The pliers, cutters and wrenches in the 49 VDE series are subjected to regular inspections by VDE, the Association for Electrical, Electronic and Information Technologies, to ensure the very high standards of safety that are required when working on “live” electrical components. To enable strain-free, concentrated working over longer periods of time, the handles are non-slip and safe thanks to the SoftGripp sleeves, on the one hand, and fit snugly in the hand due to the ergonomically designed soft zones, on the other. The pliers, cutters & wrenches themselves are drop-forged tool steel, special tool steel or chrome vanadium steel and are oil hardened. The cutting edges of all these cutting tools are induction-hardened to ensure they are able to cope with the needs of professionals in industry and the trades.