Good quality bolt cutter recommendations?

I'm thinking of getting my brother some bolt cutters for his birthday.

I have no idea of any good brands or what spec or quality to look for,I've literally started this thread as I'm Googling.

So far I know they come in a couple of sizes 12, 14, 18, 24, 30, 36 and 42 inches,I'm only looking at 36 and 42 inch,they mainly wont be used for cutting heavy metal,probably just old pipework so I'm still debating whether to get the 42 inch as they are HUGE and look like a handful for small jobs that require multiple cuts.

I've heard a couple of names so far In order of price highest first: Spear and Jackson,HK porter and Eclipse.

So anyone recommend a good set?What do you have and how long have they lasted?

Thanks

Last year I got him an Estwing hammer and had it engraved.

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b214/Rikky_/TURKEY367.jpg?t=1300651205

 

He's got 3 :-D And the main problem with a reciprocating saw is they need power he needs something that can be used in the field.They won't just be used for cutting pipe and it will only be scrap pipe so neatness isn't a requirement,its just to remove it from buildings and to cut larger pieces of metal into manageable bits mainly,copper and lead but have to have the power to cut 10mm steal bar as well.

I have a set but they're only 14 inch and only open up to max 10mm and I don't want to give them to him.:-D He tried to steal them the other day...

 

I am gonna look into it actually,I don't buy sets like that no offence intended I like to get one high quality tool,I'm pretty sure he doesn't have a cordless reciprocating saw.

I've rounded down a few choices to this pair,36 inch.

http://www.trssupplies.co.uk/hand-t...-forged-handles-spear-jackson/prod_57350.html

 

I wouldnt buy any bolt cutters less than 36", I've owned several
Even with 36" some stuff will take some effort to cut
A good master lock will bend the 36s handles

I have a 18v cordless Dewalt saws-all, electic too but these are slow cutting compaired to cut-off wheel

Check out a hand held Grinder between 4 and 6" corded or even cordless and buy some cut off wheels, these are the Cats_Ais

 

Thanks for the replyGot quite a few,grinders,handheld,corded and even a stihl saw.

The bolt cutters will have a pretty specific use that make other things a little impractical and slow,they will see a lot of use cutting scrap metal into smaller more manageable chunks,if you imagine a house boiler and the mixture of steel,copper and brass pipes that need to be cut just to break the system apart that paints a pretty good picture.

If you have to cut 20 pipes in a row to rip the thing out or break it up a grinder would take forever where as its just one or two snips for a pair of bolt cutters.

Using my bolt cutters for this purpose is perfect,the only problem comes when you hit pipes over about 8mm or so and of course they are mine.:-D

I'll snap a picture of my bolt cutters when I have time,they were treasure that I found in someone else's garage who just wanted all the stuff cleared.rusted to hell,they didn't move at all,probably around 30-40 years old.Took quite a bit of TLC but I got them cleaned up with a steel wire brush attachment then cleaned and oiled up.The quality of steel is amazing and the blades looked like new.

 

Chop saw with a steel blade...bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz