12 best metal scissors

Review of the best according to the editorial board. On the selection criteria. This material is subjective and does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.

Metal scissors are actively used on construction sites, when renovating apartments and houses, as well as in various workshops. They can be used to cut in a straight line or cut aluminum, copper, galvanized steel, cermets and other materials. The tool is used for cutting out profiles for drywall, trimming metal tiles, corrugated board. Other models are capable of cutting steel bars, nails, bolts.

To navigate this variety, we have prepared a rating of the best metal scissors, based on feedback from craftsmen, builders and ordinary users. Our experts contributed to the assessment of the goods, examining the characteristics of the instrument. This information will help you choose the right scissors for cutting metal of a specific thickness and shape.

How to choose metal scissors

Before examining the rating, we will briefly highlight the main criteria for choosing metal scissors. Understanding these parameters, the buyer will be able to better navigate the quality of the product and its suitability for a particular job. Scissors for cutting metal are chosen for the following characteristics:

1. Cutting direction. The tool can be right (held in the left hand and cuts straight and to the right), left (cuts straight and left, held with the right hand) and straight (fits in either hand and cuts only straight).
2. Connection point. The two halves of the scissors are fixed with a bolt or a rivet axle. The centrally located fixation is convenient for short cuts (5-30 mm), trimming, trimming. The off-center tool allows for long longitudinal cuts (up to 10-100 cm) without resting on the edges of the iron workpiece.
3. Blade material. The cutting edge is made of chromium-molybdenum and chromium-vanadium alloy. The most durable option would be chrome-nickel or high-carbon steel.
4. Cut thickness. It should always be indicated on the packaging and indicates the maximum section of steel that they are able to cut. The indicator varies from 0.3 to 16 mm. If you do not follow these recommendations, the cutting edge will quickly become dull or deformed.
5. Handle type. If you have to work only periodically, then a one-component handle that softens the pressure is sufficient. For daily use, it is better to choose two-component handles with an ergonomic grip due to cutouts for fingers, which will allow you to securely hold the tool even in sweaty hands.
6. Total length. Scissors come in lengths from 17.5 to 95 cm. The higher the value, the longer the cut can be made with one press or more powerful pressure from the levers. In some processes, long scissors save time or effort, but are less comfortable to wear around your belt.
7. Type of drive. The metal shears can be small hand operated for thin sheet steel or bars. Other models sit on a table and have an extended drive that allows you to cut workpieces up to 1.6 cm. For even thicker thicknesses, there are products with a hydraulic drive.

In addition to the above parameters, scissors are divided by purpose, as described in detail in the categories of our rating.

Rating of the best scissors for metal

The best shears for cutting sheet metal

Products in this rating category are designed for cutting or trimming sheets of aluminum, galvanized steel or copper plates. Most often, such a tool is used by tinsmiths or drywall workers. It is also actively used in the manufacture of ventilation systems and drains.

Hazet 1961R-1

Rating: 4.9

The first place in our rating is taken by a product from the German brand Hazet. The scissors are made of two metals, where high-carbon steel is responsible for the cutting part, and the drive is realized from a stainless alloy. This design reliably protects the material from corrosion and extends its service life. This product is suitable for making straight and curly cuts. To prevent the hand from jumping off, high stops are provided. To prevent pinching of fingers, an emphasis is made on the drive.

Our experts ranked the product as the best in several positions at once. Due to the thick jaws, the tool is able to cut through a section of ordinary metal up to 1.8 mm. It will also be possible to cut out reinforced sheet metal with a thickness of up to 1.2 mm. In addition to the power, users in the reviews love the convenience of the thick grips. They distribute the load evenly when pressed. Another advantage of the product is its high build quality and long service life. If handled correctly, they will withstand up to 10 years of active use.

Advantages

• compact length 26 cm;
• comfortable grip;
• serve up to 10 years;
• cut through metal up to 1.8 mm.

disadvantages

• there is no retainer in the closed position (they can open on the belt and injure the body);
• high price;
• handle coating is not dielectric;
• this model must be held in the left hand, which is inconvenient for right-handers.

NWS 070-12-350

Rating: 4.8

In second place in the ranking is another product from Germany, but manufactured in the United Arab Emirates. The second name of this model is Pelikan. This is due to the shape of the blades and curved handles, similar to the long beak of a bird. Due to this implementation, it is convenient to cut sheet metal with scissors, placing them both above and below the surface. During the manufacture of knives, they were subjected to additional inductive hardening (heating by an electromagnetic field) and brought to a steel hardness of 57-59 HRC. The tool is 35 cm long and can be operated with one or two hands. The maximum section of the cut metal is 1.2 mm.

