Best flush cutters

[Steve_P]

Mine took 10 days. My only complaint was the address label was barely attached - it was stuck on but no tape over it. And about to fall off, half was unattached

 

[16again]

Woohoo they arrived today. Like everyone else says, very nice for this price!



Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

 

[Davefr]

Retail they're about $160-200. I bought mine from this seller for $19. He's raised the price to $21.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/202861954816

Thanks for turning us on to this deal. I rec'd my pair yesterday and they're in perfect condition.

Still curious how some guy in Puerto Rico ends up with a huge stock of these high end carbide cutters and sells them so cheap??

 

[Rabid Badger]

Thanks for turning us on to this deal. I rec'd my pair yesterday and they're in perfect condition.

Still curious how some guy in Puerto Rico ends up with a huge stock of these high end carbide cutters and sells them so cheap??

How ever he got them it's hard to fault his service. The guy lives 15 miles from the epicenter of the earthquake that hit yesterday and he shipped the pair I ordered last night (before I knew about the quake) this morning.

 

[OMMP]

Thread went as best flush cutters, now is Swanstrom... I can not buy here those Swanstroms, could any of you make some parallels between them, and, i.e. Knipex, Piergiacomi, Tsunoda, and possibly best ones, Tronex?

 

[measuredtwice]

Thanks for turning us on to this deal. I rec'd my pair yesterday and they're in perfect condition.

Still curious how some guy in Puerto Rico ends up with a huge stock of these high end carbide cutters and sells them so cheap??

Nice! I don't know the answer but he was selling about a half dozen or more brands/models of flush cutters back when I bought mine a year ago. The only thing that I've seen him selling is flush cutters.

 

[measuredtwice]

Thread went as best flush cutters, now is Swanstrom... I can not buy here those Swanstroms, could any of you make some parallels between them, and, i.e. Knipex, Piergiacomi, Tsunoda, and possibly best ones, Tronex?

These companies make probably over 100 different flush cutters combined. To keep it simple, the specific model of Swanstrom cutters that I linked on Ebay have carbide edges and they are usually very expensive.

I haven't seen carbide edges on Knipex, Piergiacomi or Tsunoda. Tronex sells very similar flush cutters with carbide edges. They are so similar that I asked in a prior post if anyone knew if they were made in the same factory. I know Tronex does some rebranding and I showed an example in that prior post.

 

[Steve_P]

Thread went as best flush cutters, now is Swanstrom... I can not buy here those Swanstroms, could any of you make some parallels between them, and, i.e. Knipex, Piergiacomi, Tsunoda, and possibly best ones, Tronex?

If you want to cut plastic wire ties, then Knipex or Tsunoda are both great IMO.

 

[Steve_P]

How ever he got them it's hard to fault his service. The guy lives 15 miles from the epicenter of the earthquake that hit yesterday and he shipped the pair I ordered last night (before I knew about the quake) this morning.

Fantastic service! Great seller.
Surprisingly, there are a lot of pharmaceutical plants and medical type facilities in PR. Maybe this is medical or dental related. I am 99% sure my pair was used. And 99% that it was used only a few times. Where would a cutter only get used a few times and sold? But the foam grips add to the mystery. I wouldn't think that would fly in any sterile environment

 

[Rabid Badger]

For cutting copper wire and zip ties I use Hakko flash cutters. Just order a 5 pack and scatter them around your house:

https://www.amazon.com/Hakko-CHP-Micro-Cutter-Clean/dp/B0063GL7UM

In my experience the stamped sheet metal cutters are stronger than the forged variety.

 

[jimmyin3D]

For cutting plastics or zip ties the Tsunoda KBN-125 are amazing especially at there price point of about $15 Made in Japan. They cut cable ties very cleanly and have never left a sharp edge.

For regular wires soft or hard the SO 388acf is great or the larger 312cf for even greater leverage.

