There are quite a few different styles of higher leverage diagonal cutters on the market, with the main goal being lower effort wire cutting. While looking into some other Knipex pliers, I came across their X-Cut cutters, which have an unusual design.
Most cutters and pliers have a pivot that is perfectly centered in relation to the line of symmetry, from jaws to handle. Knipex X-Cut cutters are different in how they have an off-center pivot. According to Knipex, this means 20% less cutting effort compared to high-leverage diagonal cutters of the same size. They also say that X-Cut pliers require 40% less force required compared to standard diagonal cutters of the same size.
Here are the high-leverage cutters we previously posted about, at least those that are on the top of my head:
- Irwin/NWS Max Leverage/Fantastico (a personal favorite)
- Wiha BiCut cutters (button-activated high leverage mode)
- Knipex TwinForce
- Stanley compound action (not available in USA, yet?)
- Gearwrench PivotForce and Crescent Pivot Pro
What’s also interesting is that some of the product photos show the pliers with jaw serrations that presumably help them to grip finer stranded wire materials. I haven’t had issues with stranded wire slipping from cutters’ jaws, but then again I don’t often trim wires after stripping the insulation off. I could see how the serrations would help with this, and for better gripping smooth-surfaced hard wire.
Not all of the product photos show the cutter jaw serrations, but no mention of different blade profiles is mentioned in the product materials.
Knipex shows these as being used on hard wire (such as spring material) and soft wire alike, even showing them being used to cut nails. Max cutting capacity is 12 mm for stranded copper wire, and 2.2 mm for a single pass through harder material. Or at least this is how I interpreted their technical specs – double check if you want to be sure.
Another thing I find interesting is how Knipex describes these as heavy duty everyday cutters. The words they use are that these diagonal cutters are universally usable in the assembly, maintenance, and production industries. The same cannot be said for some other high leverage cutters, such as compound action pliers that open too wide for use on larger copper wires that regular diagonal cutters can handle with ease.
The pliers feature heavy duty construction, with a doubly-supported box joint design. They’re forged from chrome vanadium steel and are oil-hardened for strength and durability. Knipex emphasizes that they’re compact and low-weight, which shouldn’t be a surprise given their length.
There are 3 styles, all 160 mm (6.3 inches) long. There’s a “black atramentized” one (73 02 160), which appears to have Knipex’s standard industrial finish, a chrome-plated one (73 05 160), and one with insulated handles and 1000V protection rating (73 06 160).
Price: $54+
Buy Now(Industrial finish X-Cut via Amazon)
Buy Now(Insulated X-Cut via Amazon)
More Info(via Knipex)
Here’s a promo video showing them off:
First Thoughts
While interested in the design of the Knipex X-Cut diagonal cutters, I think they’re quite pricey. For a little less money, I’d be more inclined to try Irwin’s 7-inch size of Max-Leverage NWS-made cutter ($39 via Amazon). I own a pair of NWS-branded 8″ Fantastico cutters, and although they require extra handle spread to accommodate larger wires, they’ve performed marvelously.
If you’ve tried these X-Cuts, what do you think?