Abstract: A wire stripper having a pair of grips includes a clamping mechanism for clamping an insulating sheath of an electrical wire in association with actuation of the grips, and a cutting mechanism incorporating a pair of cutters for stripping the insulating sheath and adapted to move up and down in the opposite direction relative to each other so as to twist the insulating sheath. The wire stripper further includes a pair of separating members interposed between the clamping mechanism and the cutting mechanism and normally placed in their closed position. The separating members are effective to separate the clamping mechanism from the cutting mechanism when the grips are brought into their closed position.