While not exactly small. Has anyone looked into the Tungsten Carbide dental type flush Hard-wire cutters.
Not the dental versions, but I've both Erem & Swanstrom with steel that contains Tungsten Carbide rather than TC inserts (latter is part of their surgical series). I got these very cheap via eBay (have the ability to wait for the right deal/s to surface). Tough cutters IME, and as inexpensive parts more and more seem to be using tin plated steel leads, they're very useful IME (no dings in the blades).
Regarding Lindstrom, they're not what they used to be since production was moved to Spain (occurred under Sandvik's ownership IIRC, and has continued under Snap-On Europe's leadership).
I've a pair of 8140Rx and I'm not fond of them (too much flex with wire gauge within specifications). Not that they don't work well enough, but they always make nervous of failing during normal use.
FWIW, for those that want new cutters or pliers, I'd recommend taking a serious look at
Schmitz (box joints, and teeth on their pliers hold up extremely well <i.e. don't flatten out like other tier 1 brands>).
Otherwise, I'd recommend used. Specifically, I'd look for Tronex, Swanstrom, and Erem (all w/ foam grips). Some others to hunt for would be CK Tools (rebranded Schmitz), and Belzer off the top of my head. Got mine for pennies on the dollar (i.e. Swanstrom TC cutters for ~$15 shipped IIRC;
example).