crankholio

For cutting brake cables, shifter cables, housing, etc...

I've been using some Klein cutters, but they've gone kind of dull after about a year. Might get something different.

alcjphil

Buy a pair of proper cable cutters. Far better than what you have now
This is one of the better ones:
​​​​​​https://www.bikeradar.com/reviews/ma...utters-review/

fietsbob

Felco Swiss cable cutters

Racing Dan

A Dremel with a diamond cutter wheel.

aggiegrads

Felco C7 or Knipex 95-61-190 are generally considered the best, and either will last you a lifetime. I prefer the Knipex because they have a built in crimpers for cable tips and brake cable ferrules.

https://www.amazon.com/Felco-C7-wire...dp/B0006229UQ/

https://www.kctoolco.com/knipex-95-6...-plastic-grip/

Pedros or Park if you are on a tighter budget.

crankholio

I'm familiar with Knipex as I have some of their bolt cutters. Never heard of Felco. Are they both roughly the same quality? Also, do you use the same cutters for housing that you do for cables?

crankholio

Good for those high end ceramic cables, eh?

Shimagnolo

Note that it includes an awl-like tool in the handle for opening up housings after cutting.

aggiegrads

Yes, Felco are Swiss, and of the same quality (at least) as Knipex.

I use the same cutters for housing, but sometimes have to use Knipex diagonal cutters to cut off a small collapsed section of coil. The Knipex diagonal cutters have edges that are hardened to 64HRC, and have never dulled cutting steel.

deacon mark

Save your money go to Menards or Home Depot and buy cutting pliers. There are a variety of types I manage to find a Master Force Cable cutter at Menards for $12. They do the same thing as any bike specific tool and all of them need to have the housing end opened a bit with an awl. Then you can smooth out anything rough with sandpaper for smooth shifting.

canklecat

I've been using Jagwire cutters for a few years. No complaints. If there's a problem it's usually due to mediocre quality cable housing.

The business end is adjustable for cables or housings. There's a crimper behind the pivot for re-rounding cable housing that got ovalized in cutting. Jagwire claims the crimper is for securing the cable tip caps, but I prefer using a needle nose plier or regular cutter to carefully crimp the end caps. And an awl in the handle to reopen the end.

I usually use small files to finish the end flat and remove burrs, including a round jeweler's file to carefully deburr the inside.

I never had much luck with moto tools and cutters. Darned things shatter too easily. And I work in my apartment's spare bedroom and didn't like the sparks flying indoors. But they're okay with grinders and polishers for deburring, instead of using hand files.

SurferRosa

.

fietsbob

^^^ This Thread, It Had To go That way.. ^^^

MudPie

One feature worth noting or considering is the suggested cutters (Knipex, Felco) and the bicycle specific cutters (Avenir (shown above), Park, Shimano) all are "bypass" type cutting action. The cutting action is a shearing of the cable or housing and is fairly clean The OP's Klein cutters are "pinch" type cutters that tends to crush, then sever. Such a crushing feature may distort and ovalize cable housings.

BHG6

I have a set of Park Tool cutters that have worked well for years. I usually put a dab of superglue on the tip of the cable after cutting it to prevent it from unravelling while I'm working on the bike, and then I'll install the little end caps once everything is properly adjusted.

Koyote

Damn. Beat me to it.

79pmooney

^^^^ Yeah, my first thought - those cutters!

I paid not a ton for regular old Shimano cutters 5-10 years ago. Easy. Clean cuts on cable, I have to do some prettying up with housings. (File and pokey tool. Not hard.) Work really well and look like they will last me a long time. I have no reason to look any further until they die.

dsbrantjr

I have had 2 sizes (C3 and C7) of Felco cable cutters, and their #8 pruning shears as well, for decades and they still work as new. I have never regretted the small premium I paid to have the best.

DrIsotope

I've been using Shimano PRO Cable Cutters for 5+ years now and have absolutely no complaints. They cut cable and housing easily and without issue. Under $20.

I've been using the same pair of Klein D2000s for 20+ years, and they've probably cut through 20lbs of nails and even more Romex. Because that's what they're for. It never even occurred to me to cut cable with them.

delbiker1 

I started doing this very thing with the glue. Especially, if for some reason, I have to snip the crimp off of an installed cable. I stopped using the double ended cables, one end for Shimano compatible and one for Campagnola, though the glue works for that also. I would definitely not use $12 snips from anywhere. I have Jagwire cable cutters that do a really good job, clean cut with very little squashing of the housing. They also have a crimper and an awl for housing. I just bought a dremel, but have not used it yet. Shimano cable cutters are on sale at Jenson USA for $39.99, highly rated. Whatever cable/housing cutters you use, use them only for that purpose.

delbiker1 

Where can the Shimano Pro be purchased for $20? Damn good price. I have seen them for as low as $32 plus change on Ebay, but they are from overseas and come with shipping charges.

crankholio

Oof...nails with the D2000? I've got some Knipex 71-41-200 compact bolt cutters that I use on small bolts if needed, and that's probably what I'd use for nails if I ever cut nails. I can't imagine the D2000 going through a nail without damaging the blades. I've been using cutters like the D2000 for a long time, mostly for car stereo installations, speaker installs, alarm installs, and they've worked great for that. When I started working on bicycles, I used this style of cutter because it was the only style I knew of. But it does seem like it's time to get a better/proper tool.

Davet

Felco and Knipex are both top-quality tools. Their cable cutters are used for both cables and housing and do a far better job than the cutters you have been using.

sweeks

Who knew? The Italians are coming!

Shimagnolo

Refund? Refund??? REFUND???