Do you know the difference between nippers and nippers?　What are the advantages of wire cutters and bundling band cutters?

Many people will not hesitate to pick up nippers when cutting wires for bundling wiring or hoses or for adjusting lengths. Nippers are certainly representative of versatile gripping tools that can cut everything from electrical wiring to plastic parts and thin steel plates. However, pliers manufacturers have a variety of specialized tools for different tasks and applications, with features that allow you to cut objects safely and efficiently. Here we explain the features and advantages of wire cutters and bandage cutters that you should have in your toolbox.

Nippers and wire cutters have different cutting mechanisms

Wire cutter WC-165 made by Three Peaks Giken; cutting capacity is for wire rope up to φ4.0, not for iron or copper wire or VVF wiring for electrical use. Regardless of tool manufacturer, cutters for wire cutting use a similar design.

Inner wire cutting is sometimes necessary when adjusting throttle cable or drum brake wire lengths or when replacing bicycle brake wires. Many people use nippers in such situations. Nippers, the most popular hand tool for cutting, can be used for both electrical wiring and wires, but there is a specialized tool that is even better suited for cutting wires. These are wire cutters. Wire cutters come in a variety of shapes and sizes, but here we will focus on cutters with a curved, arc-shaped cutting edge. The cutting mechanism of general nippers and wire cutters with arc-shaped cutting edges is completely different. Nippers are wedge-shaped blades that push through the cutter. When cutting, the wedges facing each other bite into the object while pushing it through. The cut cross section is therefore slanted along the edge of the wedge. The blade of a wire cutter has a unique arc shape, and the cutting edges cross each other like scissors cutting paper. This is a major difference from nippers, where the tops of the wedges butt against each other. Because the tips of the blades cross each other, the two blades are both single-edged, similar to scissors.

Nippers and wire cutters with different cutting mechanisms

The main feature is that the arc-shaped blade contacts the wire extensively along its circumference, and the scissors-like passing blade shears it from above and below. Nippers have a mountain-shaped cutting edge that bites into the wire like a wedge, and yet the blade is point-blank, which loosens the steel wire.

While nippers and ordinary scissors cut gradually from the fulcrum to the cutting edge, wire cutters cut in a coherent manner, with the wire wrapped around the arc-shaped valley and with a large contact area. When cutting thin steel wires stranded together with nippers, the strands may break apart at the cutting point, which is said to be caused by the wedge-shaped blade pushing through the steel wire while crushing it. In contrast, wire cutters, like scissors or a cutter, cut the thin steel wire by enclosing it in an arc to prevent it from escaping, so the wire does not fray and the cut surface is clean. In summary, the two features of wire cutters compared to nippers are: 1. the cutting edges pass each other like scissors, and 2. the cutting edges are shaped like an arc that encircles the wire. When actually cutting wire with nippers and wire cutters, the nippers feel as if they are cutting thin steel wire one by one "with a buzzing sound (......)," while the wire cutters feel as if the blades are "crunching" into the steel wire and cutting it comfortably. The cut wire can be threaded through the tycoon. Only wire cutters can prevent the tips from fraying when threading the cut wire through a tycoon or attaching an end cap, and you can really feel the value of a specialized tool.

Cable cutters for wiring and wire cutters for steel wire are different in material and hardness

The appeal of wire cutters is that they can cut more wire cleanly without breaking apart. Hard wires cut crisply, and the feel of the wire in your grip is not forced.