In the opinion of our experts, the product should be in the rating due to its high performance in longitudinal cuts. The length of the edges is 8 cm, which allows you to quickly cut sheet metal. The invention of the German company is also distinguished by its convenience due to the built-in spring, which provides easy spreading of the blades for the next pressure.

Advantages

• are much cheaper than other German brands;
• retention versatility (above or below the sheet);
• stop preventing pinching of fingers;
• fast cutting of metal thanks to the edges, 80 mm long.

disadvantages

• have to be held with both hands;
• sometimes the spout may not cut about 8 mm to the edge;
• thin handles;
• there is no lock of the closed position.

KRAFTOOL 2325-L

Rating: 4.7

In third place in the ranking is a German brand assembled in Taiwan. The model is 26 cm long and the working part is made of chromium-molybdenum alloy. The maximum thickness of the cut metal is 1.5 mm. The masters in the reviews note that if you work with corrugated board and profile, with a cross section of up to 0.8 mm, then sharpening lasts a long time, despite everyday use. Thanks to the sophisticated linkage of the levers, no significant pressure is required. High stops prevent the tool from slipping out of wet hands. The structure is connected with bolts and nuts, not rivets, so the tightness of the knives alignment can be adjusted.

We have rated the scissors for their safe performance. The knives are fixed in the closed position with an additional bracket. Such a device is useful for roofers for trimming metal tiles and corrugated board, who often have to place the tool on a belt when moving along the roof. They are also versatile (you can cut longitudinally and trim), so you can get by with one copy on the roof.

Advantages

• high-quality assembly without backlash;
• generously oiled from the factory;
• the blades fit snugly together;
• comfortable rubber grip.

disadvantages

• the coating is not dielectric;
• open wide, which is inconvenient for a person with a small palm;
• reduced working stroke of the blades.

Gross 78327

Rating: 4.6

The fourth place in the ranking was taken by another German product manufactured in China. The model is sold under the name Piranha, as its shape is similar to this river predator. But it is remarkable not only for its external features. The chrome-molybdenum alloy was induction hardened and the knives achieved a hardness of 60-62 HRC, superior to the more expensive brands. This specimen is suitable for non-ferrous metals and stainless steel. Customers in reviews love their two-piece grip that fits comfortably in the hand. All connections in the structure are bolted, so the adjustment of the stroke and the degree of closing of the blades can always be set according to your convenience.

We rated this model as the smallest and most affordable model. With a length of 23 cm, it is useful for drywall and false ceiling installers to cut the profile at height and not carry a heavy tool. The weight of 350 g is almost imperceptible on the belt. In this case, the scissors will cope with a metal section up to 1.5 mm.

Advantages

• high limiters on the handle;
• loop for garter lace;
• increased blade strength;
• compact size and light weight.

disadvantages

• there is no lock of the closed position;
• for short cuts only;
• poor performance.

Best metal nibbling shears

Nibblers differ from other types in their ability to cut not a thin line, but a wide strip in one pass. The device cuts the material at once along two lines, forming a passage with a width of 1 to 3 mm. In addition, the knives have equipment for breaking the chips and removing them, which immediately forms a ready-made hole for installation. Such models from the rating are useful for creating various grooves and cuts in the metal used when installing slopes, ebbs or electrical panels.

KNIPEX KN-9055280

Rating: 4.9

In this rating category, we have identified only one quality model from a German manufacturer. Knipex has supplied the scissors with double knives, which can cut 1.2 mm thick metal. In plastic, it will turn out to cut a groove even with a workpiece thickness of 2 mm. The drive and the working part are made of a chromium-vanadium alloy that does not corrode. On the spout, the manufacturer placed a chipbreaker in the form of a bracket with a protrusion, which provides a clean cut without additional processing of the edges. The maximum width of the grip is 2.7 mm. The tool steel has been oil-hardened to maintain its sharpness longer.

Our experts liked the nibbling shears for their quality and long service life, for which they were included in the rating of the best. In this model, metal cutting and chip breaking are carried out in one click, which reduces the number of manipulations with the workpiece and does not require further processing. The blades in the model are replaceable, so after the exhaustion of their resource, you will not have to buy a new tool, but only equipment for it.

