On Tue, 27 Jun 2006 22:57:32 +0100, Phil Addison wrote
(in article ):

On Fri, 23 Jun 2006 22:01:33 +0100, in uk.d-i-y Andy Hall
wrote:

I think you're right, Phil.

The ratchet ones seem to have two things in addition to the greater force

- sharp blade

- good holding of the tube to prevent deformation

Actually Andy, even with my cheapo tool, there is hardly any deformation
with the rotation method, because the cutting action becomes nearly
tangential instead of attempting to guillotine the pipe. I find rotating
the tool about 90 deg round the pipe as you gently squeeze gets the
cutter 1/2 way through the pipe, then a straight squeeze chops through
the remainder with little effort and no significant deformation. This is
one case where I can't imagine a more expensive tool would make it any
easier or produce a better result. This may not be true for larger
diameter tube.

On nylon pipe it certainly makes a difference because the pipe is quite a bit
tougher.