8 best profile cutters

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.

Cutters are used when installing plasterboard partitions and installing suspended ceilings. They allow you to temporarily connect the profile to each other by performing a preliminary assembly, after which the structure is fastened thoroughly with self-tapping screws for metal. The cutter consists of a bracket, a stop and a punch, as well as two handles that act as a lever. To correctly choose such pliers for professional activities or do-it-yourself repairs in an apartment, pay attention to our list of the best cutters, containing technical information and reviews.

Rating of the best profile cutters

When compiling the TOP-8 cutters for mounting a profile, we were guided by key characteristics, which include: maximum cut through section, tool weight, ease of use with one or two hands, workmanship and service life. Our experts also paid attention to the reviews of the masters on specific positions in order to better understand the pros and cons of the product in real use.

Nomination	a place	Name of product	price
Rating of the best profile cutters	1	KNIPEX 9042340	RUB 9,238
	2	MATRIX 87951	RUB 925
	3	Enkor 51651	1 170 RUB
	4	STAYER 250 mm 31381	1 301 rub.
	5	Enkor 51650	RUB 1,130
	6	Sparta 87952	RUB 611
	7	DEXX 31391	389 r
	8	Enkor 51652	578 r

KNIPEX 9042340

Rating: 4.9

The experts put goods from KNIPEX in the first place. This is a professional cutter designed for a profile section of up to 1.2 mm (0.6 mm on each side). The configuration of the bracket allows you to connect both U-shaped and square profiles. The tool has an increased safety margin, because it is assembled on thick axles. The cutter is comfortable to hold thanks to the two-component handles with stops. Masters in the reviews share that minimum effort is required to work with the cutter, since long levers make it easier to squeeze the profile walls. But this also plays the opposite role, because you have to hold the inventory with both hands, and in some cases you cannot do without an assistant. The owners are also pleased with the ability of the cutter to bend the cut walls at an angle of 90 degrees.

We put the notch in first place due to the high quality of both the levers on the axles and the piercer itself with the stop. The profile fastener will last up to 25 years in everyday professional use.

Advantages

• high hand restraints;
• black oil-hardened steel;
• slitting 1.2 mm in thickness;
• minimum compression force.

disadvantages

• holding the cutter is required with two hands;
• weighs almost 1 kg;
• the shallow depth of the bracket leads to a close location of self-tapping screws in the future;
• high price.

MATRIX 87951

Rating: 4.8

A professional cutter made of tool steel is sold under the MATRIX brand. Its punch is oil-hardened for increased strength. It can be used to connect profiles of 27×28 and even 60×27 mm. When cutting through a galvanized wall, a tapered hole is obtained that holds the two sides together. The subsequent fastening with self-tapping screws is carried out without additional effort. Two rubberized grips prevent ticks from slipping, even in sweaty hands. In the reviews, the masters are glad that with this cutter it is possible to fasten the profile with one hand, so during installation you can do without an assistant.

We considered the product to be the best because of the extra thick brace, which increases the overall structural strength. The reinforced cutter is useful to cut the profile section up to 1.5 mm. If over time the axles wear out and play appears, they can be replaced, since these places are not rivets, but bolted connections.

Advantages

• rubber handles do not slip in hands;
• made of durable steel;
• you can work with one hand;
• replacement of worn axles is provided.

disadvantages

• no blocking of handles for transportation;
• weak return spring.

Enkor 51651

Rating: 4.7

This model for mounting profiles for drywall is very similar to the previous one, except for the shape of the bracket, which is more rectangular rather than semicircular. The movement of the punch is carried out by transferring the force from the lever through three axes. Rubberized cutter handles increase grip reliability. Due to the presence of a return spring, the convenience of work increases – all manipulations are not difficult to perform with one hand. In the reviews, the owners are satisfied with the ease of movement of the levers and the maintainability of the cutter. The short length of 25 cm allows you to put inventory in the narrowest places, for example, when assembling niches or installing a suspended ceiling, close to the main floor.

Such a cutter also belongs to the reinforced type and is intended for temporary connection of profile walls with a cross-section of up to 0.8 mm, which in total allows piercing a thickness of 1.6 mm. Choose this item to work with a thick profile.

Advantages

• the ability to replace axles;
• comfortable handles;
• relatively light weight of 500 g;
• there is a return spring.

disadvantages

• handles are not blocked from spontaneous closing;
• the connection is easily pulled apart under load.

STAYER 250 mm 31381

Rating: 4.6

The STAYER brand offers a cutter with a length of 25 cm, which is convenient for the construction of freestanding plasterboard partitions. The punch is capable of piercing metal with a cross section of 1.2 mm. The product weighs 530 g, so it doesn't tire your hands too much. Owner reviews show that the pliers are assembled with high quality, easily cut through the profile and unfold the walls for fixation. The tool can be operated with one hand, which increases productivity and does not require an assistant. The punch of the cutter is made of high-strength steel and retains its shape for a long time. If necessary, it can be replaced, for which the company sells individual elements.

