Abstract: A ribbon separation tool (10) for separating optical fiber ribbons (C1,C2,C3) into subsets of optical fibers. Ribbon separation tool (10) includes a stationary shearing device (70), and a moveable shearing device (50), the moveable shearing device (50) is operative to move relative to the stationary shearing device (70) during a shearing stroke. Optical fiber ribbon support elements (42), with optical fiber ribbon receiving slots (46) being defined therebetween, are adjacent shearing devices (50,70). Moveable shearing device (50) is moveably located between optical fiber ribbon support elements (42) and includes moveable sub-slots (51,52). When a cover member (60) of tool (10) is in a closed position, stationary sub-slots (71,72) of stationary shearing device (70) are aligned with moveable sub-slots (51,52) to define shearing slots (51,71;52,72).