And super hard wire or steel the Knipex cobolt cut like butter(think of them as mini bolt cutters) there only drawback is the head shape where the cutters meet so they can be hard to get into tight spaces or right up against the material.




————————————————————————————————————

Please check out my for sale listings in the classifieds!

 

[pizza]

sweet, i got three pairs of the ebay swanstroms. i'm probably all set on flush cutters for life now. i'll abuse the **** out of the first pair, and then i have two spares after that to be more careful with.

very satisfied with the quality. they're not brand new. one even has some sharpie marks on the handle. but i can't see any issues with the cutting edges. i looked at them under the microscope, and they look great.

one of my pairs looks more roughly finished than the other two, but the cutting edges are fine. i can't tell if that's just normal tool variation or if that supports the factory seconds theory.

also, one of them was a bit rough in the joint. it had enough friction to overcome the return spring. it just needed some oil, though.

i am very slightly worried that they could be contaminated with something, but that shouldn't be possible if their source was following the rules. probably only possible if they were marked for disposal and then stolen.

 

[OMMP]

Just need to add something here... I have bought NOS, at different styles, maybe 40, maybe 50, even maybe 60... Or maybe more. Probably more - do not judge, I am sure that every last one of you is same... However, in those buyings, that were cheap, I managed not only to buy aforementioned as Tsunoda, Piergiacomi (not Knipex, almost pulled a trigger few times...) but also Lindstrom of Sweden, also ones of Spain, then King TTC of Japan... Some more, swedish, as I recall (they are laying in cardboxes, so not sure), and some no name... Quality tools, I hope. But I do not have Tronex. No Swanstrom. And from what I have learned, Tronex are best. Swanstrom does not have as reputation as most of those that we have mentioned. They all are (those that I bought have been advertised as jewellery pliers) precision tools, made for such work. But those carbid, or titanium jaws... Dang, men... You all are lucky

 

[pizza]

Still curious how some guy in Puerto Rico ends up with a huge stock of these high end carbide cutters and sells them so cheap??

i asked the seller. his response:

The fact is that I purchase these cutters from a company that is allowed to use them once or twice due to the process complexity and cut specs.

 

[Steve_P]

The above backs up what I see on my pair. But the mystery lives on as far as where they're used

 

[NewShockerGuy]

The best ones that I've used are carbide tipped Swanstrom M-series.

For cutting hard wire, you will get much more life out of carbide tipped.

[/QUOTE]



Just picked up a M403C set. Thank you! Seems to be exactly what I was looking for. I can't stand the cheapness of some of the flush cuts and it just doesn't work for me. These look like quality all the way through!

I was on the fence between the M403c and the M401c. They seem almost identical compared to the tip thickness according to your picture.


-Nigel

 

[measuredtwice]

Just picked up a M403C set. Thank you! Seems to be exactly what I was looking for. I can't stand the cheapness of some of the flush cuts and it just doesn't work for me. These look like quality all the way through!

I was on the fence between the M403c and the M401c. They seem almost identical compared to the tip thickness according to your picture.


-Nigel

I think you're right.

 

[Davefr]

i asked the seller. his response:

Thanks. I bet they were used in the medical field. Maybe it's cheaper to dump them then to set up a process of running them thru an autoclave for the next use. Maybe an autoclave environment would ruin the cushioned handles.

 

[pizza]

Thanks. I bet they were used in the medical field. Maybe it's cheaper to dump them then to set up a process of running them thru an autoclave for the next use. Maybe an autoclave environment would ruin the cushioned handles.

unless they're provided sterile by the manufacturer (which i doubt), they were probably never used in a sterile environment. those grips are not autoclavable imo. maybe they can be sterilized in ethylene oxide (EtO) chamber, but i'm skeptical. it would make way more sense if they were provided without those foam grips.

if they were indeed used in a medical application, my guess is they were used by techs or doctors to prepare tools tailor made for some procedure on demand in a nonsterile environment, and then the resulting workpiece was sterilized before use.

just for fun, examine your tools and let me know what you find: in all three of mine, i found debris between the rubber grips and the handles. peel the rubber away from the handle a little and take a peek under bright light. i found clippings of thin wire (thinner than 30 AWG). i wonder if it's from trimming guide wires.

