These Klein Tools mini flush cutting pliers are excellent for the price, and should be a part of every home or DIY tool kit.
It’s a pro grade tool used for all kinds of everyday tasks, such as trimming cable ties, removing cable ties, cutting smaller wires, and things like that.
But for home or DIY use, it’s a problem-solver for all kinds of miscellaneous tasks.
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When my son started building plastic model kits, this is what I bought for him – and the same for my oldest nephew.
I believe this is the one that I used to cut the tip off of a cotton swab, so that I could use the stick part to get something out of my kid’s toy. It comes in handy for unexpected fine snipping tasks.
There are others, but this one is a known quantity. It’s not perfect, but very good for basic needs, plus it’s made in the USA.
I like a couple of other brands’ mini flush cutters, but can’t think of any that beat the Klein D275-5 on price or value. This isn’t the best recommendation I can make, but it’s a good tool I can easily recommend to most people.
Price: $13
P.S. They’re also great for clothing tags – the kind you’ll see holding multi-packs of socks and baby clothes together – and also for removing kids toys from packaging, whether clear rubber bands, twine, or plastic hold-down straps are involved.
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Scott F
I bought the 4 PC Milwaukee electrician pliers set on last Wednesdays SBOTD specifically to get a pair of these! It was $25 for the 4 pieces – mini cutters, 11-1 screwdriver, fastback knife, and wire strippers.
JoelLikestools
I have three pairs. Can’t beat made in USA and known quality. Unexpected use case: I have used them to clip a broken fingernail at work in a pinch.
Kevin W.
Yes, I find flush cutters are definitely a must have. Although I have not used this Klein model. I like to have 2 sets, one is a nice Knipex and the other is a cheaper one. I have used Milwaukee before or right now I have house brand from a local tool store. I have found that there are some things that side cutters are not precise enough for but flush cutters aren’t really meant for. Hence the 2 pairs, one set I keep in good condition and the other I don’t mind abusing a bit.
MM
If you need a flush cut on stouter materials than these are capable of, there are high-grade ones made for the electronics industry by companies like Lindstrom and Erem. These are forged rather than being stamped from sheet metal like these Kliens, Xuron, etc. Some even have tungsten carbide jaws.
ToolGuyDan
Lindstrom and Erem are fine and all, but they can pry my Tronex flush-cutters from my cold, dead hands.
Favorite unexpected use-case: trimming 23-gauge nails flush with the stock they’re embedded into.
Wayne R.
A long time ago I needed to separate a lot of maybe 1mm thick sheet steel parts attached sorta like postage stamps to each other. I bought two pairs of cheap pliers-weight flush cutters thinking one would get messed up and I’d have a back up.
The second pair remains unused to this day. Unbelieveable.
Here I have a few of these type cutters for 1) electronics and 2) Tywraps. I see them as a consumable/disposable tool, but they’re good, Hakko & Xuron.
And not that Klein’s are expensive at $12 each, but even the 5-for-$12 Harfingtons on Amazon are likely more than adequate for what they are made to do. The $30 Knipex version I can’t justify.
MM
These kinds of cutters are great if you build plastic model kits and don’t want to spring for a “godhand”. And of course they’re useful for doing electronics work, jewelry, etc. I’ve owned a multiple pairs made by Xuron (also USA made) over the years.
That said, I hesitate at making these a generic recommendation for most people, and I would suggest throwing a pair of ordinary diagonal cutters in the kitchen junk drawer instead. This type of cutter is fairly delicate, and there’s not much need for a precise flush cut for generic around-the-house tasks. Things like clothing tags, zip ties, packaging, and Q-tips can be easily cut with scissors or ordinary diagonal cutters, both of which are much more robust and more useful for random chores than these. You can cut things like steel wire, staples, paper clips, etc, with ordinary diagonal cutters but not with these. Cutters like this are much more likely to be accidentally damaged by casual or careless use compared to the alternatives. When I was a child my father was constantly having to deal with me damaging his pairs cutting various things they weren’t meant for. Many years later, when people borrowed tools off my workbench to do various odd jobs, it was always these that would end up damaged–probably Karma. A basic pair of forged diagonal cutters, or a pair of stout scissors, will do around-the-house jobs just as well and will last longer. I think it only makes sense to buy these if you know you will need the flush cut, and if you are relatively sure that nobody is going to try and cut stouter materials with them. These are best kept to delicate, precise, tasks.
MKY
Stuart –
“ I believe this is the one that I ***used cut*** the tip off of a q-tip…”
Stuart
Thank you! *fixed*
928'er
I got a pair of these about 5 years ago that were absolute crap. The blades were so poorly ground that they weren’t even the same length. With the blades closed you could see daylight through about ½ of the cutting edge.
So, I’ll have to disagree with Stuart on this one. Theses are a must avoid rather than a must have…
Stuart
Maybe yours was defective? It does happen. I grabbed this one from my son’s room just now, it’s much newer than yours:
I’m up for your alternative recommendations. I love my Xurons. The Milwaukee flush cutter at Home Depot is the same price. Maybe that one is a better recommendation – I’ll see if I can dig one up for comparison.
ElectroAtletico
I own both the Klein and the Milwaukee. Both are of similar performance, but I prefer the Milwaukee because it is easier to find due to its vivid red color. To me that’s a winning formula.
Albert
I find mini flush cutters to be extremely good at separating support material from 3D prints. I usually use cheap imports, but I’m sure Klein will work too.