DeWalt 10.1 in. Straight-Cut Aviation Snip

Why I reached for these straight-cut snips

I picked up these DeWalt straight-cut snips to replace an aging pair of scissor-style shears I kept around “just in case.” Within a day, the old ones were retired for good. Compound-action aviation snips aren’t new, but this model leans into small design details that matter in real use: a reduced handle span that actually lowers the squeeze effort, a serrated cutting edge that holds material without skating, and a thumbable external latch that makes one-handed operation realistic.

Over several weeks I used them on HVAC ductwork, aluminum flashing, copper roof patches, vinyl siding trim, screen repair, and a pile of less glamorous materials—cardboard, leather scraps, and various plastics. They cut cleanly, tracked straight, and didn’t leave my forearm cramping after a few long sessions. They aren’t perfect, and I’ll cover the quirks, but they’ve earned a permanent spot in my pouch.

Build quality and ergonomics

The blades are forged chrome vanadium steel, mated with a solid, play-free pivot. Out of the package, jaw alignment on my pair was spot-on—no daylight between the edges, and no “hinge wobble” that can make thin stock fold instead of shear. The cutting edges are finely serrated; you can feel it when you close them on a smooth coil stock—it grips instead of sliding.

Handle comfort is a strong point. The bi-material cushion grips are genuinely slip-resistant without feeling gummy, and the overall length is a hair over 10 inches. At around a pound, they’re substantial but not fatiguing. The reduced handle span is the standout—by spacing the handles a bit closer together through the stroke, DeWalt makes it easier to get full leverage without overstretching your hand. With gloves on, I could still close the jaws fully without shifting my grip, which isn’t always the case with aviation snips.

There’s a low-profile, flush-mount fastener setup that keeps hardware from snagging on a pouch or glove. The external thumb latch is easy to find and flick with either hand. One caveat: on my first use, the spring action felt a touch stiff, and the latch didn’t always release cleanly. After cycling them open and shut a few dozen times and adding a drop of oil to the pivot, everything smoothed out.

Cutting performance across materials

• Mild steel sheet (22–18 gauge): In 22-gauge duct, these fly—long straight cuts are quick, and gentle curves are manageable. At 20 gauge, you still get a clean shear with moderate hand force. At the advertised top end of 18 gauge rolled steel, they’ll do it, but you’ll feel it. The serrations keep the line on track, but expect to two-hand the handles for long cuts. I noticed only slight edge burring at 18 gauge; a quick pass with a file or deburring tool cleans it.

• Aluminum coil and flashing: Excellent. The serrations prevent that annoying “skate” on painted coil stock, and the cut edge is crisp. If you’re working finished surfaces, the serrations can leave faint tooth marks right along the cut—use painter’s tape close to the line if cosmetics are critical.

• Copper sheet: Accurate and predictable. The snips don’t deform soft copper as much as some smoother-edged blades; the serrations help control curl.

• Vinyl siding and screen: Easy, controlled bites without cracking the siding. For screen, they keep strands from sliding into the hinge area—nice detail that speeds up corner work.

• Cardboard, leather, and odd jobs: Overkill in terms of power, but helpful for straight strips and templates. The serrations grip leather surprisingly well.

• Plastics: For thin polycarbonate or acrylic, short, supported cuts are fine. You can nibble through 1/8 inch acrylic in a pinch, but it’s not the ideal tool; you risk chipping on harder plastics if you rush. For routine plastic work, a scoring knife or fine-tooth saw is better.

As straight-cut snips, these favor long straight lines and gentle arcs. They’ll negotiate curves, but not tight radii. For small-diameter cutouts or complex shapes, pair them with left- and right-cut snips. I could make smooth S-curves, but anything tighter than a few inches in radius was more work than it was worth.

Control, accuracy, and cut quality

Two things stood out. First, the blades track predictably—the serrations keep your line from drifting when you hit a hard spot or a seam. Second, the reduced handle span makes it easier to modulate pressure, which translates into smoother edges with fewer “bite marks” where you stop to regrip.

Edge finish is as good as I’ve seen from a serrated-blade snip. On aluminum and copper, the cut edge needed minimal cleanup. Steel at 18 gauge had a slight burr on the offcut side, typical for this class of tool. The jaws open wide enough (2.75-inch blade length) to take confident, full bites, and the spring returns them to open without a slap.

Lock, hardware, and one-handed use

The external latch is well placed and easy to operate with your thumb. It lets you close the snips and lock them for safe pouching without fussing with an internal catch. I did manage to pop the latch open once when I dropped the locked snips and the handle butt hit first. Not catastrophic, but worth noting if you often toss tools on concrete. I’d love a slightly more positive detent on the latch without making it harder to release.

The flush-mount hardware is a small but appreciated touch—it reduces snagging on gloves, pockets, and tool bags. Hinges stayed tight through testing, and there’s no rattle.

Durability and maintenance

Forged chrome vanadium blades hold an edge well and resist deformation. After cutting a mix of steel, aluminum, and copper, I saw no nicks or rolls on the cutting edges. A light oil on the pivot and a quick wipe after working in damp conditions is all they need. Like most aviation snips, these aren’t designed for user sharpening; treat them as a consumable over the very long term, but the forged build and limited lifetime warranty inspire confidence for regular jobsite use.

Limitations and what I’d change

• Tight curves: As straight-cut snips, their turning radius is limited. That’s by design; just plan on complementing them with left/right-cut snips for intricate work.

• Latch behavior: It’s easy to use and generally secure, but it can release if the snips are dropped handle-first. A slightly stronger detent would help.

• Out-of-box stiffness: The return spring and latch felt a little tight at first. A short break-in period and a drop of oil solved it.

• Hand size: The reduced handle span is a win for most hands, but the tool still feels burly. If you have very small hands, try them in person to ensure you can fully close the jaws comfortably.

How they stack up

Against stalwarts like Wiss and Midwest, these hold their own. The cut quality is on par, the handle comfort is arguably better thanks to the reduced span, and the serrations are tuned well—aggressive enough to hold, not so rough that they chew delicate finishes. Pricing tends to be mid-range, and the limited lifetime warranty is standard for the category. If you already own left- and right-cut snips, these are a natural “straight” complement; if you’re buying your first pair, they make an excellent starting point.

The bottom line

These DeWalt straight-cut snips do the fundamentals right: solid forged blades, predictable tracking, comfortable grips, and a thoughtful handle span that reduces fatigue. They slice through 22–20 gauge steel with ease and handle 18 gauge when needed, while excelling on aluminum, copper, and common jobsite materials like siding and screen. The external latch and flush hardware add real usability, and aside from a minor latch quirk and brief break-in, there’s little to complain about.

Recommendation: I recommend these for anyone who regularly cuts sheet metal or coil stock and wants a dependable, comfortable straight-cut snip. They’re a strong primary pair for HVAC, roofing, and siding work, and an equally capable general-purpose cutter for the shop or tool bag. Add left- and right-cut companions for tight curves, and you’ll have a versatile snip trio that covers nearly every cut you’ll face.