 

[measuredtwice]

I bought mine about a year ago so the stock may be different but all of mine looked brand new. Mine did not have debris between the rubber grip and the metal handle. I started following his auctions a year ago but he's been selling longer since I remember carefully reading through his feedback before buying. The condition of his stock may vary or maybe I just got lucky.

I agree that they aren't likely provided sterile from the manufacturer and couldn't be autoclaved with the rubber grips. They might be used in the preparation of medical devices.

Here's a quote from a dealer video that mentions some of the uses...

"providing long-lasting performance and precision cutting results for all hard-wire and medical device manufacturing applications..........Diversely useful, Swanstrom M-Series Cutters are excellent for a variety of applications including: stents, mandrels, catheters, and guide wires."

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RvGpCIKZFmM" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[NewShockerGuy]

I received my Swanstrom from the eBay seller that was recommended above. Wow...these are freaking awesome. The precision when they clip and close is awesome. I thought I had OK flush cutters but these are perfect to me. Jaws are straight, not chipped, The handles are slightly worn but overall I would give this a 90-95 out of 100 in terms of newness...lol

I'm throwing out the **** I had because I won't use it anymore. These fit my hands perfectly too. Zero discomfort or strain when using them. I wish they opened just a few mm more but I can get used to it.

At the price being sold I think it's a steal, I'll probably buy two more just to have... Not sure I would have paid over $100+ for these because that's insane to me but wow. Great deal! Great thread!

-Nigel

 

[electroman187]

Okay, I got sucked in too - got one on order.

About a year ago, I randomly stumbled across of Swanstrom flush cut pliers at work. I had never heard of them and admired the precision and overall quality of them. Now I see this discussion and just had to buy in. Thanks GJ!

 

[Steve_P]

......I agree that they aren't likely provided sterile from the manufacturer and couldn't be autoclaved with the rubber grips. They might be used in the preparation of medical devices.

Here's a quote from a dealer video that mentions some of the uses...

"providing long-lasting performance and precision cutting results for all hard-wire and medical device manufacturing applications..........Diversely useful, Swanstrom M-Series Cutters are excellent for a variety of applications including: stents, mandrels, catheters, and guide wires."

This has to be it. These won't survive an autoclave with the foam grips. Has anyone ever seen foam grips on a tool at the dentist? If so, you might want to change dentists . They must be used to cut something, probably medical/dental related, and that cut item is then sterilized. And for whatever reason they are only allowed to make X cuts per tool.

 

[ImportTuner]

I personally like the Snap On E710BCG .. too bad they don't make them anymore.

 

[electroman187]

I personally like the Snap On E710BCG .. too bad they don't make them anymore.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/IN-STOCk-Swanstrom-710-6-Cutter-Same-As-Snap-On-E710BCG-NEW-Flush-Cutter/114071302053?hash=item1a8f2defa5:g:iGQAAOSwi6dcQ2wD

 

[chrissybabe]

I have been using Xcelite for 50 years. Once a pair broke after 20 years use and they replaced them free of charge. Still have them all. However in the last 30 years I have been buying Lindstrom. Particularly model 8160 although I have others. I now have 3 of them and they are not cheap. The 8160 in my opinion is the best side-cutter in the world.

 

[pcmeiners]

Just purchase the Swanstrom M403C carbide off Ebay, excellent price for a carbide cutter. Bet they use these for surgery involving surgical pins, used once per surgery due to sterilization issues.

