Shears / scissors for cutting Dyneema

[Suijin]

Originally Posted by Tornadosailing

Maybe I'm wrong, but I've tried to tidy up the ends with a flame. No luck. Why is that?

In my experience dyneema melts but it does not fuse and/or aggregate with surrounding fibers like nylon does. It just shrivels without fusing.

[RainDog]

Originally Posted by evm1024

Just for fun I did a little digging and found out that they appear to be a Nusharp 953 8" shears from Taiwan.

The Ronstan and D-splicer can be bought for $55 USD on sale.

The Nusharp 953 lists for $12.88 (with free shipping) on Amazon.

Just thought to pass this along for any interested in cutting Dyneema....

NUSHARP

I don't get it. The Nusharp 953 looks nothing like the D-splicer. How do you figure they are the same thing?

[evm1024]

Here are 2 images from the respective sites (Nusharp, D-splicer) of the 953 and the D-20.

Also, Look at the specs for each. Same metals used.

[DMCantor]

We use an inexpensive ceramic kitchen knife to cut all kinds of line. Works great!

[SailFastTri]

I’ve been using this https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00UFIH8SY/

Cuts Dyneema like any other sharp scissors would cut cotton. I also cut Dyneema with a sharp single edge razor blade on a cutting board, easy and clean. Not an issue to cut Dyneema.

[davil]

Originally Posted by evm1024

When I started making my own soft shackles I bought a pair of D-splicer D20 sheers. I paid pretty much full price at westmarine for them.

They are very good and sharp etc....

But I see that the same model is also marketed by Ronstan and a number of other vendors.

Just for fun I did a little digging and found out that t
thanks hey appear to be a Nusharp 953 8" shears from Taiwan.

The Ronstan and D-splicer can be bought for $55 USD on sale.

The Nusharp 953 lists for $12.88 (with free shipping) on Amazon.

Just thought to pass this along for any interested in cutting Dyneema....

NUSHARP

==================================
hi
thanks for the tip,Amazon has a series of Nusharp BUT no the 953,either not longer available or ???
could you look at the site and see if any of the listed choices could be a replacement?
I always appreciate a member taking the time to share useful and practical info.

[evm1024]

Yes, I see that they subbed out to a "normal" pair of sheers and no longer have the 953 listed. Hmmm, where did all the cheap 953 web pages go? I'm not finding them now.....

Also, the video I posted of a pair of Nusharp cutting dyneema was one of the 953's smaller brother. Not the 953, sorry for any confusion.

[Seaworthy Lass]

Evm, thanks for posting this info.

I bought my D-Slicer D16 scissors about 3 years ago, but I kept your post in mind for when they needed to be replaced.

Well, the time has come . The D16 scissors were wonderful when new and still work reasonably, but they are no longer cutting cleanly.

I get real pleasure from handling well made items and I don’t mind paying a premium for this, but I do resent overpaying simply because an item is marketed for marine use, which appears to be the case here.

D-Splicer D20 (£67.10 through Jimmy Green Marine) do seem to be identical to Nusharp 953.
Amazon UK currently sells them for £33 + £3 delivery (supplied from US)
& Amazon US from Vampire Professional Tools and Ascend Tools (US$40 & $43 respectively). If you enlarge and zoom in on the third image, the blade is stamped Nusharp 953:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/...QXNCLV8H&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/VamPLIERS-Sci.../dp/B00FE3IROE

https://www.amazon.com/inch-Carbon-S.../dp/B0184H0DDE


The D-Splicer D16 (£37.20 through Jimmy Green Marine) may be these @ £9.66 + £3 delivery or US$12.53:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/...QXNCLV8H&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/Utility-Kevla...al-text&sr=1-1

I suspect anything advertised as being suitable for Kevlar could be used successfully for cutting dyneema, so I also checked out electrical suppliers and found several shears at such low prices that I thought worthwhile buying to check them out. If nothing else, they will be useful as general purpose scissors so they won’t go to waste.

I ended up ordering these from Amazon UK for £3.43:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

and these from Amazon de for €11.60:
https://www.amazon.de/-/en/gp/produc...KR8XB7XF&psc=1

The other source for finer scissors capable of cutting dyneema is fishing stores, as Dyneema braid is used as backing line. For finer tasks one of these made it into my basket as well for £8.99:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Changed my mind and went for these instead, which I think are the same as my current D16 scissors @ £12.78 including delivery:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/...QXNCLV8H&psc=1


I will report back regarding how well these work.

Anyone with other recommendations?

SWL

[evm1024]

Outstanding! Please do let us know how it works out. I like you do not like to pay "extra". My D Splicer are lightly used and still sharp.

Regards

Originally Posted by Seaworthy Lass

Evm, thanks for posting this info.

I bought my D-Slicer D16 scissors about 3 years ago, but I kept your post in mind for when they needed to be replaced.

Well, the time has come . The D16 scissors were wonderful when new and still work reasonably, but they are no longer cutting cleanly.

I get real pleasure from handling well made items and I don’t mind paying a premium for this, but I do resent overpaying simply because an item is marketed for marine use, which appears to be the case here.