Advantages

• proven manufacturer;
• two-component handle;
• high restraints to prevent hand slipping;
• built-in chipbreaker.

disadvantages

• high price;
• you need to train a lot on rough blanks to master the work;
• poor performance.

Best lever scissors

Lever metal shears have rigid and movable knives. The latter is driven by a long lever that transmits the pressure through a gear mechanism. This design translates small operator pressure into enormous force. Tools from this rating category can cut sheet metal, rods, squares, angles and strips of metal. But due to their large mass and dimensions, they are only suitable for stationary placement in workshops and production facilities.

Enkor Korvet-568

Rating: 4.8

In this category of the ranking of the best, only one model from the Russian manufacturer 'Enkor' stands out. The machine has a fixed lower platform and an upper blade, 200 mm long with adjustable stroke. To prevent the workpiece from moving when pressed, a lock and a threaded clamp are provided. Users in the reviews note the accuracy of the cut and the ease of movement. Even a physically unprepared person can perform operations with such scissors. The unit is able to cut through a taurus or a corner with a section of 40×6 cm, a rod with a diameter of 1.6 cm or a strip 10 cm wide and 1 cm thick.

Our experts have included the product in the rating due to the high power of the machine. This is the best way to organize cutting of thick metal in the absence of electricity. In terms of performance, the model is capable of outperforming angle grinders on serial manipulations for cutting reinforcement, square or strip.

Advantages

• length of knives 20 cm;
• does not require a lot of operator effort;
• maximum metal section 1.6 cm;
• reliable clamping of the workpiece.

disadvantages

• it is required to fix the machine to the surface;
• high price;
• weight of 50 kg makes it difficult to transport and move around the workshop;
• the drive handle is not rubberized.

Best Hydraulic Shears

The hydraulic shears are equipped with a rod inside, driven by oil pressure. A blade is attached to the end of the piston. The opposite side is motionless. The working part is made in the form of a C-shape or with long parallel knives. The operator manually inflates pressure by acting on the handles.

KVT BRG-12

Rating: 4.9

The tool in this category is specific and will only be useful under certain conditions, so we selected only one model from a Russian manufacturer in the rating of the best. Hydraulic shears reproduce a force of 5 tons, so they can easily cut a reinforcement, square or bar with a diameter of 12 mm. For this they have a pumping handle and a cylinder with a piston. The entire body is metal (except for the second handle), which reduces the likelihood of damage if dropped. A valve with signed arrows is provided for quick pressure relief. It is convenient to transport scissors from object to object in a plastic case included in the kit.

The masters in the reviews like that the goods are not subject to mandatory certification according to technical regulations (the official letter of the manufacturer on the sellers' website), so its use is not limited by anything at objects subject to state control. And our experts liked the product by lightly cutting reinforcement with a cross section of up to 12 mm, which is practical when knitting an armored belt during construction work. This does not require pulling power lines to the top of the building, and the hydraulics will protect against fatigue of the hand.

Advantages

• valve for quick pressure relief;
• durable body;
• cutting force of 5 tons;
• practical carrying case.

disadvantages

• uncomfortable handle;
• work proceeds slowly (you need to pump up pressure);
• the hand gets tired faster from the weight of 2.3 kg.

The best reinforcement shears (bolt cutters)

Rebar shears are designed for cutting bolts, rods and reinforcement using large levers that convert the forces from manual squeezing by the operator. The longer the lever, the more powerful the pressure.

KNIPEX KN-7182950

Rating: 4.8

In the first place in this category of the rating is a product from the German company Knipex. The bolt cutter is available in a red color that is highly distinguishable among building materials, so it is easy to find on site. Masters in reviews praise him for the thick handles that soften the pressure from the levers during work. The metal part is made of chromium-vanadium alloy and has a bar thickness of 11 mm. The material has been additionally oil-hardened for increased strength. The hardness of the cutter is 62 HRC, which is not demonstrated by all competitors. The cutting head can be set in 12 different positions across the opening width, which increases productivity with the same type of manipulation.

Our experts put the model in the rating due to the special shape of the headband. Unlike other scissors for metal, these cutting jaws are designed for lateral insertion of the part. This makes it easier to use in narrow places, since the master needs to place them not perpendicular to the plane, but parallel. This option is great for working with roll nets.

Advantages

• powerful handles with a diameter of 11 mm;
• flat design of jaws and hinge;
• the metal body is powder-coated;
• thick two-piece handles.

disadvantages

• high price;
• inconvenient to carry around the construction site due to the size;
• the weight of 4.11 kg tires the hands faster;
• the cover of the handles is electrically conductive.

