A wire rope cutter includes a first handle and a second handle, a first cutting jaw and a second cutting jaw, a first pivot for pivotally connecting the first jaw and the first handle; and a second pivot for pivotally connecting the second jaw to the second handle. A third pivot pivotally connects the first handle to the second handle, and a fourth pivot pivotally connects the first jaw to the second jaw. The first jaw includes a web area having an elongated opening, and the second jaw includes a web area having an elongated opening. The third pivot is formed by a fastener extending through the elongated openings of the first jaw web area and the second jaw web area for pivotally connecting the handles together.