These look like a good quality end cutter-type tool made in Japan, but for some specialized purpose, the jaws are offset. Discussion among commenters leads us to believe they are actually tile cutters.
Similar pair, with symetrical jaws. These are nippers for cutting wire.
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| Commenter Dave's two similar-looking tools. These carbide edges and in fact tile nippers. |
I have that same pair; the jaws don't actually touch when closed so it's not a nipper. I believe it's an upholsterer's nail puller. The offset is to provide leverage and enough of a draw to pull a nail with one twist. The jaws also form an angle when shut so you don't even have to open the jaws to grip a nail...you kind of slide it down under the head of the nail. I would imagine upholsterers get going pretty fast with this tool when they have a lot of nails to pull.
ReplyDeleteThe above has always just been my assumption...if anybody knows for sure yes or no I would love to hear it because I have not been able to find this particular tool in a catalog or anything.
Would you grab the nail heads through the fabric? My father brought a similar (but symetrical) tool (pic added) from Holland when he emigrated, he always called it a nail puller. We used them as "pinchers".
ReplyDeleteCould be ceramic tile nippers.
ReplyDeleteHere are the two pairs that I have, with the jaws fully closed (pair on the right is the offset):
ReplyDeletehttps://i.imgur.com/lJNaAal.jpeg
Looking at them I see they have carbide inserts and a quick search looks like they are, in fact, tile nippers as Beazld said. So now I know, and I won't use them to pull nails!
Thanks!
I've added your jaw pictures to the post. Tile cutters they are! Thanks all!
ReplyDeleteApparently the offset is so you can start a cut from the edge, which makes sense after I visualized it for a bit.
ReplyDeletelol they do make good nail pullers though.
What a thoughtful way to set up the end-on photo. Thanks, Dave. My mind is at peace now.
ReplyDeleteI'm kind of embarassed that I didn't know what they were, as I see now they're quite common. They came in a box of upholstery tools so I just assumed. Didn't even notice the carbide inserts until I looked at my picture (I can see the insert in Mr. G's picture now too). Maybe it's time for new glasses.
ReplyDeleteI don't have a piece of scrap tile hanging around but when I do I'll try them out.
Tiling is a pretty specific job (and not that common.) I had no idea that nipping a tile was a viable process.
ReplyDeleteAnd this morning I happened upon a home reno Youtube where the guy was pulling nails with an end nipper! I refrained from telling him he was using the wrong tool;-)
ReplyDeleteI know, right? With an end nipper half the time you end up snipping the nail in half and playing oral surgeon digging the remains out of the wood.
ReplyDelete