Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing insulation from a conductor includes a body, a blade mounted to the body and a movable jaw. The body includes a fixed jaw and a blade support pivotally mounted to the body at the fixed jaw. The blade is releasably secured to the blade support. A one-way drive mechanism incrementally advances the movable jaw toward the blade. An actuable release lever permits free movement of the movable jaw away from the blade upon actuation thereof. Pivotal movement of the blade support selectively positions the blade with the cutting edge substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the conductor and with the cutting edge at a predetermined acute angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the conductor.