KNIPEX CoBolt 71 01 200 Compact Bolt Cutter (8 in.)
An 8-inch bolt cutter that fits a tool bag: KNIPEX rates it for soft wire up to 6 mm, hard wire up to 4 mm and piano wire up to 3.6 mm.
Quick verdict
- Best for:
- Bolts, nails and hard wire up to ~6 mm.
- Watch out:
- Many CoBolt versions; check 71 01 200.
Amazon US listing and availability checked October 26, 2026. Prices and stock can change.
Reviewed October 18, 2026 · How we review
Part of our buying guide: Hand Tool Gifts: How to Pick One They'll Use, Not One They Already Own
Our Take
The CoBolt does the jobs people usually drag out a long bolt cutter for, in a tool the size of ordinary pliers. KNIPEX says its lever joint multiplies your hand force about 35 times, and rates the 71 01 200 for soft wire up to 6 mm, medium-hard wire and bolts, nails or rivets up to 5.2 mm, hard wire up to 4 mm and piano wire up to 3.6 mm. The cutting edges are induction-hardened to about 64 HRC, and KNIPEX adds a fine texture on the edges so round stock doesn't slip out of the jaws. There's also a flat gripping surface below the joint for pulling wire or levering out a bent nail. It's 200 mm long and weighs 335 g, so it lives in a tool bag rather than the back of a truck. The limits are the ones KNIPEX states: past about 6 mm, or on hardened padlock shackles thicker than the hard-wire rating, you need a full-size bolt cutter. We haven't tested it ourselves.
Specs (This Configuration)
- Length
- 200 mm / 8 in. (KNIPEX)
- Weight
- 335 g (KNIPEX)
- Cuts
- Soft wire 6 mm; medium-hard 5.2 mm; hard 4 mm; piano wire 3.6 mm (KNIPEX)
- Edges
- Induction-hardened, about 64 HRC (KNIPEX)
- Handles
- Plastic-coated (KNIPEX part 71 01 200)
Best For
- Cutting bolts, nails, rivets and fencing wire
- Electricians, fencing and farm work, and car repairs
- Anyone who wants bolt-cutter force in a tool bag
Skip If
- You cut material thicker than about 6 mm
- You mostly cut thin copper wire (diagonal cutters are enough)
- You need to cut flush against a surface (look at the angled 71 41 200)
What We Like
- Cuts hard and piano wire that ruins ordinary cutters
- Pliers-sized, at 335 g
- Gripping surface for pulling wire and nails
What To Know
- KNIPEX sells many CoBolt versions (different heads, grips and lengths); check the part number 71 01 200
- The Amazon rating is shared with the 6-inch and 10-inch versions
- KNIPEX's product page lists no warranty terms
Pros
- 4.8 stars across the CoBolt listings we checked
- Amazon.com among the new offers on the listing
- Made in Germany (KNIPEX)
Cons
- Capacity stops at about 6 mm
- Plastic-coated handles are simpler than the multi-component grips
- Too coarse for fine electronics wire
Alternatives
- KNIPEX CoBolt S 71 01 160 — A 160 mm version that fits a pocket, with lower capacity (KNIPEX rates hard wire up to 3.2 mm).View on Amazon
- KNIPEX CoBolt XL 71 01 250 — A 250 mm version with longer handles and straight edges, for slightly thicker medium-hard wire (5.6 mm).View on Amazon
- KNIPEX Pliers Wrench 86 03 180 — Not a cutter: KNIPEX's parallel-jaw wrench for nuts and fittings, if gripping is the job.
Why PriceDropIQ Selected It
When ordinary wire cutters chip on hard wire or a stubborn bolt, the CoBolt cuts it without a long bolt cutter. It's for tradespeople, farm and fencing work, and anyone who keeps one bag of tools for everything. Choose the smaller CoBolt S for pocket carry, or the XL for more leverage; and if you regularly cut anything thicker than about 6 mm, get a full-size bolt cutter instead.
Before You Buy
- Check the part number: 71 01 200 (8 in., plastic-coated handles)
- Check the seller; Amazon.com is among the new offers
- Compare your material with KNIPEX's cutting capacities
Frequently Asked Questions
Can it cut a padlock?
Only if the shackle is within its rating. KNIPEX rates it for hard wire up to 4 mm and soft material up to 6 mm. A hardened or thicker shackle needs a full-size bolt cutter.
What's the difference between the 71 01 200 and 71 02 200?
The grips. KNIPEX lists the same 200 mm length and cutting capacities; the 71 01 200 has plastic-coated handles and the 71 02 200 has multi-component grips.
Is the 10-inch CoBolt XL worth it?
If you want more leverage and cut flat material. KNIPEX gives the XL 71 01 250 straight cutting edges and rates it for medium-hard wire up to 5.6 mm, at 465 g.
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Reviewed October 18, 2026. Check the current offer, seller, availability, and shipping details on Amazon.
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Product photo by Raimond Spekking (CC BY-SA 4.0). Full image credit