Bolt cutters are a tool commonly used by thieves to cut through cables and break locks in order to steal bicycles and other secured items. They use powerful leverage to apply immense cutting force in a small area, allowing them to slice through thick cables up to about 16mm in diameter. So is there any cable that can resist bolt cutters and keep your belongings truly secure?
The short answer is yes, there are certain ultra-strong cables that are essentially impossible to cut through with bolt cutters. These include braided steel cables and chains made from exotic alloys. However, they tend to be quite heavy and expensive overkill for most applications. More reasonably priced steel cables coated in extra thick PVC can still thwart all but the largest bolt cutters, providing a decent balance of security and practicality.
In this article we’ll look at how bolt cutters work, how to choose a cable thickness that can defend against different sizes of cutters, and review some of the most cut-resistant cable options to secure your bike, motorcycle or outdoor equipment against theft.
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How Bolt Cutters Work
Bolt cutters use the power of leverage to amplify the cutting force applied on the blades. The long handles act as levers that multiply the pressure from the user’s hand force. This allows the small bladed area at the tip to exert thousands of pounds of cutting power.
The blades themselves are typically made from hardened steel alloy and beveled to form a sharp wedge shape. This concentrates all the force into a very small contact point on the cable or lock being cut. The combined leverage and blade geometry let bolt cutters easily slice through material far thicker than the blade width itself.
Bolt cutters come in a range of sizes, usually measured by the length of the levers. The cutting force potential scales up with longer lever arms. An 18 inch or 24 inch model produces considerably more power than a compact 12 inch version. But larger bolt cutters are also heavier and more unwieldy.
The key specifications to consider are:
– Lever length – The longer the levers, the greater force it can generate. But comfort and mobility decreases with larger sizes.
– Blade width – Wider blades can cut through thicker material. But require more effort for smaller cables.
– Blade steel – Hardened steel maintains sharpness on tough cables. Coated models resist abrasion.
– Handle material – Rubber or plastic grips provide cushioning and avoid slippage.
– Weight – Heavier models are sturdier but more tiring to use repeatedly.
Cutting Mechanics
When cutting a cable, bolt cutters apply a focused shearing force on a small section. This high stress causes the metal strands to shear and fracture until they fail.
Thicker cables don’t cut as easily because more strands must be sheared simultaneously before it breaks open. Highly flexible fine-stranded cables also tend to bend and deform under pressure rather than shearing cleanly. This flexibility makes them a bit more resistant to bolt cutters.
The blade sharpness, and using the full leverage of the handles, ensures the peak cutting force is focused on a tiny spot to overwhelm even thick cables. Using short quick chops in different spots also helps fatigue the metal more quickly than slow squeezing.
Choosing a Cable Thickness
The most important factor determining if a cable can be cut is its thickness. Using an appropriately thick cable based on the potential size of bolt cutters an attacker might use is key to making it cut-proof.
As a guideline:
– Cable up to 6mm diameter can be cut with small 12 inch bolt cutters
– Up to 10mm diameter requires 18 inch or larger bolt cutters
– Over 10mm needs heavy 24 inch models to potentially cut through
So in high security situations, choosing a cable over 10mm thick ensures it cannot be easily cut, even with full sized 24 inch bolt cutters. Adopting this overkill approach guarantees superior resistance for your bike lock cable or outdoor equipment chains.
However, such thick cables also have downsides:
– They are heavier and less flexible, making them harder to handle and route through loops and locks.
– The large diameter limits the spacing when securing multiple items together.
– They are more expensive than standard 5-10mm cable options.
For these reasons, 10mm thickness represents a good compromise between cut-resistance and practical usability for most situations needing moderate security. Such a cable will withstand bolt cutters up to 18 inches, sufficient protection against the smaller models most thieves covertly carry.
Cable Composition
A cable’s composition and construction materials also influence its cut-resistance, on top of its thickness. Here are some material options:
– Bare steel – Basic flexible steel cables are easily cut with regular bolt cutters. They provide minimal theft protection.
– PVC coated steel – The plastic coating prevents abrasion damage. It also wedge tightly in the blades making cutting slightly harder.
– Thick PVC coating – Some cables have extra thick 2-3mm PVC insulation for even greater cut resistance. The slick surface and tight wedge can stop many bolt cutters.
– Braided steel – Braided strands flex and twist under pressure rather than shearing, preventing clean cuts from bolt cutters.
