Compact Cable Cutter Showdown

A showdown of several German brands of compact cable cutters (less than 7in total length) along with some other brands thrown into the mix. Some surprises in the final results.
Full Review: www.germantool...
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Knipex 95 11 165 (KC Tool): bit.ly/2DkgrAe
Knipex 95 11 165 (Amazon): amzn.to/2Gng3SP
Gedore 8090-170 TL (KC Tool): bit.ly/2EAXWHi
Gedore 8090-170 TL (Amazon): amzn.to/2DHwCHi
Felo 54 016 40 (KC Tool): bit.ly/2qYdkM9
Wiha 32600 (KC Tool): bit.ly/2DjvZE4
Wiha 32600 (Amazon): amzn.to/2BxRGhV
Southwire CCP6D (Amazon): amzn.to/2DHaNI7
Bahco 2233D-160 (Amazon): amzn.to/2GnCgAc
Tsunoda CA-22 (Amazon): amzn.to/2rIfBeB

[@pocketorigin]

In the world of hand tools, a small portion of it is cable cutters. Best review so far. No one could have done it any better.

[@seanrobinson6407]

Makes me feel sad for the rest. Nobody does it half as good as you. Baby you're the best.

[@chriscas-ToolAficionado]

Nice video! The only comparison I can make is between the Knipex (95 11 165) that I have and a co-worker's Channellocks (model #911). Cutting the same 4(?) AWG battery cable, the Knipex, despite it being smaller in overall length, they cut through the cable so much easier than the Channellock cable cutter. The Channellocks were clunky and cumbersome. Winner was clearly the Knipex.

[@BlindBatG34]

How did you know I've been shopping for cable cutters? This is seriously one of the best tool reviews I've seen on KZbin. Kudos. BTW, I dropped a small care package for you in the mail on Saturday.

[@lv7603]

I have the tsunoda no complaints. Was happy to find a Japanese tool at a great price with the quality I expected. Cuts and strips.

[@flippingdrummer]

A quick suggestion, do cutting test with two points of pressure, one that's a standardized distance, and then one on the end of the handle, or where your hand would rest, that way it shows how much force it'd take in a more realistic way of applying pressure. Also potentially do a very brief test of durability (like 20 cuts on a thick cable and then check the blades)

[@georgetek]

Good review. I've got both the Tsunoda and Knipex. The Tsunoda is lighter and easier to handle in one hand so I use them primarily for cutting speaker wire and other small gauge application. The Knipex I use more for wire in the 4-8 AWG range.

[@raptorswire7212]

great video, but these are often used for both cutting AND stripping of the wire's isolation. I would really like to see results for the stripping performance

[@m00nsplitter72]

Many presentations on KZbin are self-labelled 'reviews' that totally disregard the entire premise of what a review should be. This was a superb example of how to to perform a review. Bravo, and thank you. It was disheartening to see how far Bahco has fallen as a brand, with outsourced production and seemingly no quality plan to prevent poor quality manufacturing/finishing from reaching the end-user. The one issue that this presentation didn't, and reasonably couldn't, cover was steel quality and temper, but if a QA plan cannot afford basic tooling issues then presumably there is very little reason to expect good quality steel either.

[@Mack_Dingo]

Thee Knipex step-cut probably take the cake now

[@carpetcleaningprofessor]

You cannot use serrated teeth on shielded RCA's it can to form the shielding making it impossible to seat the RCA at least from some manufacturers infact in the RCA manufacturers literature they recommend the knipex or the Klein for sharing the cable

[@adamaj74]

Exactly!

[@TheCarbaxin]

Nice review sir. I don't expect those results. The felo/nws unit looks funky.

[@JohnDoe-fn1me]

Awesome video with the most comprihensive test I have seen for these tools yet. Great job 🖒🖒

[@moeszyslack4676]

Another great video and review Matt. I bought the same Knipex tool you had in this video and used it to cut 1/0 battery cable with next to no effort. Left a clean, beautiful cut. I wish I had not been so impatient and waited for this review I knew was coming so I could have gotten the Gedore one instead since I would have liked the return spring. Thanks for this.

