The KNIPEX Tools 95 11 225 SBA StepCut XL Cable Shears, 9 in. is a hand-powered cable shear built for cutting copper and aluminum cable cleanly with less effort. This is a cable shear designed for cutting solid, stranded, and fine stranded electrical cable. Model Number: 95 11 225 SBA. If you regularly work with larger conductors and want more leverage than a compact cutter, this tool is aimed right at that job.

What makes this StepCut XL different is how it handles bigger cable without turning into an oversized, awkward cutter. Knipex pairs a high-leverage bolted joint with long handles and optimized cutting edges, so the force goes where it helps instead of being wasted in the cut. The stepped cutting edges position the cable closer to the joint, which improves leverage and helps prevent the conductor from walking out during the cut. On larger cable, the front cutting edge lets you work through the material gradually instead of forcing one ugly bite.

Capacity is where this tool earns its keep. It cuts solid copper or aluminum cable up to 2 AWG, stranded cable up to 2/0 AWG, and fine stranded cable up to 4/0 AWG. The cutting capacity for copper and aluminum conductors is listed at 29/32 in., and the tool marking shows capacity up to 23 mm / 120 mm² for copper and aluminum. For anyone doing electrical service, panel work, feeder prep, or general cable cutting, those numbers translate to fewer tool swaps and cleaner prep before termination.

The head design is practical, not flashy. It has a slim profile for better access, which matters when you are reaching into a panel, cutting cable in a box, or trimming conductors where hand clearance is limited. The adjustable bolted joint is there for precise and smooth cutting action over time, and the pinch guard is a small detail that makes a real difference when you are bearing down with one or two hands. Minimal handle opening also helps when cutting large diameters, because you are not fighting an overly wide grip just to get the blades around the cable.

Build quality is what you would expect from Knipex. The cutting edges are laser-hardened to about 56 HRC, and the tool is made from high-grade special tool steel that is forged and oil-hardened. In plain terms, that means the edges are built to hold up under repeated cable cutting instead of dulling quickly. The burnished finish and plastic-coated handles keep the tool straightforward and job-ready without adding bulk.

This is a hand tool for cable cutting, not a general-purpose cutter. It is specifically noted as not suitable for steel-reinforced cables such as ACSR, and the tool itself is marked Do not cut steel. That matters because using the right cutter protects both the tool and the quality of the cut. If your work is mainly copper and aluminum conductors, this is a strong fit. If you need to cut steel-reinforced cable, you need a different tool.

The best buyer for this Knipex cable cutter is an electrician, maintenance tech, utility worker, or serious DIY user who cuts larger cable often enough to appreciate a smarter cutting geometry. If you mostly trim small wire, a smaller cutter may be enough. If you want one manual cable cutter that reaches into tighter spaces, covers a useful range of copper and aluminum conductors, and gives you more control on heavier cuts, this StepCut XL makes a lot of sense.

Why the KNIPEX Tools 95 11 225 SBA StepCut XL Cable Shears make sense

This is the kind of manual cable cutter that earns a spot in the bag because it gives you more leverage, better control, and a wider useful range without getting clumsy.

• Who it's for: Electricians, maintenance crews, and serious DIY users cutting copper and aluminum cable often enough to notice the difference between an average cutter and a smart one.
• Why it stands out: The stepped cutting geometry is the real story here. It helps hold the cable near the joint, cuts easier than compact shears, and gives you a controlled way to work through larger conductors.
• Worth knowing: This is for copper and aluminum cable only. If you need to cut steel-reinforced cable or anything similar, move on and grab the right dedicated cutter.

• What kind of cable is this tool designed to cut? It is designed for solid, stranded, and fine stranded copper or aluminum cable.
• What is the maximum wire size? It cuts up to 2 AWG solid copper or aluminum, up to 2/0 AWG stranded cable, and up to 4/0 AWG fine stranded cable.
• Can it cut steel or steel-reinforced cable? No. It is not suitable for steel-reinforced cable such as ACSR, and the tool is marked not to cut steel.
• Is this a compact cable cutter? No. It is a 9-inch cable shear with long handles and a high-leverage joint, built to give easier cutting than compact cable shears.