IRWINTools VISE-GRIP Pliers, End Cutting with Spring, 4-1/4-Inch (2078904), Blue

My original intent when purchasing these pliers was to use them to trim soldered connections. This generally entails cutting through soft metals like copper and tin. So, I have been pleasantly surprised with the quality of the Irwin 4-1/4-Inch end nipper as they can cut through hard metals such as the steel used in bicycle brake cables. After several clean cuts through the steel cable, plastic ties, and electrical connectors, the end nipper blades appear good as new.My perceived need for these pliers arose at a veterinarian's office when he attempted to remove a bird leg band with diagonal pliers. The swollen bird leg didn't cooperate with the diagonal pliers, which pushed the band forward into the tender tissue. Similarly, cutting through steel brake cables is difficult with diagonal pliers as they tend to crush the cable, leaving a mangled fan of sharp strands. While there are specialized cutters for steel cable and bird leg bands, these end nippers are great when there are space constraints that limit tool access. Now that they are in my tool box, the 4-1/4-Inch end nipper is often employed wherever diagonal pliers fall short.ProsDurable hardened metal on bladesPerpendicular blades provide cleaner cuts than diagonal pliersMaximum cutting force along whole length of bladeErgonomic handlesSolid overall construcitonConsNone so far - larger projects would require larger end nippers

Some other reviews on here say this can be used for fret pulling, however, those people must have received something different than myself. Perhaps the design of this product has changed? The issue is that the top of these have a rather large bevel. So, if you clamp these shut or near shut and then place the top on a level surface (like a fret board), the cutting/gripping edges will be ~3mm above the surface. This makes it completely useless at pulling frets. Even if you had the most monstrously sized frets ever, this will be grabbing them 3mm above the connection to the fret board, and will likely just damage the fret and board at best.However, if you have a Dremel tool or any other kind of device capable of effectively grinding down steel, it look me only 10 minutes to remove the aforementioned beveling. With that modification, these functioned as excellent fret-pullers and I was able to do my fretless bass conversion with ease.

I bought these for using with frets too. They work good for nipping the ends off after the frets are installed on a guitar. It is hard to do though (at least for me), I had to use two hands, then have help after doing like 10. These are mini, which I didn't realize when I ordered them, I guess I should have read the dimensions. They work fine though. I also used them to pull the frets after I found out they weren't seated correctly. I didn't modify them and they still got them out fine. Heated the fret tops with a soldering iron, then squeeze the end nippers on the bottom of the fret until it starts popping up, then squeeze all the way to the other end of the fret and it just pops out. These made it easy and it was my first time doing it.

Bites 18 gauge and 16 gauge Brad's just fine and it hasn't nicked or damaged the cutting surface at all. Just what I needed and a great price compared to the truck options. My favorite end cutters by far.

I like the grips and the firm return spring; the finish is nice too.Unfortunately, the cutter jaws are not precision ground; mine are visibly crooked, both horizontally and vertically. They are not very hard either; there are already chips in the cutting edge on mine, and the hardest thing I've used them for is trimming the soldered end of copper wires.

Well made, although I'm not sure how useful they'll be due to their ... diminutive size.

Pro: If you cut the head off the zip and don't go near the electrical cables, then you can't cut the wire or strip insulation. This is small so gets into corners of the computer case, is easy to use, easy on the hands, and seems fool-proof to avoid mistakes.Cons: May need more conventional side cutter if you can't face the zip straight-on. Get one of each type of tool.Other thoughts: Can't believe I waited so long to get this.

Well built nippers. The hand grip is well designed and they are perfect for cutting the ends off of a plastic shoulder I cannot get to any other way. The maximum opening is just about 1/4" so keep that in mind when ordering. For anything small you that you need a good cut, then this is a good tool. I'll not ever be without it now that I know what it can do.

Perfeito para o corte de pernas de componentes, fios, etc ao se trabalhar com Arduíno e eletrônica. Com um único movimento das mãos o corte é rápido e macio, tamanho ideal.

É bom, mas veio bem sujo e com um pouco de ferrugem, aparentemente era velho no estoque.

Produto de excelente qualidade

Tem uma boa proposta, é pequeno e possui excelente corte.

Gostei, pois é uma ferramenta que uso bastante, pois como fabrico pessoas para pesca em aço, uso para um corte rápido.