Bolt cutters can be pretty handy to have in your workshop or even around the house. Top brands offer this tool with various sizes and head types, by combining them customers can pick the most suitable modification for the types of tasks you know you will need them for whether that’s around the house or out at the job site. It’s important to get a decent quality bolt cutter as you can easily damage a pair that was not up to the task at hand.
In this guide, we’ll give some simple advice on what to look for in the best 24 inch bolt cutters on the market and a short checklist to help you start your search.
Best Bolt Cutters Reviews
| Image | Product |
|---|---|
  | Knipex 71 72 610 ✓ Pipe Capacity — 3/8 inches ✓ Length — 610 mm ✓ Weight — 5.57 pounds Check price |
 | Ridgid 14223 ✓ Pipe Capacity — 7/16 inches ✓ Length — 610 mm ✓ Weight — 5.95 pounds Check price |
 | Maxilla FB-24 ✓ Pipe Capacity — 3/8 inches ✓ Length — 610 mm ✓ Weight — 8.2 pounds Check price |
 | Greenlee BC24P ✓ Pipe Capacity — 3/8 inches ✓ Length — 610 mm ✓ Weight — 6.2 pounds Check price |
 | Tolsen 24 inch Bolt Cutter ✓ Pipe Capacity — 3/8 inches ✓ Length — 610 mm ✓ Weight — 5 pounds Check price |
 | Apex Tool 0290MC ✓ Pipe Capacity — 3/8 inches ✓ Length — 762 mm ✓ Weight — 9 pounds Check price |
 | Fuller Tool Pro Series ✓ Pipe Capacity — 5/6 inches ✓ Length — 457 mm ✓ Weight — 3.45 pounds Check price |
 | WorkPro W017006A ✓ Pipe Capacity — 5/16 inches ✓ Length — 610 mm ✓ Weight — 5.3 pounds Check price |
1. Knipex 71 72 610 – Best Heavy Duty Bolt Cutter For Hardened Steel
Providing a high level of cutting performance, Knipex’s Large Bolt Cutters are simple to use with very slight effort thanks to the design of its handle of the thought-over form, transmission ratio, and center edge cutter. Knipex provides up to 48 HRC (Rockwell scale) cutting capacity. Comfort multi-component grip handles feature a shock absorber to help maximally reduce the effort necessary to use them. You also get accurate twelve position adjustments, a removable head, and induction hardened chrome vanadium blades.
This heavy-duty steel cutter features joints that use a special tool to forge the steel while the handle is created from steel tubing and finished with a powder coating. The steel that is used in the Knipex 71 72 610 is precision hardened to a maximum 0.8% carbon with defined parts made of vanadium and chromium which guarantees optimal service life and cutting performance.
Technical specs
- Pipe Capacity — 3/8 inches
- Cutting Capacity — 48 HRC
- Cutting Edge Hardness — 62 HRC
- Steel — Hardened with a maximum of 0.8 percent carbon and defined parts of chromium and vanadium
- Length — 610 mm
- Features — Precise adjustment (12 positions), Ergonomically angled handles, Forged on stopper with comfortable shock- absorber
Pros
- A well-made product that is worth the price
- No sign of wear on cutting edges
- Cuts like a hot knife through butter
Cons
- None
2. Ridgid 14223 – Best Center Cut Bolt Cutter
If you are searching for a practical tool to add to your toolbox, the RIDGID Model S24 Bolt Cutters are engineered and built to give you the most blade life. With sturdy jaws made of hardened alloy steel, the S24 uses an internal, one-step cam mechanism that guarantees accurate ensures blade alignment. Both the grips and handles are created to give you a better mechanical advantage for controlled cutting.
They also give you a center cut with a 3/8-inch capacity for apply on medium metals, a 7/16-inch capacity for apply on soft metals, and a 5/16-inch capacity for apply on hard metals. Measuring 26 inches overall, the RIDGID S24 is perfect for slit wire, screws, rivets and bolts. Made of stainless steel and spring wire, these cutting tool also feature a reinforcing rod and a heat-treated rod.
