DeWalt 7 in. Diagonal Cutting Pliers

I tossed these yellow-handled 7-inch diagonals into my electrical bag for a few weeks to see how they’d hold up to everyday cutting chores—everything from trimming THHN to knocking off stubborn zip ties during cleanup. They settled in fast. The pivot broke in with a couple of cycles, the jaws met cleanly right out of the package, and the bright grips made them easy to spot any time they vanished into the bottom of a crowded tote.

Build and ergonomics

These cutters are built from chrome-vanadium steel, and the overall impression is of a compact, sturdy tool that favors everyday utility over flash. At 7 inches long and about 0.56 pounds, they’re light enough to carry all day but substantial enough to inspire confidence when you lean into a cut. The handle length is right around 4 inches, which fits a gloved hand without forcing your grip too far open.

The dipped grips stand out. They’re not padded like a comfort-grip driver handle, but they’re tacky enough to lock in even if your hands are dusty or slightly oily. DeWalt’s anti-tear coating seems to do its job; after a couple of weeks of use—including being stuffed into and yanked out of pouches—the edges of the grips didn’t fray or chunk the way some dipped handles do. There’s a slight flare at the ends to keep your hand anchored when you bear down. One caveat: the grips are not insulated for live electrical work. Treat them as standard dipped handles, not a safety barrier.

The pivot tension was set well from the factory—smooth with no side play—and stayed consistent. There’s no spring return between the handles, which some folks like for repetitive snipping. Personally, for diagonal cutters at this size, I don’t miss a spring, but if you’re doing hundreds of cuts in a row, it’s something to consider.

Cutting performance

The induction-hardened cutting edges are the stars here. On typical electrical work—14 and 12 AWG copper, 10 AWG stranded, and the usual zip ties—these diagonals cut cleanly without crushing conductors. The bevel is what I’d call standard, not a true flush-cut profile, so you’ll have a small nib left on zip ties. It’s still neat enough for panel work where you don’t want sharp surprises.

On Romex, I prefer a dedicated cable ripper for the sheath, but these pliers did fine trimming conductors and clipping staples where needed. They’ll also handle small brads and mild steel wire without complaint. If you routinely cut heavier materials—like coat hanger wire, fencing, or finish nails—expect to use two hands sometimes. The 7-inch length delivers decent leverage, but you’ll start to feel the limit around 9–10 gauge steel. For that kind of work, an 8- or 9-inch high-leverage set will save your forearms.

I specifically checked how the tips engage, since that’s where a lot of diagonals fall short. With a jaw tip size around 0.063 inch, the tips are fine enough to get into tight corners, and they meet cleanly. I used the very front of the jaws to snip cable ties flush in crowded panels and to clip the tiny whiskers off trimmed conductors. No rolling at the tips, no visible gaps against a light check.

One note on the published “jaw capacity” spec: it’s listed as 0.75 inch. That’s a measure of jaw spread, not a suggestion that you should cut three-quarter-inch material. In practical terms, these are sized for wire, small fasteners, and plastics, not heavy hardware or hard steel.

Precision and control

Precision-machined jaws matter if you want predictable cuts. These have a consistent bite along the length of the edges, and they grip well for tasks like twisting small wire ties or pulling a stubborn staple leg the last few millimeters. The finish on the faces isn’t mirror-polished, but they’re accurate where it counts. I could make careful, incremental cuts on braided shielding without unraveling the braid, which is a good indicator of alignment and edge sharpness.

The tool’s balance is slightly nose-forward—typical for diagonals—but not so much that your wrist is fighting the weight during delicate work. That balance helps when you need to cut with the front third of the jaw while keeping your hand clear of obstructions.

Durability and edge life

Edge life is where induction hardening pays off. After several days of demolition and cleanup—plenty of zip ties, copper, a handful of mild steel brads—the edges still passed a fingernail test with no visible dings or flats. There’s always a temptation to snip whatever’s in front of you, but these aren’t designed for hardened materials like piano wire or hardened nails; that’s how you chip edges on any standard diagonal cutter.

As for corrosion, I didn’t see any rust forming during the test period, which included working in a humid garage. A light oil wipe is still a good idea if you’re in damp or salty environments. The pivot stayed smooth without grittiness, suggesting decent machining and debris resistance.

The grips, marketed as anti-tear, held up better than typical dipped handles. I dragged them across metal conduit and clamped them in dirty pouches; no cracking, just a few cosmetic scuffs. If you habitually hang your pliers from framing or throw them into a bucket with screws, these grips will last longer than most.

Safety and standards

These cutters meet applicable ASME/ANSI specs, which covers basics like dimensional tolerances and performance thresholds. That doesn’t make them bulletproof, but it’s a baseline level of consistency you can rely on. Again, the handles are not insulated. If you’re working near live circuits, reach for a VDE-rated tool.

I didn’t spot a dedicated lanyard hole, so if you’re working at height and need a tether, you’ll have to use a holster or an aftermarket wrap. It’s not a deal-breaker for general shop and site work, but worth noting for safety compliance.

Everyday usability

What stood out after a couple of weeks was how often I reached for these over longer cutters. The 7-inch size threads into tight spaces, slips into a pouch without a fight, and provides enough bite for 90% of the cuts I make in residential and light commercial settings. The bright yellow grips genuinely help; when you want your diagonals quickly, color matters.

The lack of a spring is a non-issue for me, but if your workflow involves a lot of repetitive, small-diameter cuts—think cable harness work—a spring-return pair might reduce hand fatigue. Also, the standard bevel means your cuts are neat but not surgically flush; electronics techs building tight harnesses may prefer dedicated flush cutters for those tasks.

Value and alternatives

Against the usual competition in this size—Klein, Channellock, Irwin/Lenox, and Knipex’s high-leverage variants—these diagonals sit in a sensible middle ground. You can find lighter-duty options for a few dollars less, and you can spend considerably more for high-leverage jaws that bite through tough steel like butter. This set lands in the sweet spot for electricians, HVAC techs, maintenance crews, and serious DIYers: solid steel, hardened edges, good ergonomics, reasonable price.

If you routinely tackle hardened materials or oversized wire, step up to a high-leverage 8–9 inch cutter. If your focus is electronics or zip-tie flush cuts, get a dedicated flush cutter to complement these. For general service work, though, this pair handles the broadest range of tasks without fuss.

The bottom line

I keep tools that disappear into my workflow—reliable, comfortable, and predictable—and these 7-inch diagonals fit that bill. They’re sharp where they need to be, tough enough for daily site abuse, and easy on the hands. The bright, durable grips are more than a fashion choice; they’re practical. I’d like a tether option for work at height, and I wouldn’t mind a spring for marathon tie-wrap sessions, but neither omission overshadows the fundamentals.

Recommendation: I recommend these cutters for anyone who needs a dependable, compact pair of diagonals for electrical work, general maintenance, and shop tasks. The combination of induction-hardened edges, precise jaw alignment, and durable, easy-to-spot grips makes them a strong everyday choice. If your work leans toward hardened materials or you demand true flush cuts, pair them with a specialty cutter; otherwise, these will cover most of your cutting needs with minimal complaint.