Instant Favorite: Reviewing Dr. Slick's Cyclone Nippers
A new design in nippers that's more akin to micro-pliers than the usual pinch nippers offer incredible functionality for fly anglers
April 2024
Nippers are utilitarian. They cut line, sure, but they aren't really sophisticated tools. To that end, there is always that one guy who insists how nail trimmers work better. He's probably right by the way, but where's the fun in that? Yet, on the other side of the spectrum, manufacturers have applied excessive engineering to construct fancy, pricy, status-symbol nippers costing hundreds of dollars. These fanciful nippers are meant to be seen, worn, flaunted, and (you'd hope) designed well enough to cut through any line you throw between it's replaceable blades. As you maybe could guess, results vary. See the video below.
Though pricey, the core idea of replaceable nipper blades seems inventive, offering replaceable components extending product longevity. But $100+ for nippers? Maybe if you halved the price, and then halved it again...
Threading the needle between these two extremes are Dr. Slick Cyclone nippers, a new design in nippers that's more akin to micro-pliers than the usual alligator mouth of traditional nippers. Similar to the high end offerings of the "kept-behind-glass" nippers, these taut replaceable blades. Plus, they even include another set of replacement blades, something other high end nippers don't bother to provide without additional purchase. The biggest advantage to Dr. Slick's design is the cutting force you're capable of wielding due to their plier style design, which has every advantage in strength over any pinch-to-cut nipper. But there's another hidden genius in this design.
The Dr. Slick Cyclone nippers might also appeal to the traveling angler. Many traveling anglers pack a set of pliers, especially in saltwater angling where pliers often include replaceable bladed nippers as a side function, intended for cutting and tying with thick lines common for flats or ocean species. But these beefy pliers have drawbacks. Based on my experiences, TSA often has issues with fishing pliers. If they are longer than 7", they simply aren't allowed as carry on items. Still, even with pliers shy of the allowable threshold, security agents still feel the need to pull you aside and question your choice of purchase. So these new nippers might offer a cost effective alternative, or back up, in case the airport causes trouble. Or, given the right circumstances, these nippers might be all you need.
Now, if all you ever trim is 4x-6x tippet for tailwater trout, you probably don't lose sleep over nipper choice. But trout anglers who frequently build leaders, or fish heavy tippets might enjoy a robust tool to handle the job. And, if you fish enough, eventually you're run into dull nippers, so it's nice to know replaceable blades are nearby. I've taken up the habit of wearing these nippers on a lanyard without replacing my existing arsenal of line cutters, that ways no matter the situation I have nippers within easy reach. Overkill? Yes. Functional for me? also yes.
Maybe you'll find them functional too.