Two-hand steel cable cutter FELCO C12 12 mm, 500 mm

The two-hand steel cable cutter FELCO C12 is designed to cut stranded steel cable up to Ø12 mm. It can also cut solid steel wire, spring wire, and piano wire up to Ø4 mm. The tool measures 500 mm in total length and weighs 1.2 kg. Its handles are made from a single piece of forged aluminium. They are coated in hard plastic with longitudinal grooves. This provides a secure grip and prevents slipping. This happens when both hands are used to cut loaded cables.

The cutting head features high-speed steel blades and a teardrop-shaped jaw that keeps the cable securely positioned during cutting, preventing it from slipping out. The triangular cutting system shears strands cleanly rather than crushing them. Blade clearance is adjustable via a screw, allowing cutting precision to be restored after extended use. Both blades and other wear parts are replaceable.

Overview of the FELCO C12 Two-hand Steel Cable Cutter

This cutter is ideal for on-site work involving rigging, fencing, and structural cables. The long handles provide significant leverage, reducing the effort needed to cut heavy cables. Clean cable ends are essential for swaging, threading through thimbles, or re-terminating, as crushed or splayed ends can hinder these processes and waste cable.

Cutting Head and Blades

The blades are made from hardened high-speed steel for long-lasting sharpness when cutting multi-strand cables. The teardrop jaw holds the cable firmly against the moving blade throughout the cut. The triangular cutting geometry shears from multiple directions, maintaining a round cable profile. Blade gap is controlled by a screw at the pivot point.

• Stranded steel cable capacity: Ø12 mm
• Solid wire, spring wire, and piano wire capacity: Ø4 mm
• Blade material: high-speed steel
• Teardrop jaw profile secures cable in the cutting gap
• Triangular cutting system for clean, undeformed ends
• Adjustment screw for blade clearance

Maintaining the correct blade gap is the primary upkeep for this tool. If the gap is too loose, strands may slip and fray. Tightening the screw restores proper shearing action. When the blade edge becomes worn, it can be replaced without discarding the entire tool, allowing the handles to remain in service for years.

Handles, Grip, and Leverage

The handles are forged from a single piece of aluminium, eliminating any welded joints that could fail. The hard plastic coating is grooved for a secure two-handed grip. At 500 mm in length, the handles provide a long lever arm for increased cutting force. The total weight of 1.2 kg makes the cutter easy to carry on a belt or in a tool bag.

• Total length: 500 mm
• Weight: 1.2 kg
• Handles: one-piece forged aluminium
• Grip: hard plastic coating with longitudinal grooves
• Lever action increases cutting force
• Two-hand operation

For best results, position the cable deep within the jaw before closing the handles. Shallow cuts can dull the blade tips more quickly. Make each cut in a single, continuous motion rather than multiple partial strokes. For cables near the Ø12 mm limit, tape or bind the strands first to keep them together and achieve a neater end for termination.

Common Applications

This tool is commonly used for cutting wire rope for lifting slings, guy wires, and tensioned fencing. Electricians and installers use it for steel-cored suspension cables and catenary wires. It is also suitable for cutting spring wire and piano wire up to Ø4 mm in workshops. It also suits marine rigging and greenhouse and orchard trellis systems. It also suits general industrial steel wire. The clean cut is ideal for ferrule crimping and thimble fitting.

Spare Parts and Service

Service parts are available for the cutting head and pivot assembly. The replacement blade with screw is part number C12-4. The nickel-plated return spring is C12-11. The bolt and nut set is C12-90. Replacing these parts restores cutting performance without needing to replace the entire tool.