A cable preparation machine includes a frame forming a cable cutting zone, the frame having a cable opening along a cable axis at the cable cutting zone receiving an end of a cable. The cable preparation machine includes a pulley assembly rotatably coupled to the frame about the cable axis and a drive assembly operably coupled to the pulley assembly to rotate the pulley assembly about the cable axis. The cable preparation machine includes a blade assembly operably coupled to the pulley assembly and rotated with the pulley assembly about the cable axis. The blade assembly includes a blade having an arcuate cutting edge configured for cutting an insulator from the end of the cable.