Our experts ranked the notch as the best due to the three layers of rubber on the handles. This greatly improves the comfort of the grip and prevents the appearance of calluses during daily use.

Advantages

• reinforced throat construction;
• durable tool steel;
• compact dimensions with a length of 25 cm;
• the possibility of replacing the axles.

disadvantages

• it is difficult to crawl up to the profile from the wall;
• the wiring of the bracket allows you to fix only the rack profile to the rail.

Enkor 51650

Rating: 4.5

The review of the best cutter from the “Enkor” brand continues, which has a length of 30 cm and is designed for two-handed operation. Due to the lengthened levers, it is convenient to attach the profile under the ceilings with a height of 3-3.5 m with the tool. The small-sized bracket allows you to push the working head of the cutter into the most inaccessible places, which the owners like in the reviews. Buyers also praise the quality of the metal bending, as well as the ability to make cuts in different places from each other, changing the angle of the tooling. Despite the small bracket, the claws turned out to be quite strong, therefore they are able to connect a profile with a total thickness of 1.6 mm.

According to the editors of the magazine, the cutter is the best for attaching a profile with a high curved rim on the ends of a U-shaped (rack-mount). For this, the device design provides for the opening of the throat by 16 mm, against 5-8 mm, as in competitors. This functionality is perfect for the installation of a reinforced galvanized profile in the places where interior doors are installed, where there will be more load from the sash claps.

Advantages

• anti-slip handles;
• durable steel construction;
• ergonomic cutouts;
• compact bracket.

disadvantages

• requires the simultaneous use of two hands;
• not everywhere you can buy.

Sparta 87952

Rating: 4.4

And here is a more affordable cutter from the Sparta brand. The device is designed for two-handed operation and contains a punch with a roller stop. But there is no return spring here, so after each squeezing, you will have to unclench the handles to remove the punch. Users praise the product for its soft work and 90 degree turn of the metal. The tool weighs 750 g and is able to bond steel with a section of 1 mm. The rubberized grips are designed for large hands so that the user does not come into contact with the iron. Unlike competitors, it has a welded bracket rather than a one-piece design, which explains its reduced cost. But the welds are of high quality, so this does not affect the strength of the tool.

This punch is simpler than the models described above, since its design of the levers transfers the force to the punch through only one axis. Consequently, the model is easier to repair, in case a backlash appears over time. It is quite possible to eliminate laxity with your own hands.

Advantages

• more affordable price than competitors;
• rubberized handles;
• high quality welded seams;
• absolutely smooth front side of the profile.

disadvantages

• requires the use of two hands;
• no return spring;
• the high upper “lip” is not included in all profile types.

DEXX 31391

Rating: 4.3

A similar model, only from the German brand DEXX. A cutter for working with a guide profile, since its head simply does not fit into the rack. In reviews, buyers share that they use it to assemble boxes for batteries or work with a 27 mm profile. The craftsmen are pleased with the quick puncture of galvanized steel and the fact that the operator does not need to exert much effort. The cutter is made in China, but under the control and technology of a German company. The simple design and assembly of the staple from several elements by welding helps to reduce its cost compared to other competitors. The cutter weighs 700 g and the tool length is 30.5 cm.

In our opinion, the cutter is the best among analogs due to the special material of the handles. It is a porous rubber that does not chafe hands. The linings are made in a cast way, so they do not fall off during intensive use. The material is good at absorbing sweat and improves grip.

Advantages

• unpretentious to use;
• long levers do not require effort from the user;
• convenient for installation of suspended ceilings with a height of 3 m;
• thick rubber handles;

disadvantages

• there is no spring in the return mechanism;
• does not fit into the rack profile.

Enkor 51652

Rating: 4.2

The review is completed by another two-handed notch, which has a length of 30 cm and is designed to pierce a section of 1.6 mm. The manufacturer has endowed the tongs with anti-slip grips so that the master can confidently hold them in his hands. Although the specifications indicate that the tooling of the cutter is capable of bending, in practice this does not happen. The forward movement of the punch is carried out by means of a roller pusher, and the retraction provides a protrusion on the movable part of the lever. The overall construction is made of stainless steel and does not require painting. The punch itself is cast from ShKh15 carbon steel and is characterized by increased strength.

Although this is a household cutter, customer reviews show that it is able to pierce three Knauf profiles at once, 0.6 mm each, which makes up 1.8 mm in total. This exceeds the characteristics declared by the manufacturer and makes the cutter the best in terms of pressing force, which is suitable for installing partitions when rearranging walls in an apartment.

Advantages

• easily cuts through steel;
• affordable cost;
• able to cut through up to 1.8 mm;
• lies well in the hands.

disadvantages

• regularly jams on the way back;
• does not always fold the “mustache”;
• not the best quality welding of the base of the punch.

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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.