Knipex Side Cutters & Diagonal Cutters
Knipex side cutters are for clean, controlled cutting on site, whether you're trimming cable, snipping ties, or dealing with tougher wire every day.
If you're forever reaching for cutters that mash more than they cut, this is where you stop wasting money. Knipex side cutters and Knipex diagonal cutters are the sort sparkies, panel builders, fitters and maintenance teams keep close because the jaws stay true, the edges last, and the grip doesn't feel cheap halfway through a shift. If you need other cutting options, look through Knipex Cutters, step up to Knipex VDE Side Cutters & Diagonal Cutters for live working, browse Knipex Individual Pliers for single-tool replacements, check Knipex Nippers for end cutting work, or stock up properly with Knipex Plier Sets. Match the size and cutting rating to what you actually cut all week, then get the right pair in the bag.
What Are Knipex Side Cutters Used For?
- Cutting cable tails in consumer units, back boxes and containment runs is where Knipex side cutters earn their keep, giving sparkies a clean snip without crushing the conductor.
- Trimming cable ties, insulation offcuts and small plastic fixings during first fix and second fix keeps the job moving and stops you fighting blunt cutters that leave ragged ends.
- Snipping soft to medium wire for fencing repairs, clips, hangers and general site fixing is straightforward with Knipex diagonal cutters, especially when you are doing repeat cuts all day.
- Working inside panels, cupboards and awkward corners is easier with a compact pair because you can get onto the cut cleanly without twisting your wrist or damaging nearby parts.
- Dealing with tougher wire on install and maintenance jobs is exactly why trades buy the right rated cutter, so the edges last longer and the cut stays clean instead of chewing the material.
Choosing the Right Knipex Side Cutters
Sorting the right pair is simple: match them to what you cut most, not the one awkward job you do once a month.
1. Size Matters More Than People Think
If you are mostly working in boards, panels and tight boxes, go smaller for access and control. If you spend more time cutting thicker wire or want more leverage in the hand, move up a size and save your grip.
2. Check the Cutting Rating Properly
If it is mainly copper, cable ties and light wire, a standard pair will do the job well. If you are regularly on harder wire, springs or stubborn fixings, buy for hard wire capability straight away or you will blunt the edges early.
3. Standard Handles or VDE
If the cutters are for general bench, workshop or site use, standard handles are fine. If there is any chance they will be used around live electrical work, do not chance it and go for properly insulated VDE-rated cutters.
4. Go Comfortable if They Live in Your Hand
If you only use them now and then, a basic grip is enough. If they are in use all day for repetitive cutting, spend the extra on better handle shape and spring-free control because it makes a real difference by the end of the shift.
Who Uses These on Site?
- Sparkies swear by Knipex side cutters for trimming cable, ties and small gauge wire cleanly during first fix, board work and final connections.
- Control panel builders and maintenance fitters use them for neat work in tight enclosures where a bulky cutter just gets in the way.
- Telecoms and data installers keep a pair in the pouch for repeated snips on cable management, clips and light wire without hand fatigue by mid-afternoon.
- Mechanical fitters and general site teams reach for Knipex diagonal cutters when cutting split pins, soft wire and fastening waste during assembly, repair and snagging jobs.
Useful Extras for Knipex Side Cutters
A few sensible add-ons stop cutters getting damaged, lost in the van, or used for jobs they were never meant to do.
1. Tool Pouches and Holsters
This stops your cutters rattling around with screws, blades and other steel in the bag, which is a quick way to nick good cutting edges and ruin a decent pair.
2. VDE Rated Alternatives
If you work across dead and potentially live environments, keeping a proper insulated pair alongside your standard cutters saves the daft mistake of using the wrong tool on electrical work.
3. Plier Sets
A set makes sense if side cutters are only one part of the job, because you can keep grips, long nose pliers and cutters together instead of making do with the wrong tool and marking fittings.
4. Cut Resistant Gloves
When you are cutting wire, clips and strapping all day, gloves help with grip and save your hands from sharp tails and freshly snipped ends flicking back at you.
