Made by Lid Rig: See the Lid Rig 3.0 nipper on lidrig.com
The Lid Rig nipper is a magnetic fly fishing nipper that parks on the brim of your hat, so tippet cutters are always at eye level. My photos show several generations of the Lid Rig; the current model is the Lid Rig 3.0. FFIP score: 9.8/10. I have used various Lid Rig models for about six years.
Overall: 9.8/10 · Badge: FFIP Top Pick
Verdict: Lid Rig Nippers are a valued upgrade from the nippers by the register, and because of how much you use them, I recommend the upgrade.
Best For: Anglers who change flies and tippet constantly and want a nipper that is always at hand instead of buried in a vest pocket.
Not For: Anglers who wear no hat, or who want the cheapest possible cutter and do not mind fishing around a zinger.
Price: Starting from $59.95 for the Lid Rig 3.0 (per maker site).
Pros:
- The magnetic hat-brim mount keeps the nipper at eye level and out of the way
- Hinge-free design: rare earth magnets hold the jaws open, so there is no spring or hinge to corrode
- Replaceable, razor-sharp stainless steel jaws on the 3.0
Cons:
- Costs more than a mid-range nipper, though less than the high end
- The magnetic mount only works if you wear a hat with a brim
- Not ideal for heavier mono, though it will get the job done
The FFIP Scorecard
| Criterion | Weight | Score | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Function/performance | 35 | 10 | Strong magnets keep it in place and actuate the jaws; sharp, replaceable jaws and quick access. |
| Build quality | 20 | 10 | Solid materials and sound engineering; it never breaks and is super reliable. |
| Ease of use | 20 | 10 | Opposing magnets replace the spring, and access is easy and more reliable than a nipper swinging on a sling. |
| Durability | 10 | 9 | It never breaks and the jaws are replaceable; I lost one older model, and Lid Rig replaced it right away. |
| Value | 15 | 9 | More than a mid-range nipper, less than the high end, and worth it for how much I use it. |
| Overall (weighted) | 100 | 9.8 | |
How Are the Lid Rig Nippers Built? The Engineering Behind Them
Which version am I talking about?
To be upfront: my photos show several generations of the Lid Rig, including older models, and the current model is the Lid Rig 3.0. I have used various models for about six years, so I describe both: what the maker says about the 3.0, and what a published review says about the earlier Lid Rig 2.0.
The 3.0 body and jaws
According to MidCurrent and Angling Trade, the Lid Rig 3.0 uses Type III anodized aluminum bodies with replaceable stainless steel jaws. Type III anodizing is the hard-coat version of the process: an electrochemical bath thickens the natural oxide layer on aluminum into a hard, wear-resistant skin that is part of the metal, not a paint. Angling Trade says the 3.0 has a larger body that is lighter than its predecessor, and that it has dual cutting surfaces that depart from the conventional cutter-and-anvil design, cutting from 8X tippet to braid. Stainless steel is the right choice for the jaws because it resists corrosion in wet and salty conditions and holds a sharp edge. Replaceable jaws mean a dull edge is a part swap, not a trip to the trash.
Magnets instead of a hinge
The most interesting thing about the Lid Rig is what is missing: a hinge and a spring. Per Angling Trade, two sets of rare earth magnets hold the jaws open, which means the tool needs no hinge and avoids the corrosion issues hinges can cause. Squeeze it, and you overcome the magnetic force and the jaws meet; release, and the magnets push the jaws open again. Rare earth magnets (neodymium-based) are the strongest permanent magnets commercially available, so a small pair is enough to do a job that used to need a metal spring. Fewer moving parts is the same reason a good tool lasts: there is less to rust, bend or snap.
The hat brim mount
The earlier Lid Rig system, reviewed by Fly Lords, paired the nipper with a diamond-coated hat clip that goes on the bill of the hat. The nippers stick to the clip on either side through dual rare-earth magnets, and the reviewer said they never fell off. That review also describes a springless stainless steel nipper with fixed blades, a flex cord for attaching to wader straps or a pack, and an eyelet poker, and says the clip doubles as a bottle opener and a sharpener. Lid Rig's current Stash Tray is a related magnetic accessory for the brim: an anodized aluminum body with rare earth magnets and a hook sharpener, measuring 2 by 1 inches, per the maker. The photos in this article show the nipper in that hat-brim position.
Why eye level matters
The nipper is the tool you use most often on the river, and it is the one most likely to be left in the wrong pocket. Putting it on your hat brim eliminates the fumble: your hands are already near your face when you tie on a fly, so the tool is within a few inches. It also means the nipper is never dangling at the end of a zinger waiting to tangle with your line. Related reading: leader and tippet knots for beginners.
On the Water with the Lid Rig Nippers
I use my Lid Rig nippers on my local river a lot. One day I took my daughter and her friend, and we were constantly re-rigging and adjusting leader lengths. It was handy because we could pass the nipper around and store it back on the brim where it belonged. The girls shouted and screamed every time a fish ate or got hooked, and seeing their competitive sides come out was a blast.
The moment I remember most was fishing a smaller side stream with my buddy Keith. We were standing next to each other when he grabbed the nippers off my hat brim, clipped his tippet and put them back. Then he did it again to trim his surgeon's knot and tie on his fly. That is when I knew I was on to something.
