Got a few pairs of cutters, latest ones are a pack of 10 of the cheap flush cutters, Plato branded, which were $2 each. Sold 5 off, and kept 5, so free to me. Should last a while, as they are being reserved for electronics work only, as I have others for more arduous cutting.
Hakko are rebranded Piergiacomi which can be purchased for way less. So I wouldn't say they are a good value. Cutters are nice to use but tool steel used is quite soft so only good for cutting copper. Even cutting steel capacitor leads can wear them out pretty fast.
https://www.piergiacomi.com/en/catalogue/cutters/flush-cutting-edge/Ecotronic looks awfully similar too but I'm not 100% sure.
After a time with some cheap Chinese cutters, Knipex flush cutters are heaven. They don't wear out and you don't accidentally squeeze too hard and make the noses cross, which happens with the cheap ones. The cheap ones are also full of dents after a few through-hole PCBs.
I have multiple Knipex cutters of different sizes. E.g. the small bolt cutters are so good:
https://www.amazon.com/KNIPEX-Tools-71-12-200/dp/B005EXO81K/ref=sr_1_2
I use cutters with brazed carbide inserts - there are far too many steel leaded components these days. I keep a decent pair of flush cut too but reserve those for really fine stuff.
Edit: I think these are the ones...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/163930791820
I personally use a Hakko/Pergiacomi CHP-170 bought many years ago and they have been holding up pretty well - they are reasonably priced. For anything larger than a through hole part lead I have stronger non-flush cutters (Wiha, Stanley, Channelock...)
Xcelite 170M.
Why? Because unlike Lindstom you won’t sob yourself to death when you bust them or your significant other steals them to cut her toe nails.
In 55 years experience, we found:
Old Plato cutters are good
German Erem also fine.
We still have fine Lindstrom tools from 1970s. Super good steel and design of jaws and joints.
Long nose pliers, side and end cutters, round jaw pliers, etc.
Most old German tools are fine.
The Chinese are junk.
The other USA brands like Weller, Klien are OK.
Just my thoughts,
Jon
Collected tons of fine tools from Belzer over 40 years. One of the top Brands worlwide.
Nowadays i'm fine with Xuron - two of them are now my allday sidecutters
I like the Knipex 125. It is basically a miniature electrician's side cutter. The first one lasted over 25 years and now it is in the shed. Still works but the pivot has a bit too much play for cutting thin (like 0.2 mm) wires.
The main problem I've seen with flush cutters is that the edges get damaged really quickly and they are extremely sensitive to play in the pivot point causing the cutting edges to misalign. But I have to say that I never used the Lindstrom ones.
I paid £1.50 for mine from CPC.
And they even cut wire !
I use cutters with brazed carbide inserts - there are far too many steel leaded components these days. I keep a decent pair of flush cut too but reserve those for really fine stuff.
Edit: I think these are the ones... https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/163930791820
Surely the steel leads are soft enough and don't damage half decent cutters that would be hardened no?
Interesting carbide ones though
Maybe, but steel will probably shorten their lives. Most quality fine cutters specify soft copper only so it's hard to tell until it's too late.
Maybe, but steel will probably shorten their lives. Most quality fine cutters specify soft copper only so it's hard to tell until it's too late.
Yes my ex wife using my cable shears on craft wire proved that one.
Grr.
My tiny collection
Some good brands that I have
Erem - Swiss
Knipex -Germany
Fujita - Japan
Piergiacomi - Italy
Stand is 3d printed with 1515 aluminum extrusion
Flush cut Knipex 78 03 125
I like the Xuron LXF cutters: the lead retainer is a nice feature that lets you cut leads without safety glasses (and without holding your finger over the lead). They make a version with antistatic grips. The cutting edges are heat-treated steel—I don't like the idea of using carbide inserts for general tasks because of brittleness.
Tronex and Swanstrom are other good USA suppliers.