Do you own a pair of tin snips? If you do, go get it and take a close look at the jaws. Now take a closer look at the jaws, along the edge where they come together. Do you see anything noteworthy? Would it help if we were more specific?

We’re not asking you to look for a spot of rust or something odd like that. We’re asking you to take a look at whether your tin snips have straight-edged or serrated jaws. Believe it or not, this is not simply a cosmetic alteration. There are very real reasons that these features are worked into the design of sheet metal shears and some other cutting tools.

There’s a reason that snips (sometimes called aviation snips), which are remarkable, versatile tools for fitting into tight spaces and making precise cuts to aluminum, copper and steel, sometimes have teeth.

You see, straight-edged snips, those that lack teeth along the blade edges, are ideal for cutting softer materials like aluminum and copper. These metals are softer than steel and the jaws are less prone to struggling to grip the surface. Smooth-edged snips are designed to cut through these easily.

By contrast, cutting snips with serrated steel blades are more effective at cutting harder materials like stainless steel. The serrations in the blades are better at gripping the material and there is less likelihood that the jaws will slip or twist which diminishes their ability to separate the sheet metal. The serrations also help to concentrate the force. One thing to remember about serrated snips is that it’s important to buy and use only properly heat treated snips, preferably those that have been made with a high carbon steel. Low grade steels and poor heat treatments will cause the serrations to deform or wear prematurely.

There’s a little more to this picture, however. Tin snips that have serrated jaws are very effective, but there is a little caveat to their use. Predictably, serrated jaws create small serrations along the edge of the material they are used to cut. These little serrations, however, create tiny stress risers in the metal that can crack or tear over time if the metal is stressed.

Therefore, it is safer to use straight-edged shears for making cuts if this is a concern. It’s also safer to use straight-edged shears to cut softer materials like copper or aluminum, since these are more prone to tearing under stress.

If you’re looking for a collection of the highest quality tin snips for making both straight cuts and curved cuts, look no farther than John Stortz & Son. for well over a hundred years, Stortz has been a provider of the highest quality tools for roofers and other tradesmen around the country. Visit their website, Stortz.com, to learn more about the tools they sell and the industries they serve.

Call them up even if you only want to learn more about the differences between the many variations of snips that are out there. They’ll quickly become your preferred resource - get in touch with them at 888-847-3456.