A tool cartridge for seating and cutting a communication wire in a terminal block. The cartridge includes a tool end and a base end. A wire seating blade and a wire cutting blade extend outwardly from the cartridge and are mounted for longitudinal movement relative to the cartridge and to each other. A spring bias detent assembly forces the wire seating and wire cutting blades into contact with each other for longitudinal movement together relative to the cartridge. A compression spring resists longitudinal movement of the wire seating and wire cutting blades in the direction of the base of the cartridge by seating pressure applied to the cartridge. A cam is positioned to release the detent assembly thereby disengaging the wire seating and wire cutting blades from movement together after a predetermined compression of the compression spring. The release of the blades from movement together permitting the compression spring to drive the cutting blade to its cutting position to cut the wire.