over Lindstroms without any reservation (I've a mix of Lindstrom, Schmitz, Belzer, Erem, and Tronex).

FWIW, they sell directly, and ship internationally. Ended up paying ~$28USD per pair shipped (even included the currency conversion fee from PayPal, which is their accepted form of payment). Very easy to do business with IME. Definitely the best value out there for quality pliers & cutters if you buy direct.



This photo is slightly older as the grips are slightly different (no raised emblems & no rectangular bulge where the springs enter the grips). I got mine during the transition, so I've actually both styles of grips (photo below is one of mine).

[ZeTeX]

They're rebranded Schmitz, which are excellent (all they make is precision pliers & cutters, and they're damned good at it). In fact, they're rebranded by a number of well known quality tool brands, such as Bernstein and CK Tools. As per pliers, the teeth both grip extremely well and hold up rather than flatten out like so many of the others do.

And I'd take these over Lindstroms without any reservation (I've a mix of Lindstrom, Schmitz, Belzer, Erem, and Tronex).

FWIW, they sell directly, and ship internationally. Ended up paying ~$28USD per pair shipped (even included the currency conversion fee from PayPal, which is their accepted form of payment). Very easy to do business with IME. Definitely the best value out there for quality pliers & cutters if you buy direct.



This photo is slightly older as the grips are slightly different (no raised emblems & no rectangular bulge where the springs enter the grips). I got mine during the transition, so I've actually both styles of grips (photo below is one of mine).

I know schmitz, yes they are indeed very high quality.
I ended up ordering their cutters. seems like a good deal, because I got it for 2$.
(They had a problem with their site but they still called me and told me they are going to ship the cutters for 2$ even if it was just a bug in the website, weird but it was their own choice).

[nanofrog]

I know schmitz, yes they are indeed very high quality.
I ended up ordering their cutters. seems like a good deal, because I got it for 2$.
(They had a problem with their site but they still called me and told me they are going to ship the cutters for 2$ even if it was just a bug in the website, weird but it was their own choice).

Now that's excellent customer service.     

[Back2Volts]

I know schmitz, yes they are indeed very high quality.
I ended up ordering their cutters. seems like a good deal, because I got it for 2$.
(They had a problem with their site but they still called me and told me they are going to ship the cutters for 2$ even if it was just a bug in the website, weird but it was their own choice).

Now that's excellent customer service.     

You two guys, nanofrog and ZeTeX, seem to be familiar with the Schmitz products.   I have decided to splurge myself with some tools pliers/cutters from them.    I am not sure what cutters to get.   Currently I have some CHP-170 and I was wondering about getting some sturdier ones.   What model would you suggest for those cutters?

[Dago]

They're rebranded Schmitz, which are excellent (all they make is precision pliers & cutters, and they're damned good at it). In fact, they're rebranded by a number of well known quality tool brands, such as Bernstein and CK Tools. As per pliers, the teeth both grip extremely well and hold up rather than flatten out like so many of the others do.

And I'd take these over Lindstroms without any reservation (I've a mix of Lindstrom, Schmitz, Belzer, Erem, and Tronex).

FWIW, they sell directly, and ship internationally. Ended up paying ~$28USD per pair shipped (even included the currency conversion fee from PayPal, which is their accepted form of payment). Very easy to do business with IME. Definitely the best value out there for quality pliers & cutters if you buy direct.



This photo is slightly older as the grips are slightly different (no raised emblems & no rectangular bulge where the springs enter the grips). I got mine during the transition, so I've actually both styles of grips (photo below is one of mine).

Does Wiha also rebrand these Schmitz ones? Look very similar, though very expensive. Just fiddling with them at the store I decided Erem seemed nicer.

[nanofrog]

You two guys, nanofrog and ZeTeX, seem to be familiar with the Schmitz products.   I have decided to splurge myself with some tools pliers/cutters from them.    I am not sure what cutters to get.   Currently I have some CHP-170 and I was wondering about getting some sturdier ones.   What model would you suggest for those cutters?

I'm not sure how many you're after, but if you're trying to replicate the shape of the CHP-170, then you need a medium head size w/ tapered & relieved jaws (3232HS22). This one will allow you to get into those tight spots.  Otherwise, get a medium oval for general purpose. For general purpose, oval heads are usually preferred as they're the strongest shape for a given size (more steel).

In my case, I've different head shapes & sizes; even one with tungsten carbide jaws for cutting steel legs off of cheap passives. I collected them over time from eBay for a fraction of their retail prices (I'm fond of Tronex, Swanstrom, and foam grip Erems).

As per pliers, I have both of the snipe nose with teeth/serrations, a flat nose, and a round nose.

• 4212HS22
• 4202HS22
• 4221HS22
• 4231HS22

[nanofrog]

Does Wiha also rebrand these Schmitz ones? Look very similar, though very expensive. Just fiddling with them at the store I decided Erem seemed nicer.

I don't know, but it's possible they're providing Schmitz with custom grips or installing them on not quite finished pliers/cutters in their own facility. 

All of the rebrands I've spotted however have the same dual compound grip shape in different colors & branding. Take a look at Bernstein and CK Tools for example. NWS rebrands a few as well, but its such a poor selection I typically don't bother mentioning them (~5 IIRC).

