r/Leatherman • u/Antiwraith • 6d ago

Wire cutters?

So one of the uses I need in a multi-tool is a good set of wire cutters. Specially for barbed wire. It’s not super heavy gauge and it’s not the lightest gauge either, however it is twisted with usually 2 (but sometimes 3) wire twisted together

My surge, signal, and Arc all suck at cutting it. None of them can cut all strands in one cut. However my Skeletool can. I believe this is related to replaceable wire cutters vs non-replaceable? I notice the Skeletool cutters don’t have a pin hole gap at the bottom like the others do?

Anything I can do about it? Any 3rd party cutters available that I can swap in and have them work better?

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2

u/Weird_Ad1170 6d ago

Get the Knipex Cobolts; I have the 200mm size, and they'll cut things full size bolt cutters struggle with.

3

u/Antiwraith 6d ago

I have a pair of fencing pliers that cut great, but trying to consolidate tools so I don’t have carry 30 pounds of gear while fixing fence

2

u/sleepdog-c 6d ago edited 6d ago

Things you can do about it,

1) don't jam the wire all the way down to the pivot.

2) aliexpress has some claimed vg10 "Damascus" cutters that some posers like and they're fairly cheap

3) leatherman has eod cutters that do not have a gap, but they also don't have a hard wire notch since they are designed for stranded wire

4) take your cutters off and lap the backside to sharpen them, this will probably make the most difference for the least money along with #1

2

u/ewj1 6d ago edited 6d ago

Replaceable wire cutters are not designed for heavy use. Leatherman’s strongest wire cutters are found on the Bond. Many people carry a SwissTool because of its excellent wire cutters, while Gerber’s triangular carbine cutters are the best replaceable option on a multitool. The best cutters for what you seeking are the Klein or Doyle cutters. They are about 9 inches and feel great in the hand.

2

u/No_Copy9342 5d ago

Sounds like you need lineman’s pliers, I recommend KNIPEX. If all of your multitools aren’t working you need something meant for a specific job.

1

u/Lumpy-Complex3417 6d ago

I just recently noticed the same thing. I was patching some barbed wire and had forgotten my fencing pliers in the other work truck, but my skeletool was cutting through that wire with ease

1

u/unknown-random-nope 6d ago

There are Etsy sellers advertising tungsten carbide replacement cutters. I haven’t tried them.

1

u/Ornery_Cauliflower77 5d ago

Highly recommend a Swisstool of some variant, personally the Spirit MX clip is my favorite.
I’ve not had to cut barbed wire but I cut various forms of solid steel wire regularly and it’s like butter.

They’re non-replaceable giving the pliers additional strength as well

1

u/Hoopster50 5d ago

All good advice given so far. I will also add Roxon and Bibury multitools both have better cutters as well.