a rotary wire end stripper has a rotatable cutting head which has a cutting blade carrier block that pivots between an operative and an inoperative position . the carrier block is spring - biased to the inoperative position and has a weight that is positioned to move the carrier block to the operative position under the centrifugal force of rotation of the cutting head . the cutting head forms annular slits of predetermined depth in the coverings of the wire which forms annular &# 34 ; slugs &# 34 ; that are removed after the wire end is withdrawn from the device .