[Dago]

Btw. I'd personally need some nicer "medium" size side cutters for electronics. I have really tiny Erems which I use for most of the stuff (small through hole pins and small wires), then I have some "hardware store" kind of side cutters which are too big for any electronics. In between I have some regular crappy ones which are quite dull already. Basically something for cutting stuff like power transistor legs, connector pins, like 14-22 gauge wire etc. Any recommendations on specific models OR even just general shape/size? I could spend maybe 60€.

[nanofrog]

Btw. I'd personally need some nicer "medium" size side cutters for electronics. I have really tiny Erems which I use for most of the stuff (small through hole pins and small wires), then I have some "hardware store" kind of side cutters which are too big for any electronics. In between I have some regular crappy ones which are quite dull already. Basically something for cutting stuff like power transistor legs, connector pins, like 14-22 gauge wire etc. Any recommendations on specific models OR even just general shape/size? I could spend maybe 60€.

I'd recommend Schmitz first, as they're not only of excellent quality, but offer a better value than other brands (I like Erem w/ foam grips). US brands too, but by the time you import them, stuff made closer to home makes more sense.

Generally speaking, I'd recommend the following (medium head size w/ a semi-flush bevel* <leaves a very small spike with little to no reduction in cutter lifespan>):

• Oval
• Taper
• Relieved Taper

The most expensive running ~25EUR per pair, so well under your budget without compromising on quality. 

BTW, quality cutters can be re-sharpened inexpensively by any cutter manufacturer (~3x before needing to be replaced, so they last a good long time = excellent value vs. cheap cutters). 

Given a lot of inexpensive passives are using steel leads (i.e. Yageo), I find a pair of tungsten carbide cutters are well worth having to be sure you don't nick the blades on your other quality cutters (either TC inserts or part of the steel alloy itself). These aren't cheap by any means new, but I find they can be had inexpensively if you're patient (i.e. eBay). If you want new, Schmitz is by far the least expensive source I've ever seen (~55 - 66EUR vs. 100EUR+ for other brands <i.e. Knipex & Erem>).  For disclosure, I've a pair of Erem 576TX I got off of eBay for something like $15 shipped, while they went for ~$180 new (turned out to be a bit rusty, but that was an easy fix).   

* Different manufacturers call this by various names, such as flush whilst their zero spike versions would be called super-flush or something similar. So pay attention to the catalogs & specific P/N's.

As per brands, I like Erem over Lindstrom of EU brands; Schmitz comes in cheaper hands down without a sacrifice in quality, so my 1st choice of EU makes; of US brands, add Tronex and Swanstrom to the list, but I suspect importing them will be too damn expensive.

[Back2Volts]

As a follow up, I ordered and received the following tools

- 3401HS22   Tungsten carbide side cutters with bevel, oval head
- 4112HS22   Snipe nose pliers serrated, straight short jaws
- 4202HS22   Snipe node pliers serrated, straight long jaws
- 4231HS22   Round nose pliers, smooth, short jaws
- 4121HS22   Flat nose pliers, smooth, short jaws
- 4217HS22  Snipe node pliers, smooth, straight, short jaws, microfine pointed tips

The total with shipping to US was 178 Euros.    The zip folder was a bonus for buying six tools.   I have not had much of a chance to use them yet but they look great.

[ZeTeX]

As a follow up, I ordered and received the following tools

- 3401HS22   Tungsten carbide side cutters with bevel, oval head
- 4112HS22   Snipe nose pliers serrated, straight short jaws
- 4202HS22   Snipe node pliers serrated, straight long jaws
- 4231HS22   Round nose pliers, smooth, short jaws
- 4121HS22   Flat nose pliers, smooth, short jaws
- 4217HS22  Snipe node pliers, smooth, straight, short jaws, microfine pointed tips

The total with shipping to US was 178 Euros.    The zip folder was a bonus for buying six tools.   I have not had much of a chance to use them yet but they look great.

Enjoy them! they are great tools. I would probably use 1 plier and 1 good side cutter and that's it ;P

[nanofrog]

FWIW, I recently snapped one of the jaws off on my flat nose (minor use, not trying to do an impression of King Kong).

Schmitz' response is they'll send me a replacement if I buy another pair (pliers or cutter).  I chalk this one up to smelly brown stuff happens.

[Brumby]

There had to be a serious flaw in the metal for that to happen.  I've never had such a thing happen on any of the tools I've had over the years - even the $2 shop specials.  They have had other issues - but not a complete failure like that.

[nanofrog]

There had to be a serious flaw in the metal for that to happen. I've never had such a thing happen on any of the tools I've had over the years - even the $2 shop specials.  They have had other issues - but not a complete failure like that.

Absolutely.   

If I had to make a WAG, I suspect it was work-hardened during production w/o sufficient annealing, if any.      FWIW, I've experience with C.K. Tools' rebranded Schmitz (so old, they're labeled Made in W. Germany). So yeah, they've lasted a little whiule.   

As a result, I'm will to chalk this one up to happenstance rather than a consistent issue.