Abstract: A device for preparing a flat multi-conductor ribbon cable, having a plurality of conductors of circular cross section, for termination into a flat cable connector. A pair of meshing cutters, at least one of which is movable, are engaged with the ribbon cable between them. The cutters shear the cable webs, joining the individual conductor insulating jackets for a predetermined lengthwise distance along the flat cable, the individual blades of the cutter being configured to shear webs between adjacent conductors or alternatively between the web separating groups of a predetermined number of conductors. Each blade of each cutter has at least one concave depression engaging the individual round conductors to stabilize them during the shearing operation. At least one of the meshing cutters has a convex curvature in a plane parallel to the lengthwise dimension of the ribbon cable to minimize the required shearing force and hazard of cable damage.