Separating metal dies...what in tarnation?!?

Yep, you're going to want to use metal snips, wire cutter type tools. I use ones that I have from jewelry making. They work good enough but probably could be a little stronger. Anymore, I try to buy dies that are already separate. It's just not worth to me to have to cut them all apart.

I bought a teeny tiny little pair of snips from the jewelry making department. They work much better than my husband's normal sized ones because they can get into those small spots.

If you have a local Harbor Freight get a pair of these

www.harborfreight.com/micro-flush-cutter-90708.html?_br_psugg_q=cutter

That. ^  And I’d go for a flush jewelry snip, which lets you nestle the snip right up to the die, so there isn’t a sharp bit poking out, just a tiny nub. IOW not standard wire cutters - too big.

To keep keep wire bits from flying and hitting you or landing on the floor, some snip off the bits with their hands in a large ziplock. I just use a small trash can insert that I put on my lap, plus I wear glasses.

(The trash can is one of those little ones with a foot pedal that works the lid and has a bucket insert. Only paper debris from die cutting goes in it so it’s not dirty.)

I already had a good flush jewelry snip from years ago, and saw someone struggle with a pair that wasn’t quite strong enough. She tried mine and was surprised at how easy it was, so I think it’s worth getting a decent pair. Some people have been happy with inexpensive ones, so they probably don’t have to cost a lot. 

I only have dies from one company - maybe two? - that doesn’t have wires holding the dies together - it’s pretty much the standard. 

Yes, it’s a shock when you get those type dies for the first time. For me it was Altenew dies. I used my jewelry snips, but realized that those were taking a beating on some of the dies, so I bought snips from My Favorite Things. They were reasonably priced, and work well.

Blood on die cuts is not a preferred technique... 

With my snips there’s nothing sharp left - and sometimes I re-snip to get them down to barely a bump -  so the sharp bits you have left may be due to the size you’re using. And of course you know that, just reiterating for the OP. 

I never file either - just no need, though I have jewelry files, I’d rather make backgrounds. 

i use needle nose pliers. i clamp it as close to the die as possible and move it back and forth until it breaks off so that there really isn't a small sharp piece left. it's a pain to have to do that at each contact point but it allows me to get as much of that thin connector as possible.

This is such an interesting perspective and you are definitely not alone.  

I actually like them to be hooked together so that I can separate the ones I want separated and keep some together.  For instance, if there are a bunch of tiny dies hooked together, I keep them that way so that I don't lose a tiny die.  It's much harder for me to lose a big die than a tiny one.    Also, I typically die cut and then stamp and image so I don't always need them separate.

Yeah, I think most of my injuries have come from me bending the dies until they break apart rather than snipping carefully.

Ah, okay. You can stop doing that, please? Fingers matter. 

DH managed to snip apart most of mine but then broke his wire snips on the last one. He's bought some more - a bit sturdier, we hope.

I use my jewelry making flush cutters and metal files. I do try to buy the dies that are already separated whenever possible. I also don't cut them all apart at the same time. I cut them as I need them. I find it easier and less time consuming that way.

You should also wear protective goggles or glasses when snipping those little bits of metal.  And hold your hand over the part that's being snipped.  Those little pieces can be like shrapnel and hurt others around you too.

These cost <$6, work great (I have them, and the hearts and the tags and the circles) and are, pre-separated while some others cost >$20 and require you to do the finish work.



www.amazon.com/ZbFwmx-Rectangle-Scrapbook-Embossing-ZbFDIES-Rectangle/dp/B076GZR7NL/ref=sr_1_3