Snap-on diagonal cutters, small.

Best you can buy.

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Marriage is like playing cards...

At first all you want are Hearts and Diamonds.

But in the end, all you really want is a Club and a Spade.

Thanks all for your suggestions. A couple of comments:

1) Planet Waves string winder/cutter - I have one, and it's one of the reasons I'm looking for a better tool. It cuts very well but the bulk of the handle means I can't cut within a mile of the tuner post.

2) Craftsman cutter - That's what I'm using now and what has noticeably dulled after only a few string changes. The sweet spot of the cutter just crushes wound strings now instead of cutting cleanly. Sears must not be making them like they used to! Good point about returning them though - I'll take my pair in this week.

3) Snap-on diagonal cutter - my experience with Snap-On has been nothing but positive. Best tools I've used by far. I'll have to see if I can get a pair of their diagonal cutters.

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Custom Shop '59 Stratocaster
AV Hot Rod '52 Telecaster
AV '56 Stratocaster
'65 Deluxe Reverb Reissue

i use the cable cutters that i have for trimming the brake and gear cables on my push bikes. they seem to work fine

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Fender Blacktop Stratocaster HH Sonic Blue

Fender american special telecaster Olympic White

Squier Vintage Modified Jaguar Surf Green

Vox VT40+

believe it or not, mine came from AVON Cosmetics of all places........

my wife got me a "micro tool kit" in a foldable velcro stripped pouch several yrs. ago....it contained good mini needlenose and wire cutters, jewlers screwdrivers, 1/4" drive socket/bit & handle set, etc.etc.....

over the years i've added better bits, more jewlers screwdrivers, a speedwinder, tweezers,and both Fender & Gibson truss rod wrenches.

the pouch tri-folds into a dandy little 5wx7Lx2d " packet that fits into my hanging "guitar stuff" organizer....perfect for string changes/light maintenance/simple repairs when I don't want/need to drag out my "guitar tool/parts"box.

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i use a set of cheapo wire cutters i have for ten years never had a problem. whats withall the expensive tools . and i cut mine down at the bridge less to pull through . then when i remove the rest. i wrap em up like they were new ones then into the round filing cabinet.

Just a nice pair of rubber handled diagonal cutters. Small enough to fit in a guitar case. I only use them for guitar related work and expect them to last forever.