StewMac Fret Cutter, Specially Hardened Steel Jaws, Custom Designed for Guitar Fret Work, Profiled & Flush-Ground, Cuts Wire Close, Works on Stainless Steel & P80 Too! (Part Number 0619)

Q: Why do people use the ends of the fret cutters to cut? Shouldn't you be using the inner 90% to minimize tool breakage?

I think it depends what the excess length is. The area where the hinge of the cutter is, there isn’t enough depth to cut more than a few mm off. By shifting toward the ends of the jaws you can bypass the hinge and cut whatever length you need. I use the tool to cut fret wire to rough length snd to notch the tangs to fit between binding, as well as for final close trimming after the frets are installed. This is a very robust tool and, as long as you’re using it on fret wire, the chances of breaking off the ends of the cutter are very small.

Q: Where are these made?

No info on origin but looks well made, possibly made in Taiwan. It’s still a very well finished tool.

Q: Could these be used to pull frets in a pinch? Would the size of the jaws cause issues pulling frets above the 12th or so?

It could work, but I wouldn't recommend it if you're doing more than a few frets. The size will be an issue on the higher frets. If the frets are fairly low, then you may not have a problem, but you'd be better off getting the proper tool.

Product ID: 574034189

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Details

Colour
Red
Brand
StewMac
Material
Steel
Number of cable strands
1
No. of wires
1

⚙️8" rubber-coated handles for precision

✂️1" profiled, flush-ground jaws

🛠️Specially hardened steel for clean cuts

Description

✂️ Cut Close, Work Faster, Play Better!

ERGONOMIC ACCESS - Extended rubber-coated handles provide superior reach and comfort over guitar bodies.
TIME SAVING EFFICIENCY - Engineered to speed up fret trimming, so you can focus on perfecting your craft.
EXCLUSIVE STEW MAC DESIGN - A tool you won’t find in hardware stores—trusted by pros for flawless fretwork.
PRECISION CRAFTED CUTTER - Custom-designed jaws cut fretwire flush without pull, minimizing filing time.
HARDENED STEEL DURABILITY - Specially hardened steel jaws ensure clean, reliable cuts on stainless steel and P80 fretwire.

The StewMac Fret Cutter features 1" specially hardened, flush-ground steel jaws designed exclusively for fretwork, delivering clean cuts on stainless steel and P80 fretwire. Its 8" rubber-coated handles offer enhanced reach and comfort, making it the go-to precision tool for professional guitar technicians and serious players aiming for flawless fret trimming.