Abstract: A collapsible bolt cutter includes compound levers a first lever of which includes elongate handles and a second lever of which includes cutting jaws for transmitting a force applied to the handles to the cutting jaws with a mechanical advantage when the handles are urged to move towards each other. The handles are each split along their length to form free handle portions articulated to the second levers. Locks or latches a provided for selectively locking the handle portions in the aligned operative positions during normal use while being manually releasable to release the free handle portions to allow the free handle portions to be pivoted to a second folded position when not in use and for storage.