End-cutting pliers, or end nippers, are essential tools for cutting nails, screws, and wires. They are also an excellent rebar tool for tying and cutting rebar wire, making them a must-have for construction and metalworking professionals.
When looking for the best end cutters for the job, you want one that cuts as flush as possible while requiring minimal hand strength.
Todd Osgood in his review of the best end nippers on Project Farm YouTube channel put several end nippers to the test, and here’s a break down the top five performers based on his rigorous evaluation.
Why Do You Need End-Cutting Pliers?
End cutters are invaluable in many scenarios. Whether you’re working in a cramped attic to clip off roofing nails or preparing a horse stall by removing sharp protrusions, these tools make quick work of cutting through mild steel nails and screws. Their high leverage design ensures effortless nipping or pulling of nails while reducing strain on your hands.
While end nippers are excellent for cutting mild steel nails and machine screws, they are not suitable for hardened fasteners or stainless steel screws. Applying excessive force on such materials can damage the tool’s jaws.
However, as Todd demonstrates in his torture tests, some models hold up exceptionally well under extreme conditions.
What Is Tested?
Project Farm tests various aspects of these pliers, including:
- Flush Cutting Ability – How much material remains after attempting a flush cut nails and staples.
- Cutting Force – How much hand strength is needed to cut through nails and screws.
- Knife Durability – How well the cutting knives withstand repeated use on penny nails, screws, including an extreme test against a 3/16 drill bit.
The Top 5 Best 8-Inch End-Cutting Pliers
After analyzing the results, here are the top five performers:
Knipex High Leverage Bolt End Cutting Nippers (Overall Best Performance)
Key Features
- Multi-component comfort grip handles
- High-leverage design
- Doubles as both end cutters and bolt cutters.
- The cutting edges are induction hardened to approximately 64 HRC.
Strengths
Knipex dominated in almost every category. It required the least amount of force to cut through both nails and screws and suffered only minor damage while cutting a drill bit—an extreme test that broke every other competitor.
Flush Cutting: Ranked among the best with minimal staple length left.
Price: $63
Verdict
If you want the absolute best and are willing to invest, Knipex is the top choice.
Wiha High Leverage End Cutting Nippers (Best Budget Option)
Key Features
- Classic-style soft vinyl grips for comfort
- Induction-hardened cutting edges
- Oil and solvent-resistant grips.
Strengths
Wiha performed admirably, ranking second in cutting force and flush cutting ability while maintaining strong durability.
Price: At $25, it’s an excellent balance of affordability and performance.
Verdict
If you’re on a budget but still want high-quality pliers, Wiha is a fantastic choice.
GearWrench Dual Material End Cutting Nipper Pliers
Key Features
- Made from alloy steel
- Has dual-material cushion grip handles for comfort
Strengths
GearWrench placed in the top three across most tests, offering solid cutting ability and reasonable durability.
Price: At $35, it sits between budget and premium options.
Verdict
A strong contender for those wanting good performance without the premium price.
Gedore Lever-action end cutter
Key Features
- Offers excellent leverage but is hindered by dull cutting edges.
Strengths
Gedore required relatively low hand force for cutting but was priced at a premium.
Durable: It performed well without experiencing damages on the cutting knives despite the visibly blunt edges. It could have ranked higher if the knives were sharper.
Price: $70
Verdict
A solid performer, but its price may push buyers towards Knipex instead. Also, the cutting edges are quite blunt that they chew throught the nails instead of cutting cleanly.
Barnwell End Nippers
Strengths
A well-rounded option with decent flush-cutting ability and mid-range cutting force.
Price: Affordable at $34.
Verdict
A great mid-tier option, though not as strong in durability as the top three. However, Barnwell is currently unavailable in the market, making Wazakura a perfect alternative for those looking for similar performance.
Other Notable Mentions
Wazakura Hand Forged End-Cutting Pliers (Best Flush Cut)
In the Video, Wazakura end nippers offered the most flush cut, leaving only 0.023 inches of the nail sticking out—twice as short as the second-best competitor. However, despite thie stellar flush-cutting performance, the knives of these Japanese end cutting pliers suffered severe damage while cutting screws.
A unique thing about Wazakura end cutters is that they are hand-made from S55C carbon steel. However, they come bare without handle grips but they retail at a fair price below $50. They are the perfect choice if you want end nippers that will shave off penny nails closest to the panel.
Popular brands
Popular brands such as Channellock, NWS, and Bates disappointed. They experienced severe damage when cutting screws, making them less durable choices.
Final Thoughts
Knipex clearly stands out as the best overall, offering superior performance, durability, and ease of use. However, Wiha is the best budget-friendly option for those who want great performance at a lower cost. If you need a balance between affordability and capability, GearWrench and Barnwell offer great alternatives.
Lastly, I like to mention where a tool is made because it matters sometimes. For instance, the Knipex, Gedore, Wiha, and Barnwell end cutters are all made in Germany. GearWrench is from China, and Wazakura is from Japan.
So, would you spend extra for the best, or go for the best value? Let us know in the comments!
About Project Farm’s Video Review
Project Farm’s torture testing method is one of the most trusted in the industry.
“I absolutely love the fair and unbiased way you torture test a tool to know what it can handle in the real world,” one viewer commented.
The results speak for themselves, giving you a clear picture of each tool’s strengths and weaknesses. Here’s the full review video
