The tool closes around the ribbon fibers, as the ribbon settles into the proper slot. With actuator depressed, the tool slides along a length of the ribbon that is needed into smaller ribbon counts. The tool has slots to separate the ribbon into the following smaller ribbon counts: 2/2, 2/4, 2/6, 4/4, 2/10, 4/8, 6/6, and 12/12.

The RST-000 splitting tool comes with a cleaning brush. It can split a ribbon up to a length of 0.5 m (20 in) before the tool needs cleaning. For mid-span applications, the lid must always be OPENED to accept the ribbon.