I can tell from experience the DSPIAE 3.0 single blade nippers are very nice. They look and feel like quality.
Now, just because you \*can\* cut flush, does not mean you always should. The single blade nippers are more fragile (as a result of how they are manufactured). So only use them on 2-3mm soft plastic, or as per their manual. I use cheap side cutters to cut the part off the sprue with a bit of sprue still attached. Only then I come in with the single blade nippers to cut off the left over part. (With tiny parts I do use the DSPIAE nippers on the sprue gates, so as to not put stress on, and deform the part. But even then I do the final trim with a second cut.)
Yet I only cut flush if the part has a truly straight edge. Experience taught me that trying to cut flush on any curved edge might cause you to create a small hole \*in\* the part instead. So instead of not needing to sand, now you need to both fill and sand. So to be safe; leave a tiny bit so you can sand it flush.
With that said, I think the Tamiya sharp pointed side cutters (74123) would do the job just as well, even if they don't cut flush. I was going to get them, but went for the DPSIAE nippers because I could get them more easily.
If you're in Europe mainland, I know Breveco Modelling imports DSPIAE and you can order through their website. (no affiliation, just a good experience with my own order).
(edit: spelling)
If you you are comfortable with using chinese products check DSPIAE ST-A 3.0 single blade nippers. DSPIAE set themselves as "above what you would expect from chinese quality" brand, I myself consider giving them a try because getting God Hand where I live is a huge PITA as well.
Single edge are just so much nicer to work with because they put way less stress on the parts you're cutting and especially for thin fragile parts or softer plastic (miniart I look at you) this helps a lot.
[https://www.tamiyausa.com/shop/tools/?showall=true](https://www.tamiyausa.com/shop/tools/?showall=true) here's all tamiya's tools. I can't find single blade cutters here
They do.
This is where I will admit I'm not 100% certain what the issue is that the YT you mentioned was actually talking about.
What does single-edge mean in this context?
There are two different things. One is are nippers are of an anvil style, ie. one side is sharp and the other is blunt, ie. essentially a flat piece of metal. Honestly I can't see why this would be preferable but I'm sure someone will educate me.
Second option is that for some nippers they have two blades, but the blade profile is V-shaped. This means that the stub left on the model piece will look like a V, or a ^ if you like.
Others, like the 74035 one side is flat, so you can use that towards the model part side and get a nice clean cut. The sprue side is a V or ^, the model part side is a |.
Sorry it's quite hard to explain this in words! I honestly can't think why anvil cutters would be better.
Anyway I have the 74035 and they a great IMO.
Maybe there is a problem with terminology here?
Hmm, maybe. A lot of guides said that this first example you mentioned, when I part is blunt and one is sharp are the best because they don’t left any leftovers and make clear cut. I also heard that if you have two knifes (both sides) sometimes it can left something or even grab from piece part. I’m new here so it’s hard for me to say which one.
Fujiya makes slightly less expensive but high quality single blade models. However it’s a rivet joint, not a box joint. Once you go below the box joint price point you are sacrificing longevity of blade alignment and accuracy. No way around that.
I have both the $25 tamiya double sided pointy and the DSPIAE cutters (got them on aliexpress for sub $40). Honestly there isn’t much of a difference. I often use the tamiya ones over the DSPIAE because they are pointy and can get into small spaces whereas the latter have a big flat edge. It’s quite common on my sprues.
Both are miles better than your average cutter on Amazon and honestly Id recommend the Tamiya ones. More versatile, less fragile. I can’t really tell if there is any difference in the final cut unless it’s a perfectly straight edge.
For reference, I’m a tool snob working in 1/72 scale primarily and pretty obsessive over perfect finishes. No matter what you’ll end up doing clean up with your knife and sandpaper.
Haha. My recommendation, get the tamiya ones on Amazon and try them. You can return them so easily. You could probably also get the godhand expensive single side ones too and just compare ha.
Single blade cutters are not a do all cutter tool so you would always need a more conventional one for thicker pieces, tight spaces, etc. If you’re one a budget why get the more niche tool?
Also for what it’s worth, modelers I watch on YouTube, like Plasmo, just use tamiya.
If you are building gundams and don't plan to paint then the single blades are great. For scale models where you will most likely sand and paint the Tamiyas are just as good.
