Personal, courtesy of Klein Tools
A reliable wire cutter is one of the handiest tools you can have in your tool kit, allowing you to easily and safely cut wires with minimal effort. These compact hand tools use extremely sharp jaws, combined with a high-leverage handle design, to cut a variety of types of wiring, as well as other thin metal items like screws and nails. They are also available in a range of sizes, with small heads for accessing and maneuvering tight electrical components, or larger options that provide maximum leverage for cutting particularly thick wires.
What to consider
Make sure your potential wire cutters will be able to handle the type and size of wire you will be working with. Fortunately, most options will clearly state the range of wire sizes they are capable of cutting. This is sometimes indicated by standard AWG (American Wire Gauge) sizes. If you’re not sure what you’re going to cut, it’s probably a good idea to go with a lower AWG rating. Remember, the lower the AWG number, the thicker the wire.
You should also consider whether or not you will be working around any type of live wiring. If so, be sure to use wire cutters that have an insulated handle to protect you from accidental electric shock. These options can sometimes be more expensive than regular cutters, but a few extra dollars are definitely worth the investment. the National Fire Protection Association requires the use of insulated tools when working near electricity greater than 50 volts.
How we selected
We’ve used wire cutters for years to tackle a variety of tasks and have used that experience to put together this list of useful options. Also, while we don’t have a ton of hands-on electrical experience, we understand the importance of cutting and stripping wires, so we’ve included a few options that can do both. We have also done our best to exclude any obscure brands or poor quality models, as we have experienced the frustration that comes with spending unnecessary time and energy struggling with inferior quality knives.
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