Tamiya Sharp Pointed Side Cutter No.123 (74123) Review (2026)

Who this cutter suits

Tamiya's 74123 is described as a slim jaw version of its pointed side cutter line, at 115mm long and around 85 grams, aimed at builders who need to separate small parts from sprue with even less clearance than a standard cutter allows. It suits modelers working on detailed kits where multiple tiny components sit close together on a single runner, the kind of layout common on aircraft cockpits, ship fittings and figure kits. If you already own a general-purpose Tamiya cutter like the 74035, the 74123 makes a natural second tool rather than a replacement, reserved for the fussiest, most cramped cutting jobs where its narrower profile earns its keep.

Design and materials

The blades use the same chrome-vanadium alloy Tamiya applies across its craft tools line, hand-finished for sharpness, but ground to a noticeably slimmer profile than the brand's standard pointed cutter. Tamiya describes this as an even finer form that trades some jaw thickness for the ability to nose into tighter gaps between parts. The handle uses PVC covers over a metal body for a secure, comfortable grip, and the tool weighs in at roughly 85 grams, keeping it light enough for extended detail work. This is a precision-oriented design rather than a heavy-duty one, built specifically to solve the clearance problem on crowded sprues.

Living with the tool

Because the jaws are ground thinner than a standard side cutter, the 74123 is more vulnerable to damage if used on thick sprue gates or forced into a cut it was not designed for. Treat it as a finesse tool: use it for the small, delicate parts where its slim profile matters, and reach for a sturdier cutter on thicker runners to avoid chipping the edge. As with any pointed-jaw cutter, expect a small nub left on the part that usually needs a quick trim or light sanding. Store it separately from heavier tools so the fine blades are not knocked against metal in a crowded toolbox.

Trade-offs and how it compares

Against Tamiya's own 74035, the 74123 gets closer into cramped part clusters thanks to its slimmer jaw, but it costs more and is less forgiving of thick sprue, so many builders keep both and choose based on the job. Compared with GodHand's PN-125, a double-blade cutter built for durability, the 74123 leans toward precision over toughness. Against premium single-blade nippers such as the DSPIAE ST-A, the 74123 is a pointed double-blade design rather than a flat-shearing single blade, so it will not match that ultra-clean cut on fine plastic, but it remains a dependable, widely available option from a trusted brand.

Verdict and who should look elsewhere

Pick the 74123 if you already do detailed kit building and want a slim, precise second cutter dedicated to the tightest, most cramped part clusters on a sprue, where a standard cutter's jaw simply will not fit. It is not the right choice as your only cutter, since its finer jaws are more easily damaged by thicker gates and rougher handling. Builders starting out, or anyone who wants one all-purpose cutter for general sprue work, should begin with the standard Tamiya 74035 or a GodHand PN-125 and add the 74123 later once they run into sprues that demand its narrower reach and finer point.

Frequently asked questions