What do i need for a nice clean cut on my new cables? Big beast cutters or small and sharp?

On one. Or dremel

Better than Park:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DRAPER-EXPERT-190MM-WIRE-ROPE-OR-SPRING-WIRE-CUTTER-/271188273055?pt=UK_Hand_Tools_Equipment&hash=item3f2414a79f

If you’re a bike-specific person, then Superstar sell a set that are pretty decent- they work well on day one but blunt a little too easily. Also better than Park though.

Dremel or angle grinder with fine cutting disk.
If u do use a dremel, make sure it is on full power. U want it to cut through fast for a perfect cut.
And I find that if u place a block of soft wood behind the cable inner or outer it leaves a perfect finish on the cut.

You can easily go big and blunt if you heat the cable with a lighter for a few seconds. Good clean cut ime. Crimp the cap on. Go ride!

No way would i be bother to get the dremel out and fit a little cutting wheel to do it.

my park cutters are awesome

The right tool for the job is the tool designed for the job.

So some cable cutters would seem logical.

Knipex

Knippex or Maun would be the choice of professionals in the real world. Park are overpriced and not as good.

Felco.

Got park and shimano both do a decent job.

The Drapers are good. Best for the money. The Predro’s are great, but not really worth £30. The Parktool are hit and miss. We’ve had a load of them fail and had to be returned. They work ok when they work.

Superstar components 13.99.
never had a problem.

Another happy superstar user here. 🙂

Thanks all, a real slow burner this tread. A lot of these look suspiciously similar. I think I know what I need now.

P.s. having gone for a ride this morning I did need to butcher the new cables with some rusty old pliers. It’s more of a recovery job now.

I use cable cutters at work everyday, I have found Lindstrom cutters to be the best I’ve owned, better than knipex. They were quite expensive tho, but my latest pair have lasted me about 5 years and they are still cutting as well as when I purchased them