Best Wire Strippers for Armoured Cable: 2025 Expert Review
Oli at OR Electrics
18th Edition Electrician & Owner
If you are running power to a shed, installing security lights, or putting in a garden socket, you will likely be dealing with Steel Wire Armoured (SWA) cable. It's fantastic stuff—tough, rodent-proof, and safe for burial—but stripping it can be a nightmare if you don't have the right kit.
For years, the 'old school' method involved a hacksaw and a steady hand. But one slip means you've nicked the inner insulation. In a damp Leeds garden, that tiny nick leads to nuisance tripping of your RCD or, worse, a live outer casing. It's just not worth the risk.
In this review, I'm looking at three tools that help manage SWA termination. We'll look at a specialised tool for the steel armour itself, a heavy-duty sheath stripper, and a budget cutter for handling the inner cores.
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Specs vs. The Real World
The Spec: "The Hacksaw Method"
"Anyone can strip armoured cable with a standard hacksaw."
Whilst possible, it requires significant skill. It's incredibly easy to cut too deep and damage the inner insulation, rendering the cable unsafe. dedicated tools are far safer for DIYers and pros alike.
The Spec: "Usage Versatility"
"One wire stripper handles the armour, the sheath, and the copper cores."
No single tool does it all perfectly. You generally need a specific tool for scoring the steel armour and a separate precision stripper for the delicate inner copper cores.
My Top 3 Recommendations
Three options to cover different needs and budgets
10-22 AWG Multi Gauge Wire Stripping Pliers, 7 Inch Cable Stripper Tool
LJAPPLIED
To be clear: you cannot cut steel armour with these. However, once you have removed the armour and the outer sheath, you need a precise tool to strip the inner copper cores (Live, Neutral, Earth) for termination. For £4.99, these are an essential addition to your SWA toolkit.
The Good
- Extremely affordable
- Clean cuts on inner cores prevent short circuits
- Comfortable grip for repetitive work
The Bad
- Cannot strip the outer armour or heavy sheathing
- Strictly for the final termination stage
Installer Tip:
After you've glanded your SWA cable into the junction box, use these to strip the inner cores. Do not use a Stanley knife for the inner cores—one slip and you'll compromise the insulation, leading to RCD faults later.
Priced at £4.99 at the time of writing
Check Price on AmazonC.K T2250 Cable Stripper, Multi-Colour
C.K
This is the 'Rolls Royce' of armoured cable strippers. If you have more than two ends to terminate, buy this. It scores the steel strands perfectly without cutting the inner layers, allowing you to snap the armour off cleanly. It turns a frustrating 10-minute struggle into a 30-second job.
The Good
- Safest way to strip SWA armour
- Prevents damage to inner insulation
- Significantly faster than a hacksaw
The Bad
- Higher upfront cost
- Slight learning curve to get the pressure right
Installer Tip:
The trick is not to cut all the way through the steel. Use this tool to 'score' the armour strands about halfway through. Then, give the armour a twist and a pull—it will snap cleanly at the score line. This ensures the blade never touches the inner bedding.
Priced at £49.50 at the time of writing
Check Price on AmazonArmored Cable Stripper Tool, 8-30mm Wire Stripper Transverse Cable Stripping
Nimomo
SWA cable has a very tough, thick black outer sheath. Removing a long length of this sheath to expose the armour can be difficult with just a knife. This tool allows for both circular cuts and longitudinal (lengthways) slitting, making it easy to peel back the heavy outer jacket.
The Good
- Makes removing thick outer jackets effortless
- Adjustable blade depth prevents cutting into the armour too early
- Rotatable blade for lengthways slitting
The Bad
- Less intuitive than the C.K tool for the armour itself
- Requires careful blade depth adjustment
Installer Tip:
Use this for the 'vertical' cut. Ring the cable where you want the sheath to end, then rotate the blade 90 degrees and pull it down the cable towards the end. The thick jacket will peel open like a banana skin.
Priced at £21.09 at the time of writing
Check Price on AmazonFrequently Asked Questions
Why shouldn't I just use a hacksaw for armoured cable?
Do I need a special gland kit for armoured cable?
Can I install outdoor lighting myself?
What is the correct colour code for SWA cores?
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