The Knipex 95 11 165 Cable Shears are compact cable shears for cutting copper and aluminum cable in a shop, panel work, or house wiring setting. This is a cable shear designed for cutting single and multi-stranded copper and aluminum wire cleanly with less hand effort. Model Number: 95 11 165.

What matters here is the way the blades work. Instead of pinching like a general-purpose cutter, the precision-ground hardened cutting edges pass each other in a shear action. That gives you a cleaner cut without crushing or deforming the cable, which is exactly what you want before stripping, terminating, or making up connections. Knipex rates this tool for up to 15 mm cable diameter and up to 50 mm² multiple-stranded copper cable capacity.

The size is a big part of the appeal. At 6 1/2 inches long and about 0.49 lb, this is the kind of hand tool that disappears into a pouch but still handles real electrical cable work. It is built for one-hand operation, so it makes sense for installers and service techs who want a dedicated cable cutting tool that is faster and cleaner than trying to use diagonal cutters on soft conductors.

Knipex uses high-grade special tool steel that is forged and oil-hardened, with a black-oxide and burnished finish. The joint is adjustable and bolted with a self-locking design, which helps keep the cutting action tight over time. There is also a pinch guard built in, a small feature that matters when you are making repeated cuts and repositioning your hand all day.

These cable shears are purpose-built, and that is worth saying plainly. They are for copper and aluminum single conductors and multi-stranded cable. They are not suitable for steel wire or hard-drawn copper conductors. If your work is mostly electrical cable, that specialization is a plus because the geometry is tuned for smooth, low-effort cuts. If you need an all-purpose cutter for hard wire too, this is not the tool to fake it with.

The handle type is plastic coated, giving you a simple, direct grip without adding bulk. This version is also not 1000-volt insulated, so it should be treated as a non-insulated cutting tool. That makes it a good fit for controlled cutting tasks on cable where you want a compact dedicated shear, but not a substitute for insulated hand tools when live-work requirements call for them.

Who should buy it? Electricians, maintenance techs, low-voltage installers, and anyone doing regular copper or aluminum cable cutting in tight spaces. For serious DIY users working on home wiring or service upgrades, it also makes sense because it gives cleaner results than trying to muscle through cable with the wrong pliers. If your work is mostly soft conductor cable and you value neat cuts, this is the right kind of specialized hand tool.

Why the Knipex 95 11 165 Cable Shears Earn a Spot in the Pouch

If you cut copper and aluminum cable regularly, this is the kind of dedicated hand tool that makes the work cleaner, easier, and a lot less annoying.

• Who it's for: Electricians, maintenance crews, low-voltage installers, and serious DIY users doing regular cable cutting for wiring and service work.
• Why it stands out: The shear-style blade geometry gives you smooth cuts without flattening the cable, and the compact 6 1/2 inch size makes it easy to carry every day.
• Worth knowing: This is a specialist, not a do-everything cutter. It is made for copper and aluminum cable, and it should not be used on steel wire or hard-drawn copper conductors.

• What materials can this cable shear cut? It is designed for cutting copper and aluminum cables, including single and multi-stranded wire.
• Can it cut steel wire? No. It is not suitable for steel wire or hard-drawn copper conductors.
• Is this an insulated 1000-volt tool? No. This version is not 1000-volt insulated.
• What is the cutting capacity? The listed capacity is up to 15 mm cable diameter and up to 50 mm² multiple-stranded copper cable.