VISE-GRIP Wire Stripping Tool/Wire Cutter, 6-Inch (2078316)

I bought this IRWIN Tools VISE-GRIP Multi Tool Stripper, Cutter and Crimper to strip the ends of the RCA Speaker Wire so that I could hook my Sony Bookshelf Speakers (which are spread around my room) to my Sony Stereo Receiver through which various audio & video components (TV, CD changer, record player, dual cassette tape deck with 3 CD changer, etc.) are connected. Until I got this GREAT item, I was using (and struggling with) scissors and straight razor-blades to strip the outer plastic (or rubber?) sheath off the speaker-wires without cutting/damaging the inner copper wires. Many times I'd end up either cutting too far into the sheath and losing some of the copper-wire strands, or not cutting far enough and not being able to break through the outer sheath to the inner wires -- not to mention that, particularly when I'd use straight razor-blades, I'd inevitably wind up with various slits & cuts on my fingers. Compared to that, stripping speaker wires with this tool was/is literally, a BREEZE! I don't know why I waited so long (over 2 years) to get this GREAT wire stripper, and didn't just get it when I set up my sound system & speakers set up about 2½ years or so -- especially since this IRWIN Tools VISE-GRIP Multi Tool Stripper, Cutter and Crimper is pretty reasonably-priced (I got it for like $12 with free 2-day Prime shipping), given all the time & aggravation it would've saved me when originally setting up my speakers as well as maybe having to redo the wires again on some of them. But for whatever reason, I never thought about buying wire strippers because I always had scissors (and straight-razor blades) and didn't want to spend money for such a use-specific tool, when scissors would suffice. However, the vast difference between scissors (and razor-blades) and these wire strippers became CRYSTAL-CLEAR the moment I started using this tool. Like another reviewer mentioned, there's an old saying about having 'the right tools for the job" -- and that statement could not be any more correct. After the past couple years of trying to strip wires using scissors & straight razor blades, this tool is like the holy grail. Not only has it saved me from countless more cuts on my fingers, but after getting this wire stripper I was able to prepare the wires for my speakers in just a few minutes -- and although I only redid the wires for a couple speakers, with this tool, I have no doubt or worry that when the wires for rest of the speakers need to be redone, I'll be able to do it in just as short (if not shorter) of a time! Using this IRWIN Tools VISE-GRIP Multi Tool Stripper, Cutter and Crimper was/is very easy & comfortable (especially compared to using scissors or razor blades) to use. After taking it out of the packaging, and undoing the nifty little safety latch on the device to keep it closed/immobile when not in use, I put the speaker wire in the groove specified. This tool goes from 10-20 AWG, I have mostly 16 AWG speaker wire (though the wires for some of my speakers are thinner so I put those in whatever groove they fit best in) so I put it in the 16 AWG groove, and lightly clamped it together (make sure not to clamp it TOO tight [like when using scissors] because you could end up cutting through the entire wire, instead of just the outer sheath). Anyway I clamped lightly on the speaker wire with this tool, until there was a clear slit/perforation, and then with a little separation using my fingernail, and a slight tug, I slid the outer sheath off the speaker wire, and twisted the copper wire part (so that the wires stayed together without fraying/going in all different directions) and connected it to the Sony Bookshelf Speakers at one end and the Sony Stereo Receiver at the other end. This wire stripper seems to be solidly constructed and durable, and I'm so glad I finally decided to get one. Its made connecting/reconnecting speakers and other wire-related tasks a snap! ***** 5 STARS!!!

I cannot compare to other multi tools of similar nature as until recently I've used an old pair for many years but this tool is great so far. It is supposed to cut, strip, and crimp - that is exactly what it does and it does it very well. Between the low price (compared to similar tools), the nice brand, and great performance, this is a great value. Cutting - the easiest cut I've experienced. It's effortless and I'm pretty sure my 90 year old grandmother with arthritis could still cut wires with this. Stripping - the various different wire gauges are labeled well and makes it easy for anyone to choose the proper level (assuming they know their wire gauge). Crimping - Crimping is easy with this tool. I'm not a crimping expert but it appears that there's two crimping areas. Regardless of my own inexperience crimping, I was able to crimp butt connectors very easily and correctly. Highly recommend these for the cost and quality involved.

I love how easy it is to latch and unlatch. It is also very comfortable in my hand. I've used Klein and Gardner Bender strippers in the past, but this is the easiest to use yet. The others would invariably latch when I didn't want it to. So far, this has not done that. Irwin has done a great job of improving a number of common hand tools.

I wanted an all around set of tools for electrical work and these seemed to fit the bill. Unfortunately after using them for a few weeks I decided there was no need for the large channel lock pliers, and I had little to no use for the small cutters (they were too small to cut residential wire) so I had to buy a 9" set of electrical pliers. Once I got those there was no need to keep the regular pliers so that leaves me with the wire strippers and the needle nose. The strippers work great and the needle nose come in handy for small stuff. Overall there are a great set but being I only really need 2 of the pieces so I would not buy them again. If you have use for the other parts, buy them as it is a great set.

I've always been strangely frugal when it comes to purchasing a wire stripping tool. For some reason I've just never had a set floating around when I needed it, and have never considered purchasing one because I always had scissors. It's pretty strange to think about, considering that they're relatively inexpensive. If you're like me then you've probably gone down that road, too. However, that road is one that is time consuming and not exactly a perfect science. After getting these I stripped all of the wires for my 5.1 surround sound system in about 10 minutes. It was fast, easy, and above all else, very comfortable when compared with the awkward and sometimes painful scissors method. I'm also pleasantly surprised by how solid this wire stripping tool is. It's not like the ones that I had used previously with one little notch that you have to manually make the wire gauge fit by applying just enough pressure. This tool doesn't feel like it will warp after you've been using it awhile, either (No promises, though. I have only had to use it the one time). I'm a big fan of the time savings that this provided me at a fairly low cost (about $10). You may not use these often, but it will make a pain in the @#$ time consuming job a lot easier.

Doesn't work for 6 mm wire.... Many strands get cut...

Estoy satisfecho de estas pinzas, excelente filo, precisión y tmb tiene una parte para corte completo. Ya veremos en unos meses si no se oxida, es la primera ves que compro marca irwin.

Sharp and well machined. Cuts effortlessly and accurately, no nicked wires or lost strands on any size. For the price these are excellent and notably better than the CK strippers I've used previously.

I use tools for a living... these are tools to make a living off of!

I bought two different once from Home depot and I wasn't happy with, I bought this one and this is exactly what I needed.