A cutting tool similar in shape to the wire cutter is the cable cutter. Both are often confused because of their unique arc-shaped cutting edges that pass over each other like scissors, but according to tool manufacturers, the characteristics and uses of the two are completely different. Electrical wiring is sometimes called cable or wire harnesses, and conversely, wires that transmit power are called cables or even wire cables, which can be confusing, but conductors, or electrical wiring, are distinguished from cables in the industrial field. Both cables and wires have a metal core, but the materials and hardness of cutting tools differ because the strength of the material differs between cables that conduct electricity and wires that transmit power. While carbon steel represented by S58C is commonly used as the material for cable cutters that cut vinyl sheathing and conductors, vanadium steel, of which chrome vanadium steel is a popular material, is often used for wire cutters that cut steel wires. Both have the strength and wear resistance to be used as tool materials, but each has different characteristics. Carbon steel has the advantage of high hardness, making it suitable for blade applications, and low manufacturing cost, but it is somewhat weak against impact. Vanadium steel, on the other hand, is more wear-resistant and tenacious, making it suitable for heavy-duty work, but it is also more expensive than products made from carbon steel. Due to these different characteristics, cutting steel wire with cable cutters for copper wire may cause problems such as spilled blades, so care should be taken. Conversely, wire cutters have no problem cutting copper wire in terms of blade strength. However, they are not easy to use because their arc shape is not compatible with the 2- or 3-core wires of household electrical wiring. Although the structure and blade shape are similar, wire cutters and cable cutters have different purposes, so be sure to use them correctly.

Bundling band cutters feature thin blades with no sharp cutting edges.

Fujiya catch nippers (round blade). The loosely rounded blades have a flat top surface to cut bundling bands in a tight line, and can cut resin up to 2.0 mm dia.

Next are nippers for cutting cable ties. In wiring work, nylon cable ties are often used to secure cables. Although they can be cut with ordinary nippers, the blades of ordinary nippers are wedge-shaped, as explained earlier, leaving sharp protrusions on the cutting surface. These protrusions can cause injury if they come into contact with the hand or arm, and can also damage the vinyl tape that holds the wiring together or the insulation of the heat-shrinkable tubing. Nippers specially designed for bundling bands were developed to prevent these problems. The nippers for cutting bundling bands are characterized by the fact that the cutting edge is flat on one side rather than mountainous, and by cutting with the flat side against the head that locks the band, it is possible to cut without leaving any protrusions, greatly improving safety. However, if the cutter is cut away from the head, the end will become a protrusion and cause injury, so it is important to use the cutter with the blade surface in close contact with the band head for maximum effectiveness. Another advantage of bundling band cutters over standard nippers is their ease of use in tight spaces. Nippers, which can be used to cut wiring, plastic, and sometimes metal, are made with a strong and thick cutting edge to prevent the blade from spilling easily. In contrast, since bundling bands are made of soft nylon material, the cutters for cutting them do not need to be as strong as nippers, so the tips of the blades can be made thinner. Slim bandage cutters with thin blades are easy to use in confined spaces and can cut without leaving protrusions. On the other hand, they are not as strong as nippers and cannot be used for cutting wire or metal.

Products with a recovery mechanism can prevent scattered loss of cut bands.

A tweezer-like metal sheet metal part attached to the back of the blade can hold the end of the cut band.

Some bundling band cutters are also equipped with ideas specifically designed for cutting bundling bands. The Fujiya catch nipper shown here features a thin, tweezer-like metal part attached to the back side that opens and closes in synchronization with the blade to catch the cut band without dropping it. It is good if the band that has been cut and scattered can be collected, but if it falls somewhere and gets caught in the throttle while being lost, it may lead to an unexpected accident. With these catch nippers, there is no need to worry about dropping or losing the band because it does not separate while the grip is held. Thus, using the right nippers for the right application not only makes work easier, but also affects tool life and work efficiency. Continuing to cut hard wire with ordinary nippers may chip the blades, while cutting bundling bands with ordinary nippers may leave dangerous protrusions. Efficiency, safety, and workmanship can all be improved by choosing a specialized tool for the job at hand.

When the blade is placed against the head that stops the bandage from loosening and cut, the end of the band and the head are flush with each other, so it does not catch and create a cut when rubbing the hand or arm, making it much safer than cutting with nippers. You can also clearly see how the tweezers behind the blade grab the cut band.