Xuron 2175F Maxi-Shear Flush Cutter with Lead Retainer - Professional Wire & Cable Cutting Tool for Jewelry Making, Electronics, and DIY Crafts

Model 2175 with a rounded tip. The tip profile on this is perfect for cutting zip ties, but is very strong and can cut heavy 12 gauge and smaller copper wire. If they were any smaller, you couldn't do this. But they have the perfect size handle. These are the best and most useful cutters I've ever owned, as an HVAC electrician. I no longer carry the larger 6" cutters, because these small 2175 cutters are able to cut all types of copper wire, small or large, without any issue. They will even cut right through 8 conductor stranded 18 gauge wire, without issue. You just have to be careful and use common sense. They have plenty of strength, but you don't want to intentionally try to abuse them.I am an electrician and an inventor, hobbyists. I used these at work in a commercial environment for 2 years before accidentally breaking them, and they were still in perfect condition, even after cutting 24 to 12 gauge wire with these daily. I cut 18 gauge with with 4 stranded conductors regularly. These work for stripping wire too, so you don't need to carry strippers because they are so sharp, it's easy to use them for stripping wire. The handles never once came loose in 2 years of commercial use, and they never bent. They became dull after 2 years of constant heavy use, cutting 18 gauge wire dozens of times per day. But they still cut just fine, and didn't have any chunks or serious dings in the cutting surface. I never tried to cut hardened screws or hardened wire, only copper. And they held up very well. But one day I squeezed them as hard as I could and wasn't paying attention, when I was cutting something, and I was literally squeezing as hard as I physically could and I heard them snap. I was so sad. I immediately bought a new set! Unless you try to break these intentionally, by squeezing as hard as possible, these will probably last you forever. For the home user, they will probably last 15 or 20 years.Update: I accidentally squeezed as hard as possible on these, and broke them after 2 years of heavy use. I bought a new pair, and lost them. I've never been able to wear these out. They cut copper wire without flexing or feeling fragile. I convinced my coworker to buy these, and he said they are the best micro cutters he has ever used.