Provided is a wire rope inspection apparatus that is light, small in size and portable. A portable rope tester has a sensor device for sensing magnetic leakage flux leaking from a magnetized wire rope. Provided on the front of sensor device is a sensor face formed to be flat. The sensor face is pressed against the wire rope. By pressing the flat sensor face against the wire rope, magnetic leakage flux is sensed by the sensor device and whether the wire rope is damaged or not is detected. A handle is secured to the back of the sensor device on the side opposite the sensor face. The sensor device is held by grasping the handle by hand, and the sensor face of the device is pressed against the wire rope.