I am in need of some help

A bic lighter works great for strippin' speaker wire. Melt, pinch and pull, been doin' it for 40 years. :)
 
Considering the shuffle is a sub $20 knife, if that is your price range you will be limited in what type of steel is available to you; 420hc, 7cr17, 8cr13mov, 440a, and a few in aus8 and the likes thereof... or the unidentified generic "surgical" or "stainless" which could be anything, 420j or 3cr13.

That being said, none of those will "hold a good sharp", especially if cutting wire. They are all relatively softer metals, even when heat treated to their upper limits.
They are all easy to sharpen however...

As Marcinek pointed out, a "good knife" (better steel able to hold a better sharp), isn't necessarily going to cut wire better, since knives are not meant to cut wires, that's why there are "wire-cutters"... all you will do cutting wire with a knife, any knife, is run the risk of ruining the edge of your blade... a better edge holding steel will just cost you more money, and be harder to sharpen once you ruin the edge.

Right tool for the job: you bang nails with a hammer, you cut wire with wire cutters, and strip wires with a wire stripper, but if you're intent on cutting wire with a knife, since it can be done, just like one can bang nails with an aluminum baseball bat, you are best off with cheaper softer steels you can sharpen back up, and run less risk of chipping.

The Kabar Dozier, Kershaw, CRKT, and Buck, even some Boker Magnum models and Schrade, Smith & Wesson models are likely to be the best brand options in your price range. Whatever catches your eye. Even the shuffle.

You mentioned some Case knives, if you like traditionals you can check out Rough Riders as cheap options as well.
 
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Thanks all for giving me options. I am just trying to find the right knife for the job. The shuffle is a good knife that I like. I just like to carry a knife with me that can do the job. I have wire cutters but they are not as easy to carry. I use the knife to strip the rubber shielding off of the wires so I am just trying to find the best knife for the price I can afford. Thanks all


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How about a Leatherman Squirt ES4 on a retractable key keeper?

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Klein tool 2100-7 electrician's scissors maybe? They're made for cutting insulated wire and have built in stripping notches. You can also use one side of the scissors like a knife if you want to strip the wires that way. Sheath is available but sold separately.
 
Llama4322 said:
I don't think that will work for what I need. Thanks.


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Except it would be exactly what you needed.

If you want to buy a Shuffle, I say go for it, they're super cheap. But if you're looking for a knife that can cut thick and thin wire all day, a $30 Shuffle II is the LAST thing I'm going to choose. I'll choose a knife in something stout, like M390 or M4.

Good luck in your search, but I think this is one of those threads where you kind of already had the answer in your mind and were looking for some confirmation bias comfort.
 
Isn't there an electrician SAK that would get the job done?


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Quiet said:
Except it would be exactly what you needed.

If you want to buy a Shuffle, I say go for it, they're super cheap. But if you're looking for a knife that can cut thick and thin wire all day, a $30 Shuffle II is the LAST thing I'm going to choose. I'll choose a knife in something stout, like M390 or M4.

Good luck in your search, but I think this is one of those threads where you kind of already had the answer in your mind and were looking for some confirmation bias comfort.
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lol that's funny no was just seeing what you guys thought of that knife that's all lol. I wondered if it would do what I need? I wanted something a little lighter and a single blade then the Gurber multi tool I use.


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Hickory n steel said:
If you want a knife to go on your side get a buck 110, there an excellent classic American knife that comes with an excellent piece of leather to keep it in. ( FYI the Gerber suspension is just a cheapo imported multitool , and you have to get one of their American made models or a leatherman if you want a good multitool )
Most modern folders come with pocket clips and not sheaths.
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Ditto.
 
SAK Electrician is 91mm long. Goes for about $34. Can get a same brand belt pouch for $8-9, either in Cordura or leather.

Edit: Those are the cheapest same brand pouches, there are others.
 
zima2190 said:
SAK Electrician is 91mm long. Goes for about $34. Can get a same brand belt pouch for $8-9, either in Cordura or leather.

Edit: Those are the cheapest same brand pouches, there are others.
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Sweeeet thanks.


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Home Depot sales a Milwaukee with a wire stripper built into it. You can get it with a reusable blade. It's red so you can see it also has a clip. If you work maintenance niteez sales a sheath that can hold it to your belt I'll try and post a pic seems like your best option
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Here is belt pouch
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If I am working I always carry my utility knife with wire stripper it works great has a rapid deployment and great lock up. The belt organizer keeps it handy and also gives me room for a couple other tools that are used regular in the maintenance area, flashlight small leather man and small channel locks also keys. You can even keep a few wire connectors I. The pouch.

In my pocket I always have a ZT, and a mini grip sometimes I carry a pm2 but under no circumstances do I cut wire with them! Can they do it yes but it's not the idea tool for the job. I have. Cheap Kline knife that will get stupid sharp I keep it in my glove box use to use it to strip wire on occasion and like you knife would dull like crazy because it was not being used as it was intended I got it sharp and have no problems now

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Wire? Maybe the SAK Electrician - but that might just be good for stripping wire, not "heavy duty" enough to cut through wire. I'd recommend the right tool for the right job - invest in a nice Leatherman (I love my rebar, it also has replaceable 154cm wire cutters if you're serious about cutting a lot of thick wire, plus a 25 year no questions asked AMAZING warranty). You can keep it on your belt with the included sheath (or consider buying a Skinth if you prefer a better quality sheath). After that, I would say go with any folding knife you like. Leatherman usually come with at least one knife blade, and many come with a combo of one serrated and one plain edge blade. I'd recommend the rebar, supertool 300, and the wave. Just something to keep in mind. Good luck!


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