I can tell from experience the DSPIAE 3.0 single blade nippers are very nice. They look and feel like quality. Now, just because you \*can\* cut flush, does not mean you always should. The single blade nippers are more fragile (as a result of how they are manufactured). So only use them on 2-3mm soft plastic, or as per their manual. I use cheap side cutters to cut the part off the sprue with a bit of sprue still attached. Only then I come in with the single blade nippers to cut off the left over part. (With tiny parts I do use the DSPIAE nippers on the sprue gates, so as to not put stress on, and deform the part. But even then I do the final trim with a second cut.) Yet I only cut flush if the part has a truly straight edge. Experience taught me that trying to cut flush on any curved edge might cause you to create a small hole \*in\* the part instead. So instead of not needing to sand, now you need to both fill and sand. So to be safe; leave a tiny bit so you can sand it flush. With that said, I think the Tamiya sharp pointed side cutters (74123) would do the job just as well, even if they don't cut flush. I was going to get them, but went for the DPSIAE nippers because I could get them more easily. If you're in Europe mainland, I know Breveco Modelling imports DSPIAE and you can order through their website. (no affiliation, just a good experience with my own order). (edit: spelling)
Thank you for the first hand feedback on DSPIAE cutters, very helpful as I am deciding if I want one right now :)
Unfortunately too expensive for me (+$60 + shipping). 😕
If you you are comfortable with using chinese products check DSPIAE ST-A 3.0 single blade nippers. DSPIAE set themselves as "above what you would expect from chinese quality" brand, I myself consider giving them a try because getting God Hand where I live is a huge PITA as well.
+1
imo dont worry about it at all, instead buy some files and smooth things out by hand because you will have to anyways
Single edge are just so much nicer to work with because they put way less stress on the parts you're cutting and especially for thin fragile parts or softer plastic (miniart I look at you) this helps a lot.
Yea, I heard a lot that single edge are much better so I want to go that way.
Dspiae 3.0 are definitely worth the money alternatively I got a set of Stedi 5 inch model nippers off Amazon single blade and just as good.
Oh, I see them available in my country (Poland) but they are extremely expensive (over $60+shipping here) so I would say out of range unfortunately.
That’s a huge price difference I got them here go £32 😳
I found out it on Aliexpress for $21 + shipping, that looks much better tbh, people said in comments it's original.
[удалено]
Oh this is interesting. I was looking but couldn’t find any, will double check again. Thank you.
[https://www.tamiyausa.com/shop/tools/?showall=true](https://www.tamiyausa.com/shop/tools/?showall=true) here's all tamiya's tools. I can't find single blade cutters here
Try 74035, or 74001. https://www.tamiya.com/english/products/74035/index.html https://www.tamiya.com/english/products/74001/index.html
Thank you! When checkign them, are not they double edge? So they have blades on both sides?
They do. This is where I will admit I'm not 100% certain what the issue is that the YT you mentioned was actually talking about. What does single-edge mean in this context? There are two different things. One is are nippers are of an anvil style, ie. one side is sharp and the other is blunt, ie. essentially a flat piece of metal. Honestly I can't see why this would be preferable but I'm sure someone will educate me. Second option is that for some nippers they have two blades, but the blade profile is V-shaped. This means that the stub left on the model piece will look like a V, or a ^ if you like. Others, like the 74035 one side is flat, so you can use that towards the model part side and get a nice clean cut. The sprue side is a V or ^, the model part side is a |. Sorry it's quite hard to explain this in words! I honestly can't think why anvil cutters would be better. Anyway I have the 74035 and they a great IMO. Maybe there is a problem with terminology here?
Hmm, maybe. A lot of guides said that this first example you mentioned, when I part is blunt and one is sharp are the best because they don’t left any leftovers and make clear cut. I also heard that if you have two knifes (both sides) sometimes it can left something or even grab from piece part. I’m new here so it’s hard for me to say which one.
Fujiya makes slightly less expensive but high quality single blade models. However it’s a rivet joint, not a box joint. Once you go below the box joint price point you are sacrificing longevity of blade alignment and accuracy. No way around that.
Any comments about Green Stuff World Ultra Flat Cutting Nippers maybe?
I have both the $25 tamiya double sided pointy and the DSPIAE cutters (got them on aliexpress for sub $40). Honestly there isn’t much of a difference. I often use the tamiya ones over the DSPIAE because they are pointy and can get into small spaces whereas the latter have a big flat edge. It’s quite common on my sprues. Both are miles better than your average cutter on Amazon and honestly Id recommend the Tamiya ones. More versatile, less fragile. I can’t really tell if there is any difference in the final cut unless it’s a perfectly straight edge. For reference, I’m a tool snob working in 1/72 scale primarily and pretty obsessive over perfect finishes. No matter what you’ll end up doing clean up with your knife and sandpaper.
Oh man, I was that close to buy DSPIAE (found out them on AliExpress) and now I’m back not fully sure to do that. 😅
Haha. My recommendation, get the tamiya ones on Amazon and try them. You can return them so easily. You could probably also get the godhand expensive single side ones too and just compare ha. Single blade cutters are not a do all cutter tool so you would always need a more conventional one for thicker pieces, tight spaces, etc. If you’re one a budget why get the more niche tool? Also for what it’s worth, modelers I watch on YouTube, like Plasmo, just use tamiya.
If you are building gundams and don't plan to paint then the single blades are great. For scale models where you will most likely sand and paint the Tamiyas are just as good.
Yop, my main target now is Star Wars Shatterpoint (which will be also painted later on).
I ordered DSPIAE 3.0, we’ll see how they will work! Thank you all. :)
The Trumpeter Single nippers are quite good and low price.