So Ronstan scissors are nearly $100 whereas you can get titanium coated 8 inch Fiskars with small serrations from Amazon for less than 50. Anybody got any experience or recommendations?

I have the Ronston scissors and can highly recommend them. Yes they are expensive but you can pick them up for $79.00
www.monkeyfist.com.au/p/9217722/ronstan-kevlar-scissors.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIxeW1uLbY8gIVknwrCh1FeABWEAQYASABEgKJIfD_BwE
These would also do the job
www.monkeyfist.com.au/p/9521112/gerber-neat-freak-saltrx-braided-line-cutter-scissors.html
I had also been recommended ceramic fishing scissors for cutting Dyneema but the pair I bought, while very good for cutting to start with, didn't last very long...
Can't use a hot knife on dyneema rope?
Yeah hot knives are fine, but you do have the thermal blooming when cutting the rope, and I've not got myself organised enough to keep one on the boat.
Also, there is talk of the hard ends causing hinge points inside the core when tapering the splice. Only really an issue when working near the breaking strength loading of the splice.