BAOSHLA Optical cable stripping knife Armored stripper 8-28.6mm Vertical and horizontal Dual use type Fiber optic cutter with 1 spare blade Mid Span Slit and Ring Tool Slitting Tool

First impressions and build

A few weeks into a fiber backbone upgrade, I was switching between a ring tool to mark entry points and a slitter to run longways down the jacket. The Baoshla armored cable stripper promised to do both in a single, palm‑sized body. Out of the box, it feels reassuring: dense, all‑metal construction with hard alloy/tool steel components and a gold anodized finish that makes it easy to spot in a crowded pouch. The footprint is small—about 5 inches end to end—so it disappears on a belt but sits solidly in hand.

The rotating cutter bar is the headline feature. With a quick twist of the rotary nut, the blade orientation turns 90 degrees, switching between longitudinal slitting and circumferential “ringing” without swapping tools. The roller cable follower is another practical touch; it steadies the tool as you track along a jacket and helps keep the blade on line, especially on stiffer sheaths.

Setup and adjustment

Like most serious slit-and-ring tools, the Baoshla relies on two adjustments:

• Outer diameter: accommodates cables from 8 to 28.6 mm (0.315–1.102 in).
• Cutting depth: up to 5.5 mm, set via a precise blade adjuster.

Getting it dialed in is straightforward, but it rewards patience. I start shallow—enough to score the outer jacket—and work up incrementally until I’m just shy of the armor or shielding. On corrugated steel tape armor, staying conservative with depth is key; the blade will happily bite deeper than you intend if you rush. There aren’t explicit graduated markings on the depth knob, so “feel” and a couple of test passes on a scrap section (or the tail end of your run) are the safest route.

Switching from slit to ring mode is quick. The cutter bar rotates with a positive stop, so you’re not guessing about blade orientation. Once set, the assembly stays put; I didn’t experience drift or loosening under repeated cuts.

In use: slitting and ringing

On armored loose-tube fiber in the 18–22 mm range, the Baoshla has been consistently clean. For ring cuts, a slow, even rotation gave me a uniform score line without wandering, thanks to the roller follower keeping the tool square. Two or three light rotations were often better than a single deep one, reducing the risk of biting into the bedding layer around the tubes. After the ring, flipping to slit mode to run a longitudinal cut between ring marks made mid‑span access predictable—jacket peels cleanly, and armor separates where and when you intend.

On interlocked aluminum armor, I found I had to back off depth a hair more than with steel tape to avoid catching the edges of the helix. Again, incremental passes were the difference between a smooth peel and a stuck cut.

For coaxial trunk (11–12 mm OD), it did an excellent job scoring the PE jacket without nicking braid. The roller follower helps keep pressure consistent, which translates to uniform depth around the circumference. With smaller coax like RG-6 (around 6.9 mm), it’s technically below the stated 8 mm minimum; I could make it work with careful hand guidance, but it’s fiddly and not ideal. If you primarily work sub‑8 mm cables, a dedicated smaller stripper will be faster and safer.

On industrial Ethernet with thick, braided/foil shielding and a robust outer jacket in the 8–10 mm range, the tool performed well for long slit cuts down conduit runs. It’s arguably overkill for basic Category cable in residential sizes; you can get away with a simpler jacket stripper for those tasks.

Precision and fiber safety

Mid‑span access is where tools like this either inspire confidence or give you gray hair. The Baoshla’s precision adjuster and stiff body make a real difference. I did not see blade chatter, and I could creep up to a depth that reliably cleared jacket and armor without scuffing buffer tubes. The 5.5 mm depth ceiling is generous enough for thick jackets plus armor, yet adjustable fine enough to stop right before the critical layers. The roller follower’s stability is especially helpful when you’re cutting along a cable suspended on a ladder—less wobble translates to fewer surprises.

A note of technique: the tool won’t protect you from poor alignment. If you approach the cable at an angle or work over tight bends, the blade path can skew. Straighten the run and keep the follower square to the jacket for best results.

Ergonomics

At around 5.1 inches, the tool sits well in the palm. The knurled adjusters are easy to grip with gloves on, and the low profile means it fits into tight cabinets. The all‑metal build gives it heft, but not so much that it’s fatiguing. Over a full day of prep work (dozens of mid‑span opens), I didn’t feel hand strain beyond what you’d expect from repetitive scoring.

Maintenance and blade life

The kit includes a spare blade, which is a welcome addition. Blade changes are quick and intuitive, and the cutter seats securely—no slop or lateral play. Cutting armored jackets will dull any blade; with steel tape armor, I could feel performance taper after a week of frequent use. A light wipe and occasional drop of oil on the pivot points kept the action smooth. Keep the roller clean; grit build‑up can cause minor marring on softer jackets.

Where it shines—and where it doesn’t

Strengths:
- Versatility: One tool covers ring and slit operations across a broad 8–28.6 mm cable range, reducing the number of tools on your belt.
- Stability: The roller follower genuinely helps keep cuts straight and repeatable.
- Precision: The depth adjuster is predictable, and the tool’s rigidity keeps results consistent.
- Build quality: Metal construction inspires confidence. It feels like something you can toss in a bucket without babying.

Limitations:
- Not for small-diameter work: Below 8 mm, you’re forcing it. Use a dedicated mini stripper for drops and most residential Ethernet.
- Learning curve: Without graduated depth markings, you’ll spend a few minutes finding the sweet spot on a new cable type. Make test cuts.
- Tight bends: The follower prefers straight runs; on tight radii or near connectors, you’ll need to reposition or switch tools.
- Depth margin: While 5.5 mm is ample for most jackets and armor, very thick or nonstandard constructions may still require a careful multi-pass approach.

Compared to alternatives

Plastic-bodied mid‑span tools with fixed diameter inserts are quick on a narrow band of cables but lack the range—and the rigidity—of this design. High‑end, brand‑name slit-and-ring tools offer finer graduated adjustments and sometimes more elaborate safety stops, but at a significantly higher price. The Baoshla sits in a sweet spot: pro‑grade results, metal build, broad adjustability, and a simple mechanism that doesn’t fight you. If you regularly bounce between fiber feeder, armored electrical, and larger coax, the convenience is tangible.

Tips for best results

• Start shallow. Two or three gentle passes beat one aggressive cut.
• Use ring cuts to control start/stop points before longitudinal slits.
• Keep the cable straight; the follower does its best work on true runs.
• Treat 8 mm as a practical floor; if you must go smaller, guide the tool carefully and expect mixed results.
• Refresh the blade as soon as you feel drag. A dull blade tempts you to over‑adjust depth.

Recommendation

I recommend the Baoshla armored cable stripper for technicians and advanced DIYers who routinely work with armored fiber, large coax, or robust multi‑conductor cables in the 8–28.6 mm range. It combines the two most common jacket operations—ringing and slitting—into a compact, durable tool that stays accurate once set. The adjustable depth (up to 5.5 mm) and roller follower make mid‑span access safer and more predictable than cheaper, plastic alternatives. It’s not the right choice for small‑diameter drops or quick residential Ethernet tasks, and there’s a short setup learning curve. But for anyone spending real time on feeder prep, cabinet terminations, or armored cable work, it’s a dependable, efficient addition to the kit.