Hawkeye's sprue cutters

I agree with your assesment Mike.
In my experience the best cutters I'd used were the Tamiya cutters. They cut so close and perfect that in a lot of cases I didn't even need to trim or sand the sprue gate, it was perfect. They are more the anvil type but both blades are sharp and come together, a feature that also makes them not last as long. Mine dulled up after about two years and there was no sharpening that I could make happen so I relegated them to more mundane tasks.

After I got a set of the new xuron cutters in my mits I was a very happy lad. Everything about them I like. The size, point and angle for tiny parts in tight areas, handles are super comfy and spring loaded to help give the tool more control and stay in my hand better. If they cut as perfect as a new set of Tamiya cutters and would last they'd be directly from model heaven. But I'll sand off that tiny bit left over to keep my blades sharp and lasting longer over replacing the cutter every couple of years anyday. This tool is the best that I've seen (not dissing your micromark tool, I've just not seen one) made for the purpose that it is.

HawkeyeHobbies

I knew you'd like them.

Thanks Gerald.

Was my description correct when I said that they barely bypass as they cut? I noticed when the blades are closed they just barely overlap on the flat backside of the cutting edges with maybe a 1/64" overlap.

I assume this was to get it as close as an anvil cut as possible without actually making the blades come together to resist dulling and pinching somewhat by the action that an anvil type cutter would do?

As a gardener I understand this principle as the best pruners made are bypass pruners like my Felco's are and the anvil type, although they cut nice, are just not as precise in the cut they make and are not recommended near as often as the bypass pruners.

I knew you'd like them.

I just received mine today from ehobbies.com and I tried them out.

In all honesty I do not think they cut much closer or have any less material left over on the cut part than my cam action cutters I have been using for several years from Micro-Mark. They advertise they are bypass action and I expected them to be something like the PE cutters that I also own but they look like they barely bypass on a cut at all. Maybe slightly. Now I would say that if I did not have the cutters I have then these Xuron sprue cutters would be the best choice out there as they are comfortable, have a small tip for removing smaller parts and they are less money. Overall I like them and recommend them though.

I have the current PE cutters and the older sprue cutters, best tools i ever bought. I will be ordering the new sprue cutters at the end of the week, i haven't heard a bad thing about them, only high praise,  and look forward to the new PE ones.

Glad you like them. An example of one modeler helping fellow modelers with a tool that works. The original sprue cutter was good but it was hard for me to hold and use. So I designed something better, working with a great company. I am now in the process of making a new PE Shear with Xuron. Hopefully it will be available in the first quarter of 2010.

Bish

Guys, can you confirm if this is his site.

http://www.hawkeyeshobbies.com/

I still can't find these in the UK so am going to order them direct now that i know i can use paypal.

Yes, it is. The sprue cutter page.

Guys, can you confirm if this is his site.

http://www.hawkeyeshobbies.com/

I still can't find these in the UK so am going to order them direct now that i know i can use paypal.

Very wise investment the pair I got from Hawkeye are my favoriite tool also.They just feel perfect in your hand. I have also bought several other tools from him.(great guy to deal with) Plus I like helping out someone who having never met (and probably never will) but consider a friend through here,give him the buisness instead of some huge company that couldn't care less. Just wish I had more to spend through him lol....

John