So, what do y'all use to cut the cable to length so it doesn't fray?

The most effective method I've found is hitting a wire cutter with a hammer: Hold the cutter's jaws on a strong surface - a bench vise or similar indestructible surface - and place the wire at the back of the wire cutter's jaw. Then strike hard with a hammer. It cuts very cleanly and no need to wiggle the cable back and forth to break that last strand, which usually leads to some other strands unraveling...