How to Cut Braided Line - Choose the Right Tools

Braided lines are often used for fishing and rigging. However, they can be quite difficult to cut if you don't know what tools to use. Luckily, there is a right way to do it. In this article, I will show you how to cut braided line!

I will help you choose the best tool for cutting braided lines and then show you the benefits of each tool.

What is a braided fishing line?

The braided fishing line was invented for hand fishing in 1953 by a company called YGK. Later in 1970 polyester braided line was invented for fishing reels.

Braided fishing line is a type of fishing line that is strengthened by a process called braiding.

As the name suggests, a braided fishing line is made by weaving together many strands of material in parallel to form one long strand.

These fibers are then woven around each other again and again until they have been completely intertwined.

The result is a strong rope-like line that still has its flexibility intact.

It's ultra-strong and hardwearing compared to other types of lines.

Due to its design, you want to cut the braided line as clean as possible, or like rope braided line can fray.

The best way for you to understand what braided fishing line actually looks like is if we show you an example:

Proper Braid Cutting Tools

You have three basic options for cutting braid: scissors, side cutters, and snips. You can find side cutters on most fishing pliers.

Snips are specialized tools designed to make quick work of braid. The best line cutters I have found and still use are the best you can buy.

You can also use scissors to cut braid, but they’re not as effective or efficient as the other two.

Braid is tough stuff, and it will make a mess of your scissors if you try using them for too long. This makes snips or side cutters much better options.

Best Features of a Braided Line cutter

When shopping for braid cutters, cutting back on quality might cause poor performance after a few uses. You want a tool that will continue to work flawlessly and give you a nice clean cut on every use.

The 3 Main Specs Your Braid Cutting Tool Should Have

Strength: The tool should be able to cut braid without bending or breaking. You want your tool blades to be hardened; otherwise, they will not last. Using the fishing line cutter over time will dull the blade, making it very hard to cut the braided line. Spending a bit more money on hardened blades will prevent you from replacing them, thus saving you money in the long run.

Sharp Blades: The blades need to be as sharp as possible. This is so the tool can cut through the layers of the braid clean and easily. This will prevent the cut from fraying and give you a nightmare when feeding the line through the hook.

Size and Length: You need a tool that will fit inside your hand easily and reach deep into the braid for cutting. Having a good grip handle will also prevent your hands from hurting and makes the cuts more cleaner. Make sure your tool is not too bulky as this will be hard to maneuver around small knots and hard-to-reach places. Having a small tool that will easily fit your pocket will make it fast and efficient to use.

Tools to Cut Braided Line

As we have already stated, choosing the correct tool for the job will save you time and money in the long run.

Choosing a tool that will create clean cuts day in and day out will save frustration. Some tools are better than others at cutting braided lines.

Below are some of the different tools that you can use to cut braided fishing line:

Line Cutters

I've always struggled with cutting my braided line, but line cutters are a game-changer.

They cut the braid clean, and they're so comfortable to hold in your hand that you'll never have an issue again!

There are many different brands on the market. They range in a variety of forms, from line cutters to fishing line snips. Most work really well, and it depends on what features you are looking for to decide on which brand you will choose.

I really like Boomerang snips for cutting braided lines.

Boomerang snips are a tool designed to cut fishing line. The tool excels at cutting braided and super line. It's a tool dedicated to cutting fishing lines and has an excellent price tag.

Boomerang snips offer a variety of blades for cutting different types of lines. The blade is offset to the handle, which cuts 90 degrees to what's in front and behind it.

Boomerang snips are perfect for getting into tight spaces when you're trying to cut braided fishing lines. You can also use it effectively at a tricky angle.

This little device, designed specifically for cutting braided lines, is small enough to place in your pocket. It also has a belt clip making it easy to grab if in a hurry.

Fishing Scissors

Most of my experience has been with the Rapala Super Line Scissors. Like all tools on this list, braid scissors can cut through mono and fluorocarbon just fine as well.

Unlike normal household scissors, fishing scissors tend to be hardened and designed better for cutting braided lines.

When sharp, scissors are very good at slicing through stubborn super lines.

