7 Best Small Bolt Cutters For Chicken Wire Old Farmers Swear By

There’s nothing more frustrating than wrestling with a tangled roll of chicken wire, only to have your flimsy pliers mash the wire instead of cutting it. A good pair of small bolt cutters isn’t a luxury on a small farm; it’s a necessity for saving time, your hands, and your sanity. These aren’t just for cutting wire—they’re for snipping old nails, trimming hardware cloth, and getting you out of a hundred other little jams around the property.

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Knipex CoBolt 71 31 200: The Ultimate Farm Tool

When you hold a pair of Knipex CoBolts, you immediately understand the difference between a cheap tool and a professional one. The German engineering provides an incredible mechanical advantage. A gentle squeeze of the handles delivers a surprising amount of cutting force, making quick work of stubborn 16-gauge welded wire that would make other cutters struggle.

The magic is in the high-leverage design and the precision-induction hardened cutting edges, rated at 64 HRC. This means they stay sharp for an incredibly long time, even when you’re using them for things you probably shouldn’t, like snipping off the end of a rusty screw. They bite cleanly through chicken wire without leaving a frayed mess, which is a small detail that matters when you’re trying to twist ends together.

Yes, they are the most expensive tool on this list, and that can be hard to swallow. But think of it as an investment. This is the kind of tool you buy once and use for decades, saving you the cost and frustration of replacing lesser tools every few years. For the serious hobby farmer, the efficiency and reliability are worth every penny.

HK Porter 0690MC: Classic Power and Durability

HK Porter is a name that commands respect in workshops and on farms, and for good reason. Their 8-inch bolt cutters are the definition of a classic, no-nonsense tool. They are built from forged alloy steel with a heft that feels solid and dependable in your hand. There are no fancy gimmicks here, just raw cutting power.

The center-cut jaws are the traditional standard for bolt cutters. They are designed to apply equal pressure from both sides, which is perfect for snapping through wire, small rods, and bolts cleanly. While they might require a bit more hand strength than a high-leverage model like the Knipex, they never feel like they’re going to fail. You can put your full force into them without worrying about flexing or breaking.

This is the tool you can toss in the bed of your UTV, leave in a damp barn, and generally abuse without a second thought. It’s not the most ergonomic or refined cutter, but its sheer toughness makes it a staple. It’s a workhorse, plain and simple, built to handle the rough realities of farm life.

Channellock 87: Compact Rescue Tool Cutter

The Channellock 87 isn’t just a cutter; it’s a compact problem-solver. Originally designed as a rescue tool for firefighters, its purpose is to cut, pry, and wrench in tough situations. That pedigree of reliability makes it an outstandingly versatile tool to keep in your pocket while doing chores.

Its cutting ability is surprisingly robust. The parrot-beak jaws provide a powerful shearing action that snips through chicken wire and hardware cloth with ease. But its true value comes from its other functions. The tip can be used for prying open stuck gates or crates, and the spanner wrench is perfect for tightening hose couplings.

For the farmer who values efficiency and wants to carry as few tools as possible, the Channellock 87 is a top contender. It may not be the absolute best dedicated cutter, but it’s the best tool to have when you’re 500 yards from your workshop and run into an unexpected problem that needs more than just a snip.

Tekton 3386 8-Inch Mini Bolt Cutter for Fencing

If you’re facing a big fencing project, like building a new chicken run or replacing a long stretch of wire, the Tekton 8-inch mini bolt cutter is your best friend. Its standout feature is the compound hinge mechanism. This design multiplies the force from your hands, allowing you to make hundreds of repetitive cuts without fatiguing your grip.

The Cr-Mo steel jaws are tough enough for standard farm wire, from thin chicken wire up to 14-gauge welded fencing. The tool feels light and agile, which is exactly what you want when you’re working in awkward positions or reaching through fence panels. It’s a specialized tool that excels at its primary job: cutting wire quickly and easily.

While it may not have the all-around brute strength of an HK Porter or the multi-tool cleverness of a Channellock, it’s an affordable workhorse. For a project-based farmer, the Tekton offers an unbeatable combination of cutting efficiency and value. It’s a smart purchase that will save your hands during a long day of work.

