Best flush cutters

[81turbota]

Hey everyone,

My set of Knipex 78 03 125 cutters didn’t last very long and chipped well within their advertised cutting range.

Can anyone else recommend a good set of small flush cutters? I’m currently looking at the Snap on P88145A but would like a set of the thin, sheet metal style too.

Thanks

 

[zktk01]

I look for sets of Xuron on ebay sometimes you can get in lots of 5 cheap they work well for me. I miss getting USA crescent ones.

 

[1cargarage]

What are you going to be using them on? Steel, copper, plastic? Stranded wire? solid wire?

Do they have to be true-flush or can they be semi-flush?

The most brittle/weakest cutting edges are the true-flush variety. You'll gain some strength if you are willing to sacrifice some flushness.

 

[rtz]

Have you checked out the Klein's and Milwaukee's at Home Depot? They have Capris listed for ship to store.

The harbor freight ones work well and are good to use if you don't want to put the wear and tear on your good ones.

 

[measuredtwice]

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]

 

[CafeTools]

I use the kliens at home Depot. They are good for flush cutting zip ties. There are some longer ones are HD I have seen, come in a 2 pack.

 

[zoomzoomjeff]

For only zip ties, I use these from HF:
https://www.harborfreight.com/micro-flush-cutter-90708.html

They are completely flush. But that's on zip ties, and that's all I ever use them for.

 

[matt_i]

Best I've personally used are Erem. But not cheap.

Best value is probably Xcelite black handles, carry one in my pocket for cutting zip ties flush so people don't get murdered by the short sharp ends.

 

[RedneckWelder]

My Knipex also **** and I am very disappointed in them

I have a pair of whatever orange handled ones Matco relabeled and they are much better.

 

[Davefr]

Swanstrom or Tronex

 

[81turbota]

Thanks guys. Forgot about Swanstrom, we have some at work and they are very nice.

 

[Davefr]

Swanstrom is an outbirth of the infamous Diamaond Calk & Horseshoe Co.

IME they are about as top shelf as you're going to find for small precision pliers. Maybe second only to Tronex.

https://swanstromtools.com/about/history/

 

[measuredtwice]

Anyone know if there is a relationship between Swanstrom and Tronex? They look so similar. Compare the Swanstrom M-series carbide tip cutters to the carbide tipped cutters from Tronex --> https://tronex.descoindustries.com/Tronex-Catalog/Cutters/Fine-Hard-Wire-Cutters/ I've suspected there's some sort of relationship with Swanstrom but it is just a guess and I haven't looked into it.

Some of the Tronex cutters have been rebranded Excelta (photo below)

 

[exmaxima1]

OP didn't note what he is cutting so it's anyone's guess what type will hold up. My guess is the FastCap flush cutters I use for wood banding, and they cut pretty much anything as well:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001MXA2BQ/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[wafrederick]

I have the Snap On version,EPC160 I believe.Although they are $66.00,good pair

 

[1cargarage]

I like my SO E710BCG (USA) pair but those are obsolete. Really disappointed in their replacement P88150RA (SPAIN) but again, need to know what you're cutting.

 

[zmotorsports]

I like my SO E710BCG pair but those are obsolete. Really disappointed in their replacement (the Spain ones) but again, need to know what you're cutting.

Agreed. Those are my go-to's as well.

 

[measuredtwice]

Here's a photo of the carbide edge on the Swanstrom. Sorry that it's blurry. The camera wanted to focus on the pivot rather than the edge.

By far the best that I have used. Cuts everything like butter.

 

[mobiledynamics]

My favorites are a set of Erem - dedicated for zips

 

[pizza]

imo, tronex probably #1 (or at least tied for #1).

i'll probably buy a tronex 5222 eventually. they also make a super flush (razor flush i think they call it) that is less durable. it's 5223

 

[81turbota]

Thanks for the replies, everyone. Usually I work with 22 ga or thinner solid copper for electrical work. Zips and other related soft ties. I’ll likely start using my semi flush cutters more on the electrical stuff and save the true flush for soft goods.

Those carbide tip Swanstroms are very nice, pricey, but nice. I’ll look into Tronex as well.

 

[jeffmoss26]

https://www.channellock.com/product/e41s/

 

[1cargarage]

Another couple things to consider regardless of brand:
1) Do you want oval or tapered head?
2) What kind of spring mechanism (if any) do you want?

 

[Farleyfan]

What your cutting is the kicker,
ive cut guitar string and they ruin the edges,
( use it for small engine carb clean out )
I didnt know there were carbide tip cutters !

 

[JiminAZ]

The Tsunodas are rated for soft wire. I have been using them for zip ties with great success. Have only cut maybe a hundred zip ties so far but they have held up fine thus far.

Some folks seem to prefer the smaller one. I am happy with the larger one. About $20.

Tsunoda Cable Tie Cutters

 

[cbracer]

For the price - these Tsunodas
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002RDDM0I/?tag=atomicindus08-20
I use them for 18 or smaller gauge wire and lots of zip ties. Love them!

 

[Indexmill]

Jeezus; look at the price of the Swanstroms

 

[G1GRANDEUR]

For the price - these Tsunodas
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002RDDM0I/?tag=atomicindus08-20
I use them for 18 or smaller gauge wire and lots of zip ties. Love them!

i bought their plastic cutter, just good more better then some of high end name brands.

 

[measuredtwice]

Jeezus; look at the price of the Swanstroms

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

 

[JiminAZ]

just snapped up a pair. Thanks.

 

[Davefr]

Thanks for sharing the link. This morning he had 1 sold, now he has 5 sold. Must be the GJ effect.

That's really a killer deal.

 

[81turbota]

Wow nice. I bought 2. Thanks!

 

[measuredtwice]

Welcome! I bought several almost a year ago and I've been enjoying them. He must have a ton of them if he's still selling. I had seen a few had bought 10-12 at a time and someone bought 30. All of mine looked brand new but he advertised them as used so who knows. Hope you like them as much as I do!

 

[16again]

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

Guess I have to order them.

 

[Davefr]

Welcome! I bought several almost a year ago and I've been enjoying them. He must have a ton of them if he's still selling. I had seen a few had bought 10-12 at a time and someone bought 30. All of mine looked brand new but he advertised them as used so who knows. Hope you like them as much as I do!

It looks like the only cosmetic defect is a crooked logo on the handle. I wonder how some guy in Puerto Rico ended up getting a whole batch of them? I also wonder why Swantrom didn't just swap the handles.

I guess it demonstrates that Swanstrom is pretty **** about product quality to scrap a production lot over such a minor issue.

 

[Steve_P]

I have Knipex and Tsunoda. Knipex was my first and it still looks like new - but I only cut wire ties. My Knipex is from amazon.de and says "fur plastik" on the handle. So that's their intention. No idea why you would need a flush cut copper wire- despite their rating .
But I'm an idiot and GJ member so I bought an Ebay carbide Swanstrom. Really only because the price - $24? - but not for $40. It looks like it may have been used, but the cutting edges and grips are like new

 

[81turbota]

I just received my eBay Swanstrom carbide tip cutters. Amazing for the price, very nice!! With the Snap On in the OR thread, maybe they were used once and disposed of? Who knows. I’m happy.

 

[Steve_P]

Mine show a few marks in the cutting area if you look close, and on the metal portions of the handles. Cutting edges are perfect, grips feel new , still a little tacky. Maybe they cut a few wires during a medical procedure, certainly not more. A great deal on these, thanks for sharing!

 

[measuredtwice]

... A great deal on these, thanks for sharing!

 

[16again]

Waiting on mine. Been about 10 days since I ordered them.