Wiha’s BiCut tools are diagonal cutters with a twist – or should I say a button. These odd-looking pliers feature an innovative “power” button that shifts the tool from its regular cutting mode to a higher power cutting mode, and back.
From the looks of it (watch the video below to get a better sense of how the power function works), the power button shifts the cutter’s pivot angle to reduce cutting effort.
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It almost looks as though the power button engages a compound leverage mechanism, but there doesn’t seem like there would be room for this in the cutter head. Instead, it looks like there are two different pivot positions, with the higher power cutting mode causing the handles to spread a little further apart than in the standard mode.
With these Wiha BiCut cutters, you get regular operation for most tasks, and engage the higher leverage mode when you need it. This way you get the benefit of the heavier duty cutting performance without having to deal with wider-spreading handles for applications where you don’t need extra power.
There are 4 models, all are 8″ (200 mm) long:
- BiCut Professional (Z 18 0 05)
- BiCut Professional Electric, which is insulated with 1000V-rated protection (Z 18 0 06)
- BiCut Industrial (Z 18 0 02)
- BiCut Classic with dipped handles (Z 18 0 01)
The Professional, Professional Electric, and Industrial models all have cushion grip handles. It’s not really clear what the difference is between Professional and Industrial models – any ideas?
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Wiha says that the power mode allows the BiCut cutters to do the job with up to 50% less hand strength. In other words, the power mode essentially doubles the cutting force for when working with harder materials that are tough to cut.
The blades are induction hardened to 64 HRC, and can cut wires, cables, nails, screws, wire cable, spring wire, chains, and other similar materials. All of the BiCut cutters are made from C70 tool steel.
Additionally, the cutters feature Wiha’s DynamicJoint blade profile, where one blade is 50% thicker than the other (60% and 40% ratios), for an additional reduction in cutting effort (up to 40%).
Right now, the Classic style Wiha BiCut cutter is available via Amazon for $40 and is listed as usually ships within 3 to 4 weeks. The cushion grip Professional and Industrial models don’t seem to be available anywhere in the USA yet,
Buy Now(Classic style via Amazon)
More Info(via Wiha)
First Thoughts
It’s difficult to say without further insight into how the Wiha BiCut cutter heads works when in power mode, but the new cutters look to be better than other high leverage cutter models that have come out in recent years, such as the Knipex TwinForce. By better, I mean capable of cutting regular or hard materials in a single operation with minimal fiddling, and cheaper too.
cody
You should do a YouTube review on these.
Josh B.
The only difference apparent from the pictures between the professional and industrial would appear to be the finish. The professional look to be almost chrome and the industrial aren’t.
Jerry
I agree. There seems to be a trend for industrial tools to have less finish or polish than the professional series, but they are otherwise pretty much the same. You can see this if you have checked out tool sets lately, there is often the black industrial finish, and the professional polished chrome finish.
As to the pliers themselves, they look like they may combine the best attributes of both regular and high leverage pliers.
At $40 they really aren’t out of line with premium high leverage cutters rated to cut screws and cable, depending on the their thickness rating. Knipex high leverage cutters rated to 5MM run $50 street price.
Stuart
That’s what I was thinking, but Wiha isn’t very clear about how either of the styles are finished.
jesse
Why not just leave them set in the high leverage configuration?
Jerry
Because for cutting soft but thick items, like copper wiring takes a LOT wider handle opening to get it to fit.
mnoswad
then you wouldn’t have a cool button to push.
firefly
What Jerry said, basically all high leverage cutter trade distance for force. So only use it when necessary, after all you don’t want to break a nut with a sledge hammer.
kman
Where are these pliers made? Where are Wiha tools typically made?
john
Packing Wiha USA, Forgings by Wiha Vietnam, Designed to DIN/ISO by Wiha Germany
Toolfreak
First off, I think this is a pretty blatant misuse of the international “power” symbol.
These pliers are not electrically operated. I’m not sure that there will be legal action to stop Wiha from using the symbol incorrectly on a consumer product, even though it’s obviously deliberate, but there very well could be, if nothing else, to prevent a trend of copycats from doing the same on many other tools and products, making the original intent of the symbol (electrical device power ON, or sometimes more importantly, OFF) meaningless.
That said, this is pretty cool if they can really cut chain. I’m guessing the chain they used in the video is just really soft metal, though, and not the kind of stuff you really need to use bolt cutters on. Still, I’m all for pliers-type tools that can cut cable and metal rod/chain, though the Knipex mini-bolt cutters do that job quite well already.
Jordan
We had a rep from Wiha Germany come over and demo these pliers last spring when they were in development … although it took a fair amount of effort, they cleanly cut 4mm chain. We have a video of the demo that we’re hoping to upload to YouTube soon.
As for the difference between the Industrial & Professional models, it’s just the finish. The only model available in the US is the Classic w/ dipped handles. The part number is slightly different however, it’s 32636.
It was interesting to get your perspective on the “power” button and I look forward to seeing what changes it may bring about in the hand tool/power tool world.
Pete
Looks cool, I’ll be ordering a pair when I can.
Phil
“Industrial” finish tools almost always have a black oxide type coating. Compare this to chrome hand sockets and ratchets to similar industrial finish. Industrial finished sockets are often mistaken for impact or power driven sockets. Power/impact sockets are not chromed because these sockets are spun at high speeds, and any chrome that might chip or flake can become a fast rotating razor blade with predictable results on fingers and hands. In the case of industrial finish tools, the effort is made to prevent chrome chips from not only slicing skin, but also from falling into products resulting in FOD (Foreign Object Damage/Debris). While the cutters shown above aren’t chrome or otherwise plated, they are often rustproofed with a lacquer-like coating to keep from rusting. That coating chips off in use, with the potential for more FOD. Simply leaving the tools bare isn’t an answer, as the tools will rust or corrode, depending on the environment they are used in, and this corrosion is yet another form of FOD. Black oxide finish, while not very glamorous, is very durable and doesn’t peel or shed in use, and prevents rust, and it also tend to be less slippery than coated/plated metal. That’s the primary difference between “industrial” and other finishes.
Jim Felt
Thank you Phil!
Darn good explanation.
Nikola
Hallo to everyone,
I own one of these , Electric (Z 18 0 06).
I am from Croatia,Europe.
Price is similar as you mentioned , about 40 $ ( 280 hrk ) and it is 40% more then regular cutter ,but 50% or more less then having two diferent cutters .
I like Wiha system and quality. I own many Knipex pliers and having no objection.
Wiha have same quality for less price.
The only thing about those cutters is leinght . I don´t have large hands and thay are little bigger than i wish.
Performance – top class !
Greetings from Croatia.