Not Chinese Fakes But Not big $$$ Either

carlsbad:

Yes, they are the sweet spot for solid core and even stranded (if the insulation is somewhat easy to strip and once properly graduated).

They did the job when I used them to strip Canare 4S11 (just lost a few stands with 16 strips) but it was a painful experience.

I also successfully used them with various Kimber bulk cable years ago.

Hoping that the one's Chris rec'd will be kindler/gentler when I revisit the Canare to add connectors (want fresh/clean ends for that).

I didn't gather from the pics that Big's cable has 48 insulated wires (found out when I reviewed his link) and can only imagine the sense of accomplishment involved with stripping 192 wires for a stereo pair.

I also saved his "link" to the bare 92% copper connectors/spades as they also interest me, but I do not own a crimping tool (don't know what's good/OK/waste of time).

I have a couple of copper bearing solders from Chimera Labs and another source which might be interesting to try.

DeKay

@dekay Any standard wire stripping tool has the crimping feature built in.  On the link to the spades, click on the install instructions and you'll see a pair.  You use the grove for 10 - 12 AWG.  It does not take much pressure to put a solid crimp in these spades.  At $5 a pair, order an extra set for trial.  

Thanks for the info.

Don't see it on the Klein I just ordered, but seem to recall it on a pair long handled strippers that I had years ago.

I already have "copper" spades from Amazon but they didn't pass the magnet test (too much pull) so your pick looks better for the Canare experiment.

DeKay

@carlsbad Re the copper purity, the Banana Plugs are 93% copper but the SP series spades "utilize C11000 100% IACS Copper which are the highest conductivity coppers available for their respective designs".  Note sure how much of a difference it makes but I did like the idea of 100% copper.  

@bigtwin  If you like lugs, then solid copper is definitely the way to go.  Many traditional bananas have problems.  I've had them come apart on me.  

So I use silver plated BFA style "banana" plugs.  Those have the added advantage of low mass which is the main thing I have against lugs.   This is a bit of a sidetrack on this thread but I don't like a huge mass in the signal path like most binding posts are.  I make my own binding posts out of the same high conductivity copper you mention but it is 3/16" tubing pressed into a nylon housing.

Jerry