Park Tool CN-10 Professional Cable Cutter [Rider Review]

Our "Rider Review" article series features the honest reviews from verified purchasers of Worldwide Cyclery. They contain the photos, thoughts, feedback & overall review you are looking for.

When it comes to having the proper tools for a job it can literally make or break the repair. Cable cutters are no exception because a bad cut can leave your cables frayed. Our friend Noah shares his thoughts on the Park Tool CN-10 Professional Cable Cutter. Check it out!

Overview

At first, I was like, how am I going to write 450 words about a pair of cable cutters? Why didn’t the guys at Worldwide Cyclery ask me about the sweet Maxxis tires I just bought – because let me tell you the setup they recommended using the Maxxis Forekaster in the front and Aspen in the rear is the best tire combo I’ve ever ridden and I entered my first NORBA (yeah NORBA, look it up) race in 1992…so I’ve had time to ride more than a few tire combos. But, yeah, let me tell you about these cable cutters instead, cause that’s a sexy topic. Truth be told though, these are the best cable cutters I’ve ever used….and I’ve been cutting cables since my first bike shop job in 1994. You get it by now, I’m old and wise.

Have you ever had one of those purchases that you just keep putting off because you’re like, “I want it, but I also want a bunch of other stuff and this thing seems way less cool than that other thing so I’m going to get that other thing instead?” And then you do that for like 20 years. Yeah. Well, turns out, I should have just bought this tool years ago. Between my own bikes and now the wife, her girlfriend, and my kids, I end up building a bike every year or two and maintaining 6-8 bikes year-round. I’ve always made do with a mish-mash of other tools for cutting and crimping. The Park CN-10 Professional Cable Cutter puts everything else to shame – even other versions of Park cable cutters.

First, the quality of this tool is second to none. Solid construction. Substantial handle. Park Tools are always high quality, but this one is well made even by their standards. This is the last cable cutter I’ll ever need to buy (assuming I don’t ever re-watch Seven Years in Tibet and end up giving all my stuff away to go be a monk in the Himalayas again. Boy that was a crazy 2 weeks….).

Second, operation. The cable cutters chop crisply without any fraying. Makes running cable through housing much easier. Also, very securely crimps cable ends. These are tasks that, while they can be done with other tools, are sooo much better accomplished with a purpose build tool like this.

Third, flex on your friends. You’ve probably been wasting your time trying to impress your friends with your riding skills or just by being a decent human being. Stop wasting your time with that. Crush their egos and their spirits by showing them your dominance in the cable cutting realm.

Final Thoughts

So, to summarize:
I’ve been around bikes since before you were born, you should listen to me.
These are the best cable cutters on the market.
Stop putting off this purchase.
They will last forever.
Use them to embarrass your friends.