Been using these for a few months now, and I like them. They can cut thicker stuff than my Xcelite 170M at about 1/3 the price. Jaws aren't as tapered as the Xcelite's, but a few minutes on a bench grinder could fix that, if desired.

https://www.harborfreight.com/micro-flush-cutter-90708.html

 

Thhick jaws on a side cutter usually mean cheap steel. But if they work OK for your application that is good enough.

 

You have touched a nostalgic nerve...
Unobtanium superb cutters that served over 20 years; Crescent 200 and Facom piano wire rated. Anyone has any used or a source ?

 

Much handier than a pair of dikes or needle nosers w/ side cutter for trimming the legs off of through-hole components after soldering. Just be sure of the quality as chinesium ones tend to get gapped up pretty badly and ruined cutting steel wire.

 

You have touched a nostalgic nerve...
Unobtanium superb cutters that served over 20 years; Crescent 200 and Facom piano wire rated.

Well, Facom, sure...but I'm not taking a loan out.

 

I’ve had bad luck with side cutters. Too many have had one blade snap off.

 

My goto place for high quality is Wiha.
https://www.wiha.com/int/en/tools/p...tronic/100/diagonal-cutters-electronic?c=8566

https://www.wiha.com/media/pdf/8b/9e/6b/EN_Schneidleistungen.pdf

 

The ones we use at work (and order by the boxful as they get used up / broken fast) are Plato brand.