Bolt cutter: Cut metal effortlessly!
Whether it’s for professional use or for DIY at home, the bolt cutter is a tool that can quickly come in handy.
From the most powerful to the least cumbersome, I present to you right now my selection of the best bolt cutters on the market!
What is the best bolt cutter in 2022?
- Facom 990.B4 – One of the most powerful (1050 mm and 8,6 kg)
- Stanley – Good value for money (range from 350 to 1050 mm)
- Knipex 71 72 910 – Excellent model in 900 mm and 5 kg
- SAM n°2 – Good compromise weight/power (760 mm and 4 kg)
- Knipex 71 32 200 – The reference mini bolt cutter (200 mm and 0.4kg)
Facom 990.B4
Editor’s note: 4.5 / 5 | Price: See price on Amazon
Facom 990.b4 bolt cutter No limits or almost! With its 990.B4, Facom offers a bolt cutter capable of tackling any task, whether it’s cutting twisted iron, threaded rods or even large padlocks. Its high-performance chrome steel blades can handle many types of metal parts and are designed for maximum durability. Its long handles (the tool is 1050 mm long) are perfectly ergonomic in order to offer the strength but also the comfort sought during use (with the protective guards, for example), especially since it is a plier weighing 8.6 kg! The adjustment of the blade play is finally done with eccentric screws while a specific treatment has been applied to the body to reduce the play.
My opinion: Would it really surprise you if I told you that this Facom bolt cutter is one of the most powerful I’ve had in my hands? The brand is already known for the excellent build quality and durability of its tools, and this one only confirms that. It’s really top-notch and cuts without any effort, even over several millimetres. It has to be said that it combines both very long handles and exceptionally sharp blades. In addition, the adjustment of the distance between the blades is both precise and simple. As often with this brand, you have to spend a lot of money to buy it but it is a very good investment considering its efficiency and its capacity to serve for many years!
Stanley
Editor’s Note: 4 / 5 | Price: See price on Amazon
Stanley bolt cutters To fit every need! These monseigneur pliers from Stanley are cleverly available in several versions, the smallest being only 350 mm long while the most powerful is 1050 mm long. Despite the difference in capacity, all models are made of forged steel for excellent sturdiness and they offer 2 different types of cutting: either axial or flush. The adjustment of the jaws is very easy thanks to the presence of eccentric screws, and they also have protection against loosening. Despite their long tubular arms to provide the least possible effort, these pliers with ergonomic handles are still quite light and above all as pleasant as comfortable to handle.
My opinion: If you are looking for a good value bolt cutter, this is the Stanley range I would recommend. Some details like the tubular handles or the rivets being a bit too hard to handle make me think that these tools could a bit too easily reach their limits in a rather intensive professional use… But for everything else, they really do the job perfectly. Their manufacturing quality is quite good, their cutting capacity is just as good and they are reasonably priced. In any case much more accessible for a private individual who wants to equip himself well! If you are in this case, I would say to you not to hesitate, you should not be disappointed. Especially since you can easily choose the model that will be the most useful to you.
Knipex 71 72 910
Editor’s note: 4.5 / 5 | Price: See price on Amazon
knipex 71 72 910 bolt cutterHigh cutting power and low physical effort! The Knipex 71 72 910 is a versatile bolt cutter that can be used both professionally and at home. With its 900 mm length, it has many possible uses, and it also has the special feature of having a screw-on, interchangeable cutting head. Its induction-hardened blades offer an exceptional cutting quality and thanks to the very flat shape of the head, access to metal parts is greatly facilitated. With its eccentric screws, its adjustment is also done in a precise way and on 12 different positions. Its long handles give it an excellent ratio of the force exerted while maintaining perfect ergonomics and being obviously anti-slip.
My opinion: This Knipex had no trouble finding its place in this selection: with its rather reasonable weight of 5 kg and its ability to cut easily on about 10 to 15 mm, it is also an excellent model. Whether on your construction site or at home, you should appreciate its build quality and excellent sturdiness. Its jaw is very powerful and the brand was right to specify that its flat head is practical: it is never complicated to reach the element you want to clear. Its length also allows it to perfectly multiply the force, so you don’t have to worry about that either. At its price, I can’t say that everyone can afford it, but it is less expensive than a Facom and you can see it as a good alternative.
SAM n°2
Editor’s note: 4.5 / 5 | Price: See the price on Amazon
SAM n°2 bolt cutterSolid and practical to use! Unlike other bolt cutters, this n°2 from SAM has only one adjustment screw for blade spacing, which makes it easier and faster. Entirely made of forged steel, it can boast of being non-deformable. It has been designed to withstand all situations and has no problem finding its place on construction sites, for example. Thanks to its solidly riveted blades and its length of 760 mm, it is also capable of cutting up to 16 mm in diameter, which makes it possible to envisage many different uses. Finally, it weighs only 4 kg and is equipped with sheathed handles for the most comfortable grip possible.
My opinion: If I had to find a way to describe you quickly this SAM n°2, I would talk about a good compromise between weight and power. It’s not the sharpest you’ll find, but at the same time, it’s more compact than some models and once in the heat of the action, it performs quite well. Cutting metal parts with a diameter of several millimetres is no problem and since it weighs only 4 kg, the work is immediately more pleasant. If your needs for a pair of pliers are not too great, if it is not a tool that you have to use every day, it could be of interest to you. Especially since it’s priced under 100€!
Knipex 71 32 200
Editor’s note: 4.5 / 5 | Price: See the price on Amazon
knipex 71 32 200 bolt cutterSmall but strong! The Knipex 71 32 200 was designed to increase hand strength without being bulky. Much more effective than a simple cutter, it is only 200 mm long, weighs only 400 g and is capable of cutting metal parts up to 5.2 mm in diameter (such as nails, rivets, etc.). Its high-performance, induction-hardened, chrome vanadium cutting blades are also very practical, as they have a notch for optimal positioning when activating a lever effect. This versatile pair of pliers also have a gripping jaw for pulling wires or even extracting nails. Finally, it has a spring to open for more comfortable work and multi-material handles for a perfectly secure grip.
My opinion: With this Knipex, we are certainly on a mini bolt cutter but do not judge it by its size! For domestic use, I find it really perfect, it’s my favourite and it’s honestly a tool that I would recommend to everyone to have at home. So yeah, sure, it’s not capable of cutting past 5mm, but in many situations (fence wires, screws, nails, etc.) that’s already quite enough. Especially since even though its handles are quite small (compared to the other models in this selection), it cuts without the need to force it. It is also from a good brand and the quality of manufacture is good. Light, handy and cheap, it will easily find its place in your toolbox!
