Sunex 3620 vs 3621 Wire Stripper Cutters: One Clear Winner

Introduction

Sunex makes two multi-function wire stripper cutters that look almost interchangeable on paper: the 3620 and the pistol grip 3621. Both combine wire stripping, cutting, bolt cutting and crimping in one tool, and both sell for around 20 to 22 dollars, which is solid value for a Taiwanese-made hand tool of this type. After working with both, though, there is a clear difference in how they perform where it matters most: how the front end of the tool grips.

Sunex 3620: The Winner

The Sunex 3620 is a multi-function wire stripper, cutter and plier with very well-matched jaws. The closure is excellent, with a near-invisible gap when the jaws meet, and single-directional gripping teeth hold material tightly. It also includes a nut-grabbing area, stripping stations from 20 down to 12 AWG, razor-sharp cutting teeth, 8-32 and 6-32 bolt cutters, and two styles of crimpers below.

Grip strength at the front end is where this tool earns its win. Clamp it onto something thin and twist, and it holds tight enough that you can actually deform the metal before anything slips. The asymmetric slide on the handles also fits the hand better than a purely symmetrical design, which makes sense given how hands actually wrap around a grip.

Sunex 3621: The Pistol Grip Alternative

The Sunex 3621 is a pistol grip version of the same multi-function concept, and it has one genuine advantage: a wider stripping range, from 22 down to 10 AWG. Its pivot action is also silky smooth with no latching or clunky feel, and the pistol grip shape makes it harder to accidentally pinch your fingers while working, which is a real consideration on tools without a return spring.

The downside is the front end. The jaw area is slightly thinner, and under a twisting grip it simply does not hold the way the 3620 does. The jaws bow under pressure and the workpiece can twist free, and the jaw alignment visibly suffers. If the front-end grip is not something you rely on, it is still a decent tool, but next to the 3620 it falls short.

Stripping and Cutting Performance

Both tools cut cleanly. The cutting teeth are not oversized but they are hard and sharp, and both handle copper wire with no problem. Stripping is similarly trouble-free on both: slot the wire in, pull, and the insulation pops off cleanly. On the 3621’s larger range, wires down to 10 AWG strip without drama, and the smaller 22 AWG end is useful for finer work.

Bolt Cutting and Crimping

The bolt cutting capability is the same on both models. The 8-32 and 6-32 stations slice through small threaded bolts easily, and smaller bolts are even simpler. Impressively, the threads survive the cut: a bolt can be threaded right back into the same nut afterward with no damage to the thread. The crimping stations are aggressive in a good way, and both tools punch a solid crimp.

Other Options Worth Considering

If neither Sunex quite fits, there is a crowded field of hybrid stripper-pliers. Milwaukee’s popular entry cuts all the way through Romex and strips all conductors in one slice, with strong reaming ability, though a more comfortable handle would be welcome. Klein has explored many hybrid designs, including lineman-style fronts with strippers built in and asymmetric handles that work very well. Ideal also makes hybrid pliers with strippers and grabbers. Tools with a small plier tip up front are especially handy for grabbing short wire ends, and dedicated crimping areas make wedging a crimp onto a wire much easier.

Buying Advice

Both Sunex tools cost around 20 to 22 dollars, so this is not a situation where you need to stretch your budget either way. If you regularly twist and grip with the front of your pliers, get the 3620 and do not look back. If your work leans more on stripping across a wider range, from 22 down to 10 AWG, and you value a smooth pivot and a pinch-resistant grip, the 3621 is serviceable. If you can only buy one, the 3620 is the safer pick.

Conclusion

The Sunex 3620 and 3621 share strong cutting, stripping, bolt cutting and crimping performance, but the 3620’s superior front-end grip and confident jaw closure make it the clear winner of the pair. The 3621 remains a reasonable backup for its wider stripping range, but for most people the standard model is the one to buy.