Abstract: A hand-operated wire cutting tool comprises a pair of jaw members interconnected and movable with respect to each other about a pivot axis between an open position and a closed position. A wire cutter portion is formed in each of the jaw members, each wire cutter portion having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner and outer surfaces defining a cutting plane and the outer surface of each wire cutter portion intersecting the inner surface to form a sharp edge, the sharp edges passing closely alongside each other in the cutting plane as the jaw members move from the open to the closed position. A notch is formed in each of the sharp edges, each notch having a bottom surface angled less than 90° to the cutting plane. A recess is formed on the inner surface of at least one of the wire cutter portions adjacent the notch, the recess forming a gap between the inner surfaces of the wire cutter portions near the notches when the jaw members are in the closed position.