Technical specs
- Pipe Capacity — 7/16 inches
- Cutting Capacity — 42 HRC
- Steel — Hardened alloy steel
- Length — 610 mm
- Features — One-step internal cam mechanism
Pros
- Great heavy-duty bolt cutter
- Works well on a stainless-steel cable
- Jaws are adjustable making them very versatile
Cons
- None
3. Maxilla FB-24 – Most Ergonomic Bolt Cutter
Designed to give you the most durability and strength, the Maxilla FB-24 Bolt Cutters fold up into almost half their working size. With jaws made from Cr-Mo steel, you get long-lasting blade life with the most strength and resistance to wear. Perfect for bolts, concrete rebar and form ties, wire mesh, and rods, the FB-24 features levers that lock to keep the arms either closed or open for easier carrying and compact storage.
Featuring ergonomic handles that are wide and allow for a better mechanical advantage, the rugged grip allows you to have more controlled and confident cutting. Available in either 36, 24, or 18-inch sizes, they are quick to take on any type of job. You also get great rust resistance with their black-oxide finish, and the cutting head uses a simple and fast way to maintain precise alignment of the blade through the tool’s life.
Technical specs
- Pipe Capacity — 3/8 inches
- Cutting Capacity — 42 HRC
- Steel — Drop-forged Cr-Mo steel
- Handles Coating — Non-slip grip
- Length — 610 mm
- Features — Locking mechanism for compact storage and easy carrying
Pros
- Nice compact profile
- Works well with a nice cut
- Cuts like butter, strong and versatile
- Helpful
Cons
- None
4. Greenlee BC24 – Best Value Bolt Cutter
With a unique cam bolt blade adjustment, the Greenlee BC24 Bolt Cutters provide easy-cut alignment. You get better strength with clevis-mounted blades that are made of forged steel to give them a longer life.
You also get custom rubber grips for maximum power and comfort while using them. Measuring 24 inches long, the Greenlee BC24 is a nice quality set of bolt cutters that are affordable and well-made.
Technical specs
- Pipe Capacity — 3/8 inches
- Steel — Forged steel
- Handles Coating — Custom rubber grips
- Length — 610 mm
- Features — Clevis-mounted blades
Pros
- Well-made and easy to operate
- Great price for a good product
- Nice quality that cuts metal easily
Cons
- None
5. Tolsen Industrial – Best Metal Bolt Cutter
The perfect tool to shred chains, rods, and locks, the Tolsen Industrial Bolt Cutter comes with adjustable bolts that guarantee that your blades are aligned correctly. You also get a cutting head made of hardened steel that can cut a steel rod up to 3/8 inches thick.
Besides you need less effort to employ the Tolsen Industrial Bolt Cutters thanks to its compound cutting action. Essential thing — replaceble and adjustable jaws and the pipe steel handles that feature squishy rubberized non-slip grips.
Technical specs
- Pipe Capacity — 3/8 inches
- Steel — Drop forged hardened steel
- Handles Coating — Non-Slip rubber grips
- Length — 610 mm
- Features — Adjustable and replaceable jaws
Pros
- Cuts metal easily
- Able to customize metal shelves
- Nice antiskid grip
Cons
- None
6. Apex Tool 0290MC – Best Cutting Pressure
Featuring a long cutting life and excellent resistance to wear, the Apex Tool Group 0290MC Bolt Cutters are blameless building contractors, field construction workers, or general plant maintenance. The cutting jaws are made of drop forged alloy steel that is precision ground and features center-cut blades. Plus, steel tubular handles are created to make 0290MC lighter weight and give them more strength.
The Apex 0290MC Bolt Cutters work well on hard, medium, and soft metal stuff and feature toggle joints that can turn fifty pounds of hand pressure into 4000 pounds of cutting pressure. That’s good enough for cutting bike locks and hardened padlocks.
