Milwaukee just announced new Kevlar shears, and they look like they could be decent beyond fiber optic installation tasks.
The new Milwaukee Kevlar shears features a non-slip micro-serrated blade, overmolded handles, low-profile joint, and black oxide coating finish for rust resistance.
The new scissors are part of Milwaukee’s expansion into fiber optic solutions, which also includes cable slitters and strippers.
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These are compact shears designed for cutting and preparing Kevlar-reinforced fiber optic cables.
But, that doesn’t mean these can only be used for that application.
I have a pair of small Xuron Kevlar scissors that I purchased well over a decade ago, and they work well for very fine cutting applications but I’ve been meaning to get something a little larger.
Tougher and stronger fibers, such as Kevlar, can slip around, which is why Milwaukee’s new shears and most others have micro-serrations. The serrations hold the fibers in place for cutting.
The same properties that make Kevlar shears well-suited for cutting Kevlar and other fibers can also provide benefits for other cutting tasks.
My Engineer compact scissors are also serrated.
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Milwaukee says that their new Kevlar shears “have “durable high-carbon stainless steel blades that stay sharp and maintain durability while cutting through Kevlar, cabling, zip ties, and other materials.”
Here’s a closer look at the micro-serrated jaws.
I don’t think I’ve ever had to cut Kevlar, but occasionally cut things like nylon fishing line, fine cordage, and similar, and am interested in the shears’ compact size and blades design.
Model: 48-22-3017
Warranty: Limited Lifetime
Country of Origin: Taiwan
Price: $25
ETA: April 2025
What Does the Competition Look Like?
The Klein Tools 544KV (~$13 via Amazon) is considerably less expensive, but it also looks the part.
The Miller KS-1 (under $24 at Amazon) looks like a close alternative to Milwaukee’s. They also have finer shears that look a lot like Klein’s.
Jonard’s cutter (~$16 at Amazon) also features high carbon stainless steel serrated blades, and there’s an adjustable pivot screw hidden under a plastic cap.
These might be fine for cutting Kevlar, for I think would prefer Milwaukee’s and even Miller’s designs for broader use. Just going by the images, those other brands’ shears look stouter.
Jonard also has a multi-functional cutting tool (~$26 at Amazon), although it might not be as well suited for higher precision cutting tasks.
D3t
It would be hard to beat the Knipex shears. https://www.kctool.com/knipex-shears/
Stuart
To my knowledge, those are more general purpose cutters. Their Kevlar-specific shears are finer and much pricier.
Karlen
I have the knipex sheers and they do have micro serrations on them. I have not used them specifically to cut Kevlar, but I have for just about everything else.
KokoTheTalkingApe
You aren’t kidding! $90, and they’re “not recommended for other materials” other than kevlar. I can’t imagine why.
https://www.kctool.com/knipex-shears-for-kevlar-fibers/
Blocky
wow, at that price, it better cut onions as well!
Jared
There’s a different model of Engineer scissors that I think would be more direct competition: PH-57. At least those are the ones I see advertised as capable of cutting Kevlar – though it wouldn’t surprise me if the PH-55 can do it too.
The PH-57 is larger than these Milwaukee ones though – at least based on how small the Milwaukee pair looks in the photos. The Engineer scissors also have much larger serrations near the pivot end of the cutting blades.
Skyy
Best shears are easily the WT7. Better grip than scissor grip they’re using. I’ve cut some thick metals with these bad boys. Also they’re cheap and readily available at all Home Depots.
https://www.crescenttool.com/all-tools/construction-hand-tools/cutting/scissors-shears/cw7t-7-12-titanium-coated-tradesman-utility-shears
Tdot77
Yes! I love these lil CWT7 utility cutters! I keep these on my tool belt all the time. They’re compact enough to easily fit in a back pocket too(or a holster). I’ve used these to cut many things from siding to wire, to small branches in my way while working on a house and they’ve worked flawlessly on all of it! Very handy for siding installers for quick, small cuts. They’re not full sized Wiss shears by any means but they are very handy to have & use. Also the spring loaded handle & easy to access handle (thumb)lock make using it so much better & easier! Crescent does come through with some great stuff for sure! I wish I could get more stuff from them!
