Cutting tool and method

摘要

A tool 10 for cutting a tie wrap 12 bound about a wire bundle 13a. The tool includes a body portion 26 having a generally disc-shaped cutter 42 and cutting edge 44. A shield 50 covers one side 46 of the cutter and defines first and second shield slots 52, 54 in communication with the cutting edge. A housing 60 pivotally connected to the body portion covers the other side 48 of the cutter and defines first and second housing slots 62, 64 that communicate with the cutting edge. The housing pivots between first, second, and third positions. In the first position, the first housing slot communicates with the first shield slot to expose the cutting edge for cutting purposes. In the second position, the first housing slot is out of communication with the first shield slot, thereby covering the cutting edge. And, in the third position, the second housing slot communicates with the second shield slot to expose the cutting edge.