I just purchased a pair of Klein tie tensioners, you feed the tie end through the tool and squeeze the trigger until you get a tension you like, then pull a secondary handle to snip them. I think I paid 32 dollars for them, but these are making me second guess my purchase now lol. I know you mentioned that the ones you had used previously were a few hundred dollars and I believe that's why I never bought them, last time I checked I swear they were like 80 or so for questionable ones, but I was willing to risk it for the Klein ones. I'm not sure why they've suddenly become affordable, but I guess if I don't find them to be sufficient I will keep these Tsunodas in mind. I love buying tools made in USA, Japan, Germany, even Spain... if I can avoid a Chinese, Taiwanese, or Indian tool I typically do. Likely the Klein ones will be made in China, and while typically Chinese and Taiwanese tools can be quality pieces (heck the tool truck brands make most of their equipment in China and Taiwan now) I still prefer to support companies willing to make tools in the previously mentioned places. I have a few tools from more interesting places, Belarus, Canada, maybe a few others I'm forgetting. Always tickles my fancy to see something like that.
Did the pliers age well especially the sharpness? I'm planning on getting a pair of the more expensive nippers Tsunoda has, and I'd like to know if the quality lives up to the price
Hello! Yes, they’ve held up VERY well. They’re still razor sharp. You have to be careful not to run your finger along the cutting edge, or they will cut you. You also have to be disciplined enough not to cut anything but zip ties with them. After 5 months, they’re holding up well.
I can't vouch for the quality, but if you search online for metal tie tensioner you can find a pair that says it will tension stainless ties as well as cut them. I use the metal ties more often than the plastic honestly, I live in Florida so anything I use a tie on outside gets the stainless as the plastic ones become brittle in less than a year, but I haven't bought a pair of them to try. I'm a bit skeptical of how well they would work, but there are a few options with fairly decent reviews.
