A ratcheting cable cutter is one of the primary tools in the tool box of any electrician. It allows you to cut through multiple cables leaving a clean and smooth cut. These are ideal for cutting through 1/0 and greater.
When I started to do some leisure projects as an electrician for the first time, I was surprised by the importance of this tool. Indeed, now it has become one of the primary tools in my armory.
However, the thing about cable cutters is that they come in many types and may be specialized for some projects.
With all the shapes, sizes and capabilities for executing job involving copper, aluminum, telecommunication, TV and other types of wires, it can be difficult for you to select a good ratcheting cable cutter.
To help you with the selection, I am going to review the top ratcheting cable cutters for a regular electrician in this article.
Why Should You Buy A Ratcheting Cable Cutter
A ratcheting cable cutter allows you to cut wires accurately and cleanly, without finding yourself to improvise by using tools like a sawzaw or hacksaw.
Any electrician who is doing projects that require 1/0 wire and greater should make sure to keep with them a ratcheting cable cutter. I do not recommended caring it on your tool belt but keep it in your tool bag ready to be used.
Other than doing the job effectively, the cable cutter is also efficient and will save you tons of time in the long run.
How I Selected The Ratcheting Cable Cutters For My List
Now as you would well know by now, selecting a ratcheting cable cutters not easy. There are so many options in the market that are great choices. To save you time a the heart ache of research, I have done all the recon myself and created a list of cutters for you to review.
Well, not many electricians have the luxury of time to find the best ratcheting cable cutter for themselves.
To help such electricians, I decided to spend some time researching and reviewing the best products in the market at this time. Now, for starters, I decided to eliminate any products that have a poor performance rating or a below standard customer feedback. Why? Because I am looking for the top most products and hence these products would never make the cut anyways.
Now I was left with a much shorter list of ratcheting cable cutters that were good in their functionality and had credible feedback from previous customers.
Of course, this list was still longer than what I desired.
Now I laid down some specifications to base my further short listing on. The things I focused on were blade quality, cutting ability, steps in cutting and ergonomics.
Blade quality was my number one priority. If the blade is not durable or wears too easily, it is not of much help for a seasoned electrician, who does several gigs in a week.
Cutting ability was my second most important deciding factor. Some ratcheting cutters may only cut a few types of wires, like copper or aluminum, while others can cut several types without any hiccups.
Thirdly, I looked for the cutting steps. Usually one step cutting is slower than two step cutting and hence I preferred cutters with the latter mechanism. Ergonomics is perhaps as important as the blade quality, since a well designed cutter will allow you to do the job more conveniently and stay focused.
So after using these specifications, I was able to further cut down on my list. The final remaining products were all excellent, so I decided to get reviews about them from electricians and vendors in the market, who would know these products to the tiniest of details.
Finally, after getting the verdicts of the professionals, I was able to make the decision of keeping four ratcheting cable cutters in my list. These are all of high quality and will cover all of your wire cutting needs.
My List of Best Ratcheting Cable Cutters
| Name | Blade | Number Of Steps | Wire Type | Ergonomic |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greenlee Cutters | Heavy Duty | 1 | Aluminum, copper, steel | Yes |
| Klein Tools Cutters | Reinforced | 2 | Aluminum, copper | Yes |
| Temco HD Ratcheting Cutters | Black Oxide | 1 | Aluminum, copper | Yes |
| Southwire Cutters | Reinforced | 2 | Aluminum, copper | No |
Greenlee 759 Compact Ratcheting Cable Cutter
Greenlee is a top American manufacturer of electrician hardware. I have found the company to be reliable and effective in nearly all product types I have reviewed so far. The ratcheting cable cutter by Greenlee is one of these products.
The tool is quite lightweight and has a thin profile, which means that it is easy to work around with (1/2 inches long, 1.4 lbs. weight). The ratcheting mechanism is of single speed and comes with a blade release capability, which means that you can open the blades during the cutting.
Despite the compact size, there has been no sacrifice in the blade quality or strength. The blade is heavy duty in nature and can easily cut aluminum, copper and steel wires (aluminum (400.000 SQ-MM) steel (28.000 SQ-MM), copper (240.000 SQ-MM).), without wearing out quickly.
While it is excellent in its functionality, Greenlee has made sure that the ergonomics and design of this ratcheting cable cutter is also of superior nature. Being thinner and smaller than the standard cutters mean that you get more leverage and can easily use the tool in tight spots.
You can also easily store the cutter in your tool pouch, while working on site. Since only one hand is required to operate the tool, you can also switch between your hands and prevent cramps from developing.
Pros
- Compact And Convenient
- Single Speed
- Blade Release Allowed
- Heavy Duty Blades
- Ergonomic Design
Cons
- Not best for usage with steel
Klein Tools 63060 Ratcheting Cable Cutter
Every electrician knows that Klein Tools is an ideal manufacturer, which makes its hardware to be most compatible and most convenient to electricians all around the world. The manufacturer has been operating in American for over two centuries and has cemented its place as an authority when it comes to dealing with electrician’s hardware.
The 63060 by Klein Tools is another quality product. It can be used for cutting through copper (600 MCM) and aluminum (750 MCM) wires.
Klein has enabled a hold open function that allows you to do fast cutting, while a quick release lever lets you open the blade during the cutting itself for the removal of cable. The ratcheting mechanism involves two steps and has been developed using a patented Klein technology, which allows you to get the same cut using fewer strokes as compared to an ordinary ratcheting cable cutter.
The blades have been reinforced with steel for greater strength and more durability, giving you the confidence to use them even for the toughest jobs. Klein Tools has also improved the cutting capacity of this tool, compared to its previous generations, which gives you a greater overall yield.
Design wise, the company has ensured that you can work with this ratcheting cable cutter for long hours. The special grip on the cutter gives you more leverage and requires reduced force for doing the job.
Pros
- Cutting Copper and Aluminum Cable
- Ergonomic
- Reinforced Blade
- Quick Release Lever
- Hold Open Function
Cons
- May Take Time To Get Used To Its Cutting Speed
- Cutting Blade Can Be Difficult To Rotate
Temco HD Ratcheting Wire & Cable Cutter
Temco is another American brand in our list. It has been operating for over 5 decades and has been successfully delivering high quality and innovative product lines.
The Tempco TH0036 ratcheting cable cutter can be used to cut aluminum (1000 MCM) and copper (750 mcm) wires. It is a compact tool with a thin body, but can easily take big cutting jobs.
The blades have a black oxide layer and have been tempered and sheared before being attached to the tool, enabling them to be durable and strong while facing tough wires. You can open the blades during cutting, if you need to.
The handles have been coated with rubber for maximum comfort and grip while operating, while the telescope style gives you more control, especially while working in tight spaces. You will get great precision while using this tool and a super aligned cutting action, because of the ball dents on the handles.
If you need to do a small job, you can even collapse the handles and use the ratcheting cable cutter single handedly.
Pros
- Handle Locking Mechanism
- Cuts Coarse-Strand Copper & Aluminum Cables
- Telescoping Steel Handle
- Can Be Used One-Handedly
- Blades Can Be Opened Mid-Cycle
Cons
- Grip may be big for some hands
- Lock may go flimsy
Southwire Tools & Equipment CCPR400 Ratcheting Cable Cutter
Southwire is a leading manufacturer of industrial tools and equipment. Its ratcheting cable cutter is one of the best I have found in the market and makes up our last product in this list.
The CCPR400 can cut both copper (750 KCMIL) and aluminum (1000 KCMIL) wires. This makes it useful for most electricians, especially those working in small capacity.
The Southwire cutter has a hardened blade, made from steel, to cut through wires smoothly. The rounded blade design keeps the tool in alignment and prevents distortion while you cut the wires. The cutter has a two step mechanism, which will half your strokes per cut as compared to a single step cutter.
The quick lever release will let the blades open during the cutting process without any hassle. Aesthetics wise, the cutter has a yellow and black color scheme (reminds of DeWalt’s color scheme!) and a straight handle. It is a convenient tool but has nothing special in its ergonomics.
Pros
- Hardened Steel Blades
- Replaceable Blades
- Copper And Aluminum Cutter
- Quick Release Lever
Cons
- Out of stock regularly
Conclusion
I have wrapped up with my list of picks for the best ratcheting cable cutters. Now, while this list is no exhaustive, it does give you a quick access to some of the best cable cutters I have come across and used myself. Remember that not all ratcheting cable cutters have the same capabilities or ability to handle heavy work load. You should pick one of the options which fits your requirements optimally.