The answer to this is: use a cord stripper. For example, while you can cut a common speaker wire for length using household scissors, you’ll still need to strip a section of wire free of its casing and any insulation to attach it to a receiver or power amplifier. For that purpose, scissors are at best a clumsy tool, and damaging wire can lead not only to affected performance but in some cases can even start fires. That’s where a dedicated tool for stripping cables and cords without damaging the wire inside comes in.