Workpro W017004A: Top Value for Quick Repairs

Sometimes, the best tool is the one you have within arm’s reach. The Workpro mini bolt cutter is the king of convenience because its low price point means you can afford to buy several. Keep one in the barn, one in your truck’s glove box, and another in the garden shed, and you’ll never be caught without a cutter again.

Let’s be realistic: this is not a premium tool. The steel isn’t as hard as a Knipex, and the handles aren’t as comfortable as a Klein. But for the vast majority of quick snips—cutting a piece of wire for a trellis, trimming a fence patch, or freeing a tangled piece of equipment—it works perfectly well.

The value proposition here is undeniable. For less than the cost of a fancy lunch, you get a tool that handles 90% of the light-duty cutting tasks on a small farm. It’s the ideal backup tool or the perfect choice for someone who only needs a cutter a few times a season.

Klein Tools 63035: High-Leverage Cable Cutter

While technically designed for cutting electrical cable, the Klein 63035 is a secret weapon for fencing. Klein Tools is a brand trusted by electricians for its precision and durability, and those qualities translate perfectly to farm work. The high-leverage design means cutting through even 14-gauge wire feels surprisingly easy.

The key difference is the shear-style cutting blades. Unlike bolt cutters that pinch from both sides, these blades bypass each other like scissors. This results in a clean, flush cut with no sharp burrs left behind. This is a huge safety advantage when working with chicken wire or hardware cloth, as it eliminates the tiny, sharp points that can injure you or your animals.

The grips are another major plus. Designed for professionals who use their tools all day, they are comfortable and reduce hand strain significantly. If you value precision and safety, and you’re willing to pay a bit more for a tool that delivers a superior result, the Klein cable cutter is an excellent, if unconventional, choice.

Neiko 00558A: The Affordable Fencing Solution

The Neiko 00558A strikes a fantastic balance between affordability and performance. It’s a straightforward, reliable mini bolt cutter that feels a step above the most basic budget options. It’s a great choice for a new hobby farmer building their first toolkit or anyone needing a solid, no-frills cutter that just works.

The drop-forged Cr-Mo alloy steel jaws provide good durability and edge retention for the price. They can handle chicken wire, hardware cloth, and even the occasional stubborn nail without chipping or deforming. The compound cutting action provides plenty of power for its 8-inch size.

This tool fits nicely in the middle ground. It’s more robust than the absolute cheapest options but doesn’t carry the premium price tag of a Knipex or Klein. For everyday farm tasks, the Neiko is a dependable tool that offers excellent performance for your dollar.

Choosing the Right Jaws for Different Wire Gauges

Not all cutting jaws are created equal, and the design dramatically impacts how a tool performs on different materials. Understanding the basic types helps you pick the right tool for the job, not just the one that looks toughest. It’s the difference between a clean snip and a mangled mess.

The three main types you’ll encounter in small cutters are:

• Center Cut: This is the classic bolt cutter design. Two blades come together in the middle, pinching and snapping the material. It’s the best all-around choice for general-purpose cutting of wire, nails, and small bolts.
• Shear Cut (or Clipper Cut): These blades bypass each other like scissors. They produce a very clean, flat, and flush cut. This is the safest option for fencing, as it minimizes sharp points that can snag clothing or harm animals.
• Angle Cut: Less common on small cutters, these have jaws offset at an angle. They are designed for cutting material very close to a flat surface.

For thin, 20-gauge chicken wire, almost any cutter will work. But when you move up to heavier 16-gauge welded wire or 19-gauge hardware cloth, the game changes. For these tougher materials, a tool with a high-leverage design and hardened center-cut jaws is essential to avoid straining your hands. If safety is your top priority, a shear-cut tool is well worth the investment.

Ultimately, the best small bolt cutter is the one that fits your specific needs and budget. Whether you invest in a lifetime tool like the Knipex or strategically place several Workpro cutters around your property, the goal is the same. Choosing the right tool for the job turns a frustrating task into a satisfying one, letting you get back to the more enjoyable parts of farming.