[@davewood406]

I have the Knipex which work really well for me, have had them for several years. I might pick up the Felo though, because, why not... You never know what niche use you might find. Like the Knipex I use to strip sheaths on multi conductor or larger power cables ( a hard #2 THHN, 1/0 or whatever) that you would rather cut with a Klein High Leverage cutter...

[@Keifsanderson]

Gotta say, this is your best review yet. Loved the scientific way you went about things. People may bitch about sample size, but I would retort that poor performance trying to excuse itself with "sample size" indicates a problem with quality control.

[@Keifsanderson]

By the way, you are costing me money. I have always been a toolaholic, and now you've got me getting my fixes on German tools, too.

[@adamaj74]

But pushing down at one point on the handle isn't the same as applying grip force and can't really tell you anything, like how much actual grip force is required or how fatiguing the cutters would be after extended use, etc. Serrated blades tend to cut better, but on cable cutters they're a no-go because they can damage a lot of cables. Some manufacturers of wire actually recommend Knipex or Klein because of this.

[@TheAaron2442]

this guy is badass scientific method right..

[@bigrobbyd.6805]

Southwire does have an American-made cable cutter, but I would not call it compact, as it is 9" long. All of SW's US-made tools have dark blue dipped handles with red trim. I bought their crimper/cutter, and it is quite nice, I must say.

[@GermanToolReviews]

I think I read somewhere that the USA made southwire tools are actually from Channellock. Channellock does make good cable cutters for large cables.

[@thedude5805]

No love for the Weidmüller KT8?

[@niclaszeba1]

Bacho was great 10 years ago. When their tools were made in Sweden

[@harveysmith100]

They went down hill when they started making stuff in Spain, I can't imagine how poor the quality is going to be coming out of China. I would always buy Bahco because their tools were top quality, now I think they are trading on the name

[@tanakornkiawkaew3951]

@Harvey Smith It’s even happened to their parent brand Snap-On. They even licensed Snap-On name to Chinese maker for quality compromised product with a premium price.

[@harveysmith100]

@@tanakornkiawkaew3951 They management are after quick profit so they get their big bonuses. They are damaging the company long term, they don't understand that the only reason people buy Snap On or Bahco is because of the reputation and where it is made.

[@SnabbKassa]

I have bought Bahco stuff recently within the EU and it's all had Spain stamped on the product and the quality has been fine. Maybe the stuff sold in the EU is made in Spain but the rest of the world gets stuff from China.

[@muxmurki1497]

Spain is not always a minor production location. The Grip-on Vize-grip pliers are manufactured there, and although I still think that Switzerland or Germany are the top-notch locations, for that particular kind of tools I like the Grip-Ons more than the German Vize-grip pliers. Most Of those come from Bollmann (Knipex, Gedore etc.). Good, but the Spanish are better.

[@stefanum1]

Sir. Could you test same way for fujiya gcc-200, knipex step cut and wiha z 50 3 06 210?

[@tazyx4297]

Also a good cutter is from Engineer - Japan steel made. PK-50 or PK-51, about 25-30 $ or 25€. Very nice cutting. Also, test should on cutting performance after using for few months and see which maintain same cutting performance and who don't.

[@mastermetalshredder]

Holy cow what an awesome review!

[@kaferjake3615]

Excellent video! Extremely helpful. *Cuts* through all the brand hype (heh heh).

[@DoctoreDoom]

Gotta love Felo and Tsunoda!

[@WCamden]

The “makeshift wire stripper” is what we use in the uk for stripping wires lol we don’t use the strippers like the US

[@Tomlewis97]

I've got auto strippers for doing downlights. But side cutters all day for everything. I dont know how yanks do it with all their strippers 🤣

[@callmevil]

Thank you for this review, wished u included the Engineer PK-50 in this review rather than the tsunoda.

