Abstract: A hand-operated cable cutter includes a rotary blade-rotating mechanism comprising a first pinion and a gear which are provided on the side of a stationary handle and a second pinion which is provided on the side of a movable handle, a ratchet lever, and a detent pawl. The ratchet lever and detent pawl are operated to be switched between their respective different states relative to the second pinion, thereby enabling a rotary blade not only in the direction of cutting off a cable but also in the direction of releasing the cable.

Abstract: A hand-operated cable cutter includes a stationary cutter blade having a first curved jaw and a first cutting edge, a movable cutter blade having a second curved jaw and a second cutting edge, gear teeth provided on the movable cutter blade, a drive mechanism, a stationary handle having a distal end secured to the stationary cutter blade, and a swing handle having a distal end mounted pivotally relative to the stationary cutter blade and stationary handle. The movable cutter blade is pivotally connected to the stationary cutter blade. The drive mechanism comprises a pinion kept in engagement with the gear teeth, a ratchet wheel mounted concentrically with and for rotation with the pinion, a knob connected to the pinion, a driving pawl pivotally connected to the swing handle and kept engageable with the ratchet wheel to rotate the ratchet wheel in one direction, and a detent pawl kept in engagement with the ratchet wheel to prevent the ratchet wheel from being rotated in the opposite direction.