D-Splicer D20 (£67.10 through Jimmy Green Marine) do seem to be identical to Nusharp 953.
Amazon UK currently sells them for £33 + £3 delivery (supplied from US)
& Amazon US from Vampire Professional Tools and Ascend Tools (US$40 & $43 respectively). If you enlarge and zoom in on the third image, the blade is stamped Nusharp 953:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/...QXNCLV8H&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/VamPLIERS-Sci.../dp/B00FE3IROE

https://www.amazon.com/inch-Carbon-S.../dp/B0184H0DDE


The D-Splicer D16 (£37.20 through Jimmy Green Marine) may be these @ £9.66 + £3 delivery or US$12.53:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/...QXNCLV8H&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/Utility-Kevla...al-text&sr=1-1

I suspect anything advertised as being suitable for Kevlar could be used successfully for cutting dyneema, so I also checked out electrical suppliers and found several shears at such low prices that I thought worthwhile buying to check them out. If nothing else, they will be useful as general purpose scissors so they won’t go to waste.

I ended up ordering these from Amazon UK for £3.43:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

and these from Amazon de for €11.60:
https://www.amazon.de/-/en/gp/produc...KR8XB7XF&psc=1

The other source for finer scissors capable of cutting dyneema is fishing stores, as Dyneema braid is used as backing line. For finer tasks one of these made it into my basket as well for £8.99:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Changed my mind and went for these instead, which I think are the same as my current D16 scissors @ £12.78 including delivery:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/...QXNCLV8H&psc=1


I will report back regarding how well these work.

Anyone with other recommendations?

SWL

[Seaworthy Lass]

Originally Posted by evm1024

Outstanding! Please do let us know how it works out. I like you do not like to pay "extra". My D Splicer are lightly used and still sharp.

Regards

Mine get a bit of a workout, and I have saved them from a fate worse than death a few times when they have been trying to make their way to the workshop . It is a wonder they have lasted 3+ years.

I may still end up buying a pair of the Nusharp 953s, but I thought I would test out a few of the ones marketed to electricians and fishermen first.

SWL

[Benz]

I have been using the Clauss Titanium scissors for several years now; they absolutely rule over the D-splicer scissors, which I still have and use for lesser projects. The Clauss' just last longer and cut stronger.
PS I use them all day long when I'm at work.

[Seaworthy Lass]

Originally Posted by Benz

I have been using the Clauss Titanium scissors for several years now; they absolutely rule over the D-splicer scissors, which I still have and use for lesser projects. The Clauss' just last longer and cut stronger.
PS I use them all day long when I'm at work.

Many thanks for the recommendation. I was hoping a rigger would chime in. Daily use is the best test for these, something cruisers can’t replicate.

Clauss’ website is scissor porn .
I got distracted and I am now drooling over their chef’s scissors. The ones in my galley drawer are pathetic and I am hoping one of the new ones I have just ordered will replace these.

I have found numerous titanium bonded models from Clauss with a micro serrated blade that look suitable for dyneema such as:

https://www.claussco.com/clauss-8-bl...e-shear-1.html

and these which look particularly good:
https://www.claussco.com/clauss-8-ti...lar-shear.html

Which ones are you actually using?

SWL

[Benz]

^^Neither. I'm using a very stubby scissors with thick micro-serrated blades and a very heavy bolt for the axle. It's the 5.5" Titanium kevlar shear. The handles look ludicrous on the short blades, but I love 'em.

[Seaworthy Lass]

Originally Posted by Benz

^^Neither. I'm using a very stubby scissors with thick micro-serrated blades and a very heavy bolt for the axle. It's the 5.5" Titanium kevlar shear. The handles look ludicrous on the short blades, but I love 'em.

Thanks Ben. I have added these to my spreadsheet. Too late for me this time around, but I will go for these if the ones I have ordered fail sooner than expected.

SWL

[Seaworthy Lass]

Winter has set in early here in Scotland and I have time on my hands so the last few days I have been happily absorbed with hunting for the ideal pair of shears / scissors for dyneema work .

My requirements were:
* High hardness blades for sharpness and edge retention (generally a high carbon alloy)
* One blade with micro serrations to stop slippage. If one blade is plain it allows resharpening.
* A pivot point that can be adjusted or disassembled.
* Comfortable grip
* Sturdy
* Compact
* Value for money (generally these are branded for electricians or industrial use rather than for the marine industry and they are labeled as suitable for kevlar).

Pairs have been flying in and out of my online shopping basket as I debated between options, but the pair I finally ordered for ropework is from the company Evm1024 started the discussion about.

Nusharp (Taiwan) make a series of kevlar cutters with excellent reviews. I emailed them with a couple of queries and I was impressed with their swift response. Their cutters are rebranded by several companies worldwide and the models 951 & 953 appear to match the D-Splicer scissors.

Blade material is identical for all six of their models (a high carbon alloy steel with an HRC of 60-62):

NUSHARP

The model I finally selected was Nusharp 956 520. It seemed to fit all my criteria. The pair from Clauss that Benz has since recommended seem close, so sight unseen I am more confident with my choice .

For the past 3 years I have been using D-Splicer D16 scissors (probably Nusharp 951). Nusharp 951 are the least expensive of all the ones I have listed and I think they are excellent value for any amateurs working with UHMWPE less than 8 mm in diameter (they struggle cutting 8 mm). I would have been perfectly happy with these again, but I was tempted by a sturdier pair with a more comfortable looking grip.

I have put together a spreadsheet of suppliers of cutters that seem suitable. If anyone needs to be cutting Kevlar fabric, the shears with longer blades would be a better option. Prices in the US and EU are ones I found quickly, so better deals could probably be had with a bit of searching.

Photos of all the models listed are also attached.

SWL

If you tap on the spreadsheet then zoom in, the data can be read. Prices fluctuate wildly and in some cases (Amazon) even from day to day so it is worth looking around:

Edited to add: the spreadsheet was updated on the 29th November: