Klein 56333 vs Southwire 58279840: Which Steel Fish Tape Wins?

When you're pushing wire through 150 feet of EMT conduit, your fish tape is either your best friend or your worst enemy. A good steel fish tape navigates bends without kinking, pays out smoothly, and rewinds without binding. We compared two popular options—the Klein 56333 (120') and the Southwire 58279840 (240')—to help you pick the right tool for your wire pulls.

Quick Comparison Table

Feature	Klein 56333	Southwire 58279840
Price	$56.97	$66.74
Length	120 feet	240 feet
Width	1/8 inch	1/8 inch
Material	High-carbon steel	Tempered spring steel
Protective Coating	Yes (corrosion resistant)	Standard
Laser Markings	Every 1 foot (descending)	Every 12 inches
Case Material	High-impact polypropylene	High-impact plastic
Tip Style	Double loop	Hook
Made In	USA	Imported
Our Rating	4.5/5	4.2/5

The Quick Verdict

Best for most electricians: Klein 56333 — superior payout design and USA-made quality
Best for long runs: Southwire 58279840 — 240 feet handles the longest commercial pulls
Best value per foot: Southwire — twice the length for only $10 more

Klein 56333 Overview

The Klein 56333 represents Klein's redesigned fish tape line, featuring an optimized housing that combines the leverage of square cases with the comfort of round ones. The 120-foot high-carbon steel tape is built for commercial, residential, and VDV installations where quality matters more than maximum length.

After using the 56333 on dozens of commercial pulls, the payout mechanism stands out. The unique interior case shape creates an optimized payout angle that genuinely reduces effort—you can feel the difference compared to older designs. The multi-position handle provides solid grip whether you're paying out tape or winding it back, and the slip-resistant housing geometry prevents that frustrating binding that happens mid-rewind on cheaper fish tapes.

The descending laser-etched foot markings are a small feature that saves significant time. Instead of guessing how much tape you've run out, you can see exactly how far into a conduit run you are and how much you have left. When you're coordinating with a partner 80 feet away, being able to call out "I'm at 85 feet, 35 left" keeps everyone on the same page.

Best for: Electricians doing varied commercial and residential work who value quality payout mechanics and USA manufacturing.

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Southwire 58279840 Overview

The Southwire 58279840 is a 240-foot steel fish tape—double the length of the Klein for only $10 more. The tempered spring steel is designed to resist coiling, which matters on long runs where a kinked tape can derail an entire pull.

The 240-foot length addresses a real need: commercial electrical work often involves runs that exceed 100 feet. With the Southwire, you can handle most any conduit run without wondering if you have enough tape. The laser-etched footage markings every 12 inches help track your progress, though the 1-foot interval markings on the Klein are slightly more granular.

The hook tip design differs from Klein's double loop—it grabs attachment heads and leaders securely but requires more attention when navigating tight bends. The case and handle are well-made and job-site tough, though the longer tape does add noticeable weight. Two-person pulls become more practical with 240 feet of steel to manage.

Best for: Commercial electricians who regularly encounter long conduit runs and want maximum length without buying multiple tapes.

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Head-to-Head: Payout and Rewind Performance

The Klein 56333 wins this category with its redesigned case geometry. The optimized payout angle genuinely reduces friction—you can feel the tape glide out more smoothly than conventional designs. The slip-resistant housing shape provides better grip during rewind, and the multi-position handle maintains leverage throughout the winding motion. Klein clearly invested engineering time into the user experience.

The Southwire 58279840 functions well but uses a more conventional case design. Users need to pull on the actual tape itself (with gloves recommended) to pay out, rather than using the case rotation. Rewinding works by rotating the case in reverse while holding the handle. It's effective but less refined than the Klein mechanism. The warning about not using the rotating case to pay out—which can cause jams—suggests the mechanism has limitations.

Head-to-Head: Steel Quality and Durability

Both tapes use quality steel, but the formulation differs slightly.