STAYER 2330-090 900 mm

Rating: 4.7

In second place in the ranking are products from the Stayer brand, owned by the German corporation Kraftool. The tool is capable of cutting through non-hardened steel (HRC 20) up to 1.6 cm in one press. In the case of hardened bars (with a strength of HRC 30), the scissors will cut the cross-section up to 1.1 cm. To ensure such strength of the blades, the tool steel was hardened with high-frequency currents. Large force is possible due to long 90 cm levers.

We ranked this model as the most powerful and suitable for harsh building conditions. The bolt cutter will handle thick reinforcement without damaging the jaw. Craftsmen, judging by the reviews, like their reinforced connector, which extends the life of the product despite regular loads. The headband is covered with phosphating, so you can work with them in the rain or in wet weather, without fear of ruining the expensive device.

Advantages

• there are holes in the handles for garters;
• stop-limiter, so as not to crush fingers;
• adjustment of the degree of closure of the jaws;
• additional corrosion protection.

disadvantages

• weight 5 kg;
• large dimensions;
• high price;
• a perpendicular approach to the part is required (sufficient space is required).

Brigadir 23000 600 mm

Rating: 4.6

The third place in the rating is occupied by a product from a domestic manufacturer, but from the premium instrument segment. The armature scissors are made of chrome-molybdenum alloy and equipped with a stop to prevent pinching of fingers. The levers are powder coated, resistant to deposits and alkalis, and the working part is phosphated. Review users love the ease of use with minimal customization. The levers are 60 cm long, so they can bite a bolt up to 9 mm in diameter.

Our experts have evaluated the product for its simplicity of design and increased endurance. There is no closing regulator in his scheme, and although this is a minus for the functionality, it also increases the strength of the performance. Metal scissors also weigh only 1 kg, which is much lighter than analogues, and is convenient for use throughout the day or at height.

Advantages

• thick handles;
• phosphated coating on knives;
• light weight 1 kg;
• the simplified design will last a long time.

disadvantages

• high price;
• there is no adjustment according to the degree of convergence of the blades;
• knife nuts thicken the headband.

Enkor 27310

Rating: 4.5

On the fourth place in the rating is another domestic model, but at a more pleasant price. Reinforcing scissors have a length of 60 cm and are equipped with thick handles with a section of 10 mm. The tool is made of chrome vanadium steel and powder coated. By weight, it is lighter than bulky bolt cutters, but not much – the figure is 2.6 kg. The build quality is not inferior to the European one – there is no backlash and casting deformations in the design. To make it convenient to work with scissors for metal, the manufacturer equipped them with embossed pads on the handles containing cutouts for the fingers.

Our experts have included the model in the rating as not inferior in quality to famous brands, but at an affordable price. According to the reviews of the masters, the scissors cut a cross section of 6-8 mm without notching, but this requires a double force setting.

Advantages

• affordable price;
• powder coated;
• ergonomic handles;
• adjustment of the distance between the blades and the pressure when pressed.

disadvantages

• paint quickly gets off on the cutting part;
• high nuts and bolts increase the size of the headband;
• there is little lubrication from the factory – you need to service it yourself.

Zubr 23313-045 450 mm

Rating: 4.4

In the last place in the rating is another domestic product. It is a compact model with a length of 45 cm and belongs to the semi-professional category. The jaws are made of chromium-molybdenum steel and then induction hardened. They do not have a pressure regulator, but the eccentric allows you to adjust the density of the convergence of the blades. They are especially comfortable to hold due to the massive rubber covers on the handles, which most users like in the reviews. Some even manage to work them with one hand, pressing the lever to the body. With such a tool, it will be possible to bite into unhardened metal with a cross section of 0.8 cm and hardened steel up to 0.6 cm.

We recommend these scissors in the rating as practical for occasional work in the yard of a private house. With their help, it will be possible to quickly put up a fence, pull on a mesh fence, mount a frame for weaving grapes, etc. The price of the scissors is also one of the most attractive in the category.

Advantages

• weight 1.5 kg;
• compact dimensions;
• 60 months manufacturer's warranty;
• comfortable handles with drawstring holes.

disadvantages

• no force regulator;
• only suitable for small wire diameters (0.6 and 0.8 cm).

---

Attention! This rating is subjective and does not constitute an advertisement and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.