Cutting Zip Ties...ummmhmmm......

softrockrenegade

softrockrenegade

Joined
May 27, 2009
Messages
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I v seen many posts here on people saying how good their knives are for cutting zip ties/cable ties/tie wraps ect.... In my experience a knife in the worst way to do this!!! I don't know what zip ties you guys are cutting but as a electrician the ones we useare like 1/4" thick and usually extreamly strong, therefore causi g the blade to slam into whatever the wrap is tied to when it finally does pop!!! Also put my sebenza through my thumb once and with great force qhe it finally cut through!!!! Final thoughts.. Use a pair of dykes for cutting zip ties, you will only end up hurting your blade and yourself!!! Ok done bitching hahabe safe guys
 
Well, if you go to a bankruptcy attorney, he's going to recommend that you file bankruptcy.

A dentist will recommend cleaning your teeth.

And a knife forum will recommend cutting zip ties with a knife.

You are probably right about snips or other cutters being better for zip ties. Make that definitely right. :thumbup:

But this ain't snipforums.com. :)
 
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When I have a bunch of them to cut I used snips to cut them.

If it's only a few then a knife is fine.
 
I'm not saying I don't do it in a pinch but it's not easy with a knife!!! At least not the commercial kind I use on a daily basis
 
Actually, a fully serrated Spyderco Endura doesn't do too bad in sawing through zip-ties...Even those 1/4" monster ones...But a plain blade...Forget it.
 
I routinely cut the BIG ones. The ones that are 2-3 feet long. With an Izula. It kind of sucks, but it works...

Tips: dont cut towards yourself or something that is going to harm your blade if it hits it. Be careful. Also, if they are the really big ones, just push the locking tab up and slide them apart.

Of course a sidecutters is a better tool for the job, but I ain't carrying sidecutters everywhere.

Knife works fine for me.
 
glockman99 said:
Actually, a fully serrated Spyderco Endura doesn't do too bad in sawing through zip-ties...Even those 1/4" monster ones...But a plain blade...Forget it.
Click to expand...

I just slide the blade under and twist the edge into it and it goes right on through.

Tripton said:
I routinely cut the BIG ones. The ones that are 2-3 feet long. With an Izula. It kind of sucks, but it works...

Tips: dont cut towards yourself or something that is going to harm your blade if it hits it. Be careful. Also, if they are the really big ones, just push the locking tab up and slide them apart.

Of course a sidecutters is a better tool for the job, but I ain't carrying sidecutters everywhere.

Knife works fine for me.
Click to expand...

If you can get enough pressure, leverage between the tie and the stock that is tied it's really not that bad doing just a few. But then you want a strong knife to do that.
 
I use the serrated blade om my Leatherman Charge, but a pair of cutting pliers does the job better.

Kind regards,

Jos
 
The right tool for the job !! Riiht guys!! that's the point I was going for ! Just rolled too many edges and cut myself really bad doing this haha...won't do it unless I have to:p
 
This is, in my opinion, the absolute best knife in the world for cutting zip ties. I specifically bought it for that purpose and use it everyday as my EDC, it has not disappointed at all. I will admit that I would prefer to use Dykes or wire cutters, but I never have those with me, this gut hook does just fine.
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I like the gut hook on my Charge TTi. The wire cutter also works, but it's a bit like using snips.

Joe
 
I also have a habit of using knives to cut zip ties, but it's a bad habit. Geez, if you cut ties all day long, why use a knife? I often use a Leatherman tool. I've used the blade to cut the ties, often pulled towards me, but I stand back and give it a good yank -- in my work it's always tied to something solid like a pipe. I've use the pliers to twist the heck out of the tie till it breaks. I've even used a very small Swiss Army knife to get under the lock on the tie and release it. Works well when you can get to it, and you can even use the tie again.
 
I was cutting off a hard plastic noose off a 2 bottle holder on some apple juice from Costco. I also should have gotten some snips. My BM grip plain blade was very sharp, whittling sharp, but it was tough and awkward to get through the hard plastic. Once it broke through, I was wondering if the juice was going to gush or if I was now missing a pound of flesh. I have never felt I was doing something dangerous when cutting, except from that hard plastic. Snips would have been a safe little click. Great thread!
 
I use a Harpy for zip ties. I put the tip under and pull away from what is tied (towards myself). Works perfect.
 
If I only have one or two to cut, knife it is.
More than that, if I have access, snips it is.
I usually have a Leatherman Charge on me,
but the cutters are not worth a flip on ties.
 
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