It's used to cook proper cuts evenly (6)
I believe the answer is:
primus
'it's used to cook' is the definition.
(type of stove)
'proper cuts evenly' is the wordplay.
'proper' becomes 'prim' (similar in meaning).
'evenly' indicates alternate letters (the letters in even-numbered positions).
The alternating letters of 'cuts' are 'us'.
'prim'+'us'='PRIMUS'
(Other definitions for primus that I've seen before include "cooker" , "Scottish bishop" , "Camping stove brand" , "Portable cooking stove for campers" , "Bishop; stove" .)