A tool for use in cutting a tie wrap bound about at least one wire, the tool comprising: a body portion having an end and a second portion spaced from the end; and a cutter connected to the second portion having a cutting edge configured to cut a tie wrap, said cutter defining a first side and a second side generally opposite the first side; and the second portion including a shield, said shield substantially covering the first side of the cutter and defining a shield slot (52, 54) that communicates with a portion of the cutting edge having: a mouth and a floor portion generally opposite the mouth; the mouth being of a first width and the floor portion being of a second width; the second width being greater than the first width; and a wall portion extending at a generally acute angle with respect to the floor portion from proximate the mouth to proximate the floor portion, the tool further comprising a housing connected to the body portion that covers a substantial portion of the second side of the cutter, said housing defining at least one housing slot (62, 64) that communicates with the second side of the cutter, the shield slot (52, 54), and a portion of the cutting edge of the cutter to expose the cutting edge for use in cutting a tie wrap, characterized in that the cutter has an arcuate cutting edge. a body portion having an end and a second portion spaced from the end; and a cutter connected to the second portion having a cutting edge configured to cut a tie wrap, said cutter defining a first side and a second side generally opposite the first side; and the second portion including a shield, said shield substantially covering the first side of the cutter and defining a shield slot (52, 54) that communicates with a portion of the cutting edge having: a mouth and a floor portion generally opposite the mouth; the mouth being of a first width and the floor portion being of a second width; the second width being greater than the first width; and a wall portion extending at a generally acute angle with respect to the floor portion from proximate the mouth to proximate the floor portion, the tool further comprising a housing connected to the body portion that covers a substantial portion of the second side of the cutter, said housing defining at least one housing slot (62, 64) that communicates with the second side of the cutter, the shield slot (52, 54), and a portion of the cutting edge of the cutter to expose the cutting edge for use in cutting a tie wrap, characterized in that the cutter has an arcuate cutting edge. a mouth and a floor portion generally opposite the mouth; the mouth being of a first width and the floor portion being of a second width; the second width being greater than the first width; and a wall portion extending at a generally acute angle with respect to the floor portion from proximate the mouth to proximate the floor portion, the tool further comprising a housing connected to the body portion that covers a substantial portion of the second side of the cutter, said housing defining at least one housing slot (62, 64) that communicates with the second side of the cutter, the shield slot (52, 54), and a portion of the cutting edge of the cutter to expose the cutting edge for use in cutting a tie wrap, characterized in that the cutter has an arcuate cutting edge.