The 8 Best Mini Lock Cutters (2023 reviews)

The knipex mini lock cutter should be able to handle its purpose and duties with ease. For someone who ever works with chainlink, this is a vital tool. The Knipex 8" Mini-Bolt Cutters are a top quality tool in a compact package. They also make great dikes and linemens pliers and the best water pump pliers. For a compact pair of bolt-cutters, which double as general heavy-duty nippers, these are perfect. The mechanical advantage takes nearly all the effort out of cutting, allowing you to cut longer without wrist cramps.

The 8-inch Knipex will cut just under a quarter inch bolt (5.2mm) or hardened wire which makes it indispensable when cutting heavier gauge copper wire, nails and screws, or even chain link fence. It's handy size (8") and light weight make it easy to tote in a tool roll or bug out bag. They are nicely made and should hold up for years of work.

Why We Like This:

Cuts small bolts, wire great love them
Nice grip, quality german steel, effortless squeeze
Great for small bolts, screws, nails, and wire

Best For Wire: KOTTO Mini Lock Cutter

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The kotto mini lock cutter is capable of outshining several other cutter featured in this list in overall features for the price point. These cutters are vey capable and do a good job on most light and heavy wire types. It is great for cutting small padlocks and wire. The bolt cutters from this set works great. It is made from t8 steel, overall heat treatment and high frequency quench hardening for high hardness. It's high tensile, very robust material despite it's at times almost foil like appearance.

It is good for cutting small padlocks and wire. The case is sturdy and holds all three pliers.

Why We Like This:

Tough yet compact these are the perfect set
Great chain & wire cutting tools
Has room in case to stuff a couple of other tools in it

Best For cattle panel: WORKPRO Mini Lock Cutter

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Next on the list, we've got yet another cutter that manages to win our hearts. It's the workpro mini lock cutter and it's widely considered as cutter that has the most suitable features. Conventional bolt cutters have a compound hinge arrangement with a single central pivot between the handles, a pair of pivots at the end of handles, and another pair of pivots out on the blades. They successfully cut a 30 ft heavy duty tie out dog cable. It has ergonomic grips and plenty of leverage to accomplish the job.

It has an approximate mechanical advantage of 1 to 8.5 at the ends, with an opening at the cutting tip of 1 cm. The Ergonomic bi-material anti-slip grips provide greater control and comfort in cutting. It is perfect for cutting off hard-to-remove nails at the surface. They are comfortable and easy to use and have a clip to hold them closed when not in use.

Why We Like This:

Full jaw opening with 1" less handle spread
Small bolt cutters are so useful for smaller heavy metal cuts
Easier cutting single or double strand #14 galv barbed wire

Best With lighter Steel: Ares Mini Lock Cutter

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Not everyone likes to purchase cutter for their daily purpose, but the ares mini lock cutter would be an anomoly. There are professional cutters that will cut more cleanly but cost more. This mini bolt cutter features a lever system that is designed to cut heavy duty wire, bolts, nails and rivets. It can cut up to 5mm metal wire (chain link fence) but requires some effort that will get you sore in no time. It will cut the tip (larger) wire pretty easily.

This tool makes it a breeze. It is great with lighter steel, thinner steel, however. The mini bolt cutter's spring design also offers exceptional cutting performance with minimal effort, and the ergonomic handles help to prevent hand fatigue during prolonged use. It is an easy way to clip the sharp edges to make it safe for the grandkids.

Why We Like This:

Cuts through harder metal like butter
Is great design, easy to use, too high value for what it is
Hook is larger and is easy to use
Useful compact 8 inch size bolt cutter

Best For padlock: Shall Mini Lock Cutter

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We know from years of feedback from readers, customers and amazon sellers, what most people want in a convenient and appropriate cutter. The shall mini lock cutter is exactly that - it's a simple cutter that hits all the right notes. Pulling them out they felt pretty light weight with most of the materials being made of a casted material. They do the job just fine for an occasional use and they are super affordable. The ergonomic design of the cutters made it especially easy to handle, with its unique leverage design and precisely aligned blades, even the toughest cables and wires can be cut smoothly.

The handles are smooth and rubber and the small cutters are kept closed at the bottom with a locking mechanism. They are ideal for a homeowner and they look good too. It is of quality material and holds the tools in with a pouch on one end and a Velcro strap on the other. The storage case is pretty decent as well.

Why We Like This:

Easy to carry, featured with lanyard
Tested on 1/8" stainless steel wire rope
Best suited as a heavier duty wire cutter

Best For Small jobs: American Mutt Tools Mini Lock Cutter

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Compared with other cutter in this category, the american mutt tools mini lock cutter has a convenient design. This is definitely a “mini” bolt cutter. It works well for people with smaller hands. It has leverage action and can easily cut through light gauge steel and stainless wire and small nails. It is capable of easily cutting through staples, zip ties, brad nails, chicken wire, and things of that caliber. The handles are hard plastic with a minimal grippy layer. It’s more of an occasional use tool to stick in your pocket such as if you have to climb a ladder or go in the attic and want something lightweight.

The larger ones are of course heavier and more cumbersome to carry around (probably more than twice the size of these) but work very well on items that you might need a small hacksaw to cut. It is super sharp. There is an adjustment screw with a locking nut which allows you to adjust the gap of the cutter if needed.

Why We Like This:

Cuts well and quality is good
Functional cutters that cut pretty well
Perfect for smaller jobs and hands
Open and closing is very smooth

Best For Cutting Small Hard pins: MAXPOWER Mini Lock Cutter

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Not everyone likes to purchase cutter for their daily usage, but the maxpower mini lock cutter would be an anomoly. The 8in/200mm mini bolt cutter from MAXPOWER will be a portable and versatile tool for professional technicians. It works for cutting small hard pins. The C60 carbon steel blades are heat treated and induction hardened for powerful cutting and long durability. The Compound cutting action with an ergonomic pvc grip handle saves the effort, ensures a comfortable non-slip grip and reduces the pressure of your arms for long time use.

It comes with 3mm(1/8in) cutting diameter, it's used to cut wires, bolts, threaded rods, and other metal materials. The Nickel-plated surface makes the blades more rust-proof and anticorrosion. It comes with a safety lock, easy for you to store and carry.

Why We Like This:

Enables it to be more wearproof
Blades are specially induction hardened for strong cutting force
Great for wire, smh boltsscrews, fencing, etc

Best For screw: Duratech Mini Lock Cutter

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The duratech mini lock cutter should be able to handle its purpose and duties with ease. This 8 " wire cable cutter has cutting capacity of from 532 " to 512 " ( 4 - 10 mm ) with sharp edges and high. The handles are well gripped and feel good in the hands. They come in a nicely constructed heavy canvas case, as seems to be pro-forma for many tool collections.

These are good quality tools that should give you many years of service. It can be used in industrial job sites or home improvement projects, repair and disassembly work, etc. The wire cutters and stripper also work as expected. These tools are well made and feel like quality tools.

Why We Like This: