I bought thisIRWIN Tools VISE-GRIP Multi Tool Stripper, Cutter and Crimper to strip the ends of theRCA Speaker Wire so that I could hook mySony Bookshelf Speakers (which are spread around my room) to mySony 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 thisIRWIN 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 thisIRWIN 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 theSony Bookshelf Speakers at one end and theSony 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!!!
