Klein Tools' Open Jaw Cable Cutter Receives Platinum Award

August 25, 2014 (Lincolnshire, IL) – Klein Tools (www.kleintools.com), for professionals since 1857, was awarded the EC&M Product of the Year award for the Open Jaw Cable Cutter (Cat. No. 63711). The new tool earned high marks for solving a common problem identified by customers.

Electricians and overhead and underground line workers said cutters were difficult to use in low-clearance applications and required two hands. After six months of in-the-field testing, the Open Jaw Cable Cutter was created with a front-loading jaw instead of the common "hand-cuff" style jaw model.

The cable cutter features a high-leverage ratcheting mechanism allowing for single-handed cutting of

1 1/8 in. communication cable, 600 MCM copper and 750 MCM aluminum, without burrs or sharp edges.

Weighing two pounds and measuring 11.5" long, the cable cutter has red plastic-covered handles with hand guards, a jaw made from hardened proprietary steel, and a one-year warranty.

This simple change to an open jaw design had enormous positive effects.

"The unique open jaw design not only enables end-users to position the cutter head around the cable in a one-handed operation, but also allows them to cut cable in low-clearance applications," said Thomas R. Klein, Jr., general manager of heavy infrastructure at Klein Tools. "This saves end-users time, effort, and of course, money."

EC&M's Product of the Year Competition attracted a record-setting number of entries with 200 submissions from nearly 100 different manufacturers.

"The employees at Klein Tools prove to us why listening to your customers can yield a successful new product launch," said Mike Eby, editor-in-chief, EC&M Magazine. "The company's new Open Jaw Cable Cutter works well in tight spaces and facilitates one-handed operation. These features are a welcomed improvement by anyone that has had to handle cable cutting and termination tasks in the field."