Thomas & Betts Ty-Rap Zip Ties reviewed (Verdict: Expensive but the best)
John Todd, writing for Cool Tools, gives a short history and thorough explanation of why Thomas & Betts "Ty-Rap" zip ties are the ones by which all other ties are measured:
The difference is that the T&B ties use a stainless gripper as the 'ratchet' mechanism, and there are no serrations on the bottom of the tie surface -- it's completely smooth. The stainless locking head actually digs into the underside of the wrap when threaded, leading to infinite adjustability and tight application (the el-cheapo ties always seem to be one "click" too loose.) They are higher-strength material - probably double or triple the strength of standard ties. They resist melting, and seem to be impervious to the worst chemicals I've thrown them into (including lye baths for metal stripping.) They are resistant to abrasions and take a bit of effort to cut through even with a sharp knife. I find that I typically have to wedge a knife blade under the tie, and twist the blade like a tourniquet stick to cut the ties - this also avoids the unpredictable jumping of the blade which is typical of the brute force method of cutting these infernal things once they're on an object.They certainly aren't cheap: the Amazon price for 100 ties is $19. It might be nice to keep a bag of the cheaper zip ties around, too, just for jobs where you don't particularly need a super-strong, permanent fix.
Ty-Rap Zip Ties [Cool Tools]
Update: But soft, reader Tristan B. begs to differ:
Sorry to burst your bubble on TNB ty-raps but the most expensive gotta be Panduits stainless steel ty-raps
They are incredibly strong, used for installing industrial process insulation. I got ahold of some through my friendly electrical wholesale house. Corrosion resistant, heat resistant and look like they belong on the space shuttle.
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McMaster-Carr part number 6614K13 seems to be very similar, and slightly cheaper at $7.98 for 50. Or you could get the 3 5/8" long 6614K11 for $4.42.
I gave up on zip ties and started to use waxed lacing cord when I saw how easy and clean it is. Seriously, do yourself a favor and purchase some poly 9-strand telco ( and/or milspec) lacing cord.
http://www.link4earth.com/index_files/Sewing%20Methods.pdf
You don't snag your hands on the plastic and it's super neat.
The metal-tabbed ones are also used as handcuffs by law enforcement since they can't easily be worked loose.
Don't use a knife to cut zip ties, a fingernail clipper makes short work of them (even the law enforcement ones).
zak
Um, diagonal wire cutters?
Seriously, who uses a knife to cut cable ties?
as a purist, i can dig preluded's post (#2), but the advent of ty-wraps was a serious labor saver for telephone techs. lashing cable proper takes a lotta string, you'd be tying Chicago knots in your sleep, so ty's were a welcome thing. there was a class & a Bell System spec, so when you saw a bad job, you'd laugh. i still have rolls of wax string, put them to use for crabbing drop lines.
back to T & B - by far the best, verizon buys crap now (of course), so i've hoarded the old ones. and i have a lot of black tape...and curly cords...and...
Who makes the best re-useable cable ties?
Whew, it takes a while for me to get around to commenting on these things...
1) I cut ty-wraps with my knife when I'm in godforsaken nowhere and ty-wraps are what is holding [parts of my car together], [coiled steel cable], [aluminum bars together], [etc.]. If you look at the original article, you'll see that I even suggest a specific angle cutter for clipping off the excess strap so that it isn't sharp, but that's only in situations under good control circumstances, unlike most of the time when ty-wraps are used as ersatz gaffers tape, epoxy, or MIG welder.
2) Yes, lacing cord is much nicer, but lacing cord is mostly useful only for cables, whereas ty-wraps are useful for a far wider set of applications. Since I know how to apply ty-wraps without pinching cables, they are fine for me. Others may prefer lacing cord but that's a matter of personal taste and time available.
3) eBay is the best place I've found typically to buy the T&B wraps at a discount.
T&B really doesn't quite know how useful these products are - they are missing a big opportunity (I think) to become a de-facto household name just on the strength of these wraps but they're stuck in a very industrial concept of advertising. But what do I know? I'm just someone who uses them.