Knipex 12 64 180 Automatic Flat Cable Stripper 0.75-2.5 mm2 is a hand wire stripping tool made for removing the outer sheath and inner conductor insulation from flat cable. This is an automatic wire stripper designed for stripping flat cable in electrical work where speed, repeatability, and clean prep matter. Model Number: 12 64 180. If you work with UF and flat cable in the 18 to 14 American Wire Gauge range, this tool is built for that exact job.

What makes this stripper useful is that it is not just cutting insulation, it is set up to handle both the outer jacket and the insulation on the inner conductors. That cuts down on tool changes and extra handling. The pull-through design also allows long lengths to be stripped, which matters when you need more exposed conductor for terminations, routing, or cleanup work without stopping every few seconds to reposition the tool.

Knipex builds the body from fiberglass-reinforced plastic, so the tool stays light at roughly 0.34 lb while still being suited for regular use in the pouch or on the bench. Low weight sounds minor until you are doing repetitive prep work all day. The smoothly operating automatic mechanism is part of the appeal here too. It is meant to keep the process consistent instead of forcing you to fight the tool on every strip.

The blades are made from special tool steel and are oil-hardened, which is the right combination for a stripping tool that needs to stay sharp and work cleanly on insulation. Just as important, the blade pair is replaceable using Knipex replacement set 12 64 180 E01. That gives the tool a longer service life and makes more sense than tossing the whole stripper once the wear parts are spent.

On the job, this tool is clearly aimed at electricians and anyone regularly working with PVC-insulated flat cable. It strips UF and flat cable from 14 to 18 American Wire Gauge, with a stated stripping capacity of 0.75 to 2.5 mm2. There is also a built-in wire looping hole for conductors up to 12 American Wire Gauge, which is a handy addition when you need to form loops for terminal screws without reaching for another tool.

This is not an insulated 1,000-volt tool, and it is not pretending to be a universal stripper for every cable profile. It is a purpose-built Knipex wire stripper for flat cable work. That is exactly why it makes sense for the right user. If you do repeated prep on flat cable and want something faster and more controlled than a knife or a general-purpose stripper, this tool solves a real problem.

Purpose-Built Beats General-Purpose

The Knipex 12 64 180 Automatic Flat Cable Stripper is the kind of specialty hand tool that makes perfect sense the second you use it on the right cable.

• Who it's for: Electricians, remodelers, and serious DIY users who regularly strip UF or flat cable and want a cleaner, faster way to prep conductors.
• Why it stands out: It handles both the outer sheath and inner insulation, it can strip long lengths thanks to the pull-through design, and the replaceable blades mean it is built to stay in rotation.
• Worth knowing: This is not a one-tool-for-every-wire answer. It is a dedicated flat cable stripper, and that focused design is exactly why it works so well in its lane.

• What type of cable is this tool made for? It is designed for UF and flat cable.
• What wire size range does it handle? 18 to 14 American Wire Gauge and 0.75 to 2.5 mm2 stripping capacity.
• Are the blades replaceable? Yes. The blade pair is replaceable, and the listed replacement set is Knipex 12 64 180 E01.
• Is this a 1,000-volt insulated tool? No. It is not 1,000-volt insulated.