T&T: Rope Cutters

[Roger Bingham]

Hi all

Some weeks ago I promised to post the results/conclusions of a comparative
test of rope cutter carried out by Motor Boat Monthly magazine in UK.
The testing rig was a reversible electric motor driving a standard shaft &
prop with standard P bracket.
Too see which brands were tested and the visual results of the tests see the
video below-

http://www.mbmclub.com/mbm/video/tested/rope-cutters.html

My January copy (usually delivered in December) was lost in the post but
today I received both the January and February copies!

So here goes.

Test material:-
Three strand polypropylene in 8mm, 12mm & 25mm dia
Three strand and braided polyester in 15mm & 25mm dia
Three strand nylon in 15mm dia
Netting in monofilament, 3mm nylon and 4mm polypropylene (1m x 2m rectangle)
Heavy duty polytarp sheeting in 1m x 2m rectangles
Copper cable 10sq mm
Galvanised steel wire 1.5mm dia


The testers concluded that any rope cutter will bring a definite safety
benefit.
All the cutters tested quickly cut through most of the debris ie ropes, nets
and copper & steel wire.
The scissor types had the edge coping with everything including polytarp and
cable.
The disc cutters were good but were sometimes defeated by the polytarp and
cable. These cutters could potentially have the same problem with weed on a
river.
The clamp-on disc cutters are much easier to fit.
The R&D cutter benefits from its tapered leading edge which shrouds the
exposed shaft.
Scissor types are more expensive.


So that's it. No specific brand recommendation.

Regards

Roger Bingham
France