Icon High Leverage Cutters

[Steel_Rain]

Was at HF today and noticed a store member pulling these out of the box and hanging them up on the “New Items” end cap:




I bought them:

11 HEAVY DUTY DIAGONAL CUTTER SKU 59737

$24.99 × 1 Item Subtotal: $24.99

Item #59737





I don’t see this on the website yet. I guess this is a post Sema release? Anyways, they seem decent.

 

[KnurledNut]

They showed those at SEMA.

 

[rlitman]

The Pittsburgh pair I got for $3 is made of metal that's about as hard as the dipped grips, but the bigger issue is how blunt and misaligned the cutting edges are. I picked through every pair in the store to find one that was aligned well enough to cut zip ties and chop sticks, and for long reach tie cutting, it's fine.

Unfortunately, my induction hardened Snap On pair with well aligned and originally sharp edges isn't much better than my Pittsburgh pair, since the cutting edges are all cratered from cutting soft steel wire (what I bought them for). And since this is clearly a knockoff of the Snap On, I'm not interested in wasting more toolbox space. When my wallet feels too heavy, I'm going Knipex shopping.

 

[BrandonV]

Very cool. I'll have to pick some up.

 

[Steel_Rain]

They are decent. Needed to cut about 20 HD zip ties for some PVC I had transported home and they worked good. I have the SO set @ work that have seen better days. I don’t feel as bad when these land up on the floor or submerged in X (oil/gas/coolant).

Cutting surfaces:

 

[rooster59]

If HF puts out the Icon Talon Grip Long-Nose Slip-Joint Pliers I’m out the door running

 

[4xdog]

I have a pair of German-made NWS FX3 Piano high-leverage cutters, similar to the ones HF is knocking off. The NWS pliers cut beautifully, and after hundreds of cuts on things like chain link fence demolition they look like new.

ISTR seeing the NWS on Amazon last week for just under $20. I got mine from KC-Tool for something that I can’t remember but was certainly more.

The HF high leverage Icons are probably quite nice. But at $30 they’re pushing the value envelope for me.

 

[Fedwrench]

If HF puts out the Icon Talon Grip Long-Nose Slip-Joint Pliers I’m out the door running

Start stretching out now because the long cutters were one of four pliers presented at SEMA that were coming out soon. The 3 position long nose were one of the other three. The cutters don't show up online.

 

[username2]

I have a pair of German-made NWS FX3 Piano high-leverage cutters, similar to the ones HF is knocking off. The NWS pliers cut beautifully, and after hundreds of cuts on things like chain link fence demolition they look like new.

ISTR seeing the NWS on Amazon last week for just under $20. I got mine from KC-Tool for something that I can’t remember but was certainly more.

The HF high leverage Icons are probably quite nice. But at $30 they’re pushing the value envelope for me.

Is that the NWS cutters that are leveraged? I've got a pair of those (138-49-200 looking at the pic on Amazon). Work a treat.

I agree that a person could argue for and against the Icon pliers as a value proposition. No doubt they're fine.

The problem I have is that like a lot of people, I've got a lifetime supply of pliers already. It tends to be an impulse buy because-they're-cool-looking at this point. One of these days, I'll buy one of those CAT sets even though I have zero need for them.

Maybe I'll have a house fire someday and replace with all-Icon. It would actually be kind of fun.

 

[Hakeem]

Nice! Icon pliers are one of the best values in the store, I’m stoked to see them expanding their lineup.

While the odd shape is clearly designed for reach & access, these would offer a tremendous amount of leverage thanks to the 11” handles, no? If so, these might be nice to have in the toolbox for stubborn cuts.

@Steel_Rain - mind cutting a 16d nail or two to put these to the test?

 

[Steve_P]

Those look nice. I've got a similar USA set by SK, so I don't need them, but if not, I'd definitely consider a set. Yeah, $30 isn't a bargain, but "Compare to Snap On"

 

[Steve_P]

I have a pair of German-made NWS FX3 Piano high-leverage cutters, similar to the ones HF is knocking off. The NWS pliers cut beautifully, and after hundreds of cuts on things like chain link fence demolition they look like new.

ISTR seeing the NWS on Amazon last week for just under $20. I got mine from KC-Tool for something that I can’t remember but was certainly more.

The HF high leverage Icons are probably quite nice. But at $30 they’re pushing the value envelope for me.

I'm not sure what the FX3 is, but do you mean the Fantastico? Like a mini bolt cutter?

If so, I have a few of them and they're AWESOME. I've cut hundreds of nails with one; like you said, they still look like new. Because of the design, they don't open very wide, so they're not a typical use plier, but they provide leverage like no other plier I have.

 

[4xdog]

Is that the NWS cutters that are leveraged? I've got a pair of those (138-49-200 looking at the pic on Amazon). Work a treat....

