Abstract: A cable cutting device having one handle of the cutter placed parallel and closely adjacent to the cable which is to undergo cutting. When a cable is about to be cut, the cable and the handle of the cutter are placed in a side by side relationship and both the cable and handle of the cutter are grasped by the user. The remaining handle is attached to a ratchet mechanism in the cutter and is oscillated to drive the cutter by means of a ratchet device to cut the cable which is still being grasped by the user. Now, the severed cable may be suitably disposed of in a controlled and safe manner. If the user is a utility lineman, the safety associated with the above operation cannot be overemphasized.