Swapped cheap cable cutters for a proper Park Tool set after a nasty incident

I used to just use whatever wire cutters I had lying around for brake cables, figured it was fine since they still cut. Then I had a cable fray mid-install on a customer's bike that snapped back and poked my hand, drew blood. Anyone else had a bad experience using the wrong tool for cable work?

2 comments

2 Comments

wilson.claire18d ago

I have to push back a bit on the "proper tool for cable work" thing. I've been using the same cheap wire cutters from a hardware store for years and never had a frayed cable snap back at me like that. The trick is to not squeeze too hard or twist the cutter, you have to cut clean and straight in one motion. I get that the Park Tool set is nice and all, but I think the fraying issue is more about technique than the tool itself. Maybe you were just unlucky or the cable was already damaged when you started. I'm not saying your experience isn't valid, it definitely sounds painful, but I don't think spending big money on a brand name is the only way to avoid that happening again.

tessa_hill8618d ago

Proper tool for cable work" - totally agree, I nicked my thumb with cheap cutters and now only use Park Tool.