Update 8/27/2024
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| Dr. Slick Cyclone Nippers |
We started stocking this new Dr. Slick Cyclone Nipper back in Spring of 2024. We have both Black and Gold/Green colors as well as straight cut and angled cut versions. I nice feature of the Cyclone nipper is they come with replacement carbide tungsten cutters, screws, hex key and a steel retention ring.
We put a pair in our daily shop use and so far have exceeded our expectations. They cut braid and dacron backing without any trouble. The machining is right up there with some other available nippers. We have not needed them yet but sure is nice to know they come with replaceable cutting blades. Seems like a solid win so far. Are you currently using the Cyclone nipper? If so please leave a review either here on our blog or on our storefront.
Update 9/10/2020
There's a new kid in town! Simms went to work to create a better nipper. Simms Pro Nipper.
Features durable anodized aluminum handles with stainless steel jaws and rare earth magnets set to opposing force to keep jaws open. Magnetic fly threader holds small flies and guides tippet through the hook eye. BB crusher built in. Hook eye cleaning needle for cleaning the glue out. Lanyard attach point and patterned surface for improved grip Made in the USA. WEIGHT: 0.75 oz (21.2 g). ITEM #: PG-13102
These new nippers have already been a big hit in sales and they should be considering a made in USA tool that comes in at $99.95. They feel good in hand and look great. we'll do a full review when we get some river time on them.
Original Post
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| Nippers, Nippers, Nippers!!! |
Warning!...Biased Reviews Ahead
But I must confess these cnc machined aircraft grade aluminum, hardened stainless steel and anodized to perfection nippers really are better then the ordinary standard nipper. Like many over the top items first deemed as unnecessary somehow become standard when you find yourself resistant to ever go back to ordinary once you have experienced better. The three pictured are in fact my own personal nippers and while I use the excuse I needed them all for testing and reviewing, (sigh), truth is I like them! Read on and I'll tell you why.Abel Nippers
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| Abel Nippers in Platinum Finish |
Hatch Nippers
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| Hatch Nippers in Blue Finish |
Simms Guide Nippers
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| Simms Guide Nippers in Titanium Finish |
The eye buster is almost too exposed for my liking but again I've yet to experience a concerning issue. Simms also improved the package this year with offering a sleek looking and functioning adjustable Lanyard. Made in USA...Guide Nippers $69.95 / Lanyard $29.95
More Nerdy Details
Lanyards
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| Lanyards |
Size Matters
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| Another Cutting Angle |
Attachment Points
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| Nipper Rings |
Do They Cut (Nip)
I did some nip testing. Of course all of them cut whatever nylon or fluorocarbon tippet/leader material you could throw at them. I couldn't really tell a difference in cut quality or effort to operate. I also tested them with cutting braid material. Braid is tough for anything to cut cleanly. All three Nippers managed to cut any braid I tried but none of them really nips it cleanly unless you pull the braid line across or against the cutting edge of the nippers. Then they all did a pretty good job. I feel the Abel Nippers with having both jaws sharpened may have had a slight edge over the others. It's really hard to determine and I think cutting braid may have as much to do with technique as anything else.The Final Nip
This is where I do my best not to show bias. Yeah Right! You'd think I'd know by now there is no such thing as a non-bias review.I think it's hard to beat the Abel Nippers. The design, originality, finish and ergonomics all are about as perfect as it gets. The only thing I can knock them for is the ever increasing price.
I can easily see why the Hatch Nippers appeal to many anglers with a larger size and larger opening for ease of use. Even though I prefer smaller nippers to appease the minimalist in me, I can't really knock Hatch for their size because they appeal to those who prefer bigger. Nothing wrong with that. Hatch provides a great looking quality alternative choice in Nippers. Steep at $100 but don't forget when comparing, Hatch Nippers include the Lanyard.
The New Simms Guide Nipper is several steps of improvement over their original nipper entry which just didn't Nip it! HaHa! I think they appeal to those who want the premium style nipper but draw a line at a price point.
Time to "Nip it in the Bud"
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2/21/2017 - Update
In reference to comments here is pictures of what I do to attach my nippers. I do use a lanyard at times. If I use a lanyard it is usually summer fishing from a boat, with no waders on. My rule of thumb is no more then one item around neck.Notice to avoid piercing a hole in my wader strap I devised a little loop of webbing. Also notice (pay attention Simms) the already ripped out integrated utility tab, yeah, not so secure. Redington had the best thing going on their Sonic Pro waders with an actual D-rings attached solidly on both suspenders but when they brought out the new 2017 model it was MIA. What a shame!
