"Sprue nipper gets dull?" Topic

I read complaints that a certain brand of sprue cutter gets dull. What the heck are you cutting with it? The tool is metal, the subject is plastic, what it going on?

Low-quality, soft steel? Nothing lasts forever.

Perhaps the poster uses them prolifically, on plastic? Maybe they also use them to cut copper wires (worked as an Electronic Technician, repairing circuit boards on a component level, cutting metal leads on transistors, resistors, diodes, capacitors, etc., and they do dull, over time, with such use)? Best to go to the OP, to find out why. Cheers!

All cutting tools go dull with use.

Often the sharper the tool the faster they seem to go dull.
Asked anyone who uses sheers to cut paper or cloth.
They can be sharpened, but it is and art to do so.

The original alloy and temper of the blade makes a big difference, so brand loyalty can make good sense.

Hide you hobby tools so family members don't "appropriate" them on cutting missions for which they were never intended.

Mine get dull and the little return spring always breaks after a very short time.

link

I use the Tamiya one and have never had it go dull. I have cut thousands of soft plastic figures and built hundreds of 1/72nd scale airplane kits and hundreds of HO scale armor kits.

NEVER cut anything expect plastic with it. I have one of the Xuron ones that I keep right next to it to cut metal miniatures and copper wire so I don't have to look for it.

The Tamiya is expensive at over $20 USD but worth every penny.

Mike Bunkermeister Creek