Rebar/replaceable wire cutters worth it?

[tallowwaters]

Hi folks,

So I'm reckoning on trading out my Wave pliers for the Rebar pliers, and my question is are the replaceable wire cutters worth the trouble?

I've used my Wave for 5 or 6 years now, and I've never had any issue with the current cutters.  Obviously, should I ever get carried away on hardened 6 gauge wire or so, I may need to change the wirecutters, but has anybody ever had issue with the regular non-replaceable cutters?

[zoidberg]

IMO yes, it is worth the trouble. I've trashed both and still use both. I rate the Rebar pliers over the Wave pliers.

[dan.mandiel]

Hey! Welcome to the forum!
i have a Charge tti and i have damaged my wire cutters alot and i really would like to have the replaceable cutters. That's why i have a black oxide rebar on the way

[Gareth]

Oh, now there's a loaded question.   I'd say it depends on what you do most of; gripping with pliers or using the cutters.  I did a review of the Rebar where I point out what I think of as a slight drawback with the pliers:



Fast forward to 1:40 if you can't be bothered to watch the whole thing.

[pingu]

... I did a review of the Rebar where I point out what I think of as a slight drawback with the pliers: ...

I have no axe to grind re Rebar vs. Wave pliers except my typical use benefits from the exceptional performance of the Rebar cutters on stranded copper wire.

I remember the review vid (and I've only refreshed my memory at 1:40).   ISTM that the Wave gripping section is slightly more rounded than the Rebar.  With the battery at the geometric centre the Wave cutters intrude alarmingly - and sharply.  Both pliers can securely grip an AA battery diameter offset in the grip.  Probably the Wave could offset grip a slightly larger diameter than an AA battery.

Returning to the cutters the Rebar cutters are a couple of mm longer so can make a better job of wide cable ties.  Horses for courses, mostly I do electrical work and have little experience of hard wire cutting.

[tallowwaters]

Wow, thanks for the extensive research into the matter!  My Wave sees a wide variety of action from cutting wire, field repairs of firearms, repairing clinical lab equipment, and everything in between.  I suppose I'll plan on doing the mod, since I don't foresee the decreased points of contact on a round object affecting me terribly much. 

To fit in the Rebar pliers, I'll need to remove the scissors (replacing them with a modified awl) and the plier stop nubbins, right? 

Thanks again; this is a swell community.

[Breezy12]

To fit in the Rebar pliers, I'll need to remove the scissors (replacing them with a modified awl) and the plier stop nubbins, right? 

Thanks again; this is a swell community.

well, you don't have to replace the scissors... and you don't necessarily have to remove the plier rests either...

there's lots of good info in this recent thread, and plenty of us who are willing to help if you have questions or run into problems.

[tallowwaters]

well, you don't have to replace the scissors... and you don't necessarily have to remove the plier rests either...

there's lots of good info in this recent thread, and plenty of us who are willing to help if you have questions or run into problems.

True enough.  I guess I meant to say that seems to be one of the more conventional mods (and the one I like).