scissors, shears, cutters for rigging

[palmerit]

What's the best option for scissors, shears, cutters, clippers, or something else for cutting rigging line? I tried sprue cutters (side cutters) and they weren't great (even though they're a nice Tamiya version). Neither was a Xuron PE cutter. These might not work great because I've used them for lots of other things (plastic, metal, wood) and I know from my wife whose a quilter not to use "cutters" for fabric on other things. I can use my scalpel, but that doesn't work (well) if the line is elevated. I've seen some people suggest nail clipper - we have a nice pair and I might try those.

 

I was frustrated because I was trying to do a really tight cut on a little bit of line after a knot (that I have glued with CA) and couldn't get anything to trim it as close as my OCD brain wanted it done.

[ccoyle]

Believe it or not, I've had the best luck with the scissors on my Swiss Army (Victorinox) Pocket Pal.

[kurtvd19]

Whatever you try start with a brand new tool and don't use it for anything else.  You will never be able to tell what will or will not work for you by trying tools used on other materials first.  You can always use the brand new tool you tried and found not being the right tool on other tasks after you try it for rigging line but not the other way around.

Kurt

 

[kurtvd19]

I have found surgical scissors to be best for my use.  They don't have to be German or Swiss made for this.

Kurt

 

[yankee clipper]

Have gone through the same process you described in finding quality scissors. A pair I have been using now for over year is the Pro'sKit SR-333 cuticle scissors. They have satisfied my need for a sharp close to the knot clean cutting tool.

Highly recommend them. Would inclose a picture but I us an Apple smart phone.

[Gregory]

43 minutes ago, palmerit said:

...couldn't get anything to trim it as close as my OCD brain wanted it done.

I have the same problem (OCD), so my solution is to use polyester thread/line and I use a small pointed soldering  iron to make the nibs disappear.

[mtaylor]

I've tried nail clippers, razor blades, all the usual stuff.   I finally bought a small "sewing scissor" from a fabric store.  Works a charm.  And I do NOT use it for anything else.

[Jim Lad]

My final choice has been a pair of fly-tiers scissors. Not cheap, but they work beautifully and cut right down to the very tip. As has already been said - used for rigging and nothing else.

 

John

[palmerit]

I ordered some Dr. Slick Razor scissors. They seem to be highly recommended for fly tying. And when googling "Dr. Slick and site:modelshipworld.com" I found a few people recommending them. Someone recommended to keep them completely closed because they'll cut completed rigging otherwise - I'm guessing that was from their personal experience. I bought a couple different ones. I'll post again with my thoughts after they arrive and I get a chance to use them.

 

I ended up buying from a fly fishing supply place online (jsflyfishing.com) rather than amazon. While I order from amazon probably multiple times a week, all they had for the Dr. Slick scissors was third party resellers and I was certain that some of them could well be knock-offs. I ended up paying a few dollars for shipping instead of getting the shipping "free" with my Amazon Prime, but at least I'll know that they're legit (and new, not used). I once ordered batteries from amazon priced too good to be true and I'm certain they were expired batteries, or even used batteries, that someone took out of the packaging and repacked in a plain brown box. Lesson learned.

Edited 3 hours ago by palmerit

[barkeater]

I use fly tying scissors to cut the thread I use to splice or seize the lines which is 6/0  or 136 denier. For cutting the lines themselves which are heavier I use Bonsai scissors.

Rich