$98
$33
$60

Not trying to start an argument or anything, but can someone justify the cost of some of the high priced nippers found in fly shops? My wife bought me one of the Orvis ones above for a BD present, and I took it back and traded it for a shirt. She got mad at me and told me the salesman pitched them as his very favorite piece of gear.

A while back, I bought some like the ones below on Amazon. At that time I found them stupid cheap and got like 10 for $12 or something. Attached them to the discarded zingers you get from work badges or trade shows and they work perfectly. Never failed to cut a line, although the ones used in salt water only last about a year or so. Do the high end nippers do something that the cheap-o's do not?

$ cheap-o

Its the price fly fisherman pay to be an elitist snob

I started fly tying when I was 9 and didn’t have funds for my fly tying and fishing exploits, so I made due with what I had around the house. After a half century of fishing I still often use household items instead of specialized fishing equipment. A $7 pair of nippers will cut the line like $100 pair and in freshwater should work fine. Rust can be an issue in saltwater for the cheap ones. If you have more money than you need, then get the $100 nippers if you want them. I will be spending the money I save with the cheap ones on another fishing trip.

My late mother-in-law had dozens of pairs of fingernail clippers. I use those. They rust in saltwater use, but I just throw them away. I don't use braid, so I don't know if they would work for that, but mono and fluoro is a snap. IslandJim, the non-snob flyfisher

Several years ago I bought the Orvis high-end nippers. They are very comfortable to use; a quality piece of gear. They cut the lightest of tippets with ease, and will handle heavier monofilament or fluorocarbon than I'll ever use. But they are worthless on braid. I took them back and tried several pairs on braid; no go. I kept them because I like them, but they won't cut braid. Fortunately, I fly fish 99% of the time, and seldom need to cut braid.

A friend I fish with used only spinning rods, with braid. He used to carry a razor blade just to cut braid; he claimed that he's never found anything that works well with braid. I gave him one of my Boomerang nippers. He's used it for years with no issues. As have I. That Boomerang (I believe they were $12 at Academy last time I looked) is the best nipper I've found, and they hold up in salt water too. I keep several in my fly box, tippet box, conventional gear box, sling pack, and in the boat. They cut 80# hollow core braid, 80# monofilament, and they cut 6# braid & 4# monofilament equally as well.

Jim I’m glad you have had good luck with those Boomerangs. I’ve been through half dozen at least (some of them were warranty replacements) and never could get them to last more than a couple of months.

I now use Line Cutterz hybrid scissors. Cut’s better than anything I’ve ever used and around 15 bucks.

Interesting. I picked up a pair of braid scissors (can't recall the brand; they have a blue handle -- maybe Berkeley?) at Academy a few years ago and chucked them in the tippet box. I can't say for sure if I've ever even used them though........ I haven't had any issues with the Boomerangs, and the newest ones are several years old. But they rarely get used with braid, which may explain the longevity. Also, they always get rinsed, but I imagine yours did too. There isn't an Academy in Harlingen, but if Bass Pro stocks the Cutterz I'll snap up a set next time I'm there. I've been down here on the hypersaline LLM for eight months now and I've seen no issues with my Boomerangs. Maybe my horrible luck with computers and iPhones is being counterbalanced by Boomerangs. Go figure.........

My high priced Orvis nippers match my high priced Orvis reel

Braid can be tricky with some nippers, but fortunately I don’t have any braid on my fly rigs and my tackle box for my spinning gear have a cutter with a razor blade. I do like the eyelet tool that’s integrated into my Orvis nippers.

So you would probably frown upon my Able nippers and Able lanyard. My opinion on fishing matters is buy what you like and fish how you like. Kind of crazy I like my Able nippers and use a lot of 4lb Seaguar fluoro because it’s way cheaper than tippet

I'm relatively new to fly fishing, but I bought an Orvis 'Flow' Nipper that I've been using for about a year and had very good luck with. I also carry a Leatherman Micra multitool with me, it's small, lightweight, has a split ring that you can attach to a zinger and has built in spring-action scissors that will cut through just about anything.

I re-read my post and can definitely see how it came across as disdainful. Apologies, as that was not my intention. I genuinely want to know if I am missing out on something by going cheap.

Do the high end nippers do something that the cheap-o's do not?

They take a lot of money out of your pocket.

High priced nippers are a lot like having to wear "technical" shirts to go fishing.

The high end nippers may (or may not) outlast the lower priced versions; some use more expensive materials. I can’t say if they are more cost-effective, but the pride of ownership is undoubtedly a factor for some folks. I wouldn’t pay $250 for a set of name brand pliers, but I have spent $80 for a titanium set because I like them. Bottom line — it’s your money to spend as you like (and can afford / justify), and your opinion is the only one that really matters.

I really do like my Able nippers but they were a gift. Would I buy them personally? Probably not. But be careful on the shirts man. Catching sunfish at the pond requires my Simms shirt, stocked trout requires my Orvis shirt and wild trout requires my Padagucci shirt 😜