A method for cleaving a fiber comprises rotating an actuator to apply a positioning force to a blade in a scoring assembly. The positioning force produces a score in the surface of a fiber, and the method further comprise applying a cleaving force to the fiber to cleave the fiber. The method can further include measuring the magnitude of the positioning force and rotating the actuator until the magnitude corresponds to a pre-determined magnitude. A cleaver comprises a scoring assembly, drive assembly, and a cleaving assembly. The scoring assembly includes a holder having one or more blades, and an actuator. The cleaving assembly secures a fiber in the scoring assembly. The drive assembly rotates the actuator to position one or more blades to score the surface of the fiber. The cleaving assembly applies a cleaving force to the fiber to cleave the fiber at the location of the score.