KNIPEX 70 01 160 SB Diagonal Cutter, 160 mm, Narrow Head

Precision cutting edges are designed to cut both low- and high-strength wire, giving this KNIPEX diagonal cutter a useful range for everyday mechanical work. Its narrow head is intended to reach into tighter spaces.

The 70 01 160 SB has plastic-coated red handles and weighs 193 grams. The stated length is 160 mm, so it is a compact hand tool rather than a large cutting tool.

Cutting capacities are specified separately for soft, medium-hard and hard wire. That makes it easier to judge whether the cutter suits the wire you work with, rather than relying on a general claim of versatility.

Product specs

• Name: KNIPEX 70 01 160 SB Mechanical Side Cutters
• Type: Diagonal cutter
• Length: 160 mm
• Weight: 193 grams
• Handle: Red, plastic-coated
• Head: Narrow
• Cutting edge hardness: Approx. 62 HRC, induction hardened
• Soft wire capacity: Ø 4 mm
• Medium-hard wire capacity: Ø 3 mm
• Hard wire capacity: Ø 2 mm

The product information highlights clean cuts at the tips, including on fine copper wire, as well as precision edges for different wire strengths. The stated capacities are a practical guide when matching the tool to a job: the permitted diameter decreases as the wire gets harder. They do not establish suitability for materials other than wire.

Who it’s for

This is aimed at mechanical tasks where a side cutter needs to handle more than one wire strength, including neat cuts on thin copper wire. The narrow head may be useful when access is awkward, while the 160 mm format keeps the tool suited to hand work rather than larger cutting jobs.

Compared with relying on a basic cutter with no stated capacity range, the listed limits help you decide whether this model matches the wire in front of you. A solid pick if your work involves wire within the stated diameters and you value access to tighter areas. It might not be a great match if the job calls for cutting material other than wire, as no such use is specified here.

What’s included

The listing describes one pair of KNIPEX mechanical side cutters in self-service blister packaging. It does not specify additional accessories, so the purchase should be considered as the cutter itself rather than a kit.

Before you decide

What wire can it cut? The stated capacities are Ø 4 mm for soft wire, Ø 3 mm for medium-hard wire and Ø 2 mm for hard wire. Match the wire type and diameter to the relevant limit.

Is it intended for fine copper wire? Yes. The product details specifically mention clean cutting at the tips on fine copper wire.

Can the narrow head help in restricted spaces? The narrow head is described as suitable for hard-to-reach places, which may help when a broader cutter head would be awkward to position.

Buying verdict

Choose the KNIPEX 70 01 160 SB when its wire capacities, narrow head and plastic-coated handles fit the mechanical work you have in mind. The specific cutting limits are the key decision point: if your wire exceeds them, or you need a tool for a different material, the product details do not support treating this as the right cutter for that job.