Klein 11061 vs 11063: My Hands-On Test

I spent a full month with these two tools. I used them on old house wires and new panels. I wanted to see which one works best. Here is what I found.

Klein Tools 11061 Review

I grabbed the Klein 11061 for a big job. I had to fix a lot of outlets in an old home. The wires were a mess. I needed to move fast. This tool helps you do that. You do not need to look for a hole. You just put the wire in the jaws. Then you squeeze. The tool does the rest. It pulls the coating off on its own.

I loved how it worked on Romex. That is the flat white cable in your walls. I put the whole cable in the jaw. One squeeze took the white jacket right off. It was so fast. It saved me a lot of time. Usually, I have to use a knife. That can be slow and risky. This tool made it safe and easy.

But I did see one issue. The jaws have metal teeth. They bite into the wire to hold it. This left small marks on the soft wire coating. It did not hurt the copper inside. But it looked a bit rough. I also had to fix the tension knob. It is a small wheel on the side. I had to turn it for thin wires. If I did not, the jaws would slip. It is a great tool for fast work. But it is not for fine details.

Klein Tools 11063 Review

Then I tried the Klein 11063. This tool is different. It has holes for each wire size. You have to match the wire to the hole. It feels like a heavy, solid tool. I used this for a breaker panel. I needed to be very careful. You cannot nick the wire in a panel. That can be dangerous.

I put a thick 10 gauge wire in the 10 gauge hole. I squeezed the handle. It made a solid click sound. The cut was perfect. It sliced the coating clean. It did not touch the copper at all. The remaining wire looked like a factory cut. It was very satisfying to use.

The main downside is speed. You have to look at the tool each time. You must find the right hole. If you are in a dark room, this is hard. I also did not like the cutter. You have to thread the wire through a small hole to cut it. This took too long. I used my side cutters instead. The spring is also stiff. My hand got tired after an hour. But for safe, clean work, it is the best choice.

Details Comparison for Klein 11061 vs 11063

Here is how they compare head to head. I looked at the things that matter most on the job.

Speed of Use

Time is money. I tested how fast I could strip ten wires. The 11061 won easily. I did not have to look. I just grabbed the wire and squeezed. The 11063 was slower. I had to stop and aim for the hole each time.

Safety for the Wire

You do not want to nick the copper. I checked twenty wires under a light. The 11063 was perfect. It has a stop for the blade. It never touched the metal. The 11061 tears the coating. It scraped the copper a few times.

What Can It Strip?

I tried many wire types. The 11061 is flexible. It worked on weird wire sizes. It also stripped the big outer jacket off Romex cable. The 11063 could not do that. It is only for single wires.

How It Feels

I carried both for a week. The 11063 is heavy. It is made of cast metal. It feels like it will last forever. The 11061 is lighter. It has more plastic parts. But it is easier to squeeze. The 11063 has a stiff spring.

Cutting the Wire

Both tools can cut wire. The 11061 has a blade in the handle. It works like scissors. It is fast. The 11063 has a small hole for cutting. You have to poke the wire through it. It is annoying.

Conclusion

Pick the Klein 11061 for home repairs. It is fast and great for Romex. Pick the Klein 11063 for panel work. It is precise and safe for the wire.