apparatus for severing and stripping a portion of a coating material from an elongated member such as an insulated electrical conductor , or the like , utilizing a pair of overlapping blades having cutting edges formed at the junction of two planar surfaces meeting at an acute angle . the blades are moved relative to one another , radially of the conductor , to cause the cutting edges to move radially partially through the layer of insulation . relative movement of the blades and conductor axially of the conductor completes the severing of a slug of insulation , all in accordance with the prior art . the present apparatus is distinguished by making the planar surface portions immediately adjacent the cutting edges of the overlapping blades and engaged with the portion of the insulation to be stripped , i . e ., the portions of the blades which apply the axial severing force , at equal angles , either 90 ° or an acute angle , to the direction of relative movement . the disclosure is also embodied in the method of cutting and severing a slug of coating material in the foregoing manner .