I'm not sure what the FX3 is, but do you mean the Fantastico? Like a mini bolt cutter?...

Here are mine -- 138-69-200. K-C Tool did indeed call these FantasticoPlus, and they seem to be gone now. These things are just about perfect. As you note, @Steve_P, they don't open wide, but like yours mine show almost no wear after being used pretty hard. The thermoplastic elastomer overmolded grips are quite comfortable.

These are shorter than the Icons, of course -- about 8" / 200mm compared to 11". I haven't needed more leverage yet.





PS: Sorry for the thread hijack, @Steel_Rain!

 

[Steve_P]

Here are mine -- 138-69-200. K-C Tool did indeed call these Fantastico Plus, and they seem to be gone now. These things are just about perfect. As you note, @Steve_P, they don't open wide, but like yours mine show almost no wear after being used pretty hard. The thermoplastic elastomer overmolded grips are quite comfortable.

These are shorter than the Icons, of course -- about 8" / 200mm compared to 11". I haven't needed more leverage yet.


PS: Sorry for the thread hijack, @Steel_Rain!

Yes, that's what used to be called the Fantastico; I guess they changed to FX3 later. And they certainly do live up to the Fantastico name. I also have the comfort grips on mine. I don't use these as general purpose 8" cutters, but I use them when I want to cut nails, etc. They excel at that. And I also added the Knipex Cobolt in various sizes and shapes after the Fantastico. I definitely have a plier fetish .

And yes, we are hijacking, sorry, so I'll relent on the Fantastico after this

 

[four.cycle]

While the odd shape is clearly designed for reach & access, these would offer a tremendous amount of leverage thanks to the 11” handles, no?

@Hakeem - I do not own the "ICON" model, but I bought a few pairs of a no-name version a few years back and gave a pair to a buddy of mine who loves them. I don't think I've used mine to cut any 16-penny nails (I have beaters for that stuff) but yes, they are fairly amazing (in respect to the "leverage" thing) notwithstanding their wonky appearance.

 

[californiamilleghia]

I have a pair of German-made NWS FX3 Piano high-leverage cutters, similar to the ones HF is knocking off. The NWS pliers cut beautifully, and after hundreds of cuts on things like chain link fence demolition they look like new.

ISTR seeing the NWS on Amazon last week for just under $20. I got mine from KC-Tool for something that I can’t remember but was certainly more.

The HF high leverage Icons are probably quite nice. But at $30 they’re pushing the value envelope for me.

German-made NWS FX3 Piano is that the model number you are using ? and how long are they ? There seems to be a few sizes on Amazon.

thanks for the info

 

[woody 73]

I am a sucker for all tools...sigh better buy a pair to test them out.

 

[bcradio]

The Pittsburgh pair I got for $3 is made of metal that's about as hard as the dipped grips, but the bigger issue is how blunt and misaligned the cutting edges are. I picked through every pair in the store to find one that was aligned well enough to cut zip ties and chop sticks, and for long reach tie cutting, it's fine.

Unfortunately, my induction hardened Snap On pair with well aligned and originally sharp edges isn't much better than my Pittsburgh pair, since the cutting edges are all cratered from cutting soft steel wire (what I bought them for). And since this is clearly a knockoff of the Snap On, I'm not interested in wasting more toolbox space. When my wallet feels too heavy, I'm going Knipex shopping.

Strong reply. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Steel_Rain]

@Steel_Rain - mind cutting a 16d nail or two to put these to the test?

Will do later tonight.

Who gets the bill for the nails?

 

[Steve_P]

Nice! Icon pliers are one of the best values in the store, I’m stoked to see them expanding their lineup.

While the odd shape is clearly designed for reach & access, these would offer a tremendous amount of leverage thanks to the 11” handles, no? If so, these might be nice to have in the toolbox for stubborn cuts.

@Steel_Rain - mind cutting a 16d nail or two to put these to the test?

Like you said, the Icons are more for reach. If you want to cut nails, or similar, and get medieval, then get either the 200mm/8" NWS as shown above, or the Knipex Cobolt. Or better yet, get both . Yes, the Icon should cut nails, but what I found from my NWS FX3 Fantastico is that the 8" model cuts the same nail significantly easier than a 10" Knipex diagonal cutter. I haven't done a comparison to the Cobolt, but they're probably similar to the NWS.

 

[M635_Guy]

They weren't out when I went over to grab another storage bin and a couple of the USG mini tool boxes.

I stupidly hurt my Wiha cutters cutting a coat hanger, so kinda in the market for something at some point.

 

[Steel_Rain]

Will do later tonight.

Who gets the bill for the nails?

Some carnage from last night:





I forgot to get the jpegs off my digital microscope last night, so you'll have to wait for the before/after pictures of the cutting jaws, but they did pretty well for a $25 pair.