[@harrymcough5545]

I bought these used them 1st time today

[@aidavcomedy]

Country of Origin means where they're sending it from I'm pretty sure, not where they're made.

[@michaelboyes4948]

Wheres CK? there one of the best companys for side cutters,croppers and over tools electricians made in Germany and they have been goimg over 100 years

[@kolahti9433]

Its really amazing how good videos you make! Keep it up man! Waiting to see a showdown about side cutters. I personally just got Knipex 70 01 180 and those are great!

[@jerrym2321]

Would like to know which tool had the best metal. Maybe a torture stress test is in order. Cut something harder and see which jaws prevail.

[@Emin3m1986]

Any chance to test C.K ? Cheers!

[@uiopuiop3472]

ck as in. ciklone killa? hungarian rappa

[@Emin3m1986]

@@uiopuiop3472 - no, mate. CK German tools

[@uiopuiop3472]

@@Emin3m1986 ok. nice name. maybe Christ K is his/her/them name

[@Kackspack0815]

06:12 What’s drag cutting?

[@savedfaves]

I question the degree of importance of pricing in these tests. Yes, pricing is not nothing, but if you want your tools to be reliable and last a long long time, for most users even paying 50% more would be worth it. A cheap car that keeps breaking down wouldn't be worth it, for example. But thanks for doing these videos, though, you know doubt are least you are thorough, unlike most of the linkbait out there.

[@deanrhodenizer938]

Just a "thank you" for a well thought out analysis. BTW, what's your day job? You seem to be quite analytical and find innovative ways to take measurements to support your analyses. Appreciated. Keep these videos coming, please.

[@GermanToolReviews]

I guess you can say I'm an "Engineer" for my day job. I don't think I have an official title, but would probably fall under "Controls Engineer" "Electrical Engineer" or "Software Engineer" as I seem to do all three at the moment.

[@rodrigodelallata7140]

good job

[@hhe5218]

The bacho and tsunoda look like the generic "blue cutter" or "cc22" cable cutter. These are the go to cutters in Norway. They are cheap, low quality and treated like consumables They are sold under several brand names, würth, bahco etc, suppliers often have their own logo on them as well.

[@TheLusus]

Same as in Sweden, also they aren't only cutters. They are strippers aswell.

[@henrikcrusell7491]

Same in Denmark. ALL electric cables are round i Europe(not GB though) . That means cablecutters are used as both cutting, removing cablejackets and wirestripping. Hense the small cutter near the tip of the pliers.

[@lossantoscity3249]

Im loyal to Tsunoda since a lot of their products are hand made in japan, lately they started manufacturing in Thailand. I buy it since it extremely affordable and have no problems. We'll see after 10 years. LOL

[@tommymack3210]

I am electrician apprentice in Norway and I can confirm all we use is the cc22 cable cutter. But I am looking into Knipex StepCut, but wondering how good it can strip insulation off wires.

[@Hawk74]

Outstanding job with this review! This is a nice spectrum of brands and while I love the German tools, I also recognize that other brands have a lot to offer too. I've really come to like some of the Japanese brands like Engineer. Great job GTR, thank you.

[@anxiousmerchant4129]

ive heared the Weidmüller cable cutters are the best you can get, but i guess that brand is under your radar

[@GermanToolReviews]

I'll have to check them out. I would be surprised if they make their own tools as they are an industrial automation supplier. Sort of like the screwdrivers that Phoenix Contact sells are actually rebranded Wera Kraftforms.

[@anas7hamed]

@@GermanToolReviews great video, any news about Weidmüller KT8 and where it made and how can we know? Also Cimco duocut?

[@thomasbrown9402]

Any update to the full size cable shear shootout?

[@timsworkshop85]

Nice review man! I have the knipex cutters at work (this one and the larger one). I'm kinda a big fan of knipex tools!

[@uiopuiop3472]

i have knipex xs and letherman xs

[@bestaminekici9651]

Ürün kodu nedir what is the prodoct code

[@muffinsmuffins8074]

More tool reviews please

[@joaomanuel4579]

what about the ck ones?

