Lineman's SNIPS - quick demo

quick demonstration on using a set of Lineman's snips. Why you need them. Also, a comparison to regular scissors. This is one of my top five essential tools. It would be a miserable day without these in the field.

One way to not look like a newbie is to be sure you refer to this tool as SNIPS. If you call the scissors in the field, you'll be laughed-at.

[ronitsingh]

I got the normal looking snips you got there at an estate sale and picked up a few more of these over the yrs, never new they were lineman's snips, thought they were some kind of heavy duty contractors scissors. They have been very helpful in cutting all sorts of thick or hard materials, rubber, gaskets etc. The edges have serrations making it easier to hold 'down' what you are cutting, defiantly a good investment to use it for other things as well

[fndne]

They're only snips if you're an electrician. To anyone else who builds things, they're really really good scissors. They're freakin awesome at almost anything you'd ever want to do with scissors of a similar size. Zero blade gap at the point they contact, strong AF, and adjustable, repairable, easy to sharpen.

[greatestunknown]

You could have pointed out the 'comb' on the old 'snips' you have. It works very well for combing the cat5 wires into manageable straight ends to work with.

[deltatech]

We pull the jacket to the side with the ripcord and cut it, because when you cut it it will fold back over the wires and slip into the mod end when you crimp.

[montazmeahii]

After scoring the jacket and using the ripcord, I recommend cutting away the cable under the score mark before cutting away the jacket. The jacket length helps you remember where the score was made. Then cut away the jacket and the ripcord.

[rfarevalo]

The blue "scissors" you are using are actually shears. Scissors have two identical finger holds. I understand many electricians uses the slang "snips" for the nickel colored electrician scissors. They are using that term incorrectly (like calling a wire rope a cable). Klein Tools, Milwaukee, etc. has it correct when they sell these tools as electrician scissors. If you had to fill out the customer forms for export or import for taxation or tariffs, they are certainly scissors and not "snips". ~ From the "call a spade-a-spade" guys.

[brentsido]

I have the all chrome pair they are not very comfortable to use even on the rare occasions it's needed

[chrisfyfe]

Totally agree with you ! Anyone who plays with cables needs snips !

[chatt_chase]

Yeah, you still have to strip them for the screw terminals on doorbells.

[jeSuperfly]

Long time phone man here... they are most definitely called snips. And yes, you will be laughed at!

[davidfisher]

Have never seen these used always sidecutters or tail cutters

[asada]

I am also in same field i suggest you to try USAG 207e or Facom 841A3 line man "scissors" thanks for the video

[thomasseverini]

LOL!!! He actually has another pair of scissors

[dakotafalz]

I pull tons of low voltage and they're definitely called electrician scissors...

[jamesjones-bdlf]

I have the $10 green handle Commercial electric brand. Cheap but effective lol

[joeanonimous]

Around 1:00, you are holding the larger snips wrong. The whole point of the large loop is to put your FINGERS through it. You've got it on your THUMB side.

[austinftwXD]

I've been working in the industry for about a year now, I haven't met anyone who calls them snips.

[dingo]

The yellow pair people call chick snips lmao