Choose the Right Knipex Side Cutters for the Job
Use this quick guide to sort the right pair for the work in front of you.
| Your Job | Knipex Side Cutter Type | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Consumer units, sockets and tight back box work | Compact side cutters | Shorter length, better access, easy one handed control in confined spaces |
| Daily cable trimming and general install work | Standard diagonal cutters | Balanced size, clean cuts on copper and light wire, comfortable for regular use |
| Repeated cuts on tougher wire and fixings | High leverage cutters | More cutting force with less effort, better for harder materials and long shifts |
| Electrical work where insulation matters | VDE side cutters | Certified insulated handles, safer choice for electrical trades, clear compliance route |
| Van stock or all round backup pair | Mid size all purpose cutters | Good reach, decent leverage, covers most snipping and trimming jobs without taking up space |
Common Buying and Usage Mistakes
- Buying the smallest pair for every job sounds handy, but it leaves you short on leverage for tougher wire and your hand knows about it by lunchtime. If you cut heavier material often, size up.
- Using standard cutters on hard wire they are not rated for will blunt or chip the edges quicker than most expect. Check the cutting spec before you treat one pair like it does everything.
- Using side cutters as pry bars, staple pullers or general scrapers is a fast way to knock the jaws out and ruin the cutting edge. Keep them for cutting and use the proper tool for abuse.
- Ignoring insulated options on electrical work is a bad shortcut. If there is any chance the tool is used near live circuits, use VDE-rated cutters and keep them in good condition.
- Leaving good cutters loose in the bottom of the tool bag lets the edges get battered against other steel. Store them in a pouch or separate section so they still cut properly when you need them.
Standard Side Cutters vs High Leverage vs VDE Cutters
Standard Side Cutters
This is the everyday option for trimming cable, ties and light to medium wire. They are the best shout if you want one reliable pair for general install and maintenance without extra bulk.
High Leverage Cutters
These are the better pick when tougher wire is a regular part of the week. They give you more cut for less effort, but they can be a bit larger and less nimble in cramped electrical spaces.
VDE Cutters
If electrical safety and insulated working matter, this is the one to buy. They do the same core cutting jobs, but the insulated build is the real difference and should not be swapped out for standard handles on live-related tasks.
Maintenance and Care
Wipe the Jaws After Use
Dust, adhesive, insulation residue and site grime build up quickly on cutters. A quick wipe keeps the jaws closing cleanly and stops the cut turning ragged.
Keep the Joint Moving
A drop of light oil in the pivot every so often keeps the action smooth and stops stiffness setting in after damp van storage or dirty site work.
Do Not Abuse the Cutting Edge
If the pair is for wire and cable, keep it that way. Cutting the wrong material or twisting on fixings will mark the edge and once that happens, clean cuts are gone.
Store Them Dry and Separate
Do not leave them wet in the van or loose with other steel tools. Dry storage and a pouch help prevent corrosion, knocks and chipped edges.
Replace When the Cut Starts to Crush
If the jaws no longer meet properly or the cutter starts mashing cable and wire instead of snipping it cleanly, it is time for a new pair rather than fighting bad results on every job.
Shop Knipex Side Cutters at ITS
Whether you need compact Knipex side cutters for board work, high leverage cutters for tougher wire, or insulated options for electrical jobs, we stock the proper range. It is all held in our own warehouse, ready for fast next day delivery, so you can get the right pair on site without hanging about.
Knipex Side Cutters FAQs
Are KNIPEX cutters good for professionals?
Yes. KNIPEX cutters are widely used by professional sparkies, fitters and maintenance teams because the cutting edges stay sharp, the joints stay tight, and they stand up to daily site use better than cheap throwaway pairs. They are not magic, but if you use the right cutter for the material, they last properly.
What are KNIPEX side cutters used for?
They are mainly used for cutting cable, trimming ties, snipping copper conductors, and cutting light to harder wire depending on the model. On site, they are the pair you grab for fast, neat cuts where a knife or bigger plier would just make a mess.
What is the difference between side cutters and diagonal cutters?
In practical trade use, they are usually the same sort of tool. The term diagonal cutters refers to the angle of the cutting jaws, while side cutters is the common site name most trades use for them. The real difference to check is size, leverage and wire rating, not the label.
Can Knipex side cutters cut piano wire?
Some can, but not every pair. Piano wire is hard stuff, so you need to check the specific model rating before buying. If you use a standard cutter on material it is not built for, you will soon know about it when the edge chips or the cut goes rough.
What size side cutters should I buy?
For tight electrical work and pouch carry, smaller to mid-size pairs are usually the best shout. If you cut thicker or harder wire regularly, step up to a longer pair with more leverage. Buy for the material and access you deal with most days, not just what looks neat in the bag.
