Klein vs Milwaukee Wire Strippers: 11055 vs 48-22-6109, Spec by Spec

Two fixed-hole strippers, close on paper

The Klein 11055 and Milwaukee 48-22-6109 are both fixed-hole, spring-opening stripper/cutters for the conductors most branch-circuit work uses. Neither is self-adjusting and neither strips 8 AWG solid. The real differences are the lock, the handle, the nose and the shearing features, plus where each is made.

Klein 11055

10-18 AWG solid · 12-20 AWG stranded

Price tier $

Check price on Amazon →

Amazon's listing title reads 11055EP; the listed spec matches the 11055.

Klein 11055 product page

Milwaukee 48-22-6109

10-18 AWG (distributor-listed) solid · 12-20 AWG (distributor-listed) stranded

Price tier $

Check price on Amazon →Milwaukee 48-22-6109 product page

Klein 11055: the made-in-USA baseline

Klein's basic solid-and-stranded stripper/cutter strips 10-18 AWG solid and 12-20 AWG stranded copper. Klein lists precision-ground stripping holes, shear-type cutting blades, a coil spring for self-opening action and a closure lock. It also has a serrated gripping nose, holes for looping and bending wire, and it shears 6-32 and 8-32 screws.

It is 7.4 in long and weighs 5.4 oz (153 g), with double-dipped curved comfort grips. Those grips are thinner than Milwaukee's molded ergonomic handle, which some people notice on long stripping sessions. Klein covers standard hand tools, including wire strippers, for the normal life of the product. Claims need proof of purchase from an authorized Klein distributor.

Milwaukee 48-22-6109: one-handed lock and a molded grip

Milwaukee lists a one-handed swing lock that stays locked in the pouch, a spring-loaded opening, an ergonomic handle form, a curved cutting blade for clean cuts through larger wire, a bolt cutter that threads and cuts #6 and #8 bolts, and a rust-protection finish. It carries Milwaukee's limited lifetime warranty.

Milwaukee's spec table did not load when we checked. Distributor listings give 10-18 AWG solid and 12-20 AWG stranded, 7-1/8 in long and about 0.35 lb, so it is essentially the same size as the Klein. Milwaukee's page does not say where it is made.

Head-to-head spec table

Sources: Klein 11055 product page, Milwaukee 48-22-6109 product page, distributor-listed values from Lumen and Elliott Electric Supply, and Klein's warranty page.

The differences that matter

• Lock: Milwaukee's swing lock is built for one-handed use. Klein's closure lock does the same storage job.
• Grip: Milwaukee uses a molded ergonomic handle; Klein uses double-dipped curved grips.
• Nose and looping: Klein lists a serrated gripping nose and looping holes for bending wire around device screws. Milwaukee does not list either.
• Shearing: Klein shears 6-32 and 8-32 screws; Milwaukee threads and cuts #6 and #8 bolts.
• Origin and warranty: Klein lists made in USA and covers hand tools for the normal life of the product. Milwaukee does not state origin and offers a limited lifetime warranty.

The verdict

Reviewed 2026-10-12. Prices change, so we show a price tier instead of a number.

Neither fits?

• You strip 8 AWG solid: the IDEAL 45-615 Reflex Super T-Stripper covers 8-16 AWG solid and 10-18 AWG stranded.
• You want a stripper and cable shears in one: the Knipex StriX 13 62 180 has knurled-screw blade setting (not self-adjusting) and shears Cu/Al cable to 15 mm diameter.
• You strip NM jackets too: the self-adjusting Klein 11061 and Milwaukee 48-22-3082 both list 12/2 and 14/2 NM.

All of these are compared on maker specs in the best wire strippers roundup.

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