DeWalt 10 in. diagonal pliers with prying tip

First impressions and setup

I put these 10-inch diagonal pliers straight to work on a flooring punch list: trimming errant finish nails from below, snipping zip ties, and pulling a mess of old staples. The offset, low-profile head looks “bent” at first glance, but that geometry is the point—it tucks the cutting edges close to the work and gives your knuckles room when you’re up against a surface. Out of the package, the pivot was smooth with firm resistance, the edges aligned cleanly with no light gap, and the handles felt secure without being overly tacky.

Build and ergonomics

At a little over 10 inches long and around 0.8 pounds, the pliers land in a sweet spot between leverage and control. The bi‑material grips are shaped well, with a mild palm swell and flare that keep your hand from sliding forward when you’re bearing down. They’re comfortable barehanded and still grippy in light gloves. The black‑oxide finish is practical—less glare than chrome and decent corrosion resistance—but it benefits from a quick wipe of oil if you’re working in damp conditions.

The head measures about 1.5 inches from pivot to tip, and the overall profile is slim enough to get into joist bays, behind trim, and alongside conduit. The cutting edges are induction-hardened, which in practice means they shrug off routine work on mild steel and copper without feathering or rolling. After several days of cutting brads, copper wire, and common staples, the edges still met cleanly and cut without mashing.

Cutting performance

Cutting is where these pliers earn their keep. The long handles provide ample leverage, so you don’t have to white‑knuckle them to get through typical materials. In my testing they handled:

• Copper and aluminum conductors commonly found in residential work (de-energized, of course).
• Mild-steel finish nails up to typical 15–16 gauge.
• Cable ties, fencing staples, and light steel wire.

The bevel geometry is intentionally low to enable near‑flush cuts. That translates to very tidy results on protruding nails sticking through subflooring: I could snip them close enough that a couple of passes with a file or a sanding block made them disappear. It’s not a true flush‑cut (there’s still a tiny bevel), but it’s close enough for most carpentry and repair tasks without leaving a sharp point to snag skin or materials.

I avoided cutting hardened or tempered fasteners (e.g., piano wire, hardened screws, spring steel) because that’s outside the lane of most diagonal cutters and will damage even good edges. For that kind of work, a dedicated high‑leverage cutter rated for hardened materials is the right tool.

The prying tip: useful, within limits

The integrated prying tip is a clever addition that saves trips to the pouch. It’s shaped to sneak under staple crowns and small nail heads and then roll them out with a controlled rocking motion. Used that way, it’s effective:

• Pulling cable staples along studs without gouging the wood.
• Nudging finish nails or brads proud enough to grab them with the cutters or a puller.
• Popping small tacks and upholstery fasteners when working on trim and panels.

However, it’s important to treat it as a finesse feature, not as a substitute for a cat’s paw or pry bar. Under heavier prying loads—think stubborn, long ring‑shank nails—you’ll feel some handle flex and torsion through the pivot. The tool survives, but the experience is spongy and not confidence-inspiring. Keep the prying tip in its lane and it’s a genuine time-saver. If you need more leverage, transition to a dedicated prying tool.

Tip: if you’re working on finished surfaces, place a thin putty knife or a wood shim under the prying tip to spread the load and avoid marring.

Access and control

The offset, low-profile head is the quiet hero here. It lets you approach nails and staples tight to a surface while keeping your hand clear, which is particularly handy when you’re lying on your side in a crawlspace or squeezing between studs. The jaw opening is generous for a diagonal cutter, so grabbing slightly larger staples and irregular materials isn’t a struggle. The tool balances well at the pivot; choking up near the head gives you excellent control for delicate cuts, while grabbing the ends of the handles delivers the torque for thicker stock.

Durability and maintenance

Between the hardened edges and the oxide finish, the pliers hold up well to jobsite use. After a week of dusty, slightly damp conditions, I noticed only minor finish smoothing at high-contact points and no hint of rust after a quick oil wipe at day’s end. The pivot stayed snug with no side play; a small drop of oil smoothed the action further. As with all black‑oxide tools, a little maintenance goes a long way—wipe off debris, add a light oil film, and don’t toss them wet into a bag.

What could be better

• Prying stiffness: The handles flex perceptibly when you push the prying tip beyond light duty. The feature is best for lifting and rocking, not levering.
• Not a perfect flush cutter: The low bevel gets close, but if you need absolute flush on delicate surfaces, a dedicated flush‑cut nipper will leave a cleaner finish.
• Finish vs. exposure: Black oxide is practical, but it asks for occasional oiling. If you often work in wet environments, chrome plating resists rust with less attention.

Use cases where these shine

• Flooring and carpentry punch lists: Clipping through-nails and trimming proud brads from below without leaving sharp burrs.
• Electrical rough‑in and remodel work: Cutting cable ties and pulling and replacing staples around boxes and studs (always on de‑energized circuits).
• Trim and cabinetry adjustments: Nipping small fasteners and tacks while working close to finished faces, with that offset head keeping your hand out of the way.
• General shop work: Cutting soft wire, trimming hardware cloth, and cleanly snipping small fasteners flush enough for sanding.

Alternatives to consider

If your workflow leans heavily on demolition or pulling stubborn fasteners, pair these with a dedicated pry tool or an end‑cutting nail puller. If most of your cutting is fine electronic work or tight electrical panels, a shorter 6–8 inch diagonal cutter will feel nimbler. And if you regularly cut hardened wire, look for cutters specifically rated for that material.

Value

Given the build quality, edge life, and the convenience of the prying tip, the pliers offer good value as a multi-role cutter for construction and remodeling tasks. You’re effectively getting a solid diagonal cutter with a secondary feature that, when used appropriately, reduces tool changes and saves a bit of time. The one-year limited warranty is standard for this category.

The bottom line

These 10-inch diagonal pliers are a well-executed cutter with a thoughtful head shape and a genuinely useful, light-duty prying tip. The cutting performance is strong, the ergonomics are comfortable over long sessions, and the near‑flush capability makes punch-list cleanup faster. Just remember the prying feature is a helper, not a pry bar, and you’ll be pleased with how often you reach for them.

Recommendation: I recommend these pliers for carpenters, remodelers, and DIYers who need a capable diagonal cutter that can also lift staples and tease out small nails without swapping tools. If your work demands heavy prying or frequent cutting of hardened materials, complement them with purpose-built tools. Used within their design intent, they’re a reliable, efficient addition to the pouch.