Steel cable cutter 12.7 mm cam drive FELCO C112

Steel cable cutter 12.7 mm FELCO C112 handles steel wire rope and stranded cable in one two-hand tool. The cutting head works on a meshing gear principle with cam force transmission. That layout keeps hand effort low on thick rope. Blades are made from high-speed steel and finished with phosphate against rust.

The frame uses forged aluminium handles that resist breakage under load. A soft plastic coating with ribbed grooves covers the grip area. Total length reaches 730 mm, and the tool weighs 3.60 kg. The triangular cutting system shears the strands instead of crushing them. Cut ends stay clean, so rope can be terminated without extra dressing. Maximum cutting diameter is 12.7 mm. The cutter is built in Switzerland and uses a modular construction. Worn parts can be replaced rather than scrapping the whole unit, with a reference service life of up to ten years.

Steel cable cutter 12.7 mm FELCO C112 construction

Material choice follows the load path of the tool. The handles are forged aluminium, chosen for rigidity at moderate weight. The blades are high-speed steel, hardened for edge retention on wire rope. A phosphate surface treatment limits corrosion during outdoor and marine work. The plastic handle coating softens hand pressure, while the ribbed pattern reduces slipping when gloves are wet.

• Forged aluminium handles, break-resistant structure
• Soft plastic handle coating with anti-slip ribbing
• HSS blades with phosphate anti-rust finish
• Total length 730 mm, weight 3.60 kg
• Modular build with replaceable components

The size places this cutter above compact one-hand models. Longer handles give more leverage at the jaws. Even so, the balance stays workable for repeated cuts across a shift. Grip spacing suits two-hand operation from a standing position. Field repair is practical because the head and handle parts come apart for service.

Cutting action and force transmission

A cam device sits between the handles and the cutting head. It converts handle travel into a progressive closing force on the blades. The meshing gear arrangement keeps both edges aligned through the stroke. Triangular geometry traps the rope and shears it on three contact faces. The result is a square cut end without flattening or unravelling of the strands.

• Maximum cutting capacity Ø12.7 mm
• Meshing gear cutting action with cam force transmission
• Triangular cutting system for clean, non-crushed ends
• Reduced hand effort on full-diameter cuts
• Blades replaceable as service parts

Cut quality matters when rope is spliced, swaged or fitted with a thimble. A crushed end forces rework before any termination. The triangular head avoids that step on most rope constructions within capacity. Keep the blades clean and lightly oiled after cutting galvanised rope. Check blade closure periodically and replace worn edges to maintain cut geometry.

Common applications

The cutter suits mechanical workshops, construction sites, marine rigging and industrial maintenance. Typical tasks include trimming steel wire rope for lifting slings and cutting stranded cable on winches. Riggers use it when preparing rope ends for sockets and clamps. Maintenance teams keep it for fence cable, guy lines and hoist rope work. Shipyards and dock crews rely on the corrosion-treated blades in salt air. Any job within the 12.7 mm limit falls inside the working range.

Catalogue reference data

Catalogue figures list the FELCO C112 as a two-hand steel cable cutter with a 12.7 mm maximum cutting diameter. Recorded dimensions are 730 mm total length and 3.60 kg weight. The documented reference service life is up to ten years under normal use. Compatible service parts cover the complete handle assembly, the clamping ring and the replacement blade with screw.

Order the replacement blade when cut quality drops or the edge chips on hardened rope. Keeping one spare blade and a clamping ring on site shortens downtime. The modular design means no welding or press work is needed for a blade change.