Snips / Scissors
Choosing Snips and Shears by Material
The right cutter depends on what you are cutting. For sheet metal and duct, this collection carries aviation snips from Klein Tools, Milwaukee, Stanley FatMax, DeWALT, and Lenox, including offset, bullnose, and long straight models, plus a DeWALT V notcher and a Lenox seamer. Milwaukee jobsite scissors and Klein electrician scissors handle tape, insulation, and fabric. Knipex cable shears and wire rope shears cut conductors and steel rope, and the Makita 12V max CXT multi-cutter powers through cardboard and carpet.
What to Look For
- Cut direction. Aviation snips cut straight, left, or right. Most trades color-code them yellow, red, and green.
- Offset handles. Offset snips keep your hand above the sheet on long cuts.
- Conductor type. Use cable shears for copper and aluminum cable and wire rope shears for steel rope.
- Hand or powered. A cordless multi-cutter saves hand fatigue on high-volume cutting of soft materials.
Shop snips and scissors at The Tool Nut, an authorized dealer since 1994, with free shipping on most orders and rewards points on every purchase.
Snips and Scissors FAQ
Which aviation snips should I buy first?
Start with straight-cut snips for general trimming. Add a left and right offset pair, or a 3-piece set from Milwaukee, Stanley, or DeWALT, when you cut curves and circles in duct or flashing.
Can electrician scissors cut wire?
They cut small conductors, insulation, and tape. For larger copper and aluminum cable, use a cable shear like the Knipex 95 12 165 for a clean, round cut that fits the lug.