A good sprue cutter has a jaw that doesn't compress the part while cutting. This is done by less material and angle on the jaw. The compression creates stress tears which can damage the part. Hence sprue cutters are for sprue not removing parts, though most of us do it anyway. See my
tip. Side cutters used by electricians crush the wire and cut. Sprue cutters tend to be sharper since the material they are used for is soft. Never use sprue cutters for trimming or cutting piano wire or hard brass/copper either. That will ruin a good cutter fast. Much like a seamstress will never cut paper with their shears, only fabric. Keeps the edge sharper longer, so it doesn't tear at the fibers. Cheap tools tend not to last as long and dull quicker because of the materials they are made of.