 

[Hakeem]

Like you said, the Icons are more for reach. If you want to cut nails, or similar, and get medieval, then get either the 200mm/8" NWS as shown above, or the Knipex Cobolt. Or better yet, get both . Yes, the Icon should cut nails, but what I found from my NWS FX3 Fantastico is that the 8" model cuts the same nail significantly easier than a 10" Knipex diagonal cutter. I haven't done a comparison to the Cobolt, but they're probably similar to the NWS.

I like the idea of the Icons because of the easy warranty. Cut whatever the hell you want guilt-free and warranty them out when they inevitably wear out.

I’ve steered clear of NWS until now, mostly because of the garish styling. Looks like something you’d use to assemble a gaming computer LOL. So many people love them though, I owe it to myself to try a pair.

 

[Wamsutta]

Some carnage from last night:

I'm assuming they would cut cotter pins just fine then huh?

I guess your next test is to see if they will cut the band on a worm clamp. The Snap-on version apparently can:

Snap-on 312CF

Williams JHWPL-411C

 

[bcradio]

I'm assuming they would cut cotter pins just fine then huh?

I guess your next test is to see if they will cut the band on a worm clamp. The Snap-on version apparently can:

Snap-on 312CF

Williams JHWPL-411C

Quite the delegator here...

 

[Steve_P]

I like the idea of the Icons because of the easy warranty. Cut whatever the hell you want guilt-free and warranty them out when they inevitably wear out.

I’ve steered clear of NWS until now, mostly because of the garish styling. Looks like something you’d use to assemble a gaming computer LOL. So many people love them though, I owe it to myself to try a pair.

You don't have to get the comfort grips you know . But they are really nice.

The "base model" with plain grips are red dipped with light texture, and NWS gives them a full gray coating unlike Knipex; I prefer the all gray NWS look over Knipex regardless of the handle. I have a mixture of chrome and gray NWS.

Anyway, I guess I lied when I said I wouldn't hijack again with NWS commentary in an Icon thread.

 

[Steve_P]

I'm assuming they would cut cotter pins just fine then huh?

I guess your next test is to see if they will cut the band on a worm clamp. The Snap-on version apparently can:

Snap-on 312CF

Williams JHWPL-411C

The Williams version looks like a Pro America product. I'm guessing that it's nowhere near as good as the Snap On and probably uses high carbon steel and not alloy. I had a Proto that looked like that, and I returned it as it was just horrible machining.

 

[Wamsutta]

The Williams version looks like a Pro America product. I'm guessing that it's nowhere near as good as the Snap On and probably uses high carbon steel and not alloy. I had a Proto that looked like that, and I returned it as it was just horrible machining.

The Williams handles don't look as comfortable as the Snap-on version. Not only are the handles shaped differently, but the grips seem thinner too. I've been looking for a pair of high leverage side cutters for cutting cotter pins.

 

[john.k]

Beta # 1094......not a mark in the cutting edges after 40 years ,and box joint for solid alignment that lasts

 

[AEAdam]

My opinion- cutters wear out. Not looking to spend big on them. I use Kleins and they work fine and are similarly priced and US made.

Where I think Icon can offer good value is in the specialty, long nose, bent nose 12”+ stuff. For automotive, I find these indispensable and you don’t need Snap On quality. They are essentially big tweezers.

Ditto hose clamp pliers. Does Icon make them? Panel poppers? Hopefully HF stocks that sort of stuff. The sort of stuff good auto parts stores used to sell and now just sell cheesy ****.

I recommend GJ members buy a couple pairs of really good pliers (from wherever, including cutters) and buy HF stuff for the whacky stuff that used to be Bluepoint (if available).

Are you guys seriously rating cutters on their ability to cut zip ties? One word response: XURON.

Every auto tech should have a half dozen of these US made electronics cutters and pliers in their box. Really, automotive electrical is really now electronic. Was working in my F150s fuse box last week and was glad I had them.

My butane powered portasol let me down tho.

 

[Bryanthegreat]

The Xuron cutters seem cheap there are better cutters out there.

 

[CHI_Tool&Die]

The NWS cutters are legitimately awesome. I also really dig the handles, which are light years better than the Knipex multi component handles.

 

[Smokeshow69]

I picked up a pair of the icon cutters today! They were not even the shelf yet and they had to bring them out of the back for me

 

[Sal Bandini]

Like you said, the Icons are more for reach. If you want to cut nails, or similar, and get medieval, then get either the 200mm/8" NWS as shown above, or the Knipex Cobolt. Or better yet, get both . Yes, the Icon should cut nails, but what I found from my NWS FX3 Fantastico is that the 8" model cuts the same nail significantly easier than a 10" Knipex diagonal cutter. I haven't done a comparison to the Cobolt, but they're probably similar to the NWS.

How do the NWS compare to the Knipex Twinforce? That's the better comparsion, not a standard diagonal cutter or the Cobalt.