Abstract: A portable hand-held power-operated cable stripper is disclosed. A pressure arm is disposed in and pivotally joined to a handle, so as to have a portion extending therefrom that is gripped during the use thereof. The pressure arm has a forward clamping portion that moves in a first direction and in a second opposite direction. A cable shield stripping means including a motor and a rotary blade driven by the motor is disposed in the handle. The cutting blade is aligned with the forward clamping portion of the pressure arm, such that when the pressure arm is pivoted in the first direction towards the handle, the shielded cable is clamped by the forward clamping portion of the pressure arm and pushed into contact with the cutting blade which longitudinally cuts and strips the shield from the cable. When the forward clamping portion of the pressure arm is pivoted in the second direction, the cable is released.