Park Tool Professional Cable and Housing Cutter CN-10

Crudely cut cable housings and frayed cables are two ways to make your derailleur and shifter a PITA to install or work on. There are many ways to cut through cable and there are even a few common tools that do an ok job. Standard wire cutters are usually the closest on-hand tool. Their hardened steel jaws pinch wire like a bionic bird beak until it separates. This works good for solid core wires and soft metals like copper, but should not be used for multi strand steel cables and especially not for index housing. That same crushing force separates the strands of bike cables and misshapes cable housing before it cuts.

Poorly cut cable housing is guaranteed to cause shifting problems further down the road. Frayed cables make them a disposable item rather than something you can maintain for years. But buying the Park Tool CN-10 will dry your tears of rage and frustration. Rather than pinching, this tool shears through cable with overlapping jaws. It operates with a tremendously satisfying efficiency every time. Cold forged and heat treated for strength. Rubberized grips to keep it firmly in your mitts. This tool also has a built in crimper for pressing cable caps or reshaping an out of round housing. Such a joy to use that it gets a special little hug and kiss when I tuck it back in the toolbox.