Gardner Bender Romex Cable Ripper
The previously-reviewed Cable Slitter reminded me of this little thngamawhoogy. My father, who made his living as an electrician, always had one on him for stripping cable. You slip it over the wire however far you want to cut it. The electrical cable passes through a hole in the wide end of the CR-100 (note: the holes running along the side are only for checking the gauge of the wire). Then, gripping the tool firmly, you just slide it toward the end of the wire, pulling the wire through and causing the cutting blade on the open end to slit the length of the sheathing, without damaging the wires inside. You can then pull the inner wires out and cut off the sheathing with a knife. Or in my father's case, the cutters on his pliers. This Cable Ripper and a pair of pliers was all he ever used (he could also strip wires with pliers, but that's really an acquired skill).
It's virtually impossible to accidentally cut yourself with this tool, which makes it safer than trying to slit a cable with only a utility knife. I also find it's better than the strippers on a set of pliers, because it's specifically made to slit romex (NM or non-metallic) cable, not strip insulation off the wires themselves. Two drawbacks: it's intended for romex cable and really isn't too useful for anything else. Two, you need another tool to cut the sheathing off. Still, it's inexpensive, works great and you can get them at Lowe's, Home Depot or any electrical supply place and probably your local hardware store.
-- Keith Perkins
Gardner Bender Romex Cable Ripper
$2
Available from Amazon
Manufactured by Gardner Bender
Favorite (15)
Michael
I use this tool all the time--well worth $2.
David Bryan
I've used a lot of different romex strippers throughout the years and I've finally come back around to Ideal's version of this, which is open on one side so you don't have to thread the cable through the end. It's one of the most underrated tools I know of. Something else that works for lots of different kinds of cable jackets is a good stout seamripper. I also like the Klein electrician's knife with the little cable-slitting blade.
Kelly
This is, indeed, a great tool. So much easier and safer than a utility knife. The electrical industry is full of useful tools like this, actually. One of my favorites is the wire nut wire connector wrench/socket. One end fits in your drill, the other slips over the wire nut. It twists the wires inside the wire nut, so you don't have to do it by hand. Saves a ton of time!
Bill Schmalzer
Gardner tool shows up under gardening implements: it must be handy when grafting fruit trees, also.