[@clifffff7630]

Rest assured. CK T3963 210 mm and his 240 mm brother have firm seats in the Pantheon of (copper) cable cutters.

[@TheMetalmachine467]

How about the Swiss made felco C7 those cut wire cables for over 10 years with no sharpening They still cut like butter

[@CanaleYouTubeGeneralista]

Hi, to get a clean, precision cut, on small diameter cables, 6 mm up to 10-12 mm, which shear model do you recommend ? Except for the felo that costs too much.

[@matthewjackson9615]

I don't know why I'm watching this, Germany has been known for producing well designed high grade tools for centuries. You mean these tools outperform most others on the market ? Well gee, I would have never guessed that. However, just looking at them , it's impossible not to admire the quality and superior design of these tools.

[@SnabbKassa]

Al the Gedore pliers on Amazon Germany now still look like Knipex, but they say Made in Austria on them, so maybe someone else is making them for them now. Noticed the scissors you are using to open packaging. Get some Fiskars hardware scissors, made in Finland.

[@CameronSchmidt89]

Great video. Keep it up with the showdowns.

[@HifiVega]

Great video! Very thorough. I’m shocked and not shocked that the Wiha came in 2nd... I picked a pair up a few months back and I am really impressed with them. The only part that shocked me was that they seem to cut better than the Knipex! Anyways I am eagerly awaiting your next video.

[@joseepifaniogomes1843]

Meu.sonho de consumo pena que não posso comprar

[@hytekrednekbama4400]

I have an Orbis pair of cable cutters. They have been better than expected. I wish you had included Orbis into your test, but you cant test every pair I guess. I also have a couple pairs of the Orbis angled needle nose pliers. They are by far my favorite to use.

[@ccmogs5757]

Are the ORBIS similar to the KNIPEX ? , i"m sure that Knipex own Orbis , not sure if the designs are the same :]

[@uiopuiop3472]

sir are you german or hungarian

[@mercessantos9751]

Weindmuller 8 is better than all of those

[@rahulanand7069]

Nice sir awesome video

[@BRICOFASTE]

Great vídeo thanks, knipex and wiha are the best.☺

[@ToolTeardowns]

Good video. What kind of camera are you using?

[@GermanToolReviews]

Panasonic G85. Early videos were just done on a tablet camera.

[@simongleitz3368]

Great Video. It would be nice if you do some more Hazet Reviews. ty

[@napolitocala]

What kind of oil are you used in video pls ?

[@napolitocala]

3:58

[@R900DZ]

Great job, thanks

[@amitghosh6966]

Not suitable for wire stripping as many people demonstrate

[@maxmustermann1455]

you forgot the best one in my books. Cimco duocut.

[@julianreverse]

Wiha is forged somewhere in Asia, Knipex is forged in Gemany! This is a clear 2nd place for Knipex!

[@GermanToolReviews]

The Wiha unit is forged in Vietnam.

[@diemman70]

I paid $20 for the Wiha so a total value.

[@brandon7671]

Should have factored in durability. Knipex may be expensive, but they last. I have some NWS pliers - the same maker as those Felo pliers - and the edge durability doesn't impress me. Some cheap Chinese pliers I got for a fraction of the cost of the NWS pliers actually are actually more durable. The Knipex pliers on the other hand are incredible. I've put them up against the same stuff as the NWS pliers without any edge deformity at all, and they cut like a hot knife through butter.

[@codyrobertson4630]

Great review! Can you please review the wiha plier wrench and compare it the knipex version.

[@GermanToolReviews]

I plan on doing a comparison of these, I have the Knipex pliers wrench but haven't had a chance to use it yet. I dont run into situations where I need to turn large bolts very often. There are a couple of other brands who have made similar items to the pliers wrench.

[@6900pilot]

Nice review gtr keep the reviews coming really enjoy this channel by the way I was expecting knipex to win!

