PRODUCT REVIEW Pipe Cutters
I am used to cutting plastic pipes, mostly 20mm plumbing pipes, and I use the standard pipe cutters with the bypass blades that look like garden secateurs. Well forget them, what you need is a pair of the new Knipex plastic and aluminium pipe cutters.
The old expression ‘like a knife through butter’ applies here – they cut pipes from 12 to 25mm in diameter with an ease that will astonish. I was able to cut 5mm long sections off the end of a pipe with ease and the ends were perfectly straight and accurate because the blades cut so easily that the pipe did not deform when cut. I am sure that this speed and ease is almost
entirely down to the super sharp hard steel blade and the design of the handles for easy cutting pressure to be applied. The blade is replaceable by simply unscrewing two screws, making it easy for this tool to be a long term and greener investment than older designs.
For cutting multi-layer and pneumatic hoses, the same ergonomic handle set is used with the addition of a different anvil/pipe support that makes it easier to ensure that the pipe is cut precisely at right angles. Again, this made cutting so easy and accurate that I think the old bypass designs will be binned quite soon. I just hope that the replaceable hardened steel blades for both tools are not overpriced.
Pipe Cutter for plastic composite pipes
Pipe Cutter for multilayer and pneumatic hoses
CoColt Cutters
The CoBolt family of cutters was designed to be smaller but not less capable of cutting bolts, hard wires and braided cables. The offset fulcrum design is the key to its cutting power and users have a choice of 160, 200 or 250mm lengths to suit their trade needs.
The cutting edges are well matched and hardened so even the small 160mm version was very capable of cutting bolts, cables and screws up to about 5mm in diameter. The handles are shaped to protect fingers and also increase cutting pressure. Another feature is the gripping surface behind the fulcrum that can be used to grip and pull wires.
Another pair of cutters that became a favourite is also 160mm long and light – so an easy fit into a trouser pocket. I mostly used it for cutting cables and wires which it did with ease. The cutting edges are designed in a series of small scallop shapes that spread the cutting load, so making it easier to snip away neatly.
Like the cutters above it has shaped handles to aid grip and cutting power and the simple dipped plastic handles aid comfort and handling.
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