Tell me about Krenn bolt cutters

Looking into getting a large pair of high quality bolt cutters, and I like their replaceable triangular blades that can be repositioned three times for a fresh, sharp cutting edge. My question is mainly about the difference between the K series and the RI series cutters. I'm looking at the 49" ones, BA 240-RI 16 vs BA 040-K 16.

Anyone have Krenn bolt cutters? Impressions, pros, cons?

Never heard of them so they can't be that good...

Oh they're Euro that's why. Not a whole lot on them online. They look nice, and expensive...

According to the Krenn website, the RI series cutters are the cutters you would want for cutting harder tougher materials such as quality lock shackles.

The KM series mesh cutters with the angled jaws list maximum rod dimension cutting capacities for HRC 19, and HRC 40, hardness rod.

The K series straight jaw bolt cutters list maximum rod dimension cutting capacities for HRC 19, HRC 36, and HRC 48 hardness rod.

The K and KM SB "Special Model" cutter list maximum rod dimension cutting capacities for HRC 19 and HRC 40, and HRC 19, HRC 36, and HRC 40 hardness rod. The description also mentions "light and strong" which makes me think the tubular handles are probably either lighter gauge steel or heat treated aluminum, which makes the cutters not suitable for harder materials.

All the above cutters are listed as using the same replacement jaws with a HRC 57 hardness.

The RI series cutters are listed as "for industry".

The RI cutter specs list maximum rod cutting capacities for HRC 36, HRC 48, and HRC 52 hardness rod.

The RI series cutters use different replaceable jaws with a listed HRC 62 hardness. The description of the RI cutters also lists "strengthened blade holders". The specs for a couple if the RI cutters also list a slightly higher weight than the K series cutters but some ither cutters have the same weight specs.

If you're trying to purchase the best cutters I would probably recommend the RI series cutters, unless there is a significant difference in cost, or if you might accidentaly try cutting something fully hardened like drill rod, since this might shatter the jaws.

This is a video someone did. I think the guys in the video were testing bike locks but they were using Krenn bolt cutters for their test. The Krenn website seems not to be great at conveing info about the differences.



http://www.krenn-steelcutters.com/manual_steel_cutters

There is another manufacturer that seems to offer bolt cutters with a similar triangular cutter insert design similar to the Krenn bolt cutters.

The company is BN products, and the cutters are model BNBC. The cutters are available in 24", 30", and 36" sizes. Maximum rod cutting capacities are listed for HRC 15, HRC 31, and HRC 42 rod hardnesses so these might be equivalent to the lighter duty Krenn bolt cutters. I originally thought these might be manufactured by Krenn but the bolt cutter handles are different and there appear to be other differences so I'm not sure. The BN cutters might simply be copies of the Krenn. I haven't used either brand of cutters so I can't be more helpfull there.

http://www.bnproducts.com/tools/bnbc-36-bolt-cutter/

Thank you for the info guys! I was leaning toward the RI series cutters, I'll probably get them.

I watched that youtube video, it appears they're using the K-series 35 inch cutter. I don't know where they spent over 300 Euros on it, but I can get the 49 inch RI cutters for a bit over $200.

I spoke with a gentleman named Scott at the Wire Cutter Store, and he said they drop ship directly from Krenn so the new bolt cutters I just ordered should have the new HRC 62 blades included. He also said they may come with a T-stand designed to hold the bottom handle on the ground and keep the cutters upright so you can use your weight on the top handle for more leverage.

I'll post up some pics and maybe some demonstration videos once I get em in.

Man, these things are monstrous.



Close-up of the jaws and blade inserts:



They do indeed come with a T-stand so you can stand it up and pull/push on the other handle with your weight. Here's a youtube of them cutting a padlock shackle that's 7mm of hardened steel, like a hot knife through butter.


Another of cutting through an 11mm boron steel shackle:


That one actually took some effort, and took ~20 seconds instead of 1 second. The blades were still unscathed after that test.