Klein, it is the tool professional tradesmen depend on. For just strings, a 5 or 6 inch set of dykes will outlast you.
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Wire cutters...
- Thread starter Kipp Harrington
- Start date
I've used one of these for years. It cuts through a stainless steel 'B' string with no problem. Prior to that I was using a heavy duty pair of Klein cutters.
I use my Klein cutters. 35 years old and I bought them when I was an electricians helper. We even used them for nipping off tabs and the partially punched holes on steel electrical boxes on the job
No nicks on the blades here.
Kleins are made as general purpose electricians cutters, stainless steel strings are no match.
No nicks on the blades here.
Kleins are made as general purpose electricians cutters, stainless steel strings are no match.
Sorry, didn’t read all the older posts, so this may have been covered already.
While diagonal cutters often work fine for cutting strings, they’re not as efficient. The cutting action is due to using the sharp jaws to force a dent into either side of the wire until they meet. Works great in soft metals like copper, but not as much for steel. Wound strings are a special case since the jaws can go between the winds to cut a relatively thin core wire.
In contrast, bypass cutters like the D’Addario string winder clippers or the fancy Tsunoda cutters are shearing the wire similar to scissors. It’s a much stronger leverage on the string, and the curved cutting surface grips the wire while cutting it. It’s less force on both the tool and the wire. I think it leaves a better cut on the wire as well.
This is why a relatively low end tool like the D’Add clippers work fine—there’s not much wear on them. Diagonal cutters made to the same (low) quality would wear out quickly.
Luckily, the wires/strings we deal with are thin and not thick steel cables, so we can use what we like. Diagonal cutters seem to come in two main styles—cast/forged and stamped. The cast or forged style is more common IMHO. They’re a better choice for this usage. The stamped style are made from stamped sheet metal, and I see them most often being offered for electronics assembly. I don’t recommend those for cutting strings.
While diagonal cutters often work fine for cutting strings, they’re not as efficient. The cutting action is due to using the sharp jaws to force a dent into either side of the wire until they meet. Works great in soft metals like copper, but not as much for steel. Wound strings are a special case since the jaws can go between the winds to cut a relatively thin core wire.
In contrast, bypass cutters like the D’Addario string winder clippers or the fancy Tsunoda cutters are shearing the wire similar to scissors. It’s a much stronger leverage on the string, and the curved cutting surface grips the wire while cutting it. It’s less force on both the tool and the wire. I think it leaves a better cut on the wire as well.
This is why a relatively low end tool like the D’Add clippers work fine—there’s not much wear on them. Diagonal cutters made to the same (low) quality would wear out quickly.
Luckily, the wires/strings we deal with are thin and not thick steel cables, so we can use what we like. Diagonal cutters seem to come in two main styles—cast/forged and stamped. The cast or forged style is more common IMHO. They’re a better choice for this usage. The stamped style are made from stamped sheet metal, and I see them most often being offered for electronics assembly. I don’t recommend those for cutting strings.
- Feb 20, 2009
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those wouldn't work for me on guitars where i'm cutting the leftover end close to the post after winding but i bet they're awesome for bass strings where you cut the string before it goes into the post
my 6" klein cutters have worked perfectly for many years of constant daily use but now i want a set of these just because
Klein wire nippers. Or any good pair of side cutting pliers. Just make sure the handles are long enough for you to create enough leverage to cut clean without having to use both hands.
As an electrician of 40+ years I have to add another vote for Klein. I have Klein cutters that are almost that old and still are like new.