KNIPEX StepCut Cable Shears

KNIPEX StepCut Cable Shears

Knipex Design Avoids Cable Crushing Cuts

One of the things that can happen when cutting larger cables is you begin to deform or “crimp” the ends with the blades of your cutters. The Knipex StepCut Cable Shears address this when cutting solid, multi-core stranded copper, and aluminum cables up to 1/0 AWG. With its design, it accomplishes crush-free, cleaner cutting of cable with wires and strands.


10-Second Summary

  • Models: Knipex 95 11 160, 95 12 160, 95 16 160
  • Unique cutting edge gradations cut wires and strands one by one
  • Cutting process makes cutting 40% easier
  • Induction hardened cutting edges
  • Bolted joint design
  • Pinch guard
  • Made from forged and oil-hardened tool steel
  • Prices: ~$55-$64

Knipex StepCut Shears Design

The StepCut effectively cuts one wire after another as you squeeze. It delivers a more precise cut with noticeably less effort compared to standard cable shears. Even as you apply less pressure, the Knipex StepCut shears make clean, one-handed cuts that avoid crimping and crushing the cable.

The main talking point—and the reason the Knipex StepCut Cable Shears work—revolves around the design of the cutting blades. They feature gradations that help when cutting stranded wire cables. Rather than crushing or crimping the wires with a single curved cutting blade, the StepCut shears address cable strands in “steps”.

This design makes cable cutting up to 40% easier than standard cable shears of the same length. It appears to work just as well on multi-jacketed cables as well as single-jacketed stranded cables.

The Knipex StepCut Cable Shears feature induction-hardened cutting edges with precision-ground blades. They’ve been milled to a wavy form on the front and ground flat on the back.

Knipex StepCut Cable Shears

The Knipex StepCut Cable Shears feature a bolted joint design that provides precise and smooth cutting. A pinch guard prevents you from crunching your fingers when cutting cables. Knipex fashioned the body of the shears from a high-grade, forged, and oil-hardened tool steel.

Three Options

The Knipex StepCut Cable Shears come in three flavors. The 95 11 160 cable cutters feature a plastic-coated handle that offers a comfortable and secure grip. These retail for around $55.

The 95 12 160 model features multicomponent handles that focus on ergonomics. The soft, blue component distributes force gently, making these cable shears the ideal choice for frequent and regular cable cutting. These also retail for around $55.

Finally, the 95 16 160 cable cutters feature red and yellow insulated VDE handles that protect up to 1000V, increasing your safety when working on electrical systems. These cable shears retail for around $64.

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