In a recent post, there was mention of using dental ligature bands to hold micro guides toa rod blank prior to wrapping the guide.

This method works very well, but it does present an issue when it comes to removing the ligature, prior to completing the wrap without marking the rod blank, guide or nicking a thread.

However, this micro side cutter excels at this job. The very fine sharp end of this side cutter allows one to easily cut the bank without touching anything else. i.e. no damage:

[www.amazon.com]

There are a lot of other uses for such a cutter as well.

CAUTION,
DO not try to cut steel wire, or other very hard materials because the very fine and sharp tips of the cutter will be destroyed.

Neat cutter with, as you say, lots of uses.

The dental ligatures are easily cut with an Exacto knife with just a light touch. I've never nicked a thread.

Great find Roger! Adding to my cart now lol. I typically use a single sided razor blade and don’t have issues, but this tool looks faster and easier!

Knipex also makes a similar cutter that is very nice. This is also why I like the silicone tubing cut into slices. It cuts off with just a touch vs some of the microbands

That is a very nice tool Roger and thanks for sharing. One note to those of us that use a razor blade is that I use a brand new blade on every rod. Cuts those ligatures like butter and don't even have to cut all the way through most of the time.

The micro cutter is another example of a good tool for the job.

Not long after I started building rods, I was at the rod shop where I took lessons and noticed that one of the pros was using a pair of fine tipped Dr. Slick's fly tying scissors for cutting thread wrap tag ends flush with the wraps with never a worry about nicking a thread wrap from a razor blade. I purchase a scissor that day, and hear it is many many years later and I am still using the same pair of scissors to trim thread wraps. I will sharpen the scissors about every couple of years or if I even notice an issue with getting a clean cut on a tag end cut.

For example:
[www.drslick.com]

I use the 4 inch general purpose scissor that has served me well these past many years.
[www.drslick.com]

Just a heads up.

Amazon has the IGAN-330 on sale

I just ordered the 2-pack for $13.76

Happy Holidays

This is the type of scissors I use for cutting thread. Very sharp and easy to use with either hand.
[mudhole.com]
Norm

I have been using these cutters for years and they are great. If you need to cut zip ties these can cut so flush that it leaves no sharp edge to catch on things or scratch you. The work great at clipping spru off jigs heads or other molded lead items. As the OP said, don't cut steel wire with them but, they work great at cutting fine copper and brass wire (jewelry makers use them for that and). Once you have them you will find a million uses.