Klein Tools 11055 Wire Stripper/Cutter: Spring-Loaded Copper Prep

A good wire stripper should remove insulation without turning every outlet, light, or small repair into a hunt for several separate tools. The Klein Tools 11055 is a 7.4-inch manual stripper/cutter built around that idea: dedicated holes for common copper-wire gauges, a serrated nose for shaping wire, screw-shearing holes, spring-assisted reopening, and a storage lock in one compact hand tool.

This article covers Amazon US child ASIN B00080DPNQ. Amazon labels the item “11055EP,” while Klein’s official product page identifies the model as 11055 with UPC 092644740572. During research on September 27, 2026, Amazon showed a $20.99 new price, 4.8 stars from 9,112 reviews, and 3K+ purchases in the past month.

The gauge range fits a lot of ordinary copper-wire prep

Klein rates the 11055 for stripping and cutting 10–18 AWG solid copper and 12–20 AWG stranded copper. That range covers many of the conductors a homeowner, maintenance tech, or electrician may encounter in branch-circuit, fixture, control, appliance, and general repair work, without pretending this is a universal stripper for every cable size.

The separate solid and stranded markings matter because the same gauge number does not mean the same stripping diameter for both wire constructions. The clearly labeled holes let you pick the right opening instead of trying to judge insulation removal by feel. That makes the 11055 a straightforward choice for someone who prefers a traditional gauge-specific stripper over an automatic self-adjusting design.

The nose, looping holes, and screw shears reduce tool swapping

The stripping stations are only part of the tool. Klein adds a serrated nose for gripping, bending, shaping, and pulling wire, plus holes for forming loops. The body also shears 6-32 and 8-32 screws, two sizes commonly encountered with electrical devices and boxes.

Those features are useful because wire preparation often includes more than removing insulation. You may need to bend a conductor into a terminal loop, hold a short lead, trim a machine screw, or reposition wire before making a connection. Keeping those jobs on the same 5.4-ounce tool can make a small repair kit simpler.

The limitation is specialization: the 11055 is not a crimper, cable cutter, or heavy-duty forged plier. If your work regularly includes large cable, terminals that need crimping, or tougher mechanical gripping, a more multifunctional or heavier tool may make more sense.

Spring return and curved grips suit repeated hand work

A coil spring reopens the jaws after each squeeze, and Klein uses curved, double-dipped grips plus a closure lock for storage. The spring does not make the stripper automatic—it still relies on you selecting the correct gauge hole—but it removes the need to manually spread the handles after every cut or strip.

That distinction is important for buyers comparing it with self-adjusting strippers. The 11055 keeps the mechanism simple and gives you direct control over the selected stripping hole. In return, you must identify the conductor gauge correctly. Its 7.4-inch length is compact enough for a tool pouch while still leaving room for a full-hand grip.

The biggest buying check: this model is not insulated

Klein explicitly marks the 11055 as non-insulated. The blue-and-yellow plastic-dipped handles are comfort grips, not electrical-shock protection, and Klein warns against using the tool to cut steel wire. Approved eye protection is also part of the manufacturer’s safety guidance.

That makes the buying decision clear. The 11055 is best for de-energized copper-wire preparation when you want a compact manual stripper/cutter with precise gauge holes and several practical shaping functions. It is not the right choice if you specifically need an insulated hand tool for live-work protection, a self-adjusting stripper, or a tool intended for steel wire.