– Aircraft grade steel – Strong but flexible stainless steel cable resists cutting better than basic low carbon steel. Used on high end locks.
– Exotic alloys – Special alloys like boron carbide steel alloys don’t sheer easily. But they are expensive and only used on ultra high-security cables.
So cables using braided steel or coated with thick PVC generally offer the best bolt cutter resistance for cost. Stainless steel also performs well for a moderate price premium.
Reviews of Cut-Proof Cables
Based on the cutting mechanics and materials above, here are some top cable options to secure your valuables against bolt cutter attacks:
Kryptonite New York Fahgettaboudit Chain
– 14mm six-sided chain links made from 3t manganese steel
– PVC coating for abrasion protection
– Essentially impossible bolt cutters up to 42″
– Very heavy chain design limits portability
| Diameter | 14mm |
| Material | Manganese steel chain |
| Locking | Integrated disc lock |
| Weight | 7 lbs |
This is one of the strongest bike lock chains around. The design makes it near impossible to cut through with even the biggest bolt cutters. While impractical for everyday use due to its weight, it provides maximum security for high-risk parking situations.
Kryptonite New York Legend Chain
– 15mm hexagonal boron manganese links
– Resists cutters up to 36 inches
– Integrated high security disc lock
– Lighter but still quite hefty
| Diameter | 15mm |
| Material | Boron manganese steel chain |
| Locking | Disc detainer lock |
| Weight | 4.55 lbs |
Kyrptonite’s lighter version of their New York chain still provides extreme cut resistance. The exotic steel alloy and hex shaping thwarts standard bolt cutters. Lighter than the Fahgettaboudit model but still one of the most secure options.
Artago 6945E Bicycle Chain
– 12mm six-sided steel links
– PVC coating for quiet operation
– Resists smaller bolt cutters up to 24″
– Much lighter and more flexible
| Diameter | 12mm |
| Material | Alloy steel chain |
| Locking | Padlock not included |
| Weight | 2.2 lbs |
This highly flexible bike lock chain provides an excellent balance of security and portability. While not impenetrable, the thick 12mm links will thwart smaller bolt cutters that thieves often carry. It also comes at an attractive price point for the cut resistance.
Kryptonite New York Fahgettaboudit Mini Bike Lock
– 18mm extra thick braided steel cable
– Additional coating resists cutting
– Foil wrap hides this high security cable
– anchoring possible without a rack
| Diameter | 18mm |
| Material | Braided steel cable |
| Locking | Disc detainer mechanism |
| Weight | 4.55 lbs |
This is one of the thickest cable locks available using a cut-proof braided steel cable. The ends screw into an integrated detainer lock mechanism. Easier to transport than a heavy chain while still providing extreme cut resistance.
Hiplok D1000 Wearable Bike Lock
– 10mm braided steel links coated in durable nylon
– Wearable design doesn’t weigh down bike
– Resists even large bolt cutters
– Locking mechanism less secure than others
| Diameter | 10mm |
| Material | Coated braided steel |
| Locking | Hardened steel shackle |
| Weight | 2.2 lbs |
This innovative steel cable lock is designed to be worn around the waist rather than carried on the bike. The flexible braided cable resists cutting from all but the largest bolt cutters, while the wearable design lets you keep it handy at all times.
Master Lock 8170D Cable Lock
– Vinyl coated braided steel for flexibility
– Locking mechanism prone to picking
– Cheaper alternative to high end cables
– Only resists smaller bolt cutters
| Diameter | 10mm |
| Material | Coated braided steel |
| Locking | Laminated steel padlock |
| Weight | 0.75 lbs |
This flexible braided steel cable provides an budget-friendly option to protect against smash and grab theft. The lock itself is not the strongest, but the cable can slow down attacks from smaller bolt cutters. A good secondary deterrent and backup lock.
Conclusion
Bolt cutters can cut through most standard cables up to 10mm relatively easily using just hand strength. Choosing a thicker braided steel cable or wrapped in multiple layers of PVC over 10mm in diameter will thwart all but the largest sizes of bolt cutters.
For high security situations with the risk of theft by equipped thieves, using a 14mm+ hexagonal or square chain made of hardened alloy steel provides the most cut-proof option. Though these are heavy and expensive overkill for typical applications. A more practical 10mm braided and coated steel cable balances decent security with portability and cost.
No security solution is impervious to a determined attack with power tools. But high-end cut-proof cables will protect against spontaneous smash and grab theft using handheld bolt cutters, buying you peace of mind.