Diagonal flush cutters for plastics and cable ties specifically

[YesIHaveAHammer]

Those that are made for these particular purposes. Not electronics nippers that can also be used for the job, however good they may be.

I've come across a few... what else is out there?

Knipex 72 series - 125mm, 140mm, 160mm (standard, round head, 45deg, 85 deg), 180mm.


Knipex 79 02 125 S1 - special version of electronic nippers for cable ties, with all the edges of the head rounded.


Facom 395/396 - 140mm, 150mm 75 deg, 160mm.


Stahlwille 6676/6677 - 130mm, 145mm, 160mm (standard, 90 degree). Now discontinued.


Snap-on 786CFG 6"


"Ergo" 160mm, seems to be both the Bahco 2101PG and Lindstrom P6160.



Tsunoda Cable Tie Cutter KBN series - 100mm, 125mm, 150mm. Unique dual function head with gripping area for tightening cable ties.


Tsunoda others - many other plastic cutters from 100mm to 200mm.

 

[four.cycle]

^ The Japanese stuff gets better reviews here than the others. In particular, the Tsunoda models: KBN125 and KBN150

The low-end model Klein sells is garbage. (D275-5)(photo below)

 

[YesIHaveAHammer]

Klein sells is garbage. (D275-5

Whatever their marketing may say, for me this falls under my definition:

Not electronics nippers that can also be used for the job

 

[YesIHaveAHammer]

The Japanese stuff gets better reviews here than the others.

Their innovations and size of the range does suggest they're into this type of cutter more than anyone.

Tsunoda models: KBN125 and KBN150

I almost bought these after finding out about them here, but decided to have a proper look around first.

For my uses I might prefer a more conventional design - I don't need the gripper, a more compact head may be more useful, and a straighter angle may be more intuitive to use thoughtlessly (being just like any other plier).

 

[RTM]

I like my Swanstrom pair for serious use.

Cheapies galore for where I don't care as much, like these

What kind of tools have you found in the road??

Many, many years ago, myself and friends were climbing a mountain in central Oregon for an over-night trip. I had my sleeping bag "secured" to the top of my pack with Bungie cords. Imagine my dismay when I took a small hop over a rock and suddenly saw my sleeping bag go bounding hundreds of feet...

www.garagejournal.com

 

[Firebrick43]

There is also the snap on EPC 160 cutters, which is the same as the Bahco 2101pg

Snap-on Store

shop.snapon.com

 

[4xdog]

I have a pair of small carbide-edged nippers from a guy on eBay who sells secondhand medical tools. Apparently these are a typical part of a traction kit of some kind in case tensioned wires need to be cut. I learned about them on here years ago and they’re terrific.

As a test I got a pair of HF’s Icon flush-cutting dikes earlier this year. They’re excellent. I use them often.

 

[Torque&Recoil]

Irwin makes one. I have one and it is "ok". Can't call it a precision tool, but it is fine for trimming wire ties.

IRWIN VISE-GRIP Pliers with Spring, Flush Cut, Diagonal, 4-1/2-inch (2078925) - Slip Joint Pliers - Amazon.com

IRWIN VISE-GRIP Pliers with Spring, Flush Cut, Diagonal, 4-1/2-inch (2078925) - Slip Joint Pliers - Amazon.com

www.amazon.com

 

[Dave455]

I’ve got the Tsunoda - KBN150 - superb tool.

For years I avoided getting something dedicated to cable ties, but they work so well, and more importantly leave such a neat cut, that I wish I’d bought them before.

I don’t have any others to compare to, but there’s little I dislike about the Tsunoda, and for me in the U.K. they are 1/4 the price of the Snap On.

If I had to get something else it would probably be the Knipex 72, or the regular Tsunoda.

 

[four.cycle]

^ if you scroll through the "Tools of Japan" thread, you will find that the Tsunoda KBN150 is the favorite.

 

[vjquan]

You didn't say if COO is important, but I've been happy with the ICON flush cut pliers (Snappy clone) that were on sale not too long ago.

 

[Jgaz]

I have used the Tsunoda, KBN-125, Cable Tie Cutter (5-Inch) for a couple years now and love it
Paid $19 for it

 

[mreisner]

I'm very happy with my Snap-on ones, they also make a set that is cable tie up front and in the back half of the blade wire cutter. I have those too but haven't used them much yet but they are very handy.

 

[Pinne]

I have a Knipex pair and a Tsunoda KBN-150. The Tsunoda is ideal for this, and for the price, it's hard to imagine a better tool.

 

[fourjeepin]

I bought these from NAPA during a recent sale

 

[Wamsutta]

I recently bought a pair of these on eBay. They are fantastic.

 

[RTM]

I have a pair of small carbide-edged nippers from a guy on eBay who sells secondhand medical tools. Apparently these are a typical part of a traction kit of some kind in case tensioned wires need to be cut. I learned about them on here years ago and they’re terrific.

Story sounds like Swanstrom, got mine after hearing here of the ebay seller who…..

 

[scooby074]

Knipex 72 series 45* "fur plastik". Work great for their intended purpose but are delicate flowers and wont take any abuse

 

[NoahG]

My go-to are Xuron Maxi-Shears. If you really want to fall in the rabbit hole, research “sprue gate cutters”.

 

[ez-duzit]

The proper nomenclature is: "zero-offset". My go-to is a small pair of blue-handled Klein.

 

[YesIHaveAHammer]

I like my Swanstrom pair for serious use.

I can't see that they do specific cutters for plastics.