The Klein 56333's high-carbon steel is firm yet flexible—a balance that matters when navigating multiple 90-degree bends. The protective coating reduces corrosion from humidity and moisture without affecting payout smoothness. Being USA-made, Klein maintains tighter quality control over material consistency. The steel won't permanently deform under normal use conditions.

The Southwire 58279840's tempered spring steel is specifically designed to avoid coiling up during use—a common frustration with cheaper fish tapes. The tempering process creates steel that maintains its shape through repeated winding and unwinding cycles. User reviews confirm the tape feels solid rather than flimsy, strong enough to push past insulation and small obstacles.

Head-to-Head: Markings and Measurement

Both tapes feature laser-etched footage markings, but the implementation differs.

The Klein 56333's descending markings show how much tape remains, not just how much you've deployed. This seemingly minor detail changes how you approach pulls—knowing you have "40 feet left" is more actionable than calculating backward from "paid out 80 feet of 120." The 1-foot increments provide precise measurement for conduit calculations.

The Southwire 58279840's markings appear every 12 inches throughout the 240-foot length. Users appreciate knowing exactly how much tape has been used, though the standard ascending format requires mental math to calculate remaining length. The markings are clear and durable.

Head-to-Head: Price vs Value

This is where the comparison gets interesting.

The Klein 56333 costs $56.97 for 120 feet, working out to about $0.47 per foot. You're paying for superior payout mechanics, USA manufacturing, and Klein's quality reputation. For electricians who prioritize daily usability over maximum length, the Klein delivers excellent value.

The Southwire 58279840 costs $66.74 for 240 feet—roughly $0.28 per foot. That's 40% less per foot than the Klein, and you get double the length. If you regularly encounter pulls exceeding 100 feet, the Southwire eliminates the need to purchase multiple lengths or work around tape limitations.

What We Like (Pros)

Klein 56333

• ✓ Optimized case design genuinely reduces payout effort and friction
• ✓ Multi-position handle maintains firm grip during pay-out and rewind
• ✓ Descending foot markings show remaining tape at a glance
• ✓ High-carbon steel with protective coating resists corrosion
• ✓ USA-made with consistent quality control
• ✓ Double loop tip navigates bends smoothly

Southwire 58279840

• ✓ 240 feet handles the longest commercial conduit runs
• ✓ Only $10 more than Klein for double the length
• ✓ Tempered spring steel resists coiling and permanent deformation
• ✓ Rugged high-impact case withstands job site abuse
• ✓ Hook tip grabs leaders and attachment heads securely
• ✓ Laser-etched markings every 12 inches for progress tracking

What Could Be Better (Cons)

Klein 56333

• ✗ 120 feet may be short for long commercial runs
• ✗ Higher cost per foot compared to Southwire
• ✗ Premium for residential-only electricians who don't need the quality

Southwire 58279840

• ✗ Heavier due to 240-foot length—may need two people
• ✗ Payout mechanism less refined than Klein's redesigned case
• ✗ Must pull tape manually rather than using case rotation (jam risk)
• ✗ Imported rather than USA-made
• ✗ Hook tip requires more care through tight bends than double loop

Which Should You Buy?

Buy the Klein 56333 if:

• Most of your pulls are under 100 feet
• You value smooth payout mechanics and refined ergonomics
• USA manufacturing and Klein quality matter to you
• You do varied commercial and residential work

Buy the Southwire 58279840 if:

• You regularly pull wire through conduit runs exceeding 100 feet
• Maximum length at reasonable cost is the priority
• You want one fish tape that handles any commercial job
• Cost per foot matters more than payout refinement

Find Projects That Need These Tools

Looking for commercial jobs where quality fish tape makes the difference between a smooth pull and a nightmare?

LVN Signal surfaces low voltage installation projects from permit data—structured cabling jobs, security system installs, and commercial electrical work before they hit public bid boards.

→ Explore LVN Signal

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