They similarly possess a screw type of adjustment that allows you to realign the edges. Plus, you also get rubber grips on the handles for comfortable handling.
Technical specs
- Pipe Capacity — 3/8 inches
- Cutting Capacity — 48 HRC
- Handles Coating — Rubber grips
- Length — 762 mm
Pros
- Well-made and mighty tool
- Nice quality with no deterioration from use
- Cuts lock easily
Cons
- None
7. Fuller Tool Pro Series – Best Bolt Cutter For The Money
Engineered to give you long life, the Fuller Tool Pro Series Bolt Cutter measure eighteen inches and can freely cut through both regular and soft metal up to 5/6 inches thick. These professional quality bolt cutters contain chrome-molybdenum jaws that are heat hardened to extend their life while their lock plates stop them from loosening after continued use. There is also an adjustment screw to allows an operator to set the jaw’s position when it is closed.
The tubular handles are made of all steel and come with slip-proof rubber grips that are safe and comfortable. The Fuller Tool Pro Series easily fit onto your tool belt or toolbox. Featuring handles that have two sets of hinges, these cutters will easily take on the rustiest bolts, wires and steel rods with a compound cutting action that provides you extra leverage.
Technical specs
- Pipe Capacity — 5/6 inches
- Steel — Heat treated chrome-molybdenum steel
- Handles Coating — Slip-proof rubber grips
- Length — 457 mm
- Features — Two sets of hinges
Pros
- Perfect size to keep in your vehicle
- Handy to have in your shop
- Work well and cut pretty much anything
Cons
- None
8. WORKPRO W017006A – Best Budget Bolt Cutter
Featuring steel jaws made of drop forged chrome molybdenum, the WORKPRO W017006A uses a compound cutting action that requires a little effort. These solid cutters also come with a soft bi-material soft that covers the strong tubular handles.
Measuring 24 inches, the WORKPRO Bolt cutter can slite chains, rivets, wires, rods, and bolts up to 5/16 inch wide. With a handy grip and nice weight, these bolt cutters are a good quality choice in comparison to others on the market.
Technical specs
- Pipe Capacity — 5/16 inches
- Steel — Drop forged chrome-molybdenum steel
- Handles Coating — Bi-material grips
- Length — 610 mm
Pros
- Well-built and solid cutters
- Have a comfortable grip with a nice weight and size
- Better quality than others on the market.
Cons
- Not very strong or heavy-duty
- Takes a couple of times to cut through a chain
Best Bolt Cutter Buying Guide
What do Bolt Cutters look like?
Basically, a bolt cutter is one of the varieties of pliers. The bolt cutter anatomy consists of:
- Blades
- Jaws
- Blade adjustment bolts (in some variations)
- Tool neck
- Handles
- Handles stop
- Handles grips
When do you require a Bolt Cutter?
A very versatile tool, bolt cutters can be used in a great number of different ways including:
- Perfect for tasks that an ordinary tool cannot handle. For instance, it can come in handy to customize or shorten the cables and brakes on a bike shifter.
- Used to cut and slice objects and materials, bolt cutters are great for things that are hard to break or pry loose like chains, hardware cables, wire mesh, and padlocks.
- Can be customized for use on materials like fiberglass handles. This type of tool is very durable and efficient and is used by search and rescue teams.
- Also might be used for trimming electrical wires and is often used by handymen.
Related Reading: How to use bolt cutters [Tutorial]
Advantages of the Bolt Cutter
- Proposed by manufacturers in different forms and shapes, it has specific benefits over other tools.
- Extremely durable and strong, they’re doing great at cutting different types of materials.
- Since their blades are heat treated, bolt cutters can withstand heavy-duty use.
- Since it’s the tool that does the work and not the user, bolt cutters are convenient to use.
- Even though they are very durable, you can easily replace their parts when necessary.
- Bolt cutters are very easy to carry with you.