Ian
Yep, WT7 all the way. I also picked up the 11″ version, but they’re not as good.
fred
I have a pair of these Engineer scissors:
https://www.amazon.com/PH-56R-Versatile-Performance-Scissors-capable/dp/B0767FG69L
They were $9.40 when i bought them on Amazon in 2022 – now they are 57% more expensive!
blocky
I have these Engineers as well at my work bench, next to hard-wire diags and use them on everything that’s less than wire without worry. The handles are nicely gapped to prevent pinches, but the tips are not good for precision, if cutting kevlar sheets.
These 5″ Olfa scissors are probably a close match to the Milwaukee:
https://www.amazon.com/OLFA-9765-Stainless-Serrated-Scissors/dp/B0000X1H90/
I have the 7″ version in one of my bags and don’t think I’ll ever wear them out in a lifetime. The tips are a little finer than the Engineer.
https://olfa.com/products/scs-2-7-serrated-edge-stainless-steel-scissors
matthewj
The handles are asymmetric – isn’t the ‘tail’ meant to be grasped by the fingers while the thumb uses the ‘tail-less’ side?
How does it help to have a tail on the thumb side?
Tdot77
I was wondering this also but I think the tail is to have more surface area to place your whole thumb ‘web’ right over the ‘upper’ handle to increase grip force when cutting certain hard-to-cut things.
Wayne R.
Yup. The simple ring is intended to go over the middle finger and the long side in your palm, if you need it.
When I was doing a lot of fiber work, the traditional Klein snips (scissors) were the only thing, and they worked fine on all the Kevlar.
In addition to a bunch of the Klein snips I still have & use, the Jonard JIC-186 is what’s in my “serious” bag. The blades are thick and very sharp.
The Fiskars datacom snips I love too, as they’re just as stout but with handles less thick than the Jonards, but they’re no longer available – can’t even find a photo of them.
Wayne R.
Fiskars Datacom snips:
https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31KeroizyBL._AC_UF1000,1000_QL80_.jpg
Saulac
Yes. The Jonard’s cutter a few picture down shows the tail can be used with to increase cutting force.
Bill
Stuart, with three of your five most recent articles in reference to cutting tools, what is your preferred tool for cutting clamshell packaging?
Stuart
Preferred tool? I’d have to think about that. Most-used? Utility knife with standard blade or Milwaukee scissors. https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/milwaukee-tool-scissors-for-every-tool-box/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
I’ve tried others, such as these – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001M0E5YO?tag=toolguyd-20 .
Bill
After watching a demonstration, online, of the Ryobi USB Lithium Power Cutter, I ordered one. This is my first Ryobi tool, but I can say that this little tool is great for its intended use and so far it cuts through the heavy plastic of clamshell packaging with ease and speed.
JR Ramos
I’ve cut kevlar, aramid, and spectra fibers and cloth and a good pair of shears is worth its weight in gold. Micro serrations are fine but a really good quality plain grind will do fine and last a long time if it’s good steel (which most stainless is not…for longevity). I really like the Xuron scissors (those come plain or serrated) but they aren’t what you’d want to use mobile/in and out of a pouch all day. Hakko has (or had?) a very similar pair.
I really dislike rubberized loop grips on scissors unless it’s just a couple cuts at a time. Not a tool where I need rubbery friction grip and that’s a pain if the loop size is too small where it’s rubbing skin.
Some of the Gingher small sewing scissors are also excellent and durable for small fiber like this.
ElectroMike
I had the Jonard pair several years ago at work. I was disappointed at how small they were and the rubberized holes were not comfortable, as you’ve described. I just used them for rugged scissors, no fiber. I got a pair of NWS goldsmiths shears from ChadsToolbox for like $13 and those are my go to small utility scissors. They have straight sticks for handles (also come in scissor style) and are super handy.
ITCD
I myself have some Canary Kevlar scissors. Inexpensive all things considered, and they work great. I was using them to lop the fingers off cut-resist gloves up until work made a rule that gloves can’t be modified lol. They go straight through A4 rated gloves no problem.
ElectroAtletico
Meh! Just scissors.
JoshtheFurnaceGuy
I saw a different reveiw for these scissors in which the writer claimed that these scissors are made of kevlar. Wasn’t sure if it was AI, or no-I.
“That product is a set of shears that is made out of Kevlar. Yes, made of the very same high tensile, puncture and heat resistant material that has, for decades, been used by the makers of body armor for its bullet-stopping power.”
slashgear.com…
Stuart
I wish you were joking. (I removed the link because we don’t need to send them any clicks.)