brake/gear cable cutters, which ones?

[Philip Benstead]

I may need a new set of brake/gear cable cutters soon.
I currently use the Parks Tool set.
I was wondering whether I should buy a set from Knipex set?

But I am confused, about which set should I buy.

I undertake many Dr Bike sessions, so I need them to last.
https://www.knipex.com/products

or should I buy another make?

[Vetus Ossa]

I have these, they are cheap and I rate them.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07 ... UTF8&psc=1

[keyboardmonkey]

You can cut spiral brake cables with decent diagonal cutters (that’s what they use in the Park Tool videos), but if you want to go down the Knipex route you might go for 74 01 200 (pictured below, left).

Gear cables, with longitudinal strands, are better cut, in my opinion, by Knipex’s “wire rope cutters” such as 95 61 190 (pictured below, centre). There is a smaller model, but I have no experience of it.

For inners I just use my Screwfix cutters (on the right) because I already had them

[peetee]

The Shimano ones are very good. I used them just about every day for a couple of years. I re-sharpened them with a Dremel and they lasted another year. I can still use them for outers but they won’t cut inners now.

[Lookrider]

I know it's a little off the exact question you asked
But if your park ones are damaged or blunt they do have a lifetime guarantee
I've no idea if you need your original receipt or not
I've got the Pedro's type which are similar to the red ones mentioned above
I find that the spring keeps them open wider than what my hands spread to close them
If you imagine the park ones they close themselves if you have the handle slightly off plumb ...makes it easier to handle
I'm ok with mine as I only use on my bikes but could imagine them to get better of you if used regular

[plancashire]

The Knipex model you want is specific to Bowden cables: 95 61 150

German: https://www.knipex.de/produkte/kabelsch ... er/9561150
English: https://www.knipex.com/products/cable-a ... er/9561150

This does not appear to deal with the outer casing.

[peetee]

One important consideration that has recently become apparent to me is the which way the cutters lie. Below is a photo of two pairs; Shimano lower and Elvedes (a bike parts company that also sell cables) above.

The latter snips do look very similar to other brands whereas the Shimano cutters are a unique shape. It will be noted that one is set left upper cut, the other is right upper cut. If you use the Shimano snips to cut Shimano, Jagwire and Clarks outer cable housing they cut cleanly and the spiral core requires a minimum of fettling to produce a flat end. However, if you use the Elvedes cutters they turn the spiral up and open out the end of the winding requiring a lot of filing to produce an acceptable finish. One imagines that the Elvedes outers are wound the opposite direction to Shimano, etc but I have never bought any to confirm this.

[Mick F]

Mine's a Lifeline.
Cheap and cheerful, and the arm has broken off. I considered lashing out for a new set or the Park Tool ones, but for goodness sake, I hardly ever use it.

Mine works ok .......... or it did last time I used it including the broken arm .......... but that was a year or so ago. Cables last for ages.

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