Vintage WISS 18 Tin Snips – Forged Sheet Metal Shears, USA, Mid-Century Shop Tool / Decor

Vintage forged WISS 18 tinner’s snips, made in the USA and freshly cleaned, tuned, and waxed. The blades meet well and cut cardboard cleanly, with a couple of small nicks near the heel that don’t affect normal use. A solid mid-century sheet-metal tool that’s ready for light shop duty or to hang as honest industrial decor.

Full Description

These are vintage forged WISS No. 18 tin snips, made in the USA and built for cutting sheet metal long before disposable tools were a thing. The forged loop handles and straight blades are classic mid-century design, with a rectangular “WISS 18” stamp on the shank.

Overall length is approximately 11½ in. (see photo with 12” ruler for scale). The original dark finish is mostly worn to a smooth, even patina with scattered marks from honest use and a trace of the old green handle paint left in the recesses.

The snips were fully cleaned and lightly restored in my shop:

Wiped down with mineral spirits and dry-brushed to remove loose grime and rust.
Worked with a 3M pad and WD-40 to remove active rust while preserving the forged texture and remaining paint.
Pivot checked and left as-found—blades already meet well with no lateral play.
Cutting edges refreshed with a light pass of a mill file and 600-grit paper, keeping the original bevels.
Finished with mineral oil and paste wax for a smooth, dry feel and basic rust protection.

Functionally, the blades close cleanly along their length and cut cardboard and packing stock without issue. There are a couple of small dings near the heel/pivot area on one blade; they’re visible in the close-up photos and do not affect normal cutting out toward the tip where you’ll use them most. For heavier sheet-metal work I recommend testing on your material and sharpening to your preference.

This piece would fit right into a working metal shop, on a tool board in a garage, or as industrial wall decor in a studio or office. It ships lightly oiled and waxed, ready to display or put back to work.

Age note: Based on construction and markings, this is a mid-century WISS tool (likely 1940s–60s). Etsy requires a single decade selection, so it is listed under 1950s for their form.

Every tool from Moab Maverick Tools ships with a simple printed care sheet so you can keep it working—and looking—good for years to come.

Bullet Highlights

Vintage WISS No. 18 forged tin snips
Made in USA, mid-century (listed as 1950s)
Approx. 11½” overall length
Straight blades with forged loop handles
“WISS 18” stamp crisp and legible
Original finish worn to smooth, even patina
Small nicks near heel; no effect on normal cutting
Blades meet well and cut cardboard cleanly
Cleaned, lightly sharpened, oiled, and paste-waxed
Great for light shop use, display, or photo props
Ships ready to use or hang
Includes printed care sheet from Moab Maverick Tools