Side cutter, needle nose cutter all work fine. I've never had a problem with not being able to get a side cutter cut cable into a housing. Cutting der housing, however, definitely needs a special tool or dremel cut off wheel.
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Il faut de l'audace, encore de l'audace, toujours de l'audace
1980 3Rensho-- 1975 Raleigh Sprite 3spd
1990s Raleigh M20 MTB--2007 Windsor Hour (track)
1988 Ducati 750 F1