Ideal T-Stripper Wire Stripper (45-120)

Wire strippers are fairly simple tools; a pair of opposing blades that are partly straight (to cut wire) and partly notched (to strip and gauge wire). However, like much in life, tool quality varies widely. The Ideal T-Stripper wire strippers, which can strip solid wires from #10 to #18 AWG and stranded wires from #12 to #20 AWG, are contractor quality.

The 6-3/8" long form-ground blades are made from hardened steel. On the outside edges of the blades are wire looping holes. A compression steel spring keeps the blades open, convenient if you store the strippers in a tool belt. If you store them in a tool box, the blades can be all too easily damaged. As there is no closure lock wrap a thick elastic band around the handles. The wire gauge markings are laser etched on the blades making them easy to read. A strong-gripping serrated nose easily shapes or pulls wire, while the handles are covered with an ABS overmold for a comfortable grip.

Sharp teeth and serrated nose

Easy to read markings

What I like about the T-Stripper is that they are super sharp. The blades continue to maintain their cutting edges like nobody's business. The joint between the two halves of the stripper are very firm - there is no wiggle at all - and there hasn't been any jamming between the blades when cutting wire. If I had my druthers I would have preferred curved handles, as I find them more convenient to extract from a tool belt. My only real complaint is the lack of a closure lock.

Clean cuts

Ready to go

Reviewed August 2010