Thinking about purchasing the MP600 but concerned about the carbide cutters

[gil2979]

The MP600 looks like a great tool and the one hand ability sounds awesome, but I'm a bit concerned about the carbide cutters.
I've seen posts that say they're weak and tend to get shattered, of course that everyone have their own standards so that's why I'm asking you.

I'm not Gonna try and abuse it with nails but I do want wire cutters that can cut through "normal stuff" like coat hangers, should I get the carbide wire version or the regular one?

Replaceable wire cutters is a great feature but not if they're weak and expensive to replace and cost 20$ more.

[AimlessWanderer]

If you're going to cut coathanger, get the integral cutters, not the replaceable ones. In fact, I can't think of any reason why I'd choose the carbide cutters 

[magentus]

Yep. They're crap. They shatter really easily and turn an extremely good tool into a compromised one.

Have you thought about the MP400? Slightly smaller and no crappy carbide cutters! Brilliant tool.

[SteveC]

You should be able to find an older one on E-Bay without the carbide cutters 

[Top-Gear-24]

The same question had been on my mind for weeks, until I ordered this bad boy last week...

(sorry for the poor pics, used my smartphone indoor with bad light...)









Found it local at a nice discount price, normally these will go for anything from 92 Euro up to 110 Euro around here, If found one for 48 Euro (NIB), which is a real steal over here.

And what do we do when we find something at -50% discount ...?

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Yep... 

[magentus]

It's the MTO way. Nice one tg

[Top-Gear-24]

It's the MTO way. Nice one tg

Thanks mate  .

Last Gerber I bought was Mr. Pinchy, back in '98 or so ...

I just wanted something different, can't always buy SAK's and Leatherman tools right ?

I'm thinking about doing a search for a BO bluntnose plierhead to put into one of them ...

[zoidberg]

Lol, sooo gold.      

[Sea Monster]

The reputation is well earned - My cutters died quite early into the piece - I managed to find an older model without the carbide, and swapped the heads (the donor tool had a broken saw and screwdriver, so the price was right)

[zoidberg]

Test from three years ago. High Tensile Wire Cutting Test, Warning: Minor Tool Abuse

Still haven't broken those cutters.   

[cody6268]

The same question had been on my mind for weeks, until I ordered this bad boy last week...

(sorry for the poor pics, used my smartphone indoor with bad light...)

(Image removed from quote.)

(Image removed from quote.)

(Image removed from quote.)

(Image removed from quote.)

Found it local at a nice discount price, normally these will go for anything from 92 Euro up to 110 Euro around here, If found one for 48 Euro (NIB), which is a real steal over here.

And what do we do when we find something at -50% discount ...?

Show content

Yep... 

Interesting. That's the latest frame, so modern production. Did Gerber finally get enough sense to drop them?   The main reason I hate Gerber cutters is that compared to Leatherman, they're expensive.  And of course, if you don't abuse the cutters, they shouldn't ding or break, but sometimes, you've just have to cut through high tensile wire or hardened screws/nails and the MT is the only thing on you (I try to do it with cheap linesman's pliers when I'm afraid of damaging good cutters).

And on another note, you're not the only one with the buy both mentality.. I typically only do it when the items are under USD $20. That way, I have one to use as I want, the other to stay pristine in the collection.

[Top-Gear-24]

The same question had been on my mind for weeks, until I ordered this bad boy last week...

(sorry for the poor pics, used my smartphone indoor with bad light...)

(Image removed from quote.)

(Image removed from quote.)

(Image removed from quote.)

(Image removed from quote.)

Found it local at a nice discount price, normally these will go for anything from 92 Euro up to 110 Euro around here, If found one for 48 Euro (NIB), which is a real steal over here.

And what do we do when we find something at -50% discount ...?

Show content

Yep... 

Interesting. That's the latest frame, so modern production. Did Gerber finally get enough sense to drop them?   The main reason I hate Gerber cutters is that compared to Leatherman, they're expensive.  And of course, if you don't abuse the cutters, they shouldn't ding or break, but sometimes, you've just have to cut through high tensile wire or hardened screws/nails and the MT is the only thing on you (I try to do it with cheap linesman's pliers when I'm afraid of damaging good cutters).

And on another note, you're not the only one with the buy both mentality.. I typically only do it when the items are under USD $20. That way, I have one to use as I want, the other to stay pristine in the collection.

The exact same words I use to convince my wife that I need two of something ... (and when it's something at -50% discount or more I usually add that, if it wasn't for the discount, I would've spend the same amount of money on one ...).

By now, she's gotten so used to it that she suggests it herself when I'm about to buy something (like with the great deal on some BO Charge +'s  Steve found and posted here a while ago).

[mtoolman]

I just use my MP600 for cutting wires or stripping wires only, never for cutting metal stuff not even coat hanger wire.

[Sam Lim]

I just use my MP600 for cutting wires or stripping wires only, never for cutting metal stuff not even coat hanger wire.

 

While they cannot take impact, they are really great for wiring work!

[mtoolman]

I just use my MP600 for cutting wires or stripping wires only, never for cutting metal stuff not even coat hanger wire.

 

While they cannot take impact, they are really great for wiring work!

 

Yes, this is true.
I exclusively now use MP600 for electronics and wiring works only.

[gerleatherberman]

I have to parrot what others have said. The replaceable cutters are only good on electrical wire. I broke a tooth cutting thick bailing wire and haven't used them on anything harder than romex since. 
I hope Gerber is bringing back the regular plier head(particularlyin BN in my case), because those non-replaceable cutters are a beast. My old pinchy cutters have cut anything within reason I ever threw at them. I slightly dinged them on a hardened screw once(I didn't know it was hardened that much), but some quick filing fixed them right up.

[Darrell85]

I have to parrot what others have said. The replaceable cutters are only good on electrical wire. I broke a tooth cutting thick bailing wire and haven't used them on anything harder than romex since. 
I hope Gerber is bringing back the regular plier head(particularlyin BN in my case), because those non-replaceable cutters are a beast. My old pinchy cutters have cut anything within reason I ever threw at them. I slightly dinged them on a hardened screw once(I didn't know it was hardened that much), but some quick filing fixed them right up.

I'm not sure where you are from, but here in Illinois,  Home depot has 600 basic without the replaceable cutters in black and stainless for $39. Just checked online, have them there too. Got another last week. Went in intending to buy $5 worth of stuff... Total purchase = $110. That store gets me on trouble!

[gerleatherberman]

Thanks, Darrell!

I know that feeling. I never leave a store with just what I intended to buy.

The stores are still selling off a lot of older stock. I've seen the Basics for sale around, but not with the 'new' branding like the one you found. I may have a 'few' MP600s.

[clown]

Im pretty sure the Pro Scouts still come with standard cutters.   

[algernonramone]

Im pretty sure the Pro Scouts still come with standard cutters.   

This. I just bought a new Pro-Scout and it came w/ standard cutters.

[Juan el Boricua]

Gil, for your intended purpose I'd also recommend the integral cutters.  I know what my tools' limitations are so, don't abuse them. I do cut regularly "coathanger" wire, and occasionally thin (<1.5mm) spring wire. The latter "made" a "hard-wire-notch" a-la-leatherman!, but easilly fixed with a diamond file; no catasthrophic destruction! And yes, you can get a brand new, new-logo needle nosed Basic model pliers with integral cutters either SS or BO from the BigOrangeDepot store(that is if you live in NA or an APO/FPO); I know all of my three are from them(2BO's/1SS)!!!
Good luck!