Abstract: This invention relates to a hand held hydraulic cutting tool particularly useful to deactivate ejection seats in military aircraft rescue operations. The tool consists primarily of a hydraulic system composed of a fluid reservoir 11, a pumping piston 16, and an actuator piston 26. Mechanical cutting jaws 28, 29 are attached to the actuator piston rod 26. The hydraulic system is controlled by a pump handle 18. As the pump handle 18 is operated the actuator piston rod 26 is forced outward and thus the cutting jaws are forced together. The frame of the device is a flexible metal tubing 30 which permits easy positioning of the tool cutting jaws in remote and normally inaccessible locations. Bifurcated cutting edges 28a and 28b ensure removal of a section of the tubing or cable (40, FIG. 3) to thereby reduce the possibility of accidental reactivation of the tubing or cable being severed.