Can you strip wire using just a knife?

Yes. Electrical wire can be safely stripped using a contractor or utility knife by lightly scoring the outer jacket and pulling the wire through the blade. This method is commonly used on job sites when specialty tools are not available.

Is it safe to strip wire with a contractor knife?

Stripping wire with a contractor knife can be safe when done carefully. Always cut away from your body, apply light pressure, and wear gloves when appropriate to reduce the risk of injury.

What kind of knife is best for stripping wire?

A standard contractor or utility knife works well for stripping wire. The key is using a sharp blade and applying minimal pressure to avoid cutting into the copper.

Why strip wire before recycling?

Stripping wire removes the outer insulation and exposes the copper inside, which is often accepted at a higher recycling value and makes sorting easier during scrap processing.

What should I do with leftover wire after a cleanout?

Leftover wire from cleanouts or remodels can be recycled, scrapped, or hauled away by a professional junk removal service that handles proper disposal and recycling.

How to Strip Wire

When cleaning out garages, remodel debris, or scrap piles, you’ll often come across electrical wire that needs to be stripped before recycling or disposal. In this guide, we show a simple, real-world method for stripping wire using only a contractor knife — no special tools required. This is the same technique used on job sites throughout Pierce County, WA.

Simple Job-Site Method for Stripping Electrical Wire (Knife Only)

Learn how to strip electrical wire safely using just a contractor knife. Step-by-step method shown by a professional junk removal and clean-out contractor in Pierce County, Washington.

In this video, I show how to strip electrical wire using only a contractor knife. I hold the wire steady with my left hand, lightly score the outer jacket with the knife in my right hand, and then pull the wire through so the casing slides off cleanly. This is a simple job-site method that doesn’t require any special tools.

How to Strip Wire Using a Contractor Knife (Step-by-Step)

Step 1: Hold the Wire Steady

Grip the wire firmly with your left hand, keeping it steady and straight. Make sure your hand is positioned safely behind where you’ll be cutting.

Step 2: Lightly Score the Outer Jacket

With your right hand, place the contractor knife blade gently into the outer casing of the wire.
You are scoring, not cutting through — apply light pressure.

Step 3: Pull the Wire Through the Blade

Keep the blade position steady while pulling the wire forward with your left hand.
As the wire slides, the outer jacket splits cleanly.

Step 4: Remove the Casing

Once the jacket separates, pull it off by hand to expose the clean copper inside.

Always use caution when working with sharp tools. Cut away from your body and wear gloves when appropriate.

Safety Tip (Important)

Always cut away from your hand
Use controlled pressure — never force the blade
Wear gloves if the wire is stiff or dirty

This method is fast, efficient, and commonly used during clean-outs and demolition work.

If you’re dealing with leftover wire, scrap, or debris from a cleanout, we can handle the haul-away and recycling for you.

If you’re dealing with leftover wire, scrap, or debris from a clean-out or remodel and don’t want to handle it yourself, Just Ask Alex Junk Removal can help. We handle full clean-outs, recycling, and haul-away services across Pierce County, WA.

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