A good pair of braid cutting scissors don’t require tension to get a clean cut. When sharp they are sharp, they can be sharp enough for a good cut.

If you have any trouble cutting braid, it's easier to cut braid with more tension on the line.

Scissors do wear out over time and might need replacing more often than snips or side cutters.

Keeping the line taut while cutting braided line will help give you a cleaner cut.

Everyday scissors

If for some reason, you can't get any other tools to cut your braided and only have household scissors, then you will want to find the sharpest household scissors you can get.

For cutting braided lines with everyday scissors, use sharp, heavy-duty scissors designed for cutting thick material like carpet or rope if possible. Or a brand new set of kitchen scissors.

To cut the braid, place your thumb and forefinger along either side of it, then pull down while keeping them on both sides until you feel resistance. Then firmly close the blades together to cut through the braided line in one clean motion.

Scissors not hardened or designed to cut braid will wear out very quickly. They will quickly become dull and weak, leaving your braided line frayed and very hard to work.

Knife

Knives are really inefficient at cutting braided lines and need to be really sharp to even get through it clean.

For cutting braided line with a knife, use the sharpest knife you can get your hands on.

Place your thumb against the blade and push it through the braided line in one clean cut.

Pull down on one end of the braid so that you can feel resistance when pulling back out. If the line doesn't cut, then try again.

Be very careful when using a knife to cut your line. It is much more dangerous than using a line cutter or scissors.

Nail Clippers

Nail clippers will cut braided lines, but they need to be very sharp.

After a few uses, the braided line will start to make the nail clippers dull, making cutting the line difficult.

Once the nail clippers become dull, they will also start to mess up the fishing line, causing it to fray and cause more frustration.

Nail clippers are also not very effective at getting into tight spots. They only work in one direction and can be a bit fiddly.

If you want to use nail clippers, be sure to use sharp ones.

The nail clippers are not designed for cutting braided lines, so it is best to use them only when necessary. a very sharp pair

How to Cut Braided Line

When you are cutting braided fishing line, it is important to avoid cutting the line at an angle. This can cause a decrease in performance, kinked line, and then lead to fraying.

When you are attempting to cut braided fishing lines, use either sharp fishing scissors or braided fishing line cutters designated for that purpose. Other tools like knives and nail clippers work but don't do the job very well and cause more frustration and slow you down.

You will want to start by taking all slack out of the line and pulling it taut. This will help you get a much cleaner cut.

If the braided line you are trimming is short and you have no extra braid to grip onto, for example, a knot. Use the sharpest line cutters you can get and cut in one clean motion. Cutting the braid in one clean cut will help keep the line from fraying and mess-free.

Using a line cutter that is easy to grab fast, store in your pocket or clip on your belt loop will make rigging and cutting braid a breeze.

Why is Braided Line Banned in Some Places?

Some anglers misuse braided line due to its thin diameter like that of normal fishing lines.

Because of the high breaking strain, some anglers might drag the fish in, causing damage to the fish as they drag it through the cover and reeds.

When people use braided line as you should use it, it's a perfect line to use. with its stretch properties, It makes playing the fish much more enjoyable and gives you a great sense of what the lake bed is like.

Conclusion

Knowing how to cut braided line and the right tool to use for the job will save you time and money in the long run.

Don't ever use your teeth to try and cut the braided line. It's dangerous and can damage your teeth. Buying a cheap line cutter is a much better option than paying out on dentist bills.

You want to cut your braided line as clean as possible and prevent it from fraying.

A top-quality braid cutting tool is what you need. One that will last a long time and not become dull after a few uses.

Choose a good line cutter like the Boomerang snips or a good pair of fishing scissors like the Rapala Super Line Scissors. They will last you a long time and be very convenient and easy to work with.

You can use household scissors, nail clippers, and even knives to cute braided lines if you get stuck and have no other options. But be prepared to be frustrated if they are not sharp enough.

Always remember the blade needs to be sharp to give you the best results.

Choose a good reel to to handle the line and then you are all set to go!

Happy fishing, and I wish you the best of luck.