I have been using the tool for about six years now, in various models. There are other nippers out there, but Scott, the owner of Lid Rig, is fantastic and loves getting people stoked on fly fishing.
How Does the Lid Rig Nippers Score, Criterion by Criterion?
Function/performance (Score: 10/10)
A nipper has one job: make a clean cut every time. According to Angling Trade, the 3.0 cuts from 8X tippet to braid with dual cutting surfaces; the earlier version reviewed by Fly Lords cuts tippet of all sizes, braided line and fly line. Replaceable stainless jaws keep the edge consistent. The Lid Rig 3.0 has grown up from its predecessors into a full-service nipper. The clip stays in place, and the magnets all around are strong enough to hold it and to actuate the jaws. The jaws are razor sharp and replaceable, and the size is right for freshwater and usable in salt. For heavier mono it is not ideal, but it will get the job done. Quick access is its strength, and because it is so handy I end up serving others around me, especially on a boat.
Build quality (Score: 10/10)
The build is anodized aluminum with stainless steel jaws on the 3.0, and a hinge-free magnetic design that removes a classic failure point. Type III anodizing resists scratches and wear, and the lack of a hinge or spring means less to corrode. I have had several of these nipper models over the years and this one is by far the best. The materials are solid, the engineering is sound, and it never breaks.
Ease of use (Score: 10/10)
Ease of use is the headline. The nipper is always on your hat brim, the magnets hold the jaws open until you squeeze, and a squeeze cuts. You do not have to unclip, flip or fumble. Lid Rig replaced the spring with opposing magnets, and the access is easier and more reliable than a nipper moving around on a sling. Having it on my brim has been more valuable than I expected.
Durability (Score: 9/10)
Magnets do not wear out, stainless does not rust through easily and anodizing is hard. The earlier Lid Rig reviewed by Fly Lords showed no scratches or dings after being dropped on rocks, per the reviewer. The nipper never breaks, and the jaws are replaceable if sharpness becomes an issue. The one weakness I have exposed is that I lost an earlier model with weaker magnets, and Lid Rig replaced it right away. I have replaced cheap nippers far more often because they went dull than I have lost a Lid Rig.
Value (Score: 9/10)
At $59.95, the Lid Rig 3.0 costs much more than a basic nipper. You are paying for the magnetic hat mount, the replaceable jaws and the build. I like a solid tool that is made for the job. It costs more than a mid-range nipper but less than the high end, which I would call higher-middle pricing, and because I use the tool so much it is worth the price to me.
Who Should Buy the Lid Rig Nippers (and Who Should Skip It)?
Buy it if
You tie on flies and change tippet all day, you wear a brimmed hat, and you want a tool that is always within reach. It is a great gift for the angler who has everything.
Skip it if
You never wear a hat, or you want a tool for a few dollars. A basic nipper does the same cut for a fraction of the price, and there is no shame in that.
How Do the Lid Rig Nippers Compare?
Here are two lower-priced nippers from the FFIP Shop, using the makers' and shop's own descriptions.
| Item | Lid Rig 3.0 | Rising Nippa | Moonlit Heavy-Duty Line Nipper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | Magnetic, hinge-free, hat-brim mount | Cutting blades dipped in rubber for grip and easier identification | Heavy-duty stainless steel |
| Price | $59.95 | From $7.00 (1 pair) | $12.99 |
The point of the Lid Rig is the hat-brim system, not just the cut.
Our Pick in the FFIP Shop
The Lid Rig nipper is not currently listed in the FFIP Shop, though you can browse the Lid Rig collection. For a simple, low-cost cutter I recommend the Rising Nippas, starting from $7.00. It is a rubber-dipped blade cutter without the magnetic hat mount, so it is cheap and easy to spot but does not live on your brim. The Moonlit Heavy-Duty Line Nipper is a stainless alternative at $12.99.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Lid Rig nipper attach to a hat?
The Lid Rig system uses a clip that goes on the brim of a hat, and magnets hold the nipper to it. The Lid Rig 2.0 reviewed by Fly Lords used a diamond-coated clip with dual rare earth magnets, and the reviewer said the nippers never fell off.
What is the Lid Rig 3.0 made of?
According to MidCurrent and Angling Trade, the Lid Rig 3.0 has Type III anodized aluminum bodies and replaceable stainless steel jaws. Two sets of rare earth magnets hold the jaws open, so it needs no hinge.
How much do Lid Rig nippers cost?
The Lid Rig 3.0 is listed at $59.95 on lidrig.com at time of writing. The Stash Tray hat-brim accessory is listed at $37.95.
Are the nippers in these photos the current model?
My photos show several generations of the Lid Rig, including older models. The current model is the Lid Rig 3.0, so features described for the 3.0 may differ from what is in the photos.
Final Verdict
Next time you pick up nippers, try upgrading a bit and you will see the difference. For how much you use the tool, it is worth it. Better yet, give one to a friend, the one you know will never treat themselves but deserves it.
Christian's Pro Tip: When you are pushing through heavy brush, cover the nipper with your hand. It gives you a little more confidence it will still be there when you get to the other side.
Tight lines, everyone!
