Abstract: A rotary wire end stripper has a rotatable cutting head which has a cutting blade carrier block that pivots between an operative and an inoperative position. The carrier block is spring-biased to the inoperative position and has a weight that is positioned to move the carrier block to the operative position under the centrifugal force of rotation of the cutting head. The cutting head forms annular slits of predetermined depth in the coverings of the wire which forms annular "slugs" that are removed after the wire end is withdrawn from the device.