As Ben posted about yesterday, and I mentioned the day before, Amazon has kicked off their Irwin holiday promo, which is 20% off select tools.
I felt that it was worth emphasizing that Irwin’s Max-Leverage “PowerSlot” diagonal cutters were included in the promo. These are equivalent to NWS’s Fantastico cutters, which I feel to be the best high leverage compound action cutters on the market.
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These pliers are simply awesome. They cut through tough materials like butter, and are incredibly easy on the hands. Irwin’s grips are slightly different from NWS’s, and I haven’t made up my mind as to which I find to be better or more comfortable.
As with other compound action designs, the tradeoff is that the handles must be spread a little wider to achieve the same jaw opening as traditionally styled cutters.
There are 2 options, at least 2 options that are eligible for the 20% discount at checkout: 7-inch and 8-inch sizes. I own and have used the 8-inch NWS cutters, which are great for all-around use, and the 7-inch cutters might be better for when space might be an issue or you simply prefer shorter pliers.
Both are priced at or around $36, with the 20% discount knocking a little over $7 off the price. On sale, the pliers are each slightly under $29. If you have been eyeing these cutters in the past, now might be a good time to upgrade.
These cutters can cut through copper wires and tough materials alike, but you don’t really need them if all you plan to cut are small copper wires! I felt the need to write this out in bold, to balance out the “these are awesome, buy them now now now” tone of the rest of the post.
Buy Now(8-inch Max-Leverage Cutters)
Buy Now(7-inch Max-Leverage Cutters)
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Read More About Irwin Vise Grip NWS-Made Pliers
See Also(Other pliers styles via Amazon)
Here’s a quick review (it’s more of a show and tell really) of the Irwin PowerSlot cutters, followed by another NWS pliers show and tell.
I also show the NWS Fantastico pliers in a Knipex TwinForce preview. I ended up not formally reviewing the TwinForce because I didn’t like the way it cut in 2 steps and handle squeezes instead of one.
Hilton
Whilst these are very nice, I have the Knippex CoBolts in my cart (72 22 200). About an equivalent ten bucks more but I think they are better. I don’t have very large hands so the fact that these open quite wide has put me off them.
Great though don’t get me wrong.
Stuart
The Cobolts have been on my radar for a long time, but they’re really bolt cutters. If I cut hardened and tougher materials more often, I’d go with with Cobolts too, but I like the idea of these much better for a mix of soft wire and harder materials.
fred
For years we had Starrett (1X-7) adjustable jaw (carbide) end nippers in the shop for cutting piano wire. The have a compound leverage design which is nice – but a price tag that’s not at all easy on the pocketbook.
At home I have a collection of newer cutters that I’ve stashed in different spots around my house and 2 shops:
KNIPEX 61 01 200
KNIPEX 71 11 200
KNIPEX 71 22 200
KNIPEX 73 71 180
NWS 138-49-200
I think all five together cost less than what 1 of the Starrett’s would have set me back – and while none of them are not quite the same thing – from a utility standpoint – they do me well.
If I had to guess – the one I grab for the most is the 71 11 200
jesse
Amazon sells the Starrett 1X-7 for $333.
http://www.amazon.com/Starrett-1X-7-Adjustable-Jaw-Carbide-tipped-Diameter/dp/B003XU78W2
MT_Noob
I had previously checked tried them out at a store and I was impressed that could cut more than just soft materials. But I could not justify the price. But with this deal I grabbed one. Thanks for the tip.
Stuart, FYI the “buy now” link didn’t work for me though. Kept getting an error, and had to use the part number to eventually be able to select the item for purchase. The error I was getting was “We’re sorry, an error has occurred. Please reload this page and try again.” I hope the click through still gave you credit. Perhaps there is some crazy firewall stuff happening here at my work pc.
Stuart
Glad to help!
That’s weird. Home Depot’s been giving me issues with their links not working properly in mobile (I fixed it earlier today, hopefully for good), but Amazon’s are easy and direct. I checked, and there shouldn’t be anything wrong with the link.
Don’t worry about ToolGuyd receiving or not receiving commission/credit for the sale, I just hope you enjoy your new pliers!
I just checked, and I paid $35.63 for my Fantastico pliers when I ordered them 4-1/2 years ago. I remember hesitating a little bit, but I’d definitely buy them again at that price.
MT_Noob
Now I don’t need to be paranoid about ruining a set of side cutters or linesman’s pliers when cutting music wire or something that might be harder than just simple copper wire.
Mike
Heh, you probably don’t want to hear this after ordering them, but this has amused me for a while. Do you remember the Irwin commercial that included these? The one with all the guys grunting and a little girl smashes a cup on her head? It shows the cutters being used to cut some heavy steel cable. Did anyone else notice the jaws just after cutting the wire?
https://youtube.com/watch?v=gTa-v5EAN6M
Hilton
I think that was just a mark left on the fancy coating. I’ve seen this on other videos as well.
fred
You get a better deal than I did – mine were $38.90 delivered in July 2011. I thought I would use them a lot – but haven’t. Maybe I need to put them in a spot where I’m more likely to grab them.