I have a pair of small carbide-edged nippers from a guy on eBay who sells secondhand medical tools

Not specific plastic cutters

I recently bought a pair of these on eBay. They are fantastic.

Not either

 

[YesIHaveAHammer]

As a test I got a pair of HF’s Icon flush-cutting dikes earlier this year. They’re excellent. I use them often.

You didn't say if COO is important, but I've been happy with the ICON flush cut pliers (Snappy clone) that were on sale not too long ago.

COO not too much of a concern although preference for non-China. Availability would be a problem in the UK for these.

However as a blatant low-effort clone/rip-off of another company's design and innovation work, I wouldn't buy these.

6 in. Flush Cut Pliers

6 in. Flush Cut Pliers

www.harborfreight.com

 

[YesIHaveAHammer]

I'm very happy with my Snap-on ones, they also make a set that is cable tie up front and in the back half of the blade wire cutter. I have those too but haven't used them much yet but they are very handy.

The 8" ComboCut

 

[Phang]

I have KTC PNC-125

it cuts clean and flush, has grippers for holding the stray end

 

[Firebrick43]

I have KTC PNC-125

it cuts clean and flush, has grippers for holding the stray end

The gripper would be really nice! Must ...... Resist ......... buying

 

[KnurledNut]

Maun 4183-160 is a tensioner and flush cutter made specifically for cable tie installation.
Just a little different approach.
Made in England.

 

[Banjorear]

^ The Japanese stuff gets better reviews here than the others. In particular, the Tsunoda models: KBN125 and KBN150

The low-end model Klein sells is garbage. (D275-5)(photo below)

I just got a pair of Tsunoda's and it does exactly as advertised. Cuts the tail completely flush with the buckle. Super sharp and high quality. I am become a big fan of Japanese pliers and cutters.

 

[liliysdad]

Simply curious, but why the fascination with the intended use of the tool, if other tools do the same job just as well or better?

I have the SnapOns as well as a half dozen pair of the Hakko nippers lying around. I almost always grab the Hakkos.

 

[YesIHaveAHammer]

Simply curious, but why the fascination with the intended use of the tool, if other tools do the same job just as well or better?

Simply curious too! Until recently, I didn't know that specific tools for this purpose even existed, and just used electronics nippers. Those are better known, so I thought a thread focusing on the former would be more useful than everyone posting their favourite nippers.

I had collected a few links recently, I thought they may be of interest to people here.

 

[Roert42]

I use the Klien ones a lot. Only ever use them on tyraps, so I can't say how they would hold up for use on wires.

Small and light so they are good for doing long cable runs where I have to cut 1000s of zip ties. Fits in the shirt pocket, ect.

 

[wolf_from_wv]

I bought a pair of dog toenail clippers from the Dollar Tree. My other cutters stay sharp, and if they break, they were $1.25...

Since they are rounded, I've used them and given a pair to someone to use on banding straps on boxes.

 

[Snapped-off]

My go to set came off the MAC truck. Makes a perfectly flush cut. I'll grab a pic later.

 

[welder4956]

I need a good pair of cable tie cutters, so based on all the good reports, I just ordered the Tsunoda KBN-150 cutters from Amazon. They were on sale for $17.80. Looking forward to trying them out.

 

[Jgaz]

I need a good pair of cable tie cutters, so based on all the good reports, I just ordered the Tsunoda KBN-150 cutters from Amazon. They were on sale for $17.80. Looking forward to trying them out.

Excellent price. Cheaper than the smaller KBN-125’s I bought a couple years ago.

 

[YesIHaveAHammer]

I'm continuing with my general crawl back through the "Tools from the old world" thread, happened upon these...

VBW 63x series - many lengths and angles, plus a 642 long nose. The Stahlwilles might be one of them.





Channelock 758 7.5" Flush Cutting Long Reach Pliers

 

[Steve_P]

Blue-ish handled Tsunodas are the way to go IMO. I also have a similar sized Knipex, which work fine, but I prefer the Tsunoda and that's all I use since I bought them.

 

[KnurledNut]

The blue handled ones at 4 o'clock are my sidekick and stay within reach on the job. They are my favorite because of the box joint construction, steep head angle, long cutting edge, and ability to easily flip the spring on or off during use and to store closed. Much like VBW but older with more finishing. (Hard to see, but the 642 above has a similar box joint.)
The red ones right below them are the same plier but shorter.
Green ones are UTICA with a spring steel lead catcher to control fly-aways. Super basic functional design.
I believe the 90° pair is private label VBW. I haven't been able to identify the logo.
Knipex because, everyone needs more Knipex. Heavy duty cutters with good leverage. Preferable for larger/thicker cable ties.
Snap-on E710's at 1 o'clock: Amazing general purpose flush cutters. Perhaps the most versatile of the bunch. The cutting edge side is curved which is more forgiving during positioning and can get a closer cut in some instances than the typical flat design.
Yellow Lindstrom 8141's for size comparison. Older Swedish made. Lindstrom/Swanstrom is excellent stuff.

 

[Hannahranga]

Fujiya 7700N-200BG is what I've been using, mostly because they do a great job on cable ties but also they're big (8") and strong enough to use as general purpose cutters (least as a electrician)

 

[whateg01]

I use the cheap ones that come with 3d printing stuff for zip ties. I bought some from Lowe's too for my work travel kit too but I can't say they work any better.

 

[AJHD]

My vote goes too the Snap On. One of my favorite and most used pliers I own.

If you're on a budget and don't care about COO, the Icon version is a good option too.

I own both and I like them equally. The Snap On I feel is bit more "refined" fit & finish, but they both work very well.