The Knipex 13 71 8 SBA 8 Inch Forged Wire Stripper 20-10 AWG is a forged hand tool built for stripping, cutting, and gripping electrical wire. This is a wire stripper designed for stripping solid and stranded wire and handling common electrical fastening tasks. Model Number: 13 71 8 SBA. If you want one tool that covers wire prep, screw shearing, light gripping, and cleanup work without bouncing between tools, this one makes a strong case.

The core working range is 10 to 20 AWG for both solid and stranded wire. That matters because it covers a lot of the wire sizes electricians and service techs run into on everyday installs and repairs. Locating ridges at the stripping holes make it easier to find the right position by feel, which helps when you are moving fast or working in less-than-ideal lighting.

Knipex built this tool around a forged steel body with a bolted joint for precise, smooth action. That is the kind of detail you notice after a long day, because a sloppy pivot makes stripping inconsistent and gripping less controlled. The tool also uses induction hardened blades and screw shear areas, which is a practical durability upgrade when you are repeatedly cutting wire and trimming screws instead of just using the tool once in a while.

Beyond stripping, this tool is set up to handle common electrical prep work that usually eats time. It can cut 6-32 and 8-32 screws without damaging the threads, and those screws can be cut from either the front or back of the tool. That is useful on device installs where you need a cleaner fit and do not want to stop and chase threads afterward. The shear cutting blades are also designed for individual wires, NM-B, BX/MC, and battery cable, giving the tool more range than a basic stripper.

The nose and jaw design add another layer of usefulness. You get a knurled tip, wide flat jaws, and a serrated gripping surface for holding and turning material with better control. There is also a wire looping groove for bending conductors for terminal screws, plus conduit reaming capability for cleaning burrs. Those features matter because they reduce the number of times you have to reach for another hand tool just to finish the connection properly.

Jobsite practicality is clearly part of the design. The tool has non-slip plastic handles and a lock that can be used right- or left-handed, which is a nice real-world touch if the tool lives in a pouch and gets opened and closed all day. At about 0.54 lb, it is light enough for everyday carry without feeling flimsy, and the 8 inch overall tool length gives you decent leverage while still staying pouch-friendly.

This Knipex wire stripper is a good fit for electricians, maintenance techs, HVAC installers, low-voltage pros, and serious DIY users doing switch, receptacle, fixture, and service work. If your day involves repeated wire prep and you want a hand tool that does more than just strip insulation, the Knipex 13 71 8 SBA earns its space pretty quickly.

Knipex 13 71 8 SBA is the kind of electrical hand tool that actually replaces a couple others

If you do wire prep all day and want one tool that strips cleanly, cuts screws correctly, and handles the little finishing tasks too, this is a smart buy.

• Who it's for: Electricians, service techs, HVAC installers, maintenance crews, and serious DIY users who want a better everyday wire stripper.
• Why it stands out: Forged construction, a smooth bolted joint, 10 to 20 AWG stripping range, front or rear 6-32 and 8-32 screw shearing, and extra functions like looping and conduit reaming.
• Worth knowing: This is a specialized hand tool for electrical prep and light gripping tasks, not a do-everything lineman's plier. But for wire work, it is a lot more capable than a basic stripper.

• What wire sizes does it strip? It strips 10 to 20 AWG wire in both solid and stranded formats.
• Can it cut common device screws? Yes. It cuts 6-32 and 8-32 screws and is designed to do it without damaging the threads.
• What kind of cutting edge does it use? It uses a shear cutting edge with induction hardened cutting areas.
• Where is it made? It is made in Germany.