Cable Cutters
 

My Park cutters ran away to where all the lost socks go. Some folks on here suggested Knipex instead. Model or part number for Knipex?

These look like it to me.

https://www.modernbike.com/knipex-wi...r-13-64-or-5mm

https://static.modernbike.com/Produc...0130023647.jpg

The Knipex I use are 95-61-190 but Felco C7s are another highly recommended tool. They are both excellent I chose Knipex but I think I tossed a coin.

etherhuffer, you have 7 bikes by my count. I find the simple Shimano cable cutter works quite nicely for my fleet of 6. And if it runs off with the socks, I won't cry. It knows this. Takes all the fun out so it dutifully just hangs on its peg.

Got a pair of these
https://www.idealind.com/us/en/shop/...ls/30-435.html
and a pair of these
Both cut cable and housing like butter
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...b24e053889.jpg

Those Knipex bolt cutters above? 5 bux at a yard sale over 10 years ago.
Don't be afraid to scout the bottoms of boxes, gold always sinks to the bottom.

The Knipex and Felco C7 are the same toil with different branding.

There are also other excellent industrial quality options. Do a search for the proper classification------ Wire rope cutters.

These are specific to the task, with a "passing V" shearing actions, which holds the strands together.

Cutters like electricians pliers, or piano wire cutters are for either softer wires like copper, or for single strand wire rather than cable. Using them is the best way to ensure crushing and fraying cables as you cut.

If you have giant hands, the felco is for you. if you don't, knipex is usable for the rest of us. The one soyabean linked to is comfortable for a sausage fingered people like me.

After 20+ happy years with my Pedro's, I suddenly want this.

The tool you referenced isn't designed for cutting cable, aka wire rope. It'll be fine when new and sharp, but soon will crush wires and cause fraying.

Don't get tool envy. Your Pedro's cutter is an excellent copy of the Felco.

Possibly, it MAY lose out slightly in life expectancy, but unless you're a full time pro mechanic, it'll outlive you.

I'm unclear as to which of the three you refer to. The Ideal which cuts cable incredibly well, the Knipex bolt cutter that are my go to tool for both cable and housing, or the Knipex that Soyabean likes
The two that I use don't fray cable. They are nowhere near new.

i use 8" Channellock side cutters... the Park Bypass Cut type cutters tend to miss a strand or two occasionally, IMO..very annoying... Channellock model 338 8" diagonal cutting pliers.. about $25... they work great for cutting away old spokes too, but i use a different pair for the two tasks...

i may try a pair of Knipex next time i re-equip..

Knipex can be found pretty much anywhere even Home Depot, if a DIY has no idea which one to get, such as the OP, just see what Knipex is being sold from a bike retailer, as those will be made for wire rope.

Once you own one of these, you know what to look for in the next purchase, any brand.

The Park Tool one is "ok" (as it is one of the cheapest ones) and seems to be fine for Shimano and Jagwire, the only thing I don't like is the inner cable crimper which just squishes it flat.

To get that factory crimp, the Shimano cutter has this diamond crimper that makes for a cleaner one.

No doubting Park's quality, but for 3 bucks extra you could get the knipex. The knipex is better.
https://www.amazon.com/KNIPEX-95-61-.../dp/B000VKHW9Q

Been using my Shimano TL-CT10 since the 1980s without incident. The newer Shimano tool looks nice too.

See my post above. And super tools that are far more than just bike tools are (at least in my garage/shop/house) quite adept at marching off to other jobs and hooking up with the lost socks.

What???? Not at all, they are very similar quality wise but are two different tools

This is what the C7s look like and the Knipex in question are already posted. Different latching, and the Felco doesn't have the crimping area. The Felco has the spring which Knipex doesn't have. They are made in different countries even if close as their borders touch.
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...5e31cfd9ef.png

Before retiring 10+ years ago, I imported Knipex cutters, and would fill in with Felco C7s from a source in the USA when necessary. At the time they were identical, and both looked exactly like the C7 you pictured. Apparently Knipex, has since done a redesign. In any case, both enjoy excellent reputations. Also note that Knipex offers various models of small wire rope cutters.

I've had my Park cable cutter for over 25-ish years, and it's served me pretty well. I had never given a thought to replacing it, or even considered that there might be something better. Damnit. Now I have tool lust...again.

Really? Huh, very interesting!

just gotta watch out for utility knives (etc) with exposed blades hiding in the bottom of the boxes

No no, those are all hidden in my tool trays. :twitchy:

And that's exactly what my 20+ year-old Pedro's set looks like as well!

Jagwire "Pro Housing Cutter" (Jagwire WST 028) is my favourite:

https://jagwire.com/products/tools/pro-housing-cutter

I've been using it for years now for both cutting housing, and cables.
It sucks for pinching cable ends though (and I don't pinch housing ends, ever) - I use old, dull "ordinary" cutters for that.

Here - a talking monkey with the cutters: :)



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