I recently learned that Midwest makes a line of Blackout Series aviation snips – tin snips with black-finish blades.
Midwest says that the blades are hot drop-forged of molybdenum alloy steel, austemper heat-treated and black oxide coated to prevent rust and corrosion extending the life of your tool.
They describe their standard tools in a similar way, and so it basically sounds like they gave the blades a black oxide coating.
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I bought a set of Midwest aviation snips around 10 years ago. I wanted to give offset blade snips a try and I was drawn to the then-new Kush’N-Power handle grips. The tools have served me well since then, and I became even more a fan of the brand.
From what I can see, they have these snips in straight, left, right, and offset left and right styles.
These could be a good pick over the standard version if you need the added protection of the black oxide coating, or maybe if you just prefer the look.
Amazon Purchase Links
Straight, Left, Right Snips
Offset Left, Right Snips
Standard Snips
I’ve only seen these on Amazon, but am sure you can find them elsewhere.
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The model numbers are slightly different. For example, the regular straight shears are MWT-6716S, and the BlackOut series version is MWT-6716SO.
Jared
Are the standard ones just finished “in the white” or are they chromed? I imagine a chrome finish would be a little more rust-resistant than black oxide – but black oxide would offer some rust-resistance over just polishing the bare metal.
Stuart
I believe they’re plain finish – they’re definitely not chrome plated.
mark w
I have the regular ones (not black oxide) and it is just plain finished. They don’t rust too easily sitting in my toolbox with light coat of oil. I have knipex pliers and klein linemans with a plain finish on the knipex and like half black oxide/half polished on the Kleins and they both show rust more and before these do. They all sit in same drawer. I’d be interested in the black oxide of if I didn’t already have the fully set. It’s always nice to have one less tool to maintain as frequently.
fred
Our guys liked Midwest Snips (ones they made for Sears back when too).
We also bought quite a number of these nutdrivers that they called Pookie Busters:
https://www.amazon.com/Midwest-Pookie-Buster-Magnetized-MWT-PBSET01/dp/B07KZQ2YBB
Saves a step in removing hex head trim screws that had been caulked over.
They say “patented” – but maybe the Patent ran out – since you can get similar ones now from Malco
https://www.amazon.com/Malco-MSHCST-Reversible-SawTooth-Driver/dp/B09YVKVHHC/
Jared
That’s a neat idea!
mark w
“bust through the pookie” in all caps on the Amazon listing I got a good laugh from that one 😂
Ciccio
I have the one that are made to cut Stainless Steel.
There is a SS identification in the model number
They work great
randy
What’s the point of non-offset snips? I’ve never found a time when regular left/straight/right snips would have been better than just the left/right offset snips. They don’t even cost more.
Jared s
Offset snips bend the inside metal more
So imagine you are cutting a flashing etc where both edges will be shown
Straight snips tend to bend both sides more evenly
And it’s a muscle memory thing if you are used to using non offsets offsets feel wrong and vice versa
John
What’s your professional opinion on Midwest Offset Aviation Snips vs (Crescent) Wiss Offset Aviation snips?
I recently replaced my set with Midwest (supposedly the best for metal work), I do prefer Midwest Long and Bulldog snips over Wiss, but not noticing much difference between the regular Offset, Left and Right.
Midwest has the Lock Latch on opposite sides, which is better for me actually, but I don’t see it being convenient for most people.
Wiss snips are a bit longer and more open. When cutting through bigger things like some J-Channels or Capping with multiple bends, sometimes I prefer the bigger opening of the Wiss snips.
And they both cut through metal about the same in my opinion.
Stuart
I don’t use aviation snips on a daily basis, and haven’t come across applications where I prefer one over brand over another.
If you want my heavily biased opinion, Crescent/Wiss is fine but I prefer Midwest.
jeffrey
Midwest and Wiss are the standard level snips, even though there are lots more options now.
Malco and Klenk are the higher end snips.
Jeffrey
Malco Max2000 are the good ones.
mark w
Midwest is only brand still stamped USA as far as I see. Last I saw the wusses were like “assembled in USA with global components” which in my decade in manufacturing can mean a lot of the pieces are made in China etc and the company is actively trying to figure out how to offshore even more of the production. they would say made in usa if the COO content was high enough but they can’t and so they sort of greenlight off shoring as much as they can since they already let go of aggressive “made in usa” marketing & product stamping. I wouldn’t be surprised if they are just made in Taiwan or something at this point or some time in the next decade, whereas Midwest seems to make, and stamp, their tools made in usa and aren’t engaging in any offshoring of main products
Stuart
Crescent/Wiss seems to have mixed production.
https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/crescent-tool-wiss-brand-changes/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
I’ve seen imported versions, but holiday 2024 displays were marked made in USA.
Greg
I like Midwest snips the best. They’re offset snips seem to turn a little faster and needed a smaller hole to get started. But without Sears being around anymore I could not find good prices, so I went with Wiss. I used to like the standard non-offset Wiss the best but they’re offsets were to big, needing a larger hole to get started and not as nimble. But Wiss changed the design similar to Midwest’s. So I am satisfied with the redesigned Wiss. But if price wasn’t an issue I’d stick with Midwest, with Wiss right on their heals.
JoshtheFurnaceGuy
I’ve never noticed rust being a major issue with Midwest snips.