Knipex or regular wire cutter

[Ming dynasty]

What do y’all prefer between knipex or regular bonsai wire cutters?

 

[leatherback]

no idea what a knipex is. I use wire cutters

 

[LuZiKui]

What do y’all prefer between knipex or regular bonsai wire cutters?

You talking about something like this?

KNIPEX 8 in. Angled High Leverage Diagonal Cutting Pliers 74 22 200 SBA - The Home Depot

Bring the best and essential addition to your tool box by selecting this KNIPEX Angled High Leverage Diagonal Cutting Pliers.

www.homedepot.com

I use standard wire cutters like this only because I'm cheap and haven't gotten bonsai specific wire cutters. They work perfectly fine, only issue is if you're cutting wire off of a tree where it has bitten in a little bit. Standard wire cutters have a sharp end where bonsai specific wire cutters have a rounded end.

Just my opinion but I think there are other bonsai tools that are more important than wire cutters for a beginner. I'd probably invest in some decent concave cutters or knob cutter prior to buying bonsai wire cutters.

 

[Potsofgreen]

knipex for larger while wiring, wire cutters for getting close to the bark when needing to remove, dont try and do that with the knipex you will crush some bark

 

[Ming dynasty]

Ok so get the bonsai wire cutter. Kaneshin or kikuwa?

 

[Deleted member 32750]

Ok so get the bonsai wire cutter. Kaneshin or kikuwa?

I don’t think you can go wrong with either of those brands. I have yoshiaki tools and they’re good, but I’m eventually going to get Kaneshin tools

 

[Ugo]

Kaneshin are perfect for my needs, great quality tools and awesome service.
But I used them pretty much only to cut 3mm wires and less while I do the heavy gauge with Knipex bolt cutter 7112200 and they work like a charm.
Especially with their round tip.

 

[Mike Corazzi]

 

[Ply]

no idea what a knipex is. I use wire cutters

Knipex is a German manufacturer of high-end tools, predominantly pliers. They've been popular here in Europe for decades, especially amongst professionals and serious diy'ers. Nowadays they're popular in the US as well. Especially on the internet on sites such as Reddit, people rave about Knipex and they have almost become a sort of collectible. If you ever need pliers, get some, they'll last you a lifetime. And it's one of the few things we Europeans actually pay significantly less for then our American friends .

@OP Knipex are great, but for bonsai they're not the best option.

 

[19Mateo83]

Knipex is a German manufacturer of high-end tools, predominantly pliers. They've been popular here in Europe for decades, especially amongst professionals and serious diy'ers. Nowadays they're popular in the US as well. Especially on the internet on sites such as Reddit, people rave about Knipex and they have almost become a sort of collectible. If you ever need pliers, get some, they'll last you a lifetime. And it's one of the few things we Europeans actually pay significantly less for then our American friends .

@OP Knipex are great, but for bonsai they're not the best option.

Knipex are awesome, chops 3/16 stainless cable clean like it ain’t even there. Good for bonsai? Not really. Good for everything else? Heck yea.

 

[Shogun610]

I use knipex for everything.. if it’s a super tight spot I’d rather unwind with my hands. If you get knipex you should get the model I got .. not just any knipex wire cutter .. these are sold on bonsai tonight’s store

 

[PonderingSage:]

You get something similar at farm stores. And the brab wire section.

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

We work once a week at the museum, the rest of the time one our own trees. I have all three types of wire cutters (see image below)

Japanese wire cutters,

Klein tools D2000-28 Heavy duty Diagonal Cutting Pliers with angled head. 8” - These have somewhat of a pointed tip, so I ground off the point on a buddies grinding wire a little.

Knipex wire/bolt cutters
.


Frankly I have use for all three, but I work on huge trees all the way down to little guys. If all I did was work in the back yard with both types of wire, I’d save the money on the Knipex and buy the Kliens hands down. If I was only working mid to small trees and mostly aluminum wire I’d buy the Japanese pliers.

The Knipex pliers are a bit unwieldy in medium or small hands as my better half tells me, I agree. Last place.

If I was a tool junky with lots of kids, I’d end up all with all three as birthday presents… which is what happened to me!

Chers
DSD sends

 

[ShimpakuBonsai]

These are my wire cutters.
I bought the black one about 25 years ago when I started doing bonsai and is still working fine. The Knipex wire cutter is also around 25 years old but I started using it for bonsai about 2 years ago when I started doing bonsai again and I also bought the stainless steel ones at that time. They are made by Tian bonsai.

 

[leatherback]

Knipex is a German manufacturer of high-end tools, predominantly pliers. They've been popular here in Europe for decades, especially amongst professionals and serious diy'ers. Nowadays they're popular in the US as well. Especially on the internet on sites such as Reddit, people rave about Knipex and they have almost become a sort of collectible. If you ever need pliers, get some, they'll last you a lifetime. And it's one of the few things we Europeans actually pay significantly less for then our American friends .

Which still means, what do people mean when they say "Knipex or wire cutter". The brand produces dozens, of not hundreds of tools, several usefull for cutting wires.

 

[penumbra]

I use whatever is on hand and since I have two true bonsai wire cutters, that is what is on hand. I have no problem with 4mm aluminum wires. My cutters are Joshua Roth and are stainless steel.

 

[jimib]

I use Capri Klinge mini bolt cutters on bigger copper. Blunt tip on them. My Joshua Roth on the small copper or aluminum. The tips are virtually identical but the Capri is much heavier duty for the thick stuff.

 

[Katie0317]

The first time I bought bonsai trees the owner of the store put three rolls of wire on the counter along with a pair of carbon steel wire cutters. I didn't question it but wish I had. In this climate SS is a better fit and I prefer using them.

I still have a hard time understanding why a rounded tip is better than a pointed tip as shown in the pic above by 'Eat Sleep Bonsai Repeat'. It seems like it would make it easier to get into tight spaces. I have small hands and I prefer a smaller lighter tool also.

Wire cutters or pliers may seem minor but not to me. If I'm going to spend the money I want to get it right the first time and not be stuck with a tool I don't like.

 

[Cable]

I use knipex for everything.. if it’s a super tight spot I’d rather unwind with my hands. If you get knipex you should get the model I got .. not just any knipex wire cutter .. these are sold on bonsai tonight’s store View attachment 450687

That's what I use. They're sold as mini bolt cutters. I love them and don't use anything else.

 

[Shogun610]

That's what I use. They're sold as mini bolt cutters. I love them and don't use anything else.

Yup , I even grip the wire enough so it doesn’t cut , then I use pliers and tighten copper wire gauges to be stronger as well.