Bolt Cutters Sizes
- Compact – Used on medium to soft materials, this modification of tool is typically used on threaded or wired rods. If they have a solid jaw, they can be used to cut hard materials such as a bolt or chain.
- Medium Sized – Designed to cut the same type of material that compact cutters can cut, medium-sized cutters have long arms that can cut an object with large diameters while many of the higher and medium-sized cutters can cut harder objects.
- Large – Featuring long handles, large cutters were developed for use on steel rods, copper and aluminum cables, and stainless steel chains.
- Center Bolt Cutters – With blades in the mid of jaws, they are impeccable for cutting through many types of rigid materials due to the slanted edges of their blades that go into the material equally.
- Rather Bolt Cutters – With a ratchet hinge system, rather bolt cutters permit you to put pressure in short intervals on an object instead of continuous pressure.
- End Cutters — Have ends on their blades that are flat so they look similar to a pincer are used to grip and clip materials.
- Shear Bolt Cutters – Are popular for use cutting wire.
Things to Consider Before Buying a Bolt Cutter
It can be a challenge to choose the best bolt cutter. Since this is an everyday tool that you will involve a lot, you want to make sure you get a quality tool that won’t disappoint you with its efficiency.
Blade Quality
Types of actions that you can perform with a cutter are determined by the composition and hardness of the material that is used to make the cutting blade. Steel blades are the preferred material to give you the best results because the stronger the blade the more efficient the tool will perform. Forged steel is also a good choice if you want a hardened edge to give a strong and efficient tool. By using higher quality material, you will get a tool that will last a long time and won’t need a lot of maintenance. You also want an easy-clean blade to help make sure your tool will last you a long time.
Handle
Comfort is an important quality in a bolt cutter, especially in those situations where you will be using it for a while. Look for a non-slip grip and if you are cutting a heavy material that requires a lot of force, you want bolt cutters with long handles that will give additional leverage for a reinforced cut.
Handles for bolt cutters are made of various materials like plastic and steel. And usually, they come with plastic, rubber, or polyurethane grips. Although they are a little more costly, aluminum handles are also pretty common giving the tool significant weight savings and make them easier to move. You should always choose the handle type that is the most appropriate and convenient for the type of work you will be doing. As well, make sure the handle is handy enough when buying a bolt cutter since, if your hand slips, it can cause you to have an accident, so always look for a handle with that non-slip surface.
Weight
Portability is the hallmark of a well-designed bolt cutter. The weight of a bolt cutter is usually a reference toward the handle, but it is important to consider the weight of the entire tool. There is a benefit to a short handle cutter to have a heavy and solid design to give it that additional force in the cutting motion. With a long handle, the tool weighs less and is better making it portable and more efficient.
Others
When picking your own bolt cutters, remember to pay close attention to the blade material and design. Check to it works well for the projects you have planned. Also, pay attention to the number of pounds in the graph “Weight” and the type of handle if you plan to use it for extended periods of time. Once you know the design and blade type your need, you should have no problem choosing the most suitable pairs of bolt cutters.
Good luck!
Be sure to check out our other guides on top 1/2-inch drive ratchets and PVC pipe cutters.
About the author
Eugene M. Carter is a hobbyist and DIY enthusiast.
He always chooses carefully tools for various DIY and automotive projects. Eugene started this website to share his experience and help pick the right tools worth your time and money.
Just what I was looking for, appreciate it for putting up.
I have a pair of Pittsburgh bolt cutters, made in China, and they broke the first time I used them! There’s a flat piece that connects the handle to the fulcrum and it just crumbled like lead. What junk! Don’t buy Pittsburgh.
Thanks for the guide, I’m just going to buy a bolt cutter.
And once more. I was wanting to know if you knew of any forums that cover the same topics discussed here?
I’d really like to be a part of group where I can get responses from other experienced individuals
that share the same interest. If you have any suggestions,
please let me know. Many thanks!