With the carabiner I have the option to move them wherever I want them or store them away in my pack and feel pretty secure that I am not going to lose them to a faulty intrusive zinger.
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Thanks for the review I have been wondering how the new simms nippers worked compared to the 1st Gen. ones
ReplyDeleteGreat review. I have the Abel nippers but am slightly worried about losing them due to the cost. My worry is around preferring a zinger to a lanyard and I've had quite a few zingers either come lose, wire snap or just fall off never to be found again. Any recommendations for a really solid zinger that can be relied upon? Would love to see that review.
ReplyDeleteThanks for taking the time to read my review. I do have some thoughts on zingers, I don't like them! lol...and for all the same reasons you mentioned. The Abel Zinger is pretty fancy but not my style or acceptable price range. I almost like the coil cord type such as the simms but they still have a terrible pin style attachment point that leaves holes in your gear and pierces your fingers when attempting to attach. The fishpond zinger may be considered due to its heavy pin and spring load detention and the way in which it allows a freedom of 360 degree movement. I understand the lanyard issue...with a buff around your neck, and a sling pack strap now add a lanyard and at some point you are going to accidentally strangle yourself. I think I have a time or two! What I should have mentioned in my review is what I use most of the time especially when wearing waders. I use a small carabiner and attach to my waders or my pack. I'll shoot a picture and load it in this post. That seems to work well for me. I have piece of mind that I wont lose them, Easy to switch between different needs and not too dangly feeling. Thanks, and we'll put that zinger review idea on our blog list.
ReplyDeleteBest,
Greg
Been thinking about some high quality nippers for a long time. Thanks for the review! I would love to see a zinger review myself...
ReplyDeleteHi I have the Abel and the first generation Simms nipper along with the standard sprung steel nipper. I fish small streams over here in England and in doing so, my fly sizes are mostly 20's and the major gripe I have with the Abel and Simms, other than the cutting quality of the Simms. is the hook eye cleaner isn't good for the size of fly I use and the Abel is difficult to access with small flies being tucked away inside the jaws. However the simple nipper has an excellent hook cleaner albeit not as longer lasting cutting edge. I am now looking at the new Orvis nipper which has moving hook cleaner, although the Hatch nippers with lanyard look good too!
ReplyDeleteRegards
Graham
Graham, Thanks for input. Just thinking about what your saying and came to realize we really need a trout size nipper. It doesn't have to cut 100lb shock tippet and one that can clean the eye of a size 28 dry. Those Orvis Nippers look pretty cool but I just read a review on the Orvis site were the reviewer criticized it for the eye cleaner saying it has already started to bend. I took a closer look at my collection of nippers. I noticed the Hatch nipper eye cleaner appears thinner and more needle like. Best, Greg
DeleteI'm just 'old school,' I guess, but why would pay $75.00 for what are glorified toe nail clippers? That aside, they do look like a cool bit 'o-kit.
ReplyDeleteIs there any Nipper that cut rio wire bite of 20 lb?
ReplyDeleteGreat Question. I'm going to go with NO! I'm not saying they won't but none of the manufacturers will lay claim that they will cut wire bite tippet. Now with full disclaimer in place and I happen to have a spool of rio 20lb wire, and here is the results I came up with. The Abel nippers cut through just fine. The Simmms did not cut through and I didn't force them too. My Hatch nippers are currently not available for me to test. Considering the Hatch have tungsten carbide blades it shouldn't be a problem. But, we have to remember the Abel nippers have an advantage of both blades are sharpened and aligned for cutting. other nipper brands use the one sharp, one anvil type of system for cutting.
DeleteHi Greg, realize this post is a couple of years old but it still pops up on Google nippers search. Just wondering if you have used the newest Simms “Pro” nipper & how it compares to the others in this review? Thanks!
ReplyDeleteHi Brandon, Thanks for asking. I have to answer "not officially" yet! I have had them in my hands and would like to comment on them. Made in USA and very nicely done. They feel quality. They also include some very nice features if you need them such as the magnetic fly threader and BB crusher. Magnet instead of springs to keep open, interesting! First impression is very good. By the way I still have my old Simms Guide nippers and they are still going strong.
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