Some great tips, thanks! I'll pick up one of those hose cutter thingies and practice on some junk hoses.
These are poly hose cutters. They come in different sizes. Worked in the marine business for a long time and automotive. I can’t tell you how many hoses I’ve cut with this style cutter. It’s the only thing I’ll use.
I bought an electric kitchen carving knife at a garage sale for three bucks with the blades and case. The only thing you have to watch for is some of the aftermarket hoses have a metal wire running through the rubber inside to hold their shape. The carving knife is also great for cutting foam for seats as well. I've cut through a 3 inch sheet of foam without tearing it and it leaves a perfect edge.
You can snug down a worm drive hose clamp on the hose, square, as a guide, then use utility, box cutter, exacto, razor blade etc. to cut. Go round and round. don't try to cut through all at once.
I use tape or a clamp to mark a line around it, cut a starter hole with a razor blade or box cutter then use my sharpest Wiss sheet metal shears (M2, 'cause I'm right handed) to cut the rest along the line. Sometimes I get some fuzzies but I just scissor them off. Works ok. I'm too damn cheap to buy a special tool just for one occasional job. Somebody gave me a pair of Blue Point hose cutters that work great but they only go up to about 1"-1 1/4" hose. Great for fuel and heater hose though.
Tried the hacksaw...no love. Too hard to hold the hose. Ended up sliding a piece of wood dowel inside the hose and using the utility knife with tape as a guide. Worked pretty good. Will try the clamp as a guide next time.
I use a Gates hose cutter. On any blade type cutter, always use a lubricant on the blade.....soapy water, antifreeze, etc. Makes a night and day difference in the cut. Used one of these years ago but shortened my work bench every time I cut a hose....or made a sandwich.
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