Diagonal flush cutters for plastics and cable ties specifically

[mike93lx]

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

I have two and love them for zip ties

 

[housewolf]

Will these leave blunt edges on the cuts? I used to use dikes but they leave razor sharp edges. I twist them until the break now. Leaves a nice bulbous end.

 

[Vvmvbb]

I find the Tsunoda KBNs to be perfect.
I use the gripper a little differently- I like to grip the block while pulling the tie by hand. Leaves the block right where I want it.

 

[mike93lx]

Will these leave blunt edges on the cuts? I used to use dikes but they leave razor sharp edges. I twist them until the break now. Leaves a nice bulbous end.

The kleins cut nice and clean, very tight to the clip

 

[Nick Rivers]

Tool for plastic cable zip ties. Variable tension, three range settings, leaves no sharp edges or corners. Retains the cut portion.
No nippers or cutters needed.

 

[four.cycle]

I have two and love them for zip ties

That's what I bought them for, but they didn't work for me worth a damn.
I'm pretty sure they ended up in a "Secret Santa" package.

 

[Madjik Man]

^ 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 have the Tsunoda KBN-150 and they’re incredible.

Also have the TH-150NC (that catches the cut piece) and they’re good too.

But I always gravitate to the KBNs because they’re incredible.

 

[Firebrick43]

Tool for plastic cable zip ties. Variable tension, three range settings, leaves no sharp edges or corners. Retains the cut portion.
No nippers or cutters needed.

We used those on large engine wire harnesses and I have one myself that I almost never use as it must be adjusted when you change sizes.

Unless I am rewiring a control panel and using dozens of Tyraps I use the snap on tie cutters for repair work as I am sometimes using two or three sizes

 

[whateg01]

Tool for plastic cable zip ties. Variable tension, three range settings, leaves no sharp edges or corners. Retains the cut portion.
No nippers or cutters needed.

Doesn't fit in my backpack as nicely. Then again, flush cut diags don't either. I carry a set of toenail cutters in my backpack for cutting zip ties. Bonus is TSA doesn't care about them.

 

[mike93lx]

That's what I bought them for, but they didn't work for me worth a damn.
I'm pretty sure they ended up in a "Secret Santa" package.

Well that's no Bueno. I bought a pair after seeing a recommendation here and liked them so much for the purpose that I got another set to keep in the house

 

[four.cycle]

^ Dunno what to tell ya! They did NOT cut off that little nubbin flush - they left a sharp little stub. Was I using them incorrectly?
Bought 'em down at Pratt Electric because they were dirt cheap - like $6 or $7 bucks.

There are several threads on here I watch closely: "Tools of Japan" being one, and that big "pliers" thread. This is the first thread (that I can recall) that focused solely on "flush cutters" for zip ties.
The Tsunoda model gets rave reviews in that "Tools of Japan" thread, but they are of course scattered throughout the thread.
I've held off on BUYING any more and now just nip them off with a pair of diagonal cutters and follow up with a double-cut flat file.
(The only place I use "zip ties" is to secure control cables to handlebars on walk-behind lawnmowers, and I do NOT want my customers to get sliced open while emptying the bag.)
I may splurge and pick up a pair of the Tsunodas.
I have purchased several pairs of generic, "no name" Chinese-made cutters, and all of them were just garbage - may as well have used a hatchet.

 

[Jeepster04]

^ 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 have 3 pairs of these and have no complaints... Maybe Im missing something?

 

[KnurledNut]

Tool for plastic cable zip ties. Variable tension, three range settings, leaves no sharp edges or corners. Retains the cut portion.
No nippers or cutters needed.

Not sure about that particular model but some of those don't cut flush.

 

[Snapped-off]

Tool for plastic cable zip ties. Variable tension, three range settings, leaves no sharp edges or corners. Retains the cut portion.
No nippers or cutters needed.

I've got one of those. It's nice, but doesn't always fit due to the size.

 

[whateg01]

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.

