cable_guy

Alright well I did a search on here(as well as youtube and google) and I haven't been able to find much useful information on these knives http://www.amazon.com/Klein-44200-4-.../dp/B000KIFQC4 beyond "they're great, I always carry one". I am assuming they were used primarly as a utility knife before disposable bladed versions were made and to cut sheathing off of various wires and cables before cable rippers, nomex sheathing cutters, and UTP ring style CAT strippers were brought to the industry, am I right? If I have a utility knife and the appropriate sheath stripping tool already is it worth having one?

I ask because I work in the Datacom industry and I have a ring stripper already but I have seen one of the older, more experienced guys on my crew with the fancy looking leather Klein cable splicer's kit w/knife and snips on his hip at the jobsite so I am just wondering if it's worth getting or if he has just been in the industry long enough to have started out with it and is used to it now. Thanks for the help.

chewy

I use a swivel head stripper on larger cables with heavy sheathing like grease filled 100prs. It cuts a ring then you pull a lever and pull it off and it cuts from the ring down the length of the cable. Other than that I havent run into anything I couldnt do with a utility knife. If your stripping fibre with kevlar it blunts blades real quick so its better to use disposable blades.

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cable_guy

So it's not worth getting a cable splicer knife if I already have a ring cutter and utility knife then?

chewy

Not in my opinion, but its really all personal preference.

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Marcus

I use a slightly different version to that, with an insulated VDE handle. We are required by the supply authority here to strip cables for metering connections with a knife, instead of ringing the insulation with cutters, etc.

cable_guy

Interesting looking knife there...would you use a ring cutter style or similar sheathing cutter if allowed to or do you find using a knife is easier/just as easy?

Marcus

I use a 'ring' style stripper for multi-core cables but use my knife for single insulated wires in metering panels.

cable_guy

Anyone out there that uses a splicers knife by choice for anything? I could see it being handy from a datacom perspective since I could carry that, snips, and a punch down tool and be good for most cabling purposes instead if carrying snips, punchdown tool, ring cutter, and then a utility knife yet on top of that. Seems more streamlined and simple( in theory at least).

HARRY304E

I use that knife all the time..

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electricmanscott

I don't, can't, work without it. It's great and I always carry one.

HARRY304E

Same here comes in handy 7 days a week.

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jeffmoss26

All of the phone guys carry them. Great for cutting into outside cable. I have one in a pouch with my snips.

user4818

Those knives are completely useless.

HARRY304E

Here is my ,Oh another Peter D post ,Look.

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user4818

What language is that?

MechanicalDVR

Why, because you haven't mastered it's use? I use mine constantly.

user4818

No, I prefer a utility knife. Not a fan of blunt edge knives like that. I own one and have used it but the utility knife is better for stripping romex and large THHN.

MechanicalDVR

I find the thicker blade not to flex and or snap like a utility knife blade often does when stripping larger wire. It holds an edge much longer than a razor knife when honed properly and you can't accidently poke a hole in yourself with the tip.

Ty Wrapp

I used a cable knife & splicers scissors (snips) my whole career. I could strip any cable, from quad IW to a 900 pr . No need for those specialized strippers. Plus, the blunt nose on the cable knife is good for scraping stickers off of terminals and the handle erases Sharpie marks.

user4818

I guess you haven't mastered the use of a utility knife.