Cutting Braid

[OzarkFishman]

I recent spooled one of my reels with PowerPro 20 lb braid. This is my first go-round with braid. I put some mono backing to avoid slippage and applied KVD line and lure while spooling. Just when I thought I had everything figured out, I tried to cut this line. My needlenose plyers that I use for mono and flourocarbon just smash the line and scissors seem to fray the line.

What is the best tool to cut braid so that it doesn't fray? I know I can use a lighter to "cauterize" the line, but that doesn't work on a windy day.

I am on a budget so that may limit me.

OzarkFishman

[OzarkFishman]

I think I am just going to buy Bass Pro Shops® 4'' Braided Line Scissors for $4.

[Evolution]

Nail clippers will do the job. I always carry a pocket knife in my pack so this is my source for cutting braid. $4 for scissors, you can just go to walmart and get some cheap-o for less unless you want to pay more for the Bass-Pro logo.

[OzarkFishman]

I tried nail clippers, 2 pairs of scissors and my needle nose ... all frayed the line. Maybe I am being OCD here, but line is important and I want to have confidence in my knots. What do you all use? I know there has to be an easy remedy.

There are the cool hotwire superline cutters for $20 plus. Anyone use these?

OzarkFishman

[fishinwrench]

I don't use braid myself, but my buddy that does carry's a Swiss army knife.

[Flippin]

I have small pair of scissors that I carry to cut braided line. You have to put the line deep in the jaws of the scissors and make a quick cut. If it frays a little moisten the end and it will not affect your knot.

[Dutch]

Braid should be burned instead of cut. Bass Pro sells a Power Zap that will burn it as well as any other line. It puts a minute bead on the end and helps keep slipage down. You can also use the PZ to mend plastic baits.

[Al Agnew]

If you're like me, eventually you'll find yourself on the water without ANY kind of tool to cut the braid. If you're on most Ozark waters at that point, you just have to go primitive...go to the nearest gravelly shoreline or gravel bar, find a chunk of flint rock (which is obviously pretty common all over the Ozarks), find another big chunk of rock, and throw one chunk as hard as you can against the other one, making sure to cover your eyes before they hit. Hopefully the flint will shatter, and then you just find one of the pieces and use any sharp edge on it to cut the line. It's usually as sharp as a good knife. Then put it in your pocket or in the boat so you don't have to do it again!

I'm being a little tongue in cheek here, but not much...I've had to do this a bunch of times.

[RSBreth]

GOOD scissors (not expensive scissors) will cut any of the superlines easy. Cut ends will fray a bit.

Don't be overly OCD about it, as long as your knots are good, a slightly frayed tag end won't hurt anything.

A dab of superglue on the knot doesn't hurt, either.

I can picture it, one of these days I'll be paddling along and hear rocks clicking together, then I'll round the bend and see Al on the gravel bar, flint knapping.

[Wayne SW/MO]

The small serrated scissors for children work great if you can find them, as do the ones made for braid. I've used braid for many years and I haven't found anything, short of the small serrated scissors, that cuts it well.