The Knipex 16 20 28 SB Dismantling Tool is a compact cable dismantling tool built for stripping the outer jacket from common round cable. This is a dismantling tool designed for stripping round cable jackets. Model Number 16 20 28 SB. If you work with round cable in the 8.0 mm to 28.0 mm range and want more control than a utility knife gives you, this is the kind of tool that earns its spot fast.

The main advantage here is control. Knipex gave this tool an adjusting screw for cutting depth, which lets you set the blade so it scores the jacket without cutting too deep. On the job, that means less chance of nicking the insulation or conductors under the outer sheath. For electricians, low-voltage installers, and anyone opening jacketed cable regularly, that is the difference between a clean prep and a cable you no longer trust.

The blade is turnable for both circular and longitudinal cutting, so you are not locked into one approach. You can ring-cut around the cable jacket, then switch to a lengthwise cut to peel it back cleanly. That makes the tool useful for short jacket removal at terminations as well as longer jacket opening when you need more conductor exposed. It is a straightforward design, but it solves a real problem better than trying to do the same work with a general-purpose knife.

Knipex also built in a self-tightening holding lever, which helps the tool stay engaged on the cable while you work. That sounds like a small thing until you are cutting on smooth jacket material and do not want the tool walking or slipping. The soft component material on the handle and holding lever improves grip, and the impact-resistant plastic housing is there for real shop and jobsite use, not just bench-top use.

At 5 inches long and about 0.16 lbs, the Knipex 16 20 28 SB Dismantling Tool is easy to keep in a pouch or pocket without becoming dead weight. Knipex also stores a spare blade inside the handle, which is the kind of practical detail that saves time when the edge gets dull. Instead of stopping work and hunting for parts, you have a backup right in the tool.

For replacement and upkeep, Knipex specifies replacement blade part number 16 29 165. That matters because this is not a throwaway tool. It is meant to stay in service. The housing is made from impact-proof plastic, and the cutting setup is built around repeatable jacket removal on round cable, not occasional one-off use.

This cable stripping tool makes the most sense for electricians, maintenance techs, control panel builders, telecom and low-voltage installers, and serious DIY users working with jacketed round cable. If your work regularly involves opening outer sheaths cleanly and consistently, the Knipex 16 20 28 SB Dismantling Tool is a much smarter choice than improvising with a knife. It is compact, adjustable, and purpose-built for one job it does very well.

Knipex 16 20 28 SB Dismantling Tool Keeps Cable Prep Clean

The Knipex 16 20 28 SB Dismantling Tool is the kind of specialized cable stripping tool that saves time and saves cable when clean jacket removal actually matters.

• Who it's for: Electricians, low-voltage installers, maintenance techs, and anyone regularly stripping round cable jackets.
• Why it stands out: The adjustable depth control, turnable blade, and self-tightening holding lever give you more control than a basic knife-and-guess method.
• Worth knowing: This is a purpose-built dismantling tool, not an insulated tool, so buy it for precise outer jacket removal and keep a replacement blade part number 16 29 165 in mind for long-term use.

• What cable size range does it handle? It is designed for common round cable from 8.0 mm to 28.0 mm.
• Can it make both ring cuts and lengthwise cuts? Yes. The blade is turnable for circular and longitudinal cutting.
• Is the cutting depth adjustable? Yes. It has an adjusting screw for cutting depth adjustment.
• Is this a 1000 volt insulated tool? No. It is not 1000 volt insulated.