A wire stripper of the type having a pair of jaws (16, 18), with a set of cutting blades being mounted on one of the jaws for movement relative to one another along a blade movement axis, the set of cutting blades including: a first movable blade for reciprocating movement along the blade movement axis, the first movable blade having a body with a cutting edge defined thereon and a leg extending therefrom beyond the cutting edge, the leg having a first alignment surface on a side thereof closest to the cutting edge, the cutting edge having a plurality of apertures formed therein at fixed locations relative to the first alignment surface; and a second movable blade mounted on said one of the jaws for movement in a direction toward the first alignment surface, the second movable blade having a body with a cutting edge defined thereon which is in facing relation with the cutting edge of the first movable blade, the second movable blade's body further including a second alignment surface adjoining the cutting edge and in facing relation with the first alignment surface of the leg, the cutting edge having a plurality of apertures formed therein at fixed locations relative to the second alignment surface, movement of the second movable blade toward the leg causing the first and second alignment surfaces (44, 54) of the blades (32, 34) to abut one another and thereby assure alignment of the apertures (46, 56) on the respective cutting edges (38, 52); the first movable blade further comprising a cam formed on the body and extending beyond the cutting edge and wherein the second movable blade further comprises a cam surface opposite the second alignment surface and engageable with the cam during closure of the blades (32, 34) such that the cam urges the first and second alignment surfaces (44, 54) into contact; characterised in that the second movable blade further comprises a support edge formed on the body opposite the cutting edge, the support edge forming an angle with the blade movement axis which is other than ninety degrees; a button formed on said one of the jaws being engageable with a mounting hole formed in the body of the second movable blade, the hole having a size and shape that permits slight movement of the second movable blade toward and away from the first alignment surface of the first movable blade, the sloping support edge also aiding in bringing about said slight movement of the second movable blade. a first movable blade for reciprocating movement along the blade movement axis, the first movable blade having a body with a cutting edge defined thereon and a leg extending therefrom beyond the cutting edge, the leg having a first alignment surface on a side thereof closest to the cutting edge, the cutting edge having a plurality of apertures formed therein at fixed locations relative to the first alignment surface; and a second movable blade mounted on said one of the jaws for movement in a direction toward the first alignment surface, the second movable blade having a body with a cutting edge defined thereon which is in facing relation with the cutting edge of the first movable blade, the second movable blade's body further including a second alignment surface adjoining the cutting edge and in facing relation with the first alignment surface of the leg, the cutting edge having a plurality of apertures formed therein at fixed locations relative to the second alignment surface, movement of the second movable blade toward the leg causing the first and second alignment surfaces (44, 54) of the blades (32, 34) to abut one another and thereby assure alignment of the apertures (46, 56) on the respective cutting edges (38, 52); the first movable blade further comprising a cam formed on the body and extending beyond the cutting edge and wherein the second movable blade further comprises a cam surface opposite the second alignment surface and engageable with the cam during closure of the blades (32, 34) such that the cam urges the first and second alignment surfaces (44, 54) into contact; characterised in that the second movable blade further comprises a support edge formed on the body opposite the cutting edge, the support edge forming an angle with the blade movement axis which is other than ninety degrees; a button formed on said one of the jaws being engageable with a mounting hole formed in the body of the second movable blade, the hole having a size and shape that permits slight movement of the second movable blade toward and away from the first alignment surface of the first movable blade, the sloping support edge also aiding in bringing about said slight movement of the second movable blade.