 

[pizza]

Just purchase the Swanstrom M403C carbide off Ebay, excellent price for a carbide cutter. Bet they use these for surgery involving surgical pins, used once per surgery due to sterilization issues.

why do you think they're used in surgery? the handle doesn't seem designed for it.

 

[pcmeiners]

First, read a paragraph from and Ebay seller stating they are used in hospitals. Second surgical pins are made from extremely strong alloys, carbide would be a blade unaffected, notched/broken from hard alloys. Other possibility would be using them on wired jaws. Makes sense as they frown on sterilizing tools with foam grips.
Not too many industries can afford to treat $160 tools as throw away (only a few, hospitals, government, NASA).
The important point, where else can you get a carbide tipped cutter for $23plus shipping

 

[pizza]

are you a physician or in the medical device industry, or are you just saying things? honest question.

First, read a paragraph from and Ebay seller stating they are used in hospitals.

what paragraph?

i went here: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Swanstrom-...d-Fine-Tip-Medical-Device-Cutter/202976287914

ctrl+f'd for hospital and found no matches.

here's my take on it...

this instrument is clearly not designed for surgical use.
biological material can get lodged between the grip and the handle. the handle's even multi-layered which provides yet another place for stuff to get stuck.

also, the material can't be autoclaved.
it's possible you can EtO them, but why would you? the only time you'd consider going "off script" by sterilizing and using a tool having these issues in surgery is if you need something unique and not readily available for a procedure, but there's a plethora of hard wire surgical cutters that are specifically designed for this. all of them have metal handles.

but could they be used as one-time-use throwaways? again, i think the answer is no. i don't think these are provided sterile from the manufacturer. why would a surgical department buy these nonsterile and go through the trouble of sterilizing them as throwaways when they can get perfectly suitable tools pre-sterilized? nothing screams "unique" about the M403C that would warrant it.

also, i'm wondering if you read this thread. i made most of these points already.

did you read this post in particular? it's an explanation from the seller: https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=8284625#post8284625

if i actually wanted to use these in surgery, i'd at least slice the grips off first.

 

[pcmeiners]

"are you a physician or in the medical device industry, or are you just saying things?"

All I stated was they were used in a hospital, the rest was guess work. I have no desire to argue, wasting my time. I spent all the time I will on this thread. Again the point being, if you want a cutter able to cut any hard alloy wire up to one's strength, the Swanstrom M403C is it.

 

[measuredtwice]

Glad people are enjoying them. I think this was my best deal post. The Zephyr bit set deal was my second best but that seller didn't have as many. The guy with the Swantrom cutters seems to have a good supply to be selling for so long.

 

[pizza]

thanks again, measuredtwice

i agree, crazy that they're still available. even though i have 3, i might grab another.

if only other models were available, too... i'd love to have a more nimble cutter for precision electronics work. and maybe with more angled relief.

 

[speed88]

Glad I found this thread! Just ordered a pair.

 

[mikebaker1129]

2 on the way . I just wat to see what all the hype is about.

 

[06 DIESEL]

I had no desire to order a set at first, but after reading this thread there is now a pair on its way to my house. I have never had a flush cutter, had never even heard of them before earlier this year, but could never justify the cost of a pair. Not sure I can justify the cost of this pair other than it is a deal and I am sure I will use them eventually.

 

[pcmeiners]

Thanks guys for cleaning out this dealer stock, now I can't order another. Actually the guy has just received more stock, he will put them up for sale shortly.

 

[jeffmoss26]

I got a pair of the FastCap Micro Trimmers recently
https://www.fastcap.com/product/flush-cut-trimmers

 

[KSJeff]

Thanks guys for cleaning out this dealer stock, now I can't order another. Actually the guy has just received more stock, he will put them up for sale shortly.

I was going to grab a pair to but they gone!

Hopefully they go back up befoore I forget about it.

 

[cbracer]

This one is easily my favorite, Tsunoda. Easy on the pocketbook too
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002RDDM0I/?tag=atomicindus08-20