Klein Tools

Klein Tools is a family-owned American tool manufacturer founded in 1857 in Chicago by Mathias Klein, who opened a plier-repair shop that eventually became the company. Six generations later, Klein Tools remains privately held and U.S.-focused, producing hand tools and test equipment primarily for electrical contractors, lineworkers, and tradespeople. The brand carries a strong reputation in the professional electrical trade for pliers, screwdrivers, blade-style and multi-bit drivers, wire strippers, and test equipment including clamp meters and digital multimeters. Klein's test equipment line is ETL Listed (Intertek) or UL Listed depending on the model — an important distinction from the budget import category, where CAT ratings are frequently self-declared without independent laboratory testing. Klein multimeters typically carry CAT III or CAT IV ratings with verifiable NRTL certification.