Klein 1005 vs 1006: My Real World Review

I use tools every day. A bad crimp can cause a fire. I tested two tools from my bag. Here is my look at the Klein 1005 and the Klein 1006.

Klein Tools 1005 Review: The Red Handle Hero

I bought the Klein 1005 years ago. I needed one tool for many jobs. I was fixing wires in my old truck. I had red, blue, and yellow parts. I did not want three tools. The 1005 does it all. It works on bare metal. It works on plastic parts too.

The tool feels solid. It is not a toy. It has good weight. I tested it on 14-gauge wire. I used a blue butt splice. The jaw is smooth. This is key. A sharp jaw would cut the plastic. This tool smashed it flat. It held tight. The plastic stayed safe.

Pros and Cons: Klein 1005

I used this tool for three weeks. I fixed outlets. I fixed a dryer cord. The cutter is great. It cuts thick copper wire fast. I did find one issue. It rained one day. I left the tool in my truck. The joint got stiff. I added oil. It worked fine again. Keep it dry.

The crimp is flat. It is like a pancake. It holds well. It does not dig deep. For home jobs, it is strong. I pulled the wires hard. They did not move.

Klein Tools 1006 Review: The Black Handle Beast

The Klein 1006 looks like the 1005. But it has black handles. This tool is for serious work. It is for bare metal only. I used it on a radio tower. Ground wires have no plastic. They need force.

I tested this on a bare ring part. The jaw is sharp. It has a point. I squeezed the handles. The point dug deep into the metal. It did not just flatten it. It locked the wire in. This is a strong lock. It is tighter than the 1005.

Pros and Cons: Klein 1006

I tried to cheat once. I used the 1006 on a plastic part. It was a bad idea. The sharp jaw cut the red plastic. It showed the bare metal. That is not safe. It can cause a spark. You must know your tool.

For car batteries, the 1006 is king. I did a pull test. The wire broke first. The crimp held on. That makes me feel safe. The black handles look good too. Grease does not show up on them. My red 1005 looks dirty fast.

Details Comparison for Klein 1005 vs 1006

I put both tools on my bench. I looked at the metal. I checked the wear. Here is what I found.

Crimp Tooth Shape

The jaw shape is the main thing. It sets the tools apart.

The 1005 has a flat die. It squishes the whole part. This is safe for plastic. The 1006 has a deep point. It puts all force in one spot.

Jaw Shape Comparison

Wire Cutting Power

Both tools have a cutter. I tested them on the same wire.

I cut 50 wires with each. They felt the same. Both are hard steel. The blades did not chip. The 1006 felt a bit more stiff. It cut with a loud snap.

Cutter Performance

Handle Grip and Feel

Your hand will tell you the truth.

The grip feels the same. But the color counts. The red 1005 is easy to find. The black 1006 gets lost in the dark. The 1006 is harder to close. You are moving metal. My hand got tired fast.

Handle Feel

Use on the Job

Which one do I carry? I have little space on a ladder.

The 1005 wins here. It does most jobs. It can crimp bare metal too. The 1006 is for one thing. If I bring the 1006, I need a second tool. For home repair, I grab the 1005.

Daily Use

Rust and Wear

I am hard on tools. They get wet. They drop on the floor.

Both tools use the same steel. Both got small rust spots. I left them in a damp garage. The blades stayed shiny. The pivot is the weak spot. If it rusts, the tool sticks. I oil them once a month.

Long Term Wear

Conclusion

Do you fix things at home? Buy the Klein 1005. The red handles are safe. They do not cut plastic. Do you work on cars? Get the Klein 1006. You need that deep crimp. It bites into bare metal. I keep the 1005 in my pouch. The 1006 stays in the truck.