From what I've seen, that style, whether the Klein or some import off Amazon, do not have very hard jaws. Ok for copper but I wouldn't try cutting anything harder than that.

 

[richfinn]

I have a pair of Knipex 72 series (160mm) and the Snap-On combo-cut

But to be honest I much prefer these for working on cars.

https://www.knipex.com/en-uk/products/electronics-pliers/electronic-super-knips-esd/electronic-super-knips-esd/7803125ESD

 

[bwringer]

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.

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.

Same. COO is Taiwan, not China, FWIW. Fantastic quality for the money and make zip tie trimming effortless.


But honestly, what I normally use is a pair of Hakko flush cuts. I bought a five-pack a few years ago, and I have two or three left in usable condition.

The nature of flush cuts, no matter their intended purpose, is such that the blades are uniquely vulnerable. They simply can't and don't last forever, and the Hakkos are excellent quality and maybe five bucks each when you buy multiples.

 

[mike93lx]

^ Dunno what to tell ya! They did NOT cut off that little nubbin flush - they left a sharp little stub. Was I using them incorrectly?
Bought 'em down at Pratt Electric because they were dirt cheap - like $6 or $7 bucks.

There are several threads on here I watch closely: "Tools of Japan" being one, and that big "pliers" thread. This is the first thread (that I can recall) that focused solely on "flush cutters" for zip ties.
The Tsunoda model gets rave reviews in that "Tools of Japan" thread, but they are of course scattered throughout the thread.
I've held off on BUYING any more and now just nip them off with a pair of diagonal cutters and follow up with a double-cut flat file.
(The only place I use "zip ties" is to secure control cables to handlebars on walk-behind lawnmowers, and I do NOT want my customers to get sliced open while emptying the bag.)
I may splurge and pick up a pair of the Tsunodas.
I have purchased several pairs of generic, "no name" Chinese-made cutters, and all of them were just garbage - may as well have used a hatchet.

I think you may have had a bad pair

 

[burger]

Damnit you guys are rough on my bank account!

 

[BlindViper]

I have the small knipex ones. For zip ties I just take a pair of "wire" cutters and belt sand the back and make them look like your first pictured knipex pair.

 

[KnurledNut]

I have the small knipex ones. For zip ties I just take a pair of "wire" cutters and belt sand the back and make them look like your first pictured knipex pair.

 

[KnurledNut]

Unless I missed it, Keiba hasn't been mentioned.
https://drpd.cc/brands/keiba/

 

[KnurledNut]

Fujiya has a bunch of options.
https://www.fujiya-kk.com/en/products/categories/45/list-products/

 

[ez-duzit]

...I much prefer these for working on cars.

https://www.knipex.com/en-uk/products/electronics-pliers/electronic-super-knips-esd/electronic-super-knips-esd/7803125ESD

These won't cut flush, so would be dreadful for wire ties.

 

[richfinn]

These won't cut flush, so would be dreadful for wire ties.

You must have misread the Knipex link, it states quite clearly

"The cutting edges are ground without bevel for flush cutting."

I can confirm, I have two pairs

 

[YesIHaveAHammer]

The Super Knips have the 0.2mm edge misalignment, whereas the 79 series don't, so I believe a bit flusher would be possible although no practical difference. And at a cost of blade durability and longevity.

 

[ez-duzit]

You must have misread the Knipex link, it states quite clearly

"The cutting edges are ground without bevel for flush cutting."

I can confirm, I have two pairs

The photo in the link showed cutters whose cutting edges came together like scissors.

 

[YesIHaveAHammer]

Also found this at the back of the catalog along with all the other symbols.

• Black - bolt cutters
• Green - standard diagonal cutters
• Yellow - 75 22 125
• Blue - some of the 79 series
• Red - diagonal cutters for plastics, most of the Super Knips, some of the 79 series
• Purple - 79 42 125 Z

 

[richfinn]

The photo in the link showed cutters whose cutting edges came together like scissors.

The back side is flush (code red.)

