Methods for cleaving an optical fiber that extends from a ferrule are provided herein. The ferrule can be aligned on a first side of a scribe wire and an unconstrained end of the optical fiber on a second side of the scribe wire. Tension can be applied to the scribe wire with the optical fiber. Relative motion between the scribe wire and the optical fiber can be caused, while the tension is applied with the optical fiber. The scribe wire and the optical fiber can be separated. A fiber optic shard can be cleaved from the optical fiber. The fiber optic shard may include the unconstrained end of the optical fiber.