[@phsparkytoolslinger1897]

Wiha on Vietnam, other brands on China, I hope knipex will not follow their footsteps. ...

[@danielecornelio7915]

Felo cable cutter Is made by NWS

[@green_building]

I really like your channel bro.. i always watching it 🤘

[@mtplainsman1068]

This was a well done review... Thanks!!!

[@friedmule5403]

It's a loooong time ago since Bacho was the brand to go to if you wanted a great and lasting hand-tool for human money. Now I think it's only a "cut" above the no-names!

[@kalijasin]

Felo may cut through better than the rest but it leaves rigged and jagged cut marks.

[@comepuchas990]

11.29.21 ws c13 hood gls nk guerra

[@tylerconant2983]

southwire did just come out with some made in america pliers and cutters. they have blue handles, but they cable cutter is 9 in so it wouldn't qualify for this comparison

[@IliyaOsnovikov]

Most of the cables used in the test didn't have much copper in them to cut.

[@86cadaver]

I know I’m getting old because I’m intentionally watching this video

[@rimmersbryggeri]

I think you found a counterfeit bacho.

[@1coreywest]

Corey Thyssenkrupp again, been waiting on this video and it was very helpful. Also if u don't mind what oiler was that you used ? I like that long narrow spout

[@1coreywest]

Also I have felt like felo is making a honest effort to step their shit up lately and good someone else sees that too

[@GermanToolReviews]

Part of a set made by Gaunt Industries that I have been trying out with ballistol and has been working out really well so far. I have found the pink one works better than the blue one for ballistol. Got them from Amazon: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FNPTYYK/

[@ccmogs5757]

Bahco has been ruined with SO"s chinese production :(

[@svtrader]

Of course the Southwire is the worst performer, because, you didn't loosen the adjustment screw.

[@scrambler350]

This review makes me want to avoid trying _anything_ from Southwire.

[@GermanToolReviews]

I can't say as I don't have a lot of experience with Southwire tools. I know that their new "made in USA" stuff is rebranded Channel lock so it's probably a better product than what I was using.

[@MarkFunderburk]

Every southwire tool I've used was garbage. I had an $80 multimeter that came with broken leads, and after a yard stopped mesuring AC. A pair of wire stripers that literally exploede on the second use, and a pair of pliers that broke in half. I will never touch anything from them if I can help it.

[@ricker76er]

Southwire is a wire company that farms out the manufacturing of their tools

[@animarkzero]

One thing should have been included: The hardness of the Tool-Steel used determines the durability of the tool and how many cuts you can do with it until it has to be sharpend.

[@GermanToolReviews]

I was thinking about it, but I didn't have all of hardness values for all of the units and I didn't have the equipment to test.

[@NewWorldHoarder]

Kernippex? As in Kernife (knife) and Kernight (knight). Omg 😧 you Americans 😅

[@playgamecat]

German steel is too OP !

[@IrishHitman79]

Surprised at Bahco they have good quality tools. The ones made in Sweden anyway.

[@adamaj74]

I'm not sure about the method you used to test the most weighted category; cutting performance. Pushing down on one point of a handle does not equate to how a tool actually performs in a hand. It's not an accurate measurement of how much gripping force is needed or how fatiguing a particular handle design is. It could be that those tools that took more point force from your test actually use less grip force. Or, that even if they do require a (negligible honestly) increase in force they are actually easier/more pleasing to use and less fatiguing after extended use. The difference in forced you measure is probably within the margain of error of the push/pull gauge you used, not to mention slight variations in how you held it while pushing and how perpendicular it was to the center axis of the tool would also throw off the readings. Also, the serrated cutters on some brands are literally useless for a lot of applications because they will damage the cable, shielding, etc., which is why some cable manufacturers even go so far as to recommend Knipex, Klein, etc., in their literature.

[@GermanToolReviews]

It was the best way I could think to test them at the time. I don't claim it to be a controlled experiment, but I did manually verify what I was seeing but cutting a couple of samples by hand and confirmed that X was easier to cut than Y.