The reason I prefer these over the "fur plastic" is the compact size and the spring loaded handles (and safe to cut wire)

 

[richfinn]

Also found this at the back of the catalog along with all the other symbols.

• Black - bolt cutters
• Green - standard diagonal cutters
• Yellow - ?
• Blue - some of the 79 series
• Red - diagonal cutters for plastics, most of the Super Knips, some of the 79 series
• Purple - 79 42 125 Z

Are you in the UK?

 

[whateg01]

The photo in the link showed cutters whose cutting edges came together like scissors.

You need your eyes checked.

 

[ez-duzit]

You need your eyes checked.

 

[mike93lx]

Agree, you are seeing them wrong. Those don't come together like scissors. The offset should give it away

 

[ez-duzit]

Agree, you are seeing them wrong. Those don't come together like scissors. The offset should give it away

Ah. Maybe you're right

 

[glenng]

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

As @NoahG mentioned previously, go down the sprue gate cutters rabbit hole. Swanstrom makes a ton of plastic cutters, which they call gate cutters, for flush cutting injection moldings.

Keep scrolling down this link to look at all of them:

https://www.emicorp.com/molding-supplies/injection-molding-supplies/gate-cutters

 

[Crazyjake8493]

It's one tool I never considered buying an expensive option. I have two pairs of the Klein cutters and one from Harbor Freight - all work just fine. I'm not picky about the tool brand as long as the tails get cut clean. Those jagged edges can leave a real nasty cut on your arm. Been there.

 

[YesIHaveAHammer]

I'll collect some thought about choosing this type of tool, from a mainly cable tie perspective.

Length - more leverage, longer reach, but bigger tool to get into confined spaces and to store what is not a very versatile tool.

Angled head - anything from the standard 20deg all through 90. As the angle increases, the tradeoff is between being more optimal for certain scenarios vs. being worse or unusable in others, and a less familiar positioning technique.

Blade length - depends on how big ties you want to cut. Goes along with construction strength of the head. Only a consideration with the smallest electronics nippers with 10mm blades.

Spring loaded - some people like them for repetitive work, some don't. Need to be kept shut in the toolbox to protect jaw tips.

Electronics nippers (stamped steel crossover type) - these usually have intentionally misaligned jaws by 0.2mm, to protect their blades from each other given the relative lack of rigidity and precision in the structure of the tool. Won't be quite as flush, but flush enough. Being intended for wires, these are dual purpose tools.

Tightening grabber - unique to the Tsunoda KBN. Means you only need one plier to get ties really tight. Head is a bit bulkier.

Bevels - no bevel gives the flushest cut, larger bevel makes for a more robust tool and capability on wire.

Tip shape - round or flattened tip helps avoid scratching things. Pointy tips get in to smaller spaces but not as robust e.g. if dropped.

Offcut catcher - stops it flying off. Appears to be removable.

Japan - they're really into these things. Lots of different models, variants, and innovation. Very detailed specifications and dimensional drawings are usually provided.

Europe - lots of brands selling what appears to be the same few tools. Just different coloured handles, and larger/smaller range of variants (size, blade type) than each other.

 

[YesIHaveAHammer]

These drawings from Lindstrom (manufacturer cross reference tool) are also worth including, albeit they are from the perspective of wires.

Normal bevel (common diagonal cutter):

Small bevel:

No bevel:

Bevel with misaligned blades (electronics nipper / shear cutter):

No bevel with misaligned blades (electronics nipper / shear cutter):

 

[whateg01]

I didn't put this much thought into getting married! In hindsight, maybe I should have. Regardless, it's a freaking diagonal cutter, not a orthopedic scope!

 

[YesIHaveAHammer]

I didn't put this much thought into getting married! In hindsight, maybe I should have. Regardless, it's a freaking diagonal cutter, not a orthopedic scope!

Yeah I realise it's unnecessary But I thought why not write up tools I found and things I noticed, for those who may be interested or in case it helps anyone in future.

I know some people here don't care for it, by some of the replies I got to other nerding out kind of posts.