A cable preparation machine includes a blade assembly having arms and braid blades mounted thereto and disposed about a cable opening receiving a cable end along a cable axis. The arms are movable between retracted positions and advanced positions to move the braid blades. The braid blades have edges configured to engage a cable braid of the cable to cut the cable braid. The cable preparation machine includes a mandrel coupled to the end of the cable between the cable braid and an inner insulator of the cable. The braid blades are rotated around the cable axis pressing the cable braid between the edges of the braid blades and the mandrel to cut the braid blade.