[@hermanpanzerwerferhorkheim9853]

" I did manually verify what I was seeing but cutting a couple of samples by hand and confirmed that X was easier to cut than Y." Confirmation bias.

[@Keifsanderson]

GTR - These dudes don't know what they are talking about. Keep doing what you're doing and don't let the negative nancys drag you down.

[@adamaj74]

Nothing wrong with criticism. It has nothing to do with being negative. I'm sure he wouldn't want followers that only ever agreed and praised him and his conclusions. I've been a huge fan of this channel since his subs were in less than a hundred. Nothing has changed. I simply disagree on this one, that is all, and there's nothing wrong with that.

[@jimmyc7269]

But at least this is a test on how the blade itself performs? Neglecting the grip a better blade will require less force to cut. I guess GTR could factor in the handle design more to give a more accurate cutting performance score, but that would also require him to take different handle variations into account like Knipex.

[@horacerumpole6912]

So now we're reviewing chinese and vietnamese junk tools?? Why did you omit Felco??? Or Vessel???

[@GermanToolReviews]

What are the part numbers for compact cable cutters in those brands? I've heard of Felco wire rope cutters but never heard that they made cable cutters as well. Never seen a Vessel cable cutter.

[@GermanToolReviews]

This this comparison I was looking at cable cutters that were less than 7 inches (175mm) in total length. Looks like the Felo C7 is 190mm in length so it wouldn't be included here. I did a pretty exhaustive search, but I'm sure I missed a couple of brands so it wouldn't surprise me to find that there are other ones that could have been included in the comparison.

[@horacerumpole6912]

FELCO CP, which might exceed the length criteria

[@johndoecake]

bet the one dislike is from Southwire PR :^)

[@Wesley296]

Japanese brand? SAY NO MORE

[@TheUberdude187]

Don't want to be the Internet police dude but Knipex has a silent K. Other than that great video and a thumbs up from me.

[@ACombineSoldier]

Southwire does suck, I hate that Lowes quit selling Knipex and now only sells shitty Southwire. I guess people are too damn cheap. That's why so much shit is made in china. I actually have to make sure cheaper tools say "made in Taiwan" because Chinese tools will shatter, slip, bend or snap whenever I need them not to.

[@rahulanand7069]

Hwao

[@measure2ice712]

The charts are counterintuitive and give the impression that you dont know what your talking about. Next time just use the force not your opinion.

[@stevenpressley5956]

South Wire should be ashamed..

[@joseepifaniogomes1843]

Bolsonaro 22

[@beengineering4653]

I thought the "k" on knipex was silent, making it "nipex" to pronounce it. Hmmm

[@janludwig7286]

I'm from Germany. The K is definitely not silent.

[@karlnapp7564]

All these electric cables are soft. You need to cut a bunch of piano wire to see wich one of these cutters is really made to last. I've seen cutters that failed on the first cut.

[@GermanToolReviews]

Since they are only supposed to be used for AL and CU, using them on piano wire would probably chip the edges. Might be interesting to see on one of the cheaper units.

[@BL-yj2wp]

That would qualify as abuse and almost certainly destroy the edges of all the cutters. No valuable information to be gained.

[@karlnapp7564]

I cut about 10 pieces of a bowden cable and cut the heads of a couple of different screws. Are the blades completely unharmed, you have a quality product. Low quality crap will not cut the cable but rather pinch it between the blades.

[@turtlepowersf]

@@GermanToolReviews i think MC cable would be a good test.

[@TheAaron2442]

so **cking controlled. you must have a science or statistics background. also ballistol rocks.

[@sophflo6558]

The K Is silent

[@turtlepowersf]

Not according to KnipexUSA

[@jeremijajeremijic2413]

It's not K''ee''nipex it is simply knipex without ''ee'' it is German not American. Type Knipex in google translate to hear how it is correctly pronounced.

[@dphil2703]

Isn't it pronounced "Nipex"