Abstract: This disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for stripping a protective coating from multi-conductor flat ribbon containing a plurality of parallel, spaced optical fibers. The ribbon is clamped to the periphery of a rotatable cylindrical stripping wheel and a cutting blade is brought into contact with, and cuts into, a portion of the protective coating. The stripping wheel is rotated to cut the protective coating while simultaneously optimally bending the fibers preparatory to subsequent fiber breaking operation.An alternative embodiment is directed to shaving a small section of the protective coating and capturing that section in a clamp. The clamp is moved away from the ribbon to peel a portion of the protective coating therefrom as the cylinder is simultaneously rotated to optimally bend the fibers preparatory to the fiber breaking operation.