Klein Tools 1201R Aviation Snips, Right

Green is the industry color code for right-cutting aviation snips, and the Klein 1201R is color-coded green. Its cutting pattern is listed as Right/Straight, so it cuts straight runs and curves to the right. Red handles are the left-cut tool and yellow the straight-cut. If you are stocking a van or a shop board, the color is how the crew grabs the right one without reading the stamp.

Rated for 18 gauge steel and 22 gauge stainless steel. That covers most HVAC duct, sheet metal flashing, strut backing plate shims and light stainless. Heavier plate or hardened material will damage the serrated forged steel blades. The blades are serrated, which grips the sheet instead of sliding off, but it does leave a toothed edge on the cut line.

No. These snips are NOT insulated and will not protect against electrical shock. Klein's own warning says never use them on or near live circuits, and to wear approved eye protection when cutting. For energized work you need a tool rated and marked for 1000V insulated use.

Yes. The 1201R is listed as ambidextrous in both handedness fields, so the grip works in either hand. The "Right" in the name refers to blade curvature and the direction of cut, not which hand holds it.

The 1201R conforms to ASME B107.16M, the performance standard for metal cutting snips. That is the spec line a government, healthcare or school MRO buyer usually needs on a tool requisition.

Cutting length is 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) per stroke with a 1.5 inch blade, so longer runs are a series of bites rather than one pull. Overall length is 10.063 inches (25.6 cm), width 3.75 inches (9.1 cm) and height 0.9 inches (2.2 cm), with a product weight of 1 lb. The blunt blade tip is worth knowing if you work in ductwork or tight ceiling spaces where a sharp point would be a hazard.

Yes. A spring-action lock lets you open the snips with one hand, so your other hand can hold or steady the sheet. The latch also keeps the jaws closed in a pouch. Handle orientation is straight, meaning the handles run in line with the blades rather than offset.

The 1201R is the right-cut tool, so it handles straight lines and curves that sweep right. For left-hand curves you need the left-cut version, Klein 1202L, and for straight-only work with minimal distortion the straight-cut Klein 1200S. Cutting round duct collars usually means keeping a right and a left pair on the truck so you can work both sides of the arc.

Yes. The 1201R uses a bolt for tension adjustment, so when the pivot loosens with use you can snug it back up instead of replacing the tool. The handles are plastic contoured grip over hardened steel, and there is a hang-hole for board or pegboard storage.

Manufacturer part number 1201R, Klein Tools. Body material is steel with a sand blast and oil rub finish. That is the number to quote when ordering or matching an existing tool crib item.