Cable stripping tool and bi-directional cutting blade

A cable stripping tool configured to strip insulation from a cable, the cable stripping tool comprising:

• a housing;
• a cutting blade comprising a shaft, the shaft mounted in the housing, a cutting profile provided on the shaft and extending from the housing, and a centerline which extends along the cutting blade from a first end of the shaft to a second end of the cutting profile,
• the cutting profile comprising a first blade portion and a second blade portion which are integrally formed,
• the first blade portion having a width and comprising a first piercing and cutting edge and leading and trailing surfaces extending from the first piercing and cutting edge, wherein a first axis is defined by the first blade portion through the first piercing and cutting edge, along the width of the first blade portion and passing through the centerline, the first piercing and cutting edge forming a circumferential cut in the cable when the housing and the cutting blade are rotated in a first direction around the cable,
• the second blade portion having a width and comprising a second piercing and cutting edge and leading and trailing surfaces extending from the second piercing and cutting edge, wherein a second axis is defined by the second blade portion through the second piercing and cutting edge of the second blade portion, along the width of the second blade portion and passing through the centerline, the second axis is angled relative to the first axis at an angle of less than 90 degrees and greater than 0 degrees, and the second piercing and cutting edge forming a spiral cut in the cable when the housing and the cutting blade are rotated in a second direction around the cable opposite to that of the first direction, and
• wherein the cutting blade is locked in a locked configuration to the housing when the circumferential cut and the spiral cut are made, wherein the centerline of the cutting blade is in line with and does not rotate relative to the housing when the cutting blade is in the locked configuration, and wherein the cutting blade remains in the locked configuration and in constant engagement with the cable when making a transition between the circumferential cut and the spiral cut.