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Vise-grip Wire strippers

Ratings & Reviews for IRWIN Vise-grip Wire strippers

3.7
247
Review
 3.7 out of 5
247 Reviews


71% Recommend this product

Ratings may include incentivized customer reviews.

What Customers Are Saying

The wire strippers appear to work well for a variety of wire sizes, with users praising the ease of use and consistent stripping. However, some customers experienced issues when trying to strip thinner or stranded wires, with the jaws not gripping properly and the tool's performance degrading over time. The mixed reviews suggest the tool may not be suitable for all wire stripping needs.

Customer review summary generated by AI, including incentivized reviews.
247 Customer Reviews

Not working

Would Not Recommend

As everyone mentioned, it is not working no matter what kind of adjustment you do it doesn’t strip the wire

March 26, 2026

From irwin.com

Response from CS

Hello. We appreciate your feedback on the 2078300. We are sorry to hear that you are having problems with your tool. Your satisfaction is our top prio...

CSMarch 31, 2026

Never Work

Came here after being unable to get these to work....then learning they work for no one. Into the trash they go.

March 12, 2026

From irwin.com

Response from CS

Hello. We appreciate your feedback on the 2078300. We are sorry to hear that you are having problems with your tool. Your satisfaction is our top prio...

CSMarch 14, 2026

Don't Bother!

Got as a gift and I am incredibly disappointed. As other have mentioned it doesn't grip the wires and requires two hands most of the time to push the jaws together to get any grip on the wire. I wanted it for one handed work and it totally fails. I've been a big fan of Irwin products but this one is a dud, wish I had read the reviews before asking for one. Fool me once!

February 11, 2026

From irwin.com

Response from Irwin

Your feedback is valuable as we take into consideration every piece of feedback that we come across. We have documented your comments and sent them to...

IrwinFebruary 11, 2026

Worthless

Would Not Recommend

I am the owner of an automotive business that specializes in electrical. Based on the brand and design I thought these would be an asset to my business. Boy was I wrong. they are horrible. Regardless of where I set the adjustment with the micro knob they refuse to grip the wire. I have tried a variety of wire gauges and if you happen to get lucky they might strip the wire on the 10th or 15th try. Very disappointed.

January 5, 2026

From irwin.com

Response from Irwin

Hello, I appreciate your feedback on 2078300 and I am sorry to hear the micro knob is not working properly. Your satisfaction is our top priority. We ...

IrwinJanuary 5, 2026

Doesn't work very well

I received this as a Christmas gift. Most of the work I do is with 18-22 AWG wire. It does not work very well. Especially with thinner wire, like over 20 AWG. There appears to be adjustments on the tool, but there are no videos or user manuals that I can find. Don't buy it if you are working with thinner wire.

January 3, 2026

From irwin.com

Response from CS

Hello. Thank you for taking the time to provide your feedback. I'm sorry you weren't pleased with the 2078300. Your feedback is valuable as we take in...

CSJanuary 6, 2026

Not as great as hoped

Works okay, nothing stellar. As some have noted, the micro adjuster doesn't really do anything unless there's some magical procedure you have to follow that isn't to be found in the package instructions (which there aren't) nor online. A simple 1 page users guide would be helpful.

December 6, 2025

From irwin.com

Response from Irwin

Hello B2025, your feedback is valuable as we take into consideration every piece of feedback that we come across. We have documented your comments and...

IrwinDecember 6, 2025

Will not strip 14g wire

Will not grip insulation well enough to strip wire,

November 30, 2025

From irwin.com

Response from Irwin

Hello, I appreciate your feedback on the 2078300 and I am sorry to hear how it will not grip to strip the wire. Your satisfaction is our top priority....

IrwinDecember 1, 2025

Junk

Would Not Recommend

They don’t work! Wire just slips. Why would you sell something that doesn’t work????

September 27, 2025

From irwin.com

Response from Irwin

Hello Cookie, I appreciate your feedback on the Irwin 2078300 Self-Adjusting Wire Stripper and I'm sorry to hear they are slipping. Your satisfaction ...

IrwinSeptember 27, 2025

Poor quality

Would Not Recommend

I've had this tool for awhile now and used it sparingly and it seemed to work well. Put up a barn and started wiring it and the strippers completely stopped working. Doesn't matter what I do with the adjustment screw. Very very disappointed. I spent good money for this product.

September 22, 2025

From irwin.com

Response from Irwin

Hello AJ76, I appreciate your feedback on the Self-Adjusting Wire Stripper and I'm sorry to hear you are having issues. Your satisfaction is our top p...

IrwinSeptember 23, 2025

Won’t work

Will not grip wire. Slides off. Unable to adjust . waste of money

August 30, 2025

From irwin.com

Response from Irwin

Hello valued customer, I appreciate your feedback on the Self-Adjusting Wire Stripper 2078300, and I'm sorry to hear the wire strippers won't work. Th...

IrwinSeptember 2, 2025

Writer stripper pro

Would Recommend

My go to for any wire job. Tried many different types of wire stripping tools, this is the best

August 6, 2025

From irwin.com

Need help!

I bought this tool a couple of years ago and used it a few times. Lately it has been slipping like many other here complain about. The issue seems to be with the "micro adjusting" knob - I turned it all the way in and it seemed to grab much better. I have searched the internet for advice on how to use the "micro adjusting" knob but have found nothing, also, the included card with the tool did not have specific directions. Please tell me (and all the others) HOW TO USE THE "micro adjusting" knob?...

June 27, 2025

From irwin.com

Response from Lee

Hello Robert. I appreciate your feedback on the 2078300 Self-Adjusting Wire Stripper, and I'm sorry to hear you are having trouble using the Micro Ad...

LeeJune 27, 2025

Product does not work

I bought this tool about 5-6 months ago. The "holder jaw" will not hold the wire in order for the "stripper jaw" to cut the insulation. It makes no difference what gage wire I try to strip. I barely use it anymore because it just doesn't work as advertised. So disappointed.

June 2, 2025

From irwin.com

Response from Lee

Hello. I appreciate your feedback on the 2078300 Wire Strippers.. Your satisfaction is our top priority. We will be reaching out to you with the emai...

LeeJune 5, 2025

Shoddy product

Would Not Recommend

Purchased this product a year ago but did not use them until last week when my garden lighting needed some mending. Well....they do not strip the wire correctly as the part that holds down the wire casing constantly slips...yes. .I turned the wheel for more pressure and the wire still slips. I really would like a refund but I am way beyond the Lowe's 90 day return policy.

March 8, 2025
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Response from Irwin Tools

Hello Jack. I appreciate your feedback on the IRWIN Vise-grip Wire strippers 2078300 and I'm sorry to hear that they do not strip the wire correc...

Irwin ToolsMarch 8, 2025

Will not strip 22 AWG wire

Would Not Recommend

Will not strip 22 AWG wire. Tension adjusted to maximum setting and still does not perform, simply mars and damages the insulation around the wire. Don't purchase this tool if you are using small gauge wire. I contacted IRWIN for a replacement just to make sure it wasn't my specific tool and they required a proof of purchase and a photo of the tool. Why isn't the photo enough proof? No replacement tool provided, and no further correspondence from Irwin for a month now.

February 16, 2025
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Response from Irwin Tools

Hello Rebel I appreciate your feedback on the IRWIN Vise-grip Wire strippers 2078300 and I'm sorry to hear that will not strip 22 AWG wire. Your ...

Irwin ToolsFebruary 18, 2025

Doesn’t work correctly

Would Not Recommend

It doesn’t hold the wire very good and when it starts stripping, it doesn’t grab and cut until it’s at the end, or it only cuts a little. I always have to get a different wire cutter to do the job.

February 15, 2025

From irwin.com

Response from Lee

Hello Brian. I appreciate your feedback on the 2078300 Wire Strippers and I'm sorry to hear the Wire Strippers are not working properly. Your satisfa...

LeeFebruary 18, 2025

From xmas smile to a frown

Would Not Recommend

A friend of mine had a smiliar product and I loved it. He remembered that from 4 months earlier and got me the Irwin model for a xmas gift. Sorry to say the Irwin product was no match would not strip thinner guaged wire, 14 or 12 guage wire, you had to hold the top of the grip to make it strip.

February 7, 2025

From irwin.com

Response from IRWIN

Hello John1964, I appreciate your feedback on the 2078300 Self-Adjusting Wire Stripper and I'm sorry to hear it won't strip the wire. Your satisfactio...

IRWINFebruary 15, 2025

Best wire stripper ever!

Would Recommend

One of my favorite tools! I recently moved and found the yellow plastic piece fell off, or a piece of it. How do I get a replacement yellow piece? Thanks!

January 29, 2025

From irwin.com

Forget it

Does not work. Could not get it to grip or strip any wire.

January 25, 2025

From irwin.com

Response from Lee

Hello Deeso. I appreciate your feedback on the 2078300 Wire Stripper, and I'm sorry to hear the Strippers are not working properly. Your satisfaction...

LeeJanuary 30, 2025

mine doesn't work that great

Would Not Recommend

these are junk the set i got at harbor freight are way better for 1/2 the price...

December 20, 2024
Verified Purchaser
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Response from Irwin Tools

Hello Donnshep and thank you for your feedback on the 2078300 IRWIN Wire Strippers. Your feedback is valuable as we take into consideration every pi...

Irwin ToolsDecember 24, 2024