Up Close: In Focus: KNIPEX StepCut XL Cable Shears
Content brought to you by PTEN. To subscribe, click here.
Application
The KNIPEX StepCut XL Cable Shears are designed for any technician who needs to use/cut battery cable.
Origin
The smaller, original StepCut was released in 2020 and was wildly popular due to the ease in which it cut battery cables. Being only 6-1/4" in length, it couldn't handle some of the larger cables found in automotive work. KNIPEX quickly got to work creating a larger style that can be used on heavy duty, larger-diameter cables with just as much ease.
Features and benefits
- Cuts solid copper or aluminum cables up to 2 AWG, stranded cables up to 2/0 AWG, and fine-stranded cables up to 4/0 AWG.
- Dual cutting edges position cables close to the joint, and the front cutting edge is used for the gradual cutting ("nibbling") of larger cables.
- Adjustable, high-leverage bolted joints and long handles provide precise and smooth cutting.
Manufacturing/engineering specifications
Manufactured in Wuppertal, Germany. Made of high-grade special tool steel, forged, and oil-hardened. It is 9" in length and weighs .806 lbs. It can cut through CU and Al conductors 29/32", wire size up to 2/0 AWG